1.1 A bill for an act
1.2 relating to transportation; authorizing certain special vehicle operation on roads
1.3 by ordinance without a permit; making conforming and technical changes;
1.4 amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 169.045.
1.5BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.6 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 169.045, is amended to read:
1.7 169.045 SPECIAL VEHICLE USE ON ROADWAY.
1.8 Subdivision 1.Ordinance; designation of roadway, permit; definitions.(a) The
1.9governing body of any county, home rule charter or statutory city, or town may by ordinance
1.10authorize the operation of motorized golf carts, all-terrain vehicles, utility task vehicles, or
1.11mini trucks, on designated roadways or roadway portions thereof under its jurisdiction.
1.12Authorization to operate a motorized golf cart, all-terrain vehicle, utility task vehicle, or
1.13mini truck is by permit only. The ordinance must designate the roadways and specify the
1.14types of motor vehicles for which operation is authorized. The ordinance may establish
1.15conditions of operation consistent with the requirements under this section, and may require
1.16issuance of a permit by the local unit of government for vehicle operation, as provided under
1.17subdivision 2.
1.18 (b) For purposes of this section:
1.19 (1) an all-terrain vehicle has the meaning given in section 84.92;
1.20 (2) a mini truck has the meaning given in section 169.011, subdivision 40a; and
1.21 (3) a utility task vehicle means a side-by-side, four-wheel drive, off-road vehicle that
1.22has four wheels, is propelled by an internal combustion engine with a piston displacement
1Section 1.
25-04001 as introduced02/17/25 REVISOR KRB/KR
SENATE
STATE OF MINNESOTA
S.F. No. 2207NINETY-FOURTH SESSION
(SENATE AUTHORS: HOWE, Bahr, Eichorn, Kupec and Hauschild)
OFFICIAL STATUSD-PGDATE
Introduction and first reading03/06/2025
Referred to Transportation 2.1capacity of 1,200 cubic centimeters or less, and has a total dry weight of 1,800 but less than
2.22,600 pounds.
2.3 Subd. 2.Ordinance; permit.The An ordinance shall designate the roadways, that
2.4requires a permit for vehicle operation under this section must prescribe the form of the
2.5application for the permit, and require evidence of insurance complying with the provisions
2.6of section 65B.48, subdivision 5 and. The ordinance may prescribe conditions, not
2.7inconsistent with the provisions of this section, under which a permit may be granted. Permits
2.8may be granted for a period not to exceed three years, and may be renewed. A permit may
2.9be revoked at any time if there is evidence that the permittee cannot safely operate the
2.10motorized golf cart, all-terrain vehicle, utility task vehicle, or mini truck on the designated
2.11roadways. The ordinance may require, as a condition to obtaining a permit, that the applicant
2.12submit a certificate signed by a physician that the applicant is able to safely operate a
2.13motorized golf cart, all-terrain vehicle, utility task vehicle, or mini truck the vehicle on the
2.14roadways designated.
2.15 Subd. 3.Times of operation.Motorized golf carts, all-terrain vehicles, and utility task
2.16vehicles may only be operated on designated roadways from sunrise to sunset, unless
2.17equipped with original equipment headlights, taillights, and rear-facing brake lights. They
2.18shall must not be operated in inclement weather, except during emergency conditions as
2.19provided in the ordinance, or when visibility is impaired by weather, smoke, fog or other
2.20conditions, or at any time when there is insufficient visibility to clearly see persons and
2.21vehicles on the roadway at a distance of 500 feet.
2.22 Subd. 4.Slow-moving vehicle emblem.Motorized golf carts shall must display the
2.23slow-moving vehicle emblem provided for in section 169.522, when operated on designated
2.24roadways.
2.25 Subd. 5.Crossing intersecting highways.The operator, under permit, of a motorized
2.26golf cart, all-terrain vehicle, utility task vehicle, or mini truck of a vehicle pursuant to this
2.27section may cross any street or highway intersecting a designated roadway.
2.28 Subd. 6.Application of traffic laws.Every person operating a motorized golf cart,
2.29all-terrain vehicle, utility task vehicle, or mini truck under permit vehicle on designated
2.30roadways pursuant to this section has all the rights and duties applicable to the driver of
2.31any other vehicle under the provisions of this chapter, except (1) when those provisions
2.32cannot reasonably be applied to motorized golf carts, all-terrain vehicles, utility task vehicles,
2.33or mini trucks the vehicle, and except (2) as otherwise specifically provided in subdivision
2.347.
2Section 1.
25-04001 as introduced02/17/25 REVISOR KRB/KR 3.1 Subd. 7.Nonapplication of certain laws.The provisions of chapter 171 are applicable
3.2to persons operating mini trucks, but are not applicable to persons operating motorized golf
3.3carts, utility task vehicles, or all-terrain vehicles under permit on designated roadways
3.4pursuant to this section. Except for the requirements of section 169.70, the provisions of
3.5this chapter relating to equipment on vehicles are not applicable to motorized golf carts,
3.6utility task vehicles, or all-terrain vehicles operating, under permit, on designated roadways
3.7pursuant to this section.
3.8 Subd. 7a.Required equipment on mini trucks.Notwithstanding sections 169.48 to
3.9169.68, or any other law, a mini truck may be operated under permit on designated roadways
3.10pursuant to this section if it is equipped with:
3.11 (1) at least two headlamps;
3.12 (2) at least two taillamps;
3.13 (3) front and rear turn-signal lamps;
3.14 (4) an exterior mirror mounted on the driver's side of the vehicle and either (i) an exterior
3.15mirror mounted on the passenger's side of the vehicle or (ii) an interior mirror;
3.16 (5) a windshield;
3.17 (6) a seat belt for the driver and front passenger; and
3.18 (7) a parking brake.
3.19 Subd. 8.Insurance.In the event persons a person operating a motorized golf cart, utility
3.20task vehicle, all-terrain vehicle, or mini truck under this section cannot obtain liability
3.21insurance in the private market, that person may purchase automobile insurance, including
3.22no-fault coverage, from the Minnesota Automobile Insurance Plan under sections 65B.01
3.23to 65B.12, at a rate to be determined by the commissioner of commerce.
3.24 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.
3Section 1.
25-04001 as introduced02/17/25 REVISOR KRB/KR