84.804 OPERATION REQUIREMENTS; LOCAL REGULATION.
Subdivision 1.
Operation on public road rights-of-way. (a) A person may not operate a
vehicle off-road within a public road right-of-way in this state except on a trail designated by the
commissioner and approved by the unit of government having jurisdiction over the right-of-way.
(b) A person may not operate a vehicle off-road within a public road right-of-way between
the hours of one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise, except on the right-hand
side of the right-of-way and in the same direction as traffic on the nearest lane of the road.
(c) A person may not operate an off-road vehicle within the right-of-way of an interstate
highway.
Subd. 2.
Crossing public road rights-of-way. (a) An off-road vehicle not registered
under chapter 168 may make a direct crossing of a public road right-of-way for the purpose of
continuing on a designated off-road trail if:
(1) the crossing is made at an angle of approximately 90 degrees to the direction of the road
and at a place where no obstruction prevents a quick and safe crossing;
(2) the vehicle is brought to a complete stop before crossing the shoulder or main traveled
way of the road;
(3) the driver yields the right-of-way to all traffic;
(4) in crossing a divided road, the crossing is made only at an intersection of the road with
another public road; and
(5) if the crossing is made between the hours of one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour
before sunrise or in conditions of reduced visibility, only if both front and rear lights are on.
(b) An off-road vehicle not registered under chapter 168 may be operated on a bridge, other
than a bridge that is part of the main traveled lanes of an interstate highway, or a roadway shoulder
or inside bank of a public road right-of-way when required to avoid obstructions to travel and
no other method of avoidance is possible, provided that the vehicle is operated in the farthest
right-hand lane, the entrance to the roadway is made within 100 feet of the bridge or obstacle,
and the crossing is made without undue delay.
(c) A person may not operate an off-road vehicle on a public street or highway unless the
off-road vehicle is equipped with at least one headlight and one taillight, each of minimum
candlepower as prescribed by rules of the commissioner, and with brakes conforming to standards
prescribed by rule of the commissioner, and all of which are subject to the approval of the
commissioner of public safety.
(d) Chapter 169 applies to the operation of off-road vehicles on streets and highways, except
that those provisions that by their nature have no application and those provisions relating to
required equipment do not apply to vehicles not registered under chapter 168. Chapter 169A
applies to the operation of off-road vehicles anywhere in the state and on the ice of boundary
waters.
(e) A road authority, as defined in section
160.02, subdivision 25, may, with the approval
of the commissioner, designate access trails on public road rights-of-way for gaining access to
established off-road vehicle trails.
Subd. 3.
Operation generally. A person may not drive or operate a vehicle off-road:
(1) at a rate of speed greater than is reasonable under the surrounding circumstances;
(2) in a careless, reckless, or negligent manner which may endanger or cause injury or
damage to the person or property of another;
(3) without a functioning stoplight if so equipped;
(4) in a tree nursery or planting in a manner that damages or destroys growing stock;
(5) without a brake operational by either hand or foot; or
(6) in a manner that violates rules adopted by the commissioner.
Subd. 4.
Operation prohibited on airports. It is unlawful for a person to drive or operate an
off-road vehicle on an airport, as defined in section
360.013, subdivision 39, except in connection
with the operation of the airport.
Subd. 5.
Organized contests. (a) Nothing in this section or chapter 169 prohibits the use
of vehicles off-road within the right-of-way of a state trunk or county state-aid highway or on
public lands or waters under the jurisdiction of the commissioner in an organized contest or
event, subject to the consent of the official or board having jurisdiction over the highway or
public lands or waters.
(b) In permitting the contest or event, the official or board having jurisdiction must obtain the
commissioner's approval and may prescribe restrictions or conditions it considers advisable.
Subd. 6.
Regulation by political subdivisions. (a) Subject to paragraphs (b) and (c), a
county, city, or town acting through its governing body may regulate the operation of off-road
vehicles on public lands, waters, and property under its jurisdiction, other than public road
rights-of-way within its boundaries, by ordinance of the governing body and by giving appropriate
notice.
(b) The ordinance must be consistent with sections
84.797 to
84.805 and rules adopted
under section
84.80.
(c) An ordinance may not impose a fee for the use of public land or water under the
jurisdiction of the Department of Natural Resources or another agency of the state, or for the use
of an access to the public land or water owned by the state, a county, or a city.
History: 1993 c 311 art 2 s 8; 2000 c 478 art 2 s 7