Skip to code content (skip section selection)
Compare to:
CHAPTER 446: SNOWMOBILES, OFF-HIGHWAY MOTORCYCLES AND ALL-PURPOSE VEHICLES
Section
446.01   Definitions
446.02   Equipment
446.03   Code application; prohibited operation
446.04   Permitted operation
446.05   Licensing requirements of operator
446.06   Accident reports
446.07   Local control within police power
446.08   Registration of vehicles
446.09   Operation of off-highway motorcycle or all-purpose vehicle without certificate of title; failure to surrender
446.99   Penalty
Cross-reference:
   Bicycles and motorcycles generally, see Ch. 444
   Operation on bicycle paths, see § 432.42
   Required usage of helmets and safety glasses, see § 444.02
   Street or highway defined, see § 402.01
Statutory reference:
   Power of court to impound registration certificates for certain violations, see R.C. § 4519.47
§ 446.01 DEFINITIONS.
   For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
   (a)   “All-purpose vehicle.” Any self-propelled vehicle designed primarily for cross-country travel on land and water, or on more than one type of terrain, and steered by wheels or caterpillar treads, or any combination thereof, including vehicles that operate on a cushion of air, vehicles commonly known as all-terrain vehicles, all season vehicles, mini-bikes and trail bikes. The term does not include a utility vehicle as defined in R.C. § 4501.01 or any vehicle principally used in playing golf, any motor vehicle or aircraft required to be registered under R.C. Chapter 4503 or R.C. Chapter 4561, and any vehicle excepted from definition as a motor vehicle by R.C. § 4501.01(B).
   (b)   “Dealer.” Any person or firm engaged in the business of manufacturing or selling snowmobiles, off-highway motorcycles or all-purpose vehicles at wholesale or retail, or who rents, leases or otherwise furnishes snowmobiles, off-highway motorcycles or all-purpose vehicles for hire.
   (c)   “Electronic” and “electronic record.” Have the same meanings as in R.C. § 4501.01.
   (d)   “Electronic dealer.” A dealer whom the Registrar of Motor Vehicles designates under R.C. § 4519.511.
   (e)   “Interstate highway.” Any part of the interstate system of highways as defined in subsection (e), 90 Stat. 431 (1976), 23 U.S.C. 103, as amended.
   (f)   “Limited-access highway” or “freeway.” Have the same meanings as in R.C. § 5511.02.
   (g)   “Mini-truck.” A vehicle that has four wheels, is propelled by an electric motor with a rated power of 7,500 watts or less or an internal combustion engine with a piston displacement capacity of 660 cubic centimeters or less, has a total dry weight of 900 to 2,200 pounds, contains an enclosed cabin and a seat for the vehicle operator, resembles a pickup truck or van with a cargo area or bed located at the rear of the vehicle, and was not originally manufactured to meet federal motor vehicle safety standards.
   (h)   “Off-highway motorcycle.” Every motorcycle, as defined in R.C. § 4511.01, that is designed to be operated primarily on lands other than a street or highway.
   (i)   “Operator.” Any person who operates or is in actual physical control of a snowmobile, off-highway motorcycle or all-purpose vehicle.
   (j)   “Owner.” Any person or firm, other than a lienholder or dealer, having title to a snowmobile, off-highway motorcycle or all-purpose vehicle, or other right to the possession thereof.
   (k)   “Proof of financial responsibility.” Has the same meaning as in R.C. § 4509.01.
   (l)   “Snowmobile.” Any self-propelled vehicle designed primarily for use on snow or ice, and steered by skis, runners or caterpillar treads.
   (m)   “State highway” and “state route.” Have the same meanings as in R.C. § 4511.01.
   (n)   “Street” or “highway.” Have the same meaning as in R.C. § 4511.01.
(R.C. § 4519.01)
§ 446.02 EQUIPMENT.
   (a)   In addition to any rules or regulations promulgated by the Ohio Director of Public Safety pursuant to R.C. § 4519.20 and R.C. Chapter 119, equipment of snowmobiles, off-highway motorcycles and all-purpose vehicles shall include but not necessarily be limited to requirements for the following items of equipment:
      (1)   At least one headlight having a minimum candlepower of sufficient intensity to reveal persons and objects at a distance of at least 100 feet ahead under normal atmospheric conditions during hours of darkness;
      (2)   At least one red tail light having a minimum candlepower of sufficient intensity to be plainly visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear under normal atmospheric conditions during hours of darkness;
      (3)   Every snowmobile, while traveling on packed snow, shall be capable of carrying a driver who weighs 175 pounds or more, and, while carrying the driver, be capable of stopping in no more than 40 feet from an initial steady speed of 20 miles per hour, or locking its traction belt; and
      (4)   A muffler system capable of precluding the emission of excessive smoke or exhaust fumes, and of limiting the engine noise of vehicles. On snowmobiles manufactured after January 1, 1973, the requirement shall include sound dampening equipment such that noise does not exceed 82 decibels on the “A” scale at 50 feet as measured according to SAE J192 (September 1970).
   (b)   No person shall operate any snowmobile, off-highway motorcycle or all-purpose vehicle in violation of this section, except that equipment specified in division (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this section shall not be required on snowmobiles, off-highway motorcycles or all-purpose vehicles operated during the daylight hours.
   (c)   Except as otherwise provided in this division, whoever violates division (b) of this section shall be fined not more than $50. If the offender within the preceding year previously has committed a violation of division (b) of this section or of R.C. § 4519.20(B), whoever violates division (b) of this section shall be fined not less than $15 nor more than $100, imprisoned not more than three days, or both.
(R.C. § 4519.20)
§ 446.03 CODE APPLICATION; PROHIBITED OPERATION.
   (a)   The applicable provisions of this traffic code apply to the operation of snowmobiles, off-highway motorcycles, and all-purpose vehicles, except that no person shall operate a snowmobile, off-highway motorcycle, or all-purpose vehicle as follows:
      (1)   On any state highway, including a limited access highway or freeway or the right-of-way thereof, except for emergency travel during such time and in such manner as the Ohio Director of Public Safety designates or except as authorized by R.C. § 4519.41;
      (2)   On any private property, or in any nursery or planting area, without the permission of the owner or other person having the right to possession of the property;
      (3)   On any land or waters controlled by the state, except at those locations where a sign has been posted permitting the operation;
      (4)   On the tracks or right-of-way of any operating railroad;
      (5)   While transporting any firearm, bow, or other implement for hunting, that is not unloaded and securely encased;
      (6)   For the purpose of chasing, pursuing, capturing, or killing any animal or wild fowl;
      (7)   During the time from sunset to sunrise, unless displaying lighted lights as required by R.C. § 4519.20 or a substantially equivalent municipal ordinance;
      (8)   On any street or sidewalk of the City;
      (9)   On any property owned or leased by the City except in areas designated for such purpose;
      (10)   On any restricted public property. As used in this subsection, "restricted public property" means any public property other than street right-of-way and streets or highways, or private property used by the public for purposes of vehicular travel or parking.
   (b)   Whoever violates this section shall be fined not less than $50 nor more than $500, or imprisoned not less than 3 nor more than 30 days, or both.
(R.C. § 4519.40) (Ord. 129-23. Passed 6-26-23.)
§ 446.04 PERMITTED OPERATION.
   Snowmobiles, off-highway motorcycles and all-purpose vehicles may be operated as follows:
   (a)   To make a crossing of a highway, other than a highway as designated in R.C. § 4519.40(A)(1) or a substantially equivalent municipal ordinance, whenever the crossing can be made in safety and will not interfere with the movement of vehicular traffic approaching from any direction on the highway, and provided that the operator yields the right-of-way to any approaching traffic that presents an immediate hazard;
   (b)   On highways in the county or township road systems whenever the local authority having jurisdiction over the highways so permits;
   (c)   Off and alongside street or highway for limited distances from the point of unloading from a conveyance to the point at which the snowmobile, off-highway motorcycle or all-purpose vehicle is intended and authorized to be operated;
   (d)   On the berm or shoulder of a highway, other than a highway as designated in R.C. § 4519.40(A)(1), or a substantially equivalent municipal ordinance, when the terrain permits the operation to be undertaken safely and without the necessity of entering any traffic lane;
   (e)   On the berm or shoulder or a county or township road, while traveling from one area of operation of the snowmobile, off-highway motorcycle or all-purpose vehicle to another such area.
   (f)   For snowmobiles without metal studded tracks and all-purpose vehicles, on state highways located on an island in Lake Erie, including limited access highways and freeways, between the first day of November and the thirtieth day of April, provided that all of the following conditions apply:
      (1)   The operator has a valid driver’s license as required under R.C. § 4519.44.
      (2)   The snowmobile or all-purpose vehicle is in compliance with rules governing safety equipment adopted under R.C. § 4519.20.
      (3)   The owner of the snowmobile or all-purpose vehicle maintains proof of financial responsibility for both on-road and off-road use of the snowmobile or all-purpose vehicle.
      (4)   The operator obeys all traffic rules and regulations.
(R.C. § 4519.41)
Loading...