Four Wheeler Operational Law in Mississippi

Four wheelers can take you through areas of Mississippi’s wilderness you cannot easily access with other motor vehicle. Also, some areas may take a long time to walk or bike to, and a four wheeler gives you the speed and ease to get to some remote areas of the state. The USDA Forest Service has defined an off-highway vehicle (OHV) as “any motor vehicle designed or capable of cross-country travel on or immediately over land, water, sand, ice, marsh, swampland or other natural terrain.” A four wheeler, also known as an ATV, is considered an OHV.

  1. Riding Areas

    • A four wheeler cannot be operated on any paved road in Mississippi, including highways, community streets and roads where motor vehicles are allowed. Four wheelers can be operated in state parks, however, operators must abide by all park rules, regulations and hours and must stay within designated OHV paths. An OHV also cannot be operated on any utility right of way, such as water pipelines or electrical lines. Four wheelers can be operated on private land without restrictions, as long as the property owner has granted permission to ride on the land.

    Age and Safety Equipment

    • There are no laws setting age limits for operators of four wheelers on private land, nor are there any requiring the use of safety equipment, such as helmets. However, when operating the OHV in one of Mississippi’s state parks, an operator must be six years of age and wear a helmet if he is under the age of 16. Some safety advocates, such as Dr. Shannon Smith, are trying to get safety regulations set throughout the state and not just within park boundaries. Smith was quoted in a “Laurel Leader Call” article as saying she and others are trying to make helmets mandatory for children under 16 throughout the state.

    Title and Registration

    • Currently there are no laws requiring the owner of a four wheeler to register his vehicle with local or state officials. A four wheeler owner has the option to title his vehicle with the state but is not given a license plate or registration for it. There are also no laws requiring the operator of an OHV posses a driver’s license.

    State Parks

    • Four wheelers can be operated on designated trails that can be found in Mississippi state parks. The Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks regulates and enforces rules regarding OHV operation within park boundaries. Those riding four wheelers in the parks cannot harm or damage animals, vegetation or land and cannot leave the designated paths. A child under the age of 16 must have a parental consent form signed by his parents and submitted to the park office before riding his four wheeler within the park.