Road-Ready Golf Carts
Inspections may be arranged by scheduling an appointment with LT Materni at ematerni@oregonohio.org.
Types of Low Speed Vehicles
A) Low -speed vehicle-means a three-or-four wheeled motor vehicle with an attainable speed in one mile on a paved level surface of more than twenty miles per hour, but not more than twenty-five miles per hour with a gross vehicle weight rating less than three thousand pounds. (ORC 4501 .01 (WW)).
B) Under-speed vehicle-means a three-or four-wheeled vehicle, including a vehicle commonly known as a golf cart, with an attainable speed on a paved level surface of not more than twenty miles per hour and with a gross vehicle weight rating less than three thousand pounds. (ORC 4501.01 (XX)).
C) Utility vehicle- means a self-propelled vehicle designed with a bed, principally for the purpose of transporting material or cargo in connection with construction, agricultural, forestry, grounds, maintenance, lawn and garden, materials handling, or similar activities. (ORC 4501.01 (W)).
Permitted Streets for Low-Speed Vehicles
A) All public streets in the jurisdiction of the City of Oregon with a speed of thirty-five (35) miles per hour or less may be used for the operation of low-speed vehicles and under-speed vehicles with the exception of Navarre Avenue/State Route 2, Woodville Road/State Route 51, Wynn Road, and Corduroy Road. Low-speed vehicles and under-speed vehicles are prohibited from operating upon the roadways listed above.
B) All public streets in the jurisdiction of the City of Oregon with a speed of thirty-five (35) miles per hour or less may be used for the operation of utility vehicles.
Inspection and Required Equipment
A) No person shall operate an under-speed vehicle and/or a utility vehicle on the streets within the City unless the under-speed vehicle and/or utility vehicle has been inspected for compliance with the State of Ohio statutory requirements that are applicable to motor vehicles and the Codified Ordinances of the City, entitling the owner or operator to secure a title and license for the under-speed vehicle and/or utility vehicle. All under-speed vehicles and/or utility vehicle shall be properly titled and plated as required by the State of Ohio and have been designated by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles as the following:
- a. Under-Speed Vehicle: BMV Code- US
- b. Utility -Vehicle: BMV Code- UV
B) The owner of the under-speed vehicle and/or utility vehicle shall provide proof of insurance at the time of inspection.
C) City inspection is not required for any low-speed vehicle . However, all low-speed vehicles shall be properly titled and plated as required by the State of Ohio and have been designated by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles as the following:
- a. Low-Speed Vehicle: BMV code-LS
Required Equipment
1) Working headlights
2) At least one working taillight and two working brake lights
3) Directional signals
4) A rearview mirror
5) A white light illuminating the rear license plate legible from a distance of 50 feet
6) A working horn
7) Windshield made of glass or safety glass
8) One license plate; in the rear bracketed to the cart
9) One seat belt per occupant
Licensing Requirements
A) No person who is less than 16 years of age shall operate an under-speed, low-speed, or utility vehicle on the streets of the City.
B) The operator of an under-speed, low-speed, or utility vehicle on permitted streets within the City shall hold a valid current motor vehicle driver’s license.
C) No person who is the owner or operator of an under-speed, low-speed, or utility vehicle shall fail to display, in plain view on the rear of the vehicle, the distinctive number and registration mark, including any county identification sticker and any validation sticker.
Usage and Restrictions
A) Occupants of under-speed, low-speed, and utility vehicles shall be seated at all times on the seat of the vehicle, buckled by the seat belt when the vehicle is on and in motion. Standing on any portion of the vehicle while it is in motion is prohibited.
B) Any child who falls under the child restraint criteria set by O.R.C. 451 1.81 is prohibited from being a passenger in an under-speed and/or low-speed operated on any City street, right of way, or public area in the City of Oregon.
C) No person shall operate under-speed, low-speed, or utility vehicles on sidewalks.
D) No person shall operate an under-speed, low-speed, or utility vehicle on a bike path.
E) Under-speed, low-speed, or utility vehicles must be operated in accordance with all State of Ohio traffic laws in addition to all applicable sections of the City of Oregon Codified Ordinances.
Penalty
Whoever violates the provisions of this Chapter is guilty of a minor misdemeanor of the first offense. On a second offense within one year after the first offense, the person is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree; and for subsequent offenses within one year after the first offense, the person is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.