How to register your golf cart or ORV in Goshen
Goshen Golf Cart Regulations
Ready to hit the road in your golf cart or off-road vehicle? With a valid City permit, you can enjoy safe and legal travel on designated Goshen streets.
To qualify, you must equip your vehicle with basic safety features, maintain active insurance, and ensure a licensed operator age 16 or older drives it. The City charges a one-time $50 permit fee per vehicle per owner. If you sell the vehicle, the new owner must apply for a new permit.
Temporary permits may be available for parades or special events.
Check out the full rules and start your registration below.
Definitions and Key Requirements
What is a Golf Cart?
Under Indiana Code § 9-13-2-69.7, a golf cart is defined as a vehicle designed for use on a golf course for recreational purposes with a speed capacity of 25 mph or less.
Where Can You Operate a Golf Cart?
- Permitted Areas: Highways under city jurisdiction with speed limits of 30 mph or less.
- Prohibited Areas:
- State Highways (e.g., S.R. 119, S.R. 15, S.R. 4, and U.S. 33)
- Bicycle paths, trails, sidewalks, and any public areas not designated for vehicles.
Operators may cross non-permitted highways at right angles to reach another highway where golf cart use is allowed.
Rules for Operating a Golf Cart in Goshen
Basic Rules
- Speed Limit: Maximum of 25 mph.
- Traffic Compliance: All federal, state, and local traffic laws apply.
- Passenger Safety: All passengers must sit with seatbelts properly fastened in factory-installed seats.
- No Impeding Traffic: Golf carts should not unreasonably impede traffic or operate in a manner that endangers others.
Required Equipment
Golf carts must be equipped with:
- Rear-view mirror
- Headlights, taillights, and brake lights
- Turn signals (front and back)
- Seatbelts for all seating positions (factory-installed or DOT-approved aftermarket)
- Orange safety flag (ATV/UTV style)
- Slow-moving vehicle emblem
All equipment must be maintained in working order and used at all times while driving.
Operator Requirements
To operate a golf cart, drivers must:
- Be 16 years or older with a valid, non-suspended driver’s license.
- Hold valid insurance coverage as per Indiana Code requirements.
Financial Responsibility
Drivers must maintain the state-required minimum amount of insurance coverage for the golf cart.
Permit Requirements
How to Obtain a Permit
- Permit Application: Required before operating a golf cart within Goshen.
- Fee: A one-time fee of $50 per golf cart.
- Inspection: The Goshen Police or Fire Department will inspect the cart to ensure compliance before issuing the permit.
- Once approved, the City issues a decal that the owner must affix to the left rear of the cart for visibility.
Temporary Permits
The Board of Public Works and Safety may approve temporary permits for special events, such as parades or festivals. Permit holders may use temporary permits for up to five days and must display them on the golf cart during use.
Violations and Penalties
Penalties for Non-Compliance
The Goshen Police Department and other authorized city officials enforce violations and issue fines as follows:
- First Offense: $175
- Second Offense (within 12 months): $225
- Third Offense (within 12 months): $250
Severe violations may result in golf cart impoundment, permit revocation, or additional fines up to $2,500.
Payment of Fines
All fines collected go to the City of Goshen’s general fund to support community programs and services.
Goshen ORV Regulations
Overview of Ordinance 5184
Ordinance 5184 allows the use of certain off-road vehicles (ORVs) on Goshen highways with specific requirements to ensure safety. Here’s everything you need to know to legally operate an off-road vehicle within city limits.
Definitions and Key Requirements
What is an Off-Road Vehicle?
An off-road vehicle (ORV), as defined by Indiana Code § 9-13-2-117.3, includes vehicles with a steering wheel, side-by-side seating, seatbelts, and roll-over protection, such as motorized carts. It does not include motorcycles, scooters, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), or snowmobiles.
Operating Off-Road Vehicles on Goshen Highways
Allowed and Restricted Areas
- Allowed: ORVs may operate on certain designated sections of state highways and city streets with speed limits compatible with off-road vehicle safety.
- The City prohibits ORVs from operating on bicycle paths, trails, sidewalks, or any public property not intended for vehicular traffic.
Check local road signage and follow city guidelines for approved ORV routes.
Rules for Safe Operation
To operate an ORV on city highways, follow these essential rules:
General Rules
- Traffic Compliance: ORV operators must follow all traffic laws, including speed limits and signaling.
- Operators must seat all passengers in factory-installed seats and fasten their seatbelts.
- Occupants under 18 must wear helmets.
- Slow-Moving Emblem: ORVs operating under 25 mph must display a slow-moving vehicle emblem.
Required Safety Equipment
To legally drive an ORV, the operator must equip it with:
- Operators must equip all ORVs with the minimum safety equipment required by the State of Indiana (I.C. 14-16-1) to register and operate them on highways within Goshen city limits. This includes functional headlights, taillights, and brake lights.Lights must remain on at all times during operation to ensure visibility from a distance of 500 feet. All equipment must be operational at all times.
Operator Requirements
To drive an ORV in Goshen, operators must:
- Be at least 16 years old and hold a valid driver’s license.
- Maintain minimum insurance coverage as required by state law.
Note: It is illegal to allow anyone without a valid driver’s license to operate your ORV on city roads.
Registration and Permits
- Operators must register ORVs with the State of Indiana and display the registration decal on the front half of the vehicle.
- No Additional City Permit: Goshen does not require a separate city permit for ORVs registered with the state.
Violations and Penalties
Violations of Ordinance 5184 may result in fines or impoundment. Here are the details:
- First Violation: $175 fine
- Second Violation (within 12 months): $225 fine
- Third Violation (within 12 months): $250 fine
Severe violations may lead to fines up to $2,500 or impoundment of the ORV.
Contact Information
For questions about ORV rules and regulations, please contact the City of Goshen Police Department.
Phone: (574) 533-8661