Snowmobiles, off-highway motorcycles, and all-purpose vehicles may be operated as follows:

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Terms Used In Ohio Code 4519.41

  • 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
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • 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
  • 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

(A) To make a crossing of a highway, other than a highway as designated in division (A)(1) of section 4519.40 of the Revised Code, whenever the crossing can be made in safety and will not interfere with the movement of vehicular traffic approaching from any direction on the highway, and provided that the operator yields the right-of-way to any approaching traffic that presents an immediate hazard;

(B) On highways in the county or township road systems whenever the local authority having jurisdiction over such highways so permits;

(C) Off and alongside a street or highway for limited distances from the point of unloading from a conveyance to the point at which the snowmobile, off-highway motorcycle, or all-purpose vehicle is intended and authorized to be operated;

(D) On the berm or shoulder of a highway, other than a highway as designated in division (A)(1) of section 4519.40 of the Revised Code, when the terrain permits such operation to be undertaken safely and without the necessity of entering any traffic lane;

(E) On the berm or shoulder of a county or township road, while traveling from one area of operation of the snowmobile, off-highway motorcycle, or all-purpose vehicle to another such area;

(F) For snowmobiles without metal studded tracks and all-purpose vehicles, on state highways located on an island in Lake Erie, including limited access highways and freeways, between the first day of November and the thirtieth day of April, provided that all of the following conditions apply:

(1) The operator has a valid driver’s license as required under section 4519.44 of the Revised Code.

(2) The snowmobile or all-purpose vehicle is in compliance with rules governing safety equipment adopted under section 4519.20 of the Revised Code.

(3) The owner of the snowmobile or all-purpose vehicle maintains proof of financial responsibility for both on-road and off-road use of the snowmobile or all-purpose vehicle.

(4) The operator obeys all traffic rules and regulations.