As of Jan. 1, Alpine residents will be able to drive street-legal off-highway vehicles in the city.

But before you jump on your four-wheeler, beware. You'll get a ticket unless your vehicle complies with state law. And you still won't be able to cross city boundaries. An Alpine couple told Council members they recently purchased a Japanese mini truck, only to be pulled over and ticketed in Alpine. Police told them the vehicle was not legal in Alpine even though the truck had been licensed by the state as street legal. The couple took their case to the City Council, asking the Council to change the law.

"The police told us if they saw it on the streets again, they would impound it," the husband said. The couple asked not to be identified, saying they did not want to draw attention to the issue.

After much debate on Wednesday night, Alpine Council members voted unanimously to allow street-legal off-highway vehicles on city streets with speeds of less than 45 mph with one lane in each direction. That stipulation follows state law.

Police Chief Kip Botkin and some Council members said the new law would create some confusion when some residents see a four-wheeler, for example, driving down the street and assume their own four-wheeler, which has not been made street legal, is also fine to drive.

Council members and city staff stressed that under state law, the city had to allow all street-legal OHVs or allow none at all. Tuesday's vote allows all.

Dave Parduhn, who owns a power sports business in Pleasant Grove, told Council members that Japanese mini trucks may be the wave of the future if gas prices rise again.

"This opens the door for more money-saving and more efficient transportation," Parduhn said. "Gas prices have gone down but how long can we keep kidding ourselves they will stay that way... This opens the door for solar or battery-powered vehicles."

The mini trucks get 50 miles to the gallon, he said.