How to Make a Dirt Bike Street Legal

For starters, by law you are required to have a working headlight that can switch between high and low beams. The high beam is necessary for safety, especially in the face of undesirable weather.

The headlights must be DOT (Department of Transportation) approved and it must be lit at all times while the bike is operational and not be blinding to other drivers at night. LED headlights can save on your battery and are very bright.

You might need a battery to make these lights work, and in some states, it might even be required by law. Without a battery, the lights might only work when the bike is running at a certain speed and dim down when your bike is idling.

The brake and tail lights to need to be functional for a minimum of 20 min, which is highly likely now due to energy saving LED lights. Like the headlight, the tail light must be on at all times

This might not be mandatory depending on your country or state, but it’s better to be safe than sorry by installing turn signals. They must be easy to reach and are relatively safer compared to having to signal your direction by taking a hand off the handlebars.

In some countries, just one mirror will do. But we recommend installing both for guaranteed safety and more awareness on the road. Sometimes mirrors come in a set anyway. In terms of the mirror, do not settle for less. Get high-quality mirrors that won't chip, flake or offer low visibility.

Global warming is proving to be a growing issue, so governments are clamping down on vehicle emissions. There are three things to consider when modifying your exhaust pipe: emissions, sound, and shape. Buying an EPA approved exhaust pipe will save you lots of trouble when trying to conform to the government's standards.

Another aspect of making a dirt bike street legal is the horn. It’s non-existent on a dirt bike, so you need to go out and purchase one. Look into the regulations of your particular state, because a squeeze horn might do in some areas but an electric one is required in others. But consider this, when you’re on the road and honking at someone, there is a good chance they won’t hear you with a run of the mill bike horn.

This next part is a pretty big overhaul on your dirt bike. The difference between dirt bike tires and street-legal vehicles is the rubber. Dirt bike tires aren't heavy-duty enough to deal with speeds that need to be met on highways.

You do not want your tires to come off or get worn out halfway through your journey. It doesn't matter what tires you choose, as long as they are DOT approved.

Every single vehicle on the road is required to have a license plate. Not only must you have a license plate, but the letters and numbers need to be in plain view and clearly legible. Make sure you check with the DMV or equivalent organization in your country about how to display the license plate.

​This also might not be required, but as someone used to driving cars, as many of you are as well, the speedometer gives you a good idea of how fast you’re traveling, and the odometer tells you how far you’ve gone.

For those of you that are unsure of this process and where to start, conversion packages are the go-to option for you. You can purchase everything you need to make your dirt bike street legal in one all-inclusive kit. Check to see what’s included and what other things you need to add.

Guess what? There are already many street-legal options on the market. If you're looking to purchase a dirt bike for the first time, perhaps look into these models.

Do your research before sinking hundreds or thousands of dollars into modifying your bike. Keep in mind that this entire process can be long and tedious and regulations vary from state to state and country to country. You might need to gather lots of documentation to back up your claims and prove your bike meets requirements.