Is it legal to drive tractors, other slow vehicles on Kansas roads? What the law says
Though they can be a frustration, low-speed vehicles like farming equipment can be legal to drive on Kansas roadways in some cases.
State law calls slow-moving vehicles “any vehicle, farm tractor, implement of husbandry, equipment or piece of machinery designed for use at speeds of less than 25 miles per hour, or which is normally moved at speeds of less than 25 miles per hour,” including all machinery used in construction work.
According to the U.S. Consumer Bureau, Kansas saw a total of 23 deaths between 2016 and 2018 in incidents involving so-called “off-highway vehicles” with more than two wheels. Nationally, there were more than 2,000 deaths across the country during that same time frame.
Here’s a look at the laws surrounding these types of vehicles in Kansas.
Can you drive a slow-moving vehicle on Kansas roads?
Slow-moving vehicles have to follow certain rules before being allowed on Kansas roadways, the law says.
Requirements the vehicles must meeting include:
- At least two head lamps
- At least one red lamp that can be viewed at a distance of 1,000 feet
- At least two red reflectors that can be seen anywhere
In some cases, slow-moving vehicles must have an emblem denoting that status. This emblem is triangular, painted a bright yellow-orange and bordered with reflective strips.
Kansas law also says slow-moving vehicles are not allowed on “any highway which is within the national system of interstate and defense highways, the state highway system or the state system of modern express highways and freeways” without a slow-moving vehicle emblem.
Anyone operating an oversize or overweight vehicle must obtain at annual permit. This includes people transporting tractors, combines and any kinds of farm machinery on public highways.
What are the regulations for slow-moving vehicles in Wichita?
A Wichita city ordinance says all-terrain vehicles are allowed to be used on city streets, roadways and bike paths during community events when authorized. The city labels all-terrain vehicles as “any motorized nonhighway vehicle traveling on three or more tires,” which includes golf carts.
The city ordinance indicates all-terrain vehicles are not allowed to be driven on highways before sunrise or after sunset, unless the vehicles are equipped with proper lights.
Intentional violations of the ordinance can be a misdemeanor offense, and violations occurring on separate days are different offenses.
Golf carts are allowed to be driven on city roads and sidewalks so long as the device is street legal and the driver has a valid driver’s license. All golf carts must have a Kansas tag and proper lights, including turn signals and brake lights.
Anyone without a valid license can only drive a golf cart on private property in Wichita. Parents who let juveniles drive on city streets and sidewalks without a driver’s license can receive a citation, a Wichita city official said.
This story was originally published August 7, 2023 at 2:25 PM.
