Is It Legal to Drive a Lawn Mower on the Road?

There are a few situations where you may need to ride your lawn mower from one location to another. For example, you may be helping a neighbor and mowing their lawn or just need to go down the road a bit to a different lot. When this situation arises, you might wonder – is it legal to drive a lawn mower on the road?

Some states classify lawn mowers as vehicles, but others don’t. This means it may be illegal to drive on one street, even if there is a slow-moving vehicle sign. Where it is legal, you may be charged with an offense if you don’t have a license or a DUI if you have been drinking.

The entire subject is somewhat confusing. I’m going to do my best to help you learn more about riding a lawn mower on the road, when and where it is legal, and a few safety tips to help along the way.

Where to Drive Riding Lawn Mowers

Riding lawn mowers are designed to be used on your lawn. In fact, lawn mowers are not considered “street legal” in most areas. While some people believe they are, most states have laws in place that ban people from driving lawn mowers on public roads or highways. Most of the time, the only place you’ll see someone driving a lawn mower on the road is in more rural areas.

However, if you want to take your lawn mower for a spin on a public road, just make sure you check the local ordinances first. It is also a good idea to make sure you have the proper lights and turn signals on your lawn mower if you plan to drive it on the road. In some cases, you may also have to get a license plate for it.

Street Legality and Your Lawn Mower

The phrase “street legal” means your lawn mower must have a license plate, turn signals, headlights, and registration to drive on the road. Usually, riding lawn mowers aren’t equipped with these things, which means they aren’t street legal, right?

To fully understand this, you need to know what is considered a “street.” Streets are somewhere other vehicles can go. There are painted lines, and they are typically found in cities. This begs the question – what about dirt roads? Or subdivisions?

The laws are sketchy in these areas. However, one area where things are concise and clear is the highway. Lawn mowers are never legal on the highways. That’s because highways have speed restrictions that most lawn mowers cannot meet.

If you drive too slowly, it is considered a speeding violation. You can receive a ticket for this. Most areas, even rural ones, will have speed restrictions in place for slow-moving drivers. Driving too slowly means you are impeding traffic. Usually, if you have a lawn mower that cannot go more than 15 mph, you will be considered in violation of the law.

To know for sure where you can and cannot drive your lawn mower legally, you need to check the rules and laws for your local area. After all, they vary from one location to another.

Are Lawn Mowers Considered Vehicles?

Vehicles are defined as any device that can move a person, either on a road or property. Some states will further clarify this by using the words “motor vehicle” or define vehicles as something not “self-propelled,” like bicycles. This would mean a lawn mower is a vehicle.

Seems simple, but not all states agree on this. While lawn mowers can move a person and they are not self-propelled, the law also considers the vehicle’s intent. The intent of a lawn mower isn’t to move people; it’s to mow the grass.

A factor that makes this even more confusing is that in some states where lawn mowers are considered motor vehicles, they are not considered vehicles if they are stolen. In theft cases, lawn mowers aren’t vehicles, which means grand theft auto laws aren’t applicable.

Unfortunately, trying to answer the question is challenging whether it is legal to drive a lawn mower on the road. It’s best to find out what your city, county, or state considers a “vehicle” before you take your lawn mower on the road. If the lawn mower is considered a vehicle where you live, and you plan to drive it on the road, make sure you have your license with you and that it is in good standing before heading out.

Can You Drive a Lawn Mower on the Road Without a License?

If your license is suspended or if you don’t have a license, you may find yourself in “hot water” if you are pulled over for riding your lawn mower on the street. If you don’t have a license, you should not be driving anything on the road, car, truck, or lawn mower, even in areas where this is acceptable.

Can You Get a DUI While Driving a Lawn Mower on the Road?

Yes, you can be charged with a DUI if you operate your lawn mower on the road while intoxicated. If you are on your lawn mower, driving down the road, police can pull you over. They can give you a ticket or arrest you if your ability to drive the lawn mower has been inhibited by alcohol.

The Bottom Line

It can be frustrating to figure out if it is legal to drive your lawn mower on the road. However, if you look into the local laws and regulations, you should find a definitive answer to this query. Be sure you follow the local laws to avoid getting into trouble by having your lawn mower on the road.

Being informed and knowing the basics of driving lawn mowers on the road can help, but again, it is up to you to find the specific requirements for your local area. Since every state is different, you may be able to drive your lawn mower down to your neighbors or another location without issue, but then again, you may not.