CHRISTIAN COUNTY, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – Action taken by the Kentucky General Assembly through the introduction of amendments to Senate Bill 63 will permit and regulate the usage of special purpose vehicles (SPV’s) on Christian County roads, and throughout the state. At the June 10 Christian County Fiscal Court meeting, the magistrates passed the first reading of an ordinance that would enforce the new SPV guidelines locally, with the bill taking effect on June 27, 2025.

“As a result of their (Kentucky General Assembly’s) action this past session we’re trying to follow suit and pass our own ordinance that will allow street legal special purpose vehicles to be on our Christian County roads,” said Judge Executive Jerry Gilliam.

Back in January, a group of individuals who were hoping to see local legislative change that would allow UTV’s to be legal on Christian County roads attended a fiscal court meeting. Jason Hale spoke on behalf of the group, pitching his case on why magistrates should permit these small vehicles on the roads. At the time, Judge Executive Jerry Gilliam deferred the issue to the road department.

Potentially regulations and guidelines

Bill 63 now defines an SPV as an all-terrain vehicle, utility terrain vehicle, minitruck, pneumatic-tired military vehicle, or full-size special purpose-built vehicle, including a vehicle that is self-constructed or built by the original equipment manufacturer and a vehicle that has been modified.

The local ordinance details that SPV’s will be legal to drive on specific state highways in the boundaries of the county, not on interstates or parkways. It also prohibits them from traveling a distance greater than 20 miles on a highway. SPV’s must be properly registered through the county clerk’s office after it has been inspected by the Christian County Sherrif’s Office to ensure it is street legal and must be driven by individuals with a valid driver’s license. More specific regulations will be laid out by KYTC after the bill takes effect on June 27.

“I know there are still some questions about it, but I think this is a good first step to ensure the opportunities for our citizen to operate these street legal special vehicles on June 27 and thereafter,” said Gilliam. The first reading of the ordinance passed at the June 10 meeting unanimously.

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