(a) (1) No person shall operate a low-speed vehicle upon any street or highway having an established speed limit greater than 35 miles per hour.
(2) No person shall operate an under-speed or utility vehicle or a mini-truck upon any street or highway except as follows:
A. Upon a street or highway having an established speed limit not greater than 35 miles per hour and only upon such streets or highways where the municipality has granted permission for such operation in accordance with subsection (e) of this section;
B. A state park or political subdivision employee or volunteer operating a utility vehicle exclusively within the boundaries of state parks or political subdivision parks for the operation or maintenance of state or political subdivision park facilities.
(3) No person shall operate a motor-driven cycle or motor scooter upon any street or highway having an established speed limit greater than 45 miles per hour.
(b) This section does not prohibit either of the following:
(1) A person operating a low-speed, under-speed, or utility vehicle or a mini-truck from proceeding across an intersection of a street or highway having a speed limit greater than 35 miles per hour;
(2) A person operating a motor-driven cycle or motor scooter from proceeding across an intersection of a street or highway having a speed limit greater than 45 miles per hour.
(c) Nothing in this section shall prevent the municipality from adopting more stringent local ordinances, resolutions, or regulations governing the operation of a low-speed vehicle or a mini-truck, or a motor-driven cycle or motor scooter.
(d) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, whoever violates subsection (a) of this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one predicate motor vehicle or traffic offense, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. If within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of two or more predicate motor vehicle or traffic offenses, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.
(ORC 4511.214)
(e) By ordinance or resolution, the municipality may authorize the operation of under-speed or utility vehicles or mini-trucks on a public street or highway under its jurisdiction. The municipality shall do all of the following:
(1) Limit the operation of those vehicles to streets and highways having an established speed limit not greater than 35 miles per hour;
(2) Require the vehicle owner who wishes to operate an under-speed or utility vehicle or a mini-truck on the public streets or highways to submit the vehicle to an inspection conducted by a local law enforcement agency that complies with inspection requirements established by the Department of Public Safety under Ohio R.C. 4513.02;
(3) Permit the operation on public streets or highways of only those vehicles that successfully pass the required vehicle inspection, are registered in accordance with Ohio R.C. Chapter 4503, and are titled in accordance with Ohio R.C. Chapter 4505;
(4) Notify the Director of Public Safety, in a manner the Director determines, of the authorization for the operation of under-speed or utility vehicles or mini-trucks.
(f) The municipality may establish additional requirements for the operation of under-speed or utility vehicles or mini-trucks on its streets and highways.
(ORC 4511.215)
(g) (1) Except as provided in this subsection (g) and subsections (e) and (f) of this section, no person shall operate a mini-truck within this municipality.
(2) A person may operate a mini-truck on a farm for agricultural purposes only when the owner of the farm qualifies for the current agricultural use valuation tax credit. A mini-truck may be operated by or on behalf of such a farm owner on public roads and rights-of-way only when traveling from one farm field to another.
(3) A person may operate a mini-truck on property owned or leased by a dealer who sells mini-trucks at retail.
(4) Whoever violates this subsection (g) shall be penalized as provided in subsection (d) of this section.
(ORC 4519.401)
(h) This section will take effect on January 1, 2017.