2004 Minnesota Statutes

     169.045 Special vehicle use on roadway. 

    Subdivision 1.    Designation of roadway, permit.  The 
 governing body of any county, home rule charter or statutory 
 city, or town may by ordinance authorize the operation of 
 motorized golf carts, or four-wheel all-terrain vehicles, on 
 designated roadways or portions thereof under its jurisdiction.  
 Authorization to operate a motorized golf cart or four-wheel 
 all-terrain vehicle is by permit only.  For purposes of this 
 section, a four-wheel all-terrain vehicle is a motorized 
 flotation-tired vehicle with four low-pressure tires that is 
 limited in engine displacement of less than 800 cubic 
 centimeters and total dry weight less than 600 pounds. 

    Subd. 2.    Ordinance.  The ordinance shall designate 
 the roadways, prescribe the form of the application for the 
 permit, require evidence of insurance complying with the 
 provisions of section 65B.48, subdivision 5 and may prescribe 
 conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions of this 
 section, under which a permit may be granted.  Permits may be 
 granted for a period of not to exceed one year, and may be 
 annually renewed.  A permit may be revoked at any time if there 
 is evidence that the permittee cannot safely operate the 
 motorized golf cart or four-wheel all-terrain vehicle on the 
 designated roadways.  The ordinance may require, as a condition 
 to obtaining a permit, that the applicant submit a certificate 
 signed by a physician that the applicant is able to safely 
 operate a motorized golf cart or four-wheel all-terrain vehicle 
 on the roadways designated. 

    Subd. 3.    Times of operation.  Motorized golf carts 
 and four-wheel all-terrain vehicles may only be operated on 
 designated roadways from sunrise to sunset.  They shall not be 
 operated in inclement weather or when visibility is impaired by 
 weather, smoke, fog or other conditions, or at any time when 
 there is insufficient light to clearly see persons and vehicles 
 on the roadway at a distance of 500 feet.  

    Subd. 4.    Slow-moving vehicle emblem.  Motorized golf 
 carts shall display the slow-moving vehicle emblem provided for 
 in section 169.522, when operated on designated roadways.  

    Subd. 5.    Crossing intersecting highways.  The 
 operator, under permit, of a motorized golf cart or four-wheel 
 all-terrain vehicle may cross any street or highway intersecting 
 a designated roadway.  

    Subd. 6.    Application of traffic laws.  Every person 
 operating a motorized golf cart or four-wheel all-terrain 
 vehicle under permit on designated roadways has all the rights 
 and duties applicable to the driver of any other vehicle under 
 the provisions of this chapter, except when those provisions 
 cannot reasonably be applied to motorized golf carts or 
 four-wheel all-terrain vehicles and except as otherwise 
 specifically provided in subdivision 7.  

    Subd. 7.    Nonapplication of certain laws.  The 
 provisions of chapter 171, are not applicable to persons 
 operating motorized golf carts or four-wheel all-terrain 
 vehicles under permit on designated roadways pursuant to this 
 section.  Except for the requirements of section 169.70, the 
 provisions of this chapter relating to equipment on vehicles is 
 not applicable to motorized golf carts or four-wheel all-terrain 
 vehicles operating, under permit, on designated roadways.  

    Subd. 8.    Insurance.  In the event persons operating a 
 motorized golf cart or four-wheel, all-terrain vehicle under 
 this section cannot obtain liability insurance in the private 
 market, that person may purchase automobile insurance, including 
 no-fault coverage, from the Minnesota Automobile Assigned Risk 
 Plan at a rate to be determined by the commissioner of commerce. 

    HIST: 1982 c 549 s 2; 1986 c 452 s 19; 1Sp1986 c 3 art 2 s 12; 
 1987 c 337 s 121,122; 1997 c 159 art 2 s 18