Ohio Code 4519.02 – Registration required – exceptions – operation of watercraft
(A)(1) Except as provided in divisions (B), (C), and (D) of this section, no person shall operate any snowmobile, off-highway motorcycle, or all-purpose vehicle within this state unless the snowmobile, off-highway motorcycle, or all-purpose vehicle is registered and numbered in accordance with sections 4519.03 and 4519.04 of the Revised Code.
Terms Used In Ohio Code 4519.02
- All-purpose vehicle: means 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. See Ohio Code 4519.01
- Another: when used to designate the owner of property which is the subject of an offense, includes not only natural persons but also every other owner of property. See Ohio Code 1.02
- Mini-truck: means a vehicle that has four wheels, is propelled by an electric motor with a rated power of seven thousand five hundred watts or less or an internal combustion engine with a piston displacement capacity of six hundred sixty cubic centimeters or less, has a total dry weight of nine hundred to two thousand two hundred 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. See Ohio Code 4519.01
- Off-highway motorcycle: means every motorcycle, as defined in section 4511. See Ohio Code 4519.01
- Operator: means any person who operates or is in actual physical control of a snowmobile, off-highway motorcycle, or all-purpose vehicle. See Ohio Code 4519.01
- Owner: means 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. See Ohio Code 4519.01
- Person: includes an individual, corporation, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, and association. See Ohio Code 1.59
- Snowmobile: means any self-propelled vehicle designed primarily for use on snow or ice, and steered by skis, runners, or caterpillar treads. See Ohio Code 4519.01
- state: means the state of Ohio. See Ohio Code 1.59
- United States: includes all the states. See Ohio Code 1.59
- Whoever: includes all persons, natural and artificial; partners; principals, agents, and employees; and all officials, public or private. See Ohio Code 1.02
(2) Except as provided in section 4511.215 of the Revised Code, no registration is required for a mini-truck that is operated within this state. A mini-truck may be operated only in accordance with that section and section 4519.401 of the Revised Code.
(B)(1) No registration is required for a snowmobile or off-highway motorcycle that is operated exclusively upon lands owned by the owner of the snowmobile or off-highway motorcycle, or on lands to which the owner of the snowmobile or off-highway motorcycle has a contractual right.
(2) No registration is required for an all-purpose vehicle that is used primarily for agricultural purposes when the owner qualifies for the current agricultural use valuation tax credit, unless it is to be used on any public land, trail, or right-of-way.
(3) Any all-purpose vehicle exempted from registration under division (B)(2) of this section and operated for agricultural purposes may use public roads and rights-of-way when traveling from one farm field to another, when such use does not violate section 4519.41 of the Revised Code.
(4) No registration is required for a snowmobile or all-purpose vehicle that is operated on a state highway as authorized by division (F) of section 4519.41 of the Revised Code.
(C) No registration is required for a snowmobile, off-highway motorcycle, or all-purpose vehicle owned and used in this state by a resident of another state whenever that state has in effect a registration law similar to this chapter and the snowmobile, off-highway motorcycle, or all-purpose vehicle is properly registered under that state’s law. Any snowmobile, off-highway motorcycle, or all-purpose vehicle owned and used in this state by a resident of a state not having a registration law similar to this chapter shall comply with section 4519.09 of the Revised Code.
(D) No registration is required for a snowmobile, off-highway motorcycle, or all-purpose vehicle owned and used in this state by the United States, another state, or a political subdivision thereof, but the snowmobile, off-highway motorcycle, or all-purpose vehicle shall display the name of the owner thereon.
(E) The owner or operator of any all-purpose vehicle operated or used upon the waters in this state shall comply with Chapters 1547. and 1548. of the Revised Code relative to the operation of watercraft.
(F) Except as otherwise provided in this division, whoever violates division (A) of this section shall be fined not less than fifty dollars but not more than one hundred dollars.