Special Vehicle Permits

1. Special Vehicle Permits Taylor Gronau Intern

2. Special Use Vehicles • Include: • ATV’s • Golf Carts • Mini-trucks • Motorized foot scooters • Mini-motorcycles • Electric-assisted bicycles • Regulated by state and federal law • Cities can regulate through local ordinances

3. City Regulation • Generally limited to golf carts, ATVs, and mini-trucks • Special use vehicles are not permitted on city streets unless explicitly allowed by city ordinance • City regulation does not apply to use on private property • Must include a permitting scheme

4. City Regulation • State law lists minimal requirements • See page 7 of League of Minnesota Cities memo • City ordinance cannot require that ATV or golf cart operators have a drivers license • Can require license for mini-truck operators • Operators must be old enough to purchase insurance • Must present proof of insurance before issuance of permit

5. Marshall City Code • Regulates golf carts and ATVs • Operators must have permit • Requires applicants to designate: • Roadways that vehicle is intended to be operated on • The hours/days of intended operation • Other requirements: • Driver’s license • Proof of insurance

6. Comparison: Rochester • Regulates golf carts • Requires permit for use • Requirements for permit: • Driver’s license • Proof of insurance • If disabled, certificate from physician authorizing use • A written description of intended route(s) • Can only be used to and from golf course

7. Rochester • Approved route is listed on permit • Equipment requirements (e.g. rear view mirror, slow moving vehicle sign) • Restrictions on operation: • Can only be operated from sunrise to sunset • May not be operated during inclement weather

8. Comparison: Mankato • Regulates utility-terrain vehicles, and mini-trucks • Permit required for use • Utility-terrain vehicles can only be used for business or commercial purposes • Exempts city from permit requirement

9. Mankato • Requirements for permit: • Driver’s license or reason why the applicant does not have a current driver’s license • The nature of any physical handicap • Proof of insurance • Must be 18 years old • Specifies equipment requirements for UTVs and mini-trucks

10. Comparison: Alexandria • Regulates golf carts • Permit required for use • Requirements for permit: • Driver’s license or submit a certificate from a physician that applicant can safely operate the vehicle • Proof of insurance

11. Alexandria • Equipment requirements (e.g. rear view mirror, slow moving vehicle sign) • Restrictions on operation: • Can only be operated from sunrise to sunset • Prohibits use on county, state, and federal highways and busy city streets (listed in ordinance) • Allows exemptions for special events • If event is three days or less and occurs once per year • Event organizers must receive permission from Police Department

12. Alternatives • Make no change, keep ordinance as is • Allow golf carts to and from golf courses • Rochester model • Allow golf carts for business and commercial purposes • Mankato model • Allow for general use with permit and prohibit use on busy streets and highways • Alexandria model • Mixed bag approach

13. Proposed Amendment • See attached document • Update permitting process • Specify equipment requirements • Limit use of golf carts and ATVs to: • To and from gold course • Purpose of powering an approved pull-behind pedestrian trailer in conjunction with a group of elderly or disabled persons • Limit use of mini-trucks to city staff/business

14. Discussion?