Golf carts, UTVs require driver license and city permit

The City of Vernon, the Vernon Police Department, and the Vernon Sheriff’s Office would like every citizen to know these City of Vernon Ordinances and would like to highlight that a driver must hold a valid driver’s license and a permit to operate a golf cart or UTV

City of Vernon ordinances state:

• 52-406 Operation regulations.

1. All drivers of motorized carts and utility vehicles must carry a current and valid state driver’s license, and be 16 years of age with a valid driver’s license.
2. All drivers of motorized carts and utility vehicles shall abide by all traffic regulations applicable to vehicular traffic when using the authorized streets and parking areas of the city.
3. Motorized carts and utility vehicles shall not be operated on sidewalks at any time.
4. All motorized carts and utility vehicles are entitled to a full use of a lane on the authorized streets and parking areas of the city and no motor vehicle shall be driven in such a manner as to deprive any motorized cart or utility vehicle of the full use of a lane.
5. The driver of a motorized cart or utility vehicle shall not overtake and pass in the same lane occupied by the vehicle being overtaken.
6. No driver shall operate a motorized cart or utility vehicle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines of rows of vehicles.
7. The driver of a motorized cart or utility vehicle with a current and valid state driver’s license operating the cart or vehicle on a street (as defined herein) can cross a multi-lane or a county or state route only at a signalized intersection.
8. All motorized carts or utility vehicles operated at a speed of not more than 25 miles per hour must display a slow-moving vehicle emblem when operated on a highway.
9. All motorized carts or utility vehicles must be operated by a person wearing a seat belt if the cart or vehicle is equipped with seat belts.

(Ordinance 1529, sec. 6, adopted 10/27/09; Ordinance 1729, sec. 6, adopted 7/24/18; Ordinance 1753 adopted 1/28/2020)

• 52-402 Registration permit.

Before any motorized cart or utility vehicle may be operated over the authorized streets and parking areas of the city it must be registered and provided a permit with the city secretary of the city located at city hall. Registration for a permit will consist of an annual fee of $50.00 which covers the registration, permit decal, and administrative costs involved. The registration process includes the following specifics:

• The permit decal shall be attached and displayed upon the lower right front windshield or on rear of the motorized cart or utility vehicle so as to be clearly visible.
• The registration application affidavit shall be made on a form supplied by the city and shall contain the following information:

1. Name and address of owner.
2. Location in which the vehicle is stored.
3. Model, make, name and motorized cart or utility vehicle identification number.
4. Type of motorized cart or utility vehicle.
5. Current driver’s license number of owner.
6. A statement that all users will carry a current driver’s license and that all equipment required hereinbelow in sections 52-405 and 52-406 will be kept current during the registration period.
7. A statement that the registration holder will carry the liability insurance coverage according to subsection (6) below, it will remain in effect and good standing for the term of the permit, and if for any reason the coverage gets suspended, terminated, or cancelled the individual will immediately notify the city and cease use on city streets.
8. Any user shall indemnify and hold harmless the city for any and all issuance or nonissuance of said registration and enforcement or failure to enforce these regulations and waives any and all rights to sue or allow subrogation by insurance company.
9. Other information the city may require

(3) The registration application shall be accompanied by a fee of $50.00.

(4) The registration application shall be accompanied by evidence of personal liability insurance with coverage consistent with the minimum requirements of state law for operational motor vehicles and a copy of owners driver’s license.

(5) The permit decal shall be attached and displayed upon the lower right front windshield or on the rear of the motorized cart or utility vehicle so as to be clearly visible.

(6) The registration shall be effective until November 30th of each year or such time as revoked or when the motorized cart is transferred to a new owner.

(7) All utility vehicles must display a Texas Department of Motor Vehicles-issued license plate prior to registering for a permit with the city.

Rock climbers, single seat vehicles or vehicles with saddle seats and vehicles with less than or more than four wheels will not be permitted under this article.

(Ordinance 1529, sec. 2, adopted 10/27/09; Ordinance 1729, sec. 2, adopted 7/24/18; Ordinance 1753 adopted 1/28/2020)