ATV, Off-Road Vehicles Operations

As the warm weather approaches, the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office experiences increases in complaints of persons illegally operating unregistered motorcycles, dirt bikes, golf carts, off-road and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) on roadways and private property. The Sheriff's Office reminds citizens the Maryland Transportation Article prohibits the operation of an unregistered motor vehicle on a public roadway. ATVs may only be operated on private property with the permission of the property owner. Off-road vehicles, golf carts, and ATVs may not be operated on:

-Public roadways
-Bicycle lanes
-Three Notch Trail
-Sidewalks
-Power lines or utility right-of-ways
-St. Mary's County parks

Any vehicle that is not registered in the state of Maryland may not be driven on public highways.  Maryland vehicle law defines highways as the entire width between the boundary line of any way or thoroughfare of which any part is used by the public for vehicular travel, whether or not the way or thoroughfare has been dedicated to the public and accepted by any proper authority.

This means off-road vehicles are for use on private property only, with the permission of the owner/agent. According to Maryland Vehicle Law, they cannot be operated on public sidewalks, public roads, streets or highways.

In addition to any other traffic violations observed, the following is a list of charges that an operator faces if observed operating an off-road vehicle in violation of the law:

13-402 Driving unregistered motor vehicle: $290

16-101a (Driving, Attempting to Drive) motor vehicle on a highway without required license and
                 authorization: Must Appear Citation and five points assessed on a license

16-101b Operating a (moped, motor scooter) on the highway without required license or permit:
                 Must Appear Citation and five points ... A "motor assisted" and "motor driven" moped or scooter can be operated on the highway if the operator has a valid license or a moped permit obtained through the MVA

17-107 Driving Uninsured Vehicle: Must Appear Citation and five points

* Golf carts are permitted to be operated on a St. Mary's County highway only in the community of Golden Beach/Patuxent Knolls with the following conditions:

       (A)  A person who operates a golf cart on a county highway in the community of Golden Beach
              Patuxent Knolls, St. Mary's County without registration as authorized under 13-402 (C)(13)
              of this article:
               (1)  May Operate the golf cart only:
                      (I)   On a county highway on which the maximum posted speed limit does not exceed
                             35 miles per hour;
                      (II)  Between dawn and dusk; and
                     (III)  If the golf cart is equipped with lighting devices as required by the administration
          
              (2)  Shall keep the golf cart as far to the right of the roadway as feasible; and
              (3)  Shall possess a valid driver's license

An individual issued a Must Appear Citation will receive a court date in the mail and must see the
judge; there is no preset fine.

The Sheriff's Office would like to add the following safety tips:

1.  Ride with a partner or friend.

2.  Let someone know where you are riding and when you are expected to return.

3.  Familiarize yourself with the motor vehicle you are operating.

4.  Operate the vehicle in a ATV park or areas designated for off-road vehicles and ATVs

*  An individual driving an off-road vehicle in violation of the Maryland Transportation Article may
    face the consequence of having the vehicle towed and stored by the St. Mary's County Sheriff's
    Office.

Anyone with additional questions is asked to contact DFC Jason Smith at 301-475-4200 ext. *2328 or by email at jason.smith@stmarysmd.com.