Off-Road Vehicles Now Required to be Registered

LARGO, MD - Prince George's County Executive Jack B. Johnson recently signed into effect amendments to the County Code that require the registration of Off-Road Vehicles.

The amendments to the Prince George's County Code, Subtitle 26, Vehicles and Traffic, Division 19, which took effect on April 1, 2005, require the following vehicles to be licensed and registered:

• All-Terrain Vehicles;
• Off-Road Vehicles;
• Miniature Scooters;
• Miniature Motorcycles (pocket bikes); and
• Off-Road Motorcycles (dirt bikes).

The amendments mandate a registration fee of $30 for all Off-Road Vehicles upon the sale or transfer to any new owner.  The registration must be in the name of the owner or, if the owner is under the age of 18 years, in the name of the parent or guardian.  The registration will be valid for two years.

The new amendments also stipulate the following use for Off-Road Vehicles:

• An Off-Road Vehicle cannot be driven or operated on any public street or sidewalk in Prince George's County;
• An Off-Road Vehicle cannot be driven on any private or publicly owned property, unless the driver has with him written permission from the owner;
• An Off-Road Vehicle may only be operated on private property between the hours of 7 a.m. and 8 p.m.;
• Any person under the age of 16 years must be supervised by a parent or guardian while operating an Off-Road Vehicle; and
• Helmets must be worn at all times by the driver and passenger while the vehicle is being operated.

Violations to the amendments will result in a fine of $250 for the first violation, $500 for the second violation and $1,000 for any subsequent violations.

Licensing and registration information can be obtained by calling the Department of Environmental Resources' Business License Office at (301) 731-7990 or by visiting their location at 6016 Princess Garden Parkway, Suite 370, New Carrollton, Maryland 20784.  The hours of operation for the Business License Office are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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