Highland resident David Hall thought he had found a solution to the high cost of gas when he purchased a Suzuki mini truck, which gets 50 mpg.

He soon learned otherwise -- although legally licensed with the state of Utah, the mini truck is classified as a street-legal ATV, and thus not allowed on Highland roads. Hall has to load it on a flatbed trailer to even take it off his property.

"I've owned it for over three months, and my $10,000 car is parked in the garage while I pay insurance on it," he said.

Hall's frustration is shared by Alpine resident Linda Pehrson and at least one other Highland resident, who also purchased mini trucks at a local dealership.

"The dealer said he had been driving the Alpine Highway for months with no problem," Pehrson said. However, when she and her husband drove the vehicle in Highland they were pulled over and warned that it was not legal and could be impounded.

"Unless a city approves driving them on city streets, it's illegal," said Lt. Brian Williams of the Lone Peak police department. He recommended that individuals check with city ordinances before purchasing street-legal ATVs.

The problem has arisen because the mini trucks are manufactured outside of the United States and then imported as off-road vehicles.

"It's cheaper to import them with that classification," Hall explained. Unfortunately for him and other mini-truck owners, the street-legal ATV title limits where they can be driven. ATVs are generally not allowed on city roads.

During the past three years, several states have enacted legislation to permit street-legal ATVs on specific portions of public roads.

Utah's law was enacted Oct. 1, 2008 and allows the vehicles on roads with a maximum posted speed limit of 40 mph and with only one lane in each direction. It was amended earlier this year to allow street-legal ATVs on highways with a posted speed limit of more than 45 mph, provided the vehicle has a reflector and is driven in the far right-hand lane.

The vehicles are not allowed in a municipality with a population of more than 7,500 or in a county of the first class -- a classification which is based on population and includes Utah County. However, municipalities and counties may adopt an ordinance opening streets for ATV use.

At least two Utah cities have already adopted ordinances allowing street-legal ATVs on city streets. Brigham City adopted its ordinance in September. Alpine City adopted one in December, largely through the efforts of Pehrson and Hall, who presented information to the City Council.

Their next goal is to get an ordinance passed in Highland. They have delivered information folders to the council members, and at tonight's council meeting, council members Kathryn Schramm and Brian Brunson will request that the topic of "Type II ATV's" be placed on a future agenda.

"We're persistent, we'll keep showing up," Hall said.

Highland city administrator Barry Edwards said the situation is a little different in Highland, which has speed limits above 50 mph. The city is also concerned about allowing other types of ATVs on city roads.

"Our city attorney says you cannot make a distinction between street-legal ATVs and [mini trucks]," he said. "If we open [our streets], we have to open them to all ATVs."

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