(A) Registration.
(1) Any golf cart or off-road vehicle to be operated on city streets, roads, alleys and rights-of-way or public parking lots within the city limits of Washington shall initially undergo a safety inspection by the Washington Police Department, Upon passing said inspection, the owner shall obtain a registration permit from the City Clerk-Treasurer which must be renewed annually. At the time of registration and upon each subsequent renewal, the vehicle owner must provide proof that he or she holds a valid driver's license, is at least 16 years of age and must provide proof of a policy of liability insurance on said vehicle in the amounts set out by I.C. 9-25-2- 3 or any successor statute.
(2) The city shall maintain a record of those registering these vehicles and shall collect from each owner an initial fee of $40. Annual renewals shall be available at the City Clerk-Treasurer's Office for $25 per vehicle, provided no new safety inspection is necessary (due to change of ownership, for example.) All registrations shall be for a period of 1 year and shall expire on December 31. The registration fee shall not be pro-rated for a period of less than a year. The fee shall be deposited in the Police Department training budget and not into the city's general fund.
(3) All fees shall be paid to the City Clerk-Treasurer by cash or money order.
(4) No permit is required if the vehicle has a current and valid registration and license plate with the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
(5) Vehicles owned by the City of Washington do not require a permit.
(B) Inspection.
(1) All golf carts and off-road vehicles must be equipped with functional headlights, taillights, brake lights and turn signals.
(2) Golf carts and off-road-vehicles must be equipped with seat belts for the driver and all passengers.
(3) Golf carts and off-road-vehicles must be equipped with a red or orange flag which must extend above the highest point of the vehicle.
(C) Permits.
(1) Upon satisfactory completion of inspection and payment of applicable fees, a permit sticker shall be issued by the City Clerk-Treasurer to applicant.
(2) The registration of the vehicle must be renewed annually upon the same terms as the initial registration (valid operator's license and proof of liability insurance)
(D) Required notices.
(1) The owner of a registered golf cart or off-road-vehicle must promptly notify the City Clerk-Treasurer of the sale or change of ownership of a registered vehicle or of a cancellation or exchange in status of liability insurance.
(2) Failure to provide prompt notification of one or more of the events listed in division (D) (1) above may result in the loss of privileges to operate a golf cart or off-road-vehicle within the city limits of Washington.
(Ord. 13-2016, passed 8-22-2016; Am. Ord. 29-2021, passed 12-13-2021)