2006 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.
History: 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