ATV quad bike vehicle standing near wooden fence at farm or horse stable. Back view of all wheel drive motorcycle at farm. Rural countryside machine.
CECIL, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — UTV and ATV riders in Wisconsin will have to abide by new laws this summer.
According to the state Department of Natural Resources, the changes are designed to reduce fatalities.
Starting Monday, if you’re riding in a UTV, you will be required to wear a seat belt. Previously, state law said all UTV passengers must be buckled, which caused confusion. The new mandate taking effect June 1 closes that loophole and states all occupants must be seat belted.
ATV/UTV groups in Northeast Wisconsin said this is an important step in keeping all riders safe.
“Common sense. Buckle up. It’s just like the automobile. You have to buckle up,” said Jeffrey Clement, who is on the board of directors for the Wisconsin Trail Lake Runners ATV/UTV Club.
Clement said too often, he hears about deaths stemming from these machines. He said wearing a seat belt is a simple solution and applauded the decision to implement a new seat belt law for UTVs.
“You don’t know what’s going to happen, especially going on the trail, like going up toward Mountain and that. You got deer running through there. You got to slam on the brakes to get out of the way. Seat belt is the only way to go,” Clement said.
According to the Wisconsin DNR, there have been 15 ATV/UTV-related deaths so far in Wisconsin in 2026.
“Over 90% of the issues happen with people not wearing their helmets and seat belts, so there’s a lot of folks that I truly believe would be alive today if they had worn a seat belt,” Wisconsin DNR Off-Highway Administrator Jake Holsclaw said. “So, the hope is that this will just keep people safe, hopefully save some more lives.”
Another law going into effect June 1 requires all ATV/UTV occupants to wear eye protection if the vehicle doesn’t have a windshield. It will also be illegal to use your ATV/UTV to tow an object with people in it.
Additionally, a window tint restriction on UTVs is taking effect. Front windshield along with front side windows can only have up to a 50% tint and rear windows need to allow no less than 30% of light to penetrate through. This change will help increase visibility for drivers and law enforcement, the DNR said.
“We want people to go home safe. We want people to see their families at the end of the day, and be able to ride again the next day,” Holsclaw said.
Not buckling up in your ATV/UTV could result in a $295 fine per offense.
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