# South Carolina S 0222: AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING ARTICLE 5 TO CHAPTER 2, TITLE 56 SO AS TO DEFINE THE TERM "UTILITY TERRAIN VEHICLE (UTV)" AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE REGISTRATION AND OPERATION OF UTV'S ON THE HIGHWAYS AND STREETS OF THE STATE; BY AMENDING SECTION 56-1-10, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS, SO AS TO REVISE THE DEFINITION OF THE TERM "OFF-ROAD USE ONLY"; BY AMENDING SECTION 38-77-30, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS, SO AS TO REVISE THE DEFINITION OF THE TERM "INDIVIDUAL PRIVATE PASSENGER AUTOMOBILE" TO INCLUDE CERTAIN UTV'S; BY ADDING SECTION 56-2-5140 SO AS TO PROVIDE FARMERS HOLDING SCATE CARDS AND DRIVER'S LICENSES MAY OPERATE CERTAIN UTV'S WITHOUT RESTRICTIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 56-3-630, RELATING TO PRIVATE PASSENGER MOTOR VEHICLES, SO AS TO CLASSIFY UTV'S AS PRIVATE PASSENGER MOTOR VEHICLES; AND TO AMEND SECTION 56-2-90, RELATING TO THE OPERATION OF GOLF CARTS, SO AS TO EXEMPT CERTAIN MINOR PASSENGERS FROM WEARING SAFETY BELTS UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE OPERATION OF GOLF CARTS DURING CERTAIN ATHLETIC EVENTS.

South Carolina S 0222, AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING ARTICLE 5 TO CHAPTER 2, TITLE 56 SO AS TO DEFINE THE TERM "UTILITY TERRAIN VEHICLE (UTV)" AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE REGISTRATION AND OPERATION OF UTV'S ON THE HIGHWAYS AND STREETS OF THE STATE; BY AMENDING SECTION 56-1-10, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS, SO AS TO REVISE THE DEFINITION OF THE TERM "OFF-ROAD USE ONLY"; BY AMENDING SECTION 38-77-30, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS, SO AS TO REVISE THE DEFINITION OF THE TERM "INDIVIDUAL PRIVATE PASSENGER AUTOMOBILE" TO INCLUDE CERTAIN UTV'S; BY ADDING SECTION 56-2-5140 SO AS TO PROVIDE FARMERS HOLDING SCATE CARDS AND DRIVER'S LICENSES MAY OPERATE CERTAIN UTV'S WITHOUT RESTRICTIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 56-3-630, RELATING TO PRIVATE PASSENGER MOTOR VEHICLES, SO AS TO CLASSIFY UTV'S AS PRIVATE PASSENGER MOTOR VEHICLES; AND TO AMEND SECTION 56-2-90, RELATING TO THE OPERATION OF GOLF CARTS, SO AS TO EXEMPT CERTAIN MINOR PASSENGERS FROM WEARING SAFETY BELTS UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE OPERATION OF GOLF CARTS DURING CERTAIN ATHLETIC EVENTS., is a 126th General Assembly (2025-2026) Senate bill sponsored by Russell L. Ott (Democrat); status signed, last action 2026-06-05 (Effective date 11/18/26); PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-10-12).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/SC-S0222-2025-2026
- As of: 2026-10-12
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: South Carolina S 0222
- State: South Carolina
- Session: 126th General Assembly (2025-2026)
- Title: AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING ARTICLE 5 TO CHAPTER 2, TITLE 56 SO AS TO DEFINE THE TERM "UTILITY TERRAIN VEHICLE (UTV)" AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE REGISTRATION AND OPERATION OF UTV'S ON THE HIGHWAYS AND STREETS OF THE STATE; BY AMENDING SECTION 56-1-10, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS, SO AS TO REVISE THE DEFINITION OF THE TERM "OFF-ROAD USE ONLY"; BY AMENDING SECTION 38-77-30, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS, SO AS TO REVISE THE DEFINITION OF THE TERM "INDIVIDUAL PRIVATE PASSENGER AUTOMOBILE" TO INCLUDE CERTAIN UTV'S; BY ADDING SECTION 56-2-5140 SO AS TO PROVIDE FARMERS HOLDING SCATE CARDS AND DRIVER'S LICENSES MAY OPERATE CERTAIN UTV'S WITHOUT RESTRICTIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 56-3-630, RELATING TO PRIVATE PASSENGER MOTOR VEHICLES, SO AS TO CLASSIFY UTV'S AS PRIVATE PASSENGER MOTOR VEHICLES; AND TO AMEND SECTION 56-2-90, RELATING TO THE OPERATION OF GOLF CARTS, SO AS TO EXEMPT CERTAIN MINOR PASSENGERS FROM WEARING SAFETY BELTS UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE OPERATION OF GOLF CARTS DURING CERTAIN ATHLETIC EVENTS.
- Status: signed
- Chamber: Senate
- Introduced: 2025-01-15
- Last action: 2026-06-05, Effective date 11/18/26
- Sponsor: Russell L. Ott (Democrat)
- Cosponsors: 1
- Touches household money: yes
- Roll calls: 7 (257 yes, 101 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 7

## Summary

Utility terrain vehicle

## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read

- Liability limits for UTV dealers: benefit, medium. Beginning 2026-11-18, UTV dealers and their employees are not liable for damages from road operation of a UTV that was not designed for public roads. Manufacturers are not liable unless a defect existed when the product left their control and caused the damages.
- Farmers get nearby UTV freedom: benefit, low. Beginning 2026-11-18, a farmer with a valid SCATE card and a driver’s license may operate a UTV or similar vehicle with a top speed under 55 mph within 10 miles of the farm, without the usual road limits. This exception applies only within that ten‑mile area.
- How to register and title UTVs: cost, low. Beginning 2026-11-18, the law defines what counts as a UTV. The DMV does not register or renew a UTV unless a title exists or a title application is filed. If the manufacturer’s papers say the vehicle was not built for public roads, the title is branded “Off Road Use Only,” and the DMV may require…
- Insurance and vehicle class for UTVs: mixed, low. Starting 2026-11-18, if you register a UTV for road use, insurers treat it as a private passenger car for coverage. The DMV also classifies qualifying UTVs as private passenger motor vehicles for registration. This can change your insurance options and costs.
- New road rules for UTV drivers: mixed, low. Beginning 2026-11-18, you must be at least 17 with a full driver’s license to drive a UTV on public highways, and you must carry your license, the UTV’s registration certificate, and proof of liability insurance. Beginner, moped, provisional, route‑restricted, motorcycle‑only, and temporary alcohol…
- Safer golf carts and event access: mixed, low. Effective 2026-05-18, every child under 12 riding in a golf cart on public streets must wear a fastened seat belt. This does not apply to golf course‑owned carts used while playing on that course. Golf carts may operate within one‑half mile of certain large sports events from three hours before unt…
- UTV taxes, $10 fee, property break: mixed, low. Beginning 2026-11-18, UTV purchases are subject to South Carolina sales tax. To use a UTV on public roads, you pay $10 every two years; $2 funds plates, $4 goes to the State Highway Fund, and $4 goes to the Transportation Infrastructure Bank. Registered electric, hydrogen, and other non‑motor‑fuel…

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Russell L. Ott (Democrat), Senate
- Cosponsor: Everett Stubbs (Republican), Senate

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2026-05-13 | Senate | (Utility terrain vehicle)to adopt amendment | pass | 29 | 14 |   |
| 2026-05-13 | Senate | (Utility terrain vehicle)to adopt Amendment number RFH-1 | fail | 19 | 24 |   |
| 2026-05-13 | Senate | (Utility terrain vehicle)to concur | pass | 26 | 18 |   |
| 2026-05-12 | House | (Utility terrain vehicle)Passage of Bill | pass | 109 | 3 |   |
| 2026-05-05 | Senate | (Utility terrain vehicle)3rd Reading | pass | 30 | 14 |   |
| 2026-04-16 | Senate | (Utility terrain vehicle)to adopt amendment 1B | pass | 22 | 14 |   |
| 2026-04-16 | Senate | (Utility terrain vehicle)to adopt amendment 1B | pass | 22 | 14 |   |

## Actions (25)

- 2026-06-05: Effective date 11/18/26 (legislature)
- 2026-06-02: Act No. 164 (legislature)
- 2026-05-18: Signed By Governor (Governor)
- 2026-05-14: Ratified R 133 (legislature)
- 2026-05-13: Roll call Ayes-26 Nays-18 (Senate)
- 2026-05-13: Concurred in House amendment and enrolled (Senate)
- 2026-05-13: Read third time and returned to Senate with amendments (House)
- 2026-05-12: Roll call Yeas-109 Nays-3 (House)
- 2026-05-12: Read second time (House)
- 2026-05-12: Amended (House)
- 2026-05-07: Scrivener's error corrected (legislature)
- 2026-05-07: Debate adjourned (House)
- 2026-05-06: Recalled from Committee on Education and Public Works (House)
- 2026-05-06: Referred to Committee on Education and Public Works (House)
- 2026-05-06: Introduced and read first time (House)
- 2026-05-05: Roll call Ayes-30 Nays-14 (Senate)
- 2026-05-05: Read third time and sent to House (Senate)
- 2026-05-05: Amended (Senate)
- 2026-04-29: Amended (Senate)
- 2026-04-16: Read second time (Senate)
- 2026-04-16: Amended (Senate)
- 2026-04-16: Committee Amendment Adopted (Senate)
- 2026-03-04: Committee report: Favorable with amendment Transportation (Senate)
- 2025-01-15: Referred to Committee on Transportation (Senate)
- 2025-01-15: Introduced and read first time (Senate)

## Bill text

- Introduced: [HTML](https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/bills/222.htm)

## Related bills

- S 0623: AN ACT TO EXEMPT GEORGETOWN COUNTY FROM CERTAIN BUILDING REQUIREMENTS AND TO ALLOW THE COUNTY TO INSTEAD ENFORCE AE STANDARDS IN GEORGETOWN COUNTY'S FLOOD DAMA… (became law)
- S 0586: AN ACT TO AMEND ACT 172 OF 1995, RELATING TO THE KERSHAW COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT EACH MEMBER OF THE KERSHAW COUNTY TRANSPORTATIO… (signed)
- H 5653: AN ACT TO AMEND ACT 843 OF 1952, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE LEE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION, SO AS TO CLARIFY THE METHOD BY WHICH PERSONS FILE TO BECOME A CANDI… (signed)
- S 1062: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE STATE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION, RELATING TO DETERMINATION OF RATES OF TUITION AND FEES, DESIGNATED AS RE… (signed)
- S 0779: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO PROVIDE THAT EACH MEMBER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY SHALL RECEIVE A MONTHLY LEGISLATIVE EXPENSE ALLOWANCE OF ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS; TO PROVID… (signed)
- H 5261: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO EXTEND THE DEADLINE FOR RECEIVING ALCOHOL SERVER TRAINING AS PROVIDED FOR IN CHAPTER 3, TITLE 61 TO MAY 1, 2026. (signed)

## Sources
- [Introduced (HTML)](https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/bills/222.htm)

## Related
- [S 0623: AN ACT TO EXEMPT GEORGETOWN COUNTY FROM CERTAIN BUILDING REQUIREMENTS AND TO AL…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/SC-S0623-2025-2026)
- [S 0586: AN ACT TO AMEND ACT 172 OF 1995, RELATING TO THE KERSHAW COUNTY TRANSPORTATION…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/SC-S0586-2025-2026)
- [H 5653: AN ACT TO AMEND ACT 843 OF 1952, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE LEE COUNTY BOARD O…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/SC-H5653-2025-2026)
- [S 1062: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE STATE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDU…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/SC-S1062-2025-2026)
- [S 0779: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO PROVIDE THAT EACH MEMBER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY SHALL RE…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/SC-S0779-2025-2026)
- [H 5261: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO EXTEND THE DEADLINE FOR RECEIVING ALCOHOL SERVER TRAINING…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/SC-H5261-2025-2026)
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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/SC-S0222-2025-2026 (as of 2026-10-12).