HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – The City of Hopkinsville is taking the first steps in allowing ATVs, UTVs, and SPVs to legally drive on roadways with a draft of an ordinance presented to the committee of the whole on Aug. 22.

On June 27, the Kentucky General Assembly passed Senate Bill 63, authorizing local governments to adopt ordinances allowing street-legal special purposed vehicles (SPVs) to operate on highways. If an ordinance is not created, usage on state roads remains prohibited.

A drafted ordinance for the city was discussed during the Hopkinsville Committee of the Whole meeting, with potential language included to dictate usage on city roads. Currently, the ordinance includes the following stipulations for operating a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) on the road.

  • Driver must have a license to operate a motor vehicle.
  • Operation of SPV’s is limited to highways within the city that have a posted speed limit of 35 mph or less.
  • Any passenger under the age of 18 years old shall wear a helmet during operation.

Vehicle classifications, regulations on lawnmowers and golf carts

The classification of SPVs as spelled out in the bill includes all terrain vehicles, and utility terrain vehicles that are street legal by being equipped with a long list of safety features such as headlamps, a horn, a speedometer, a roll bar, review mirrors, a windshield, and a working muffler.

“There are a lot of other vehicles out there that don’t fall under motorized vehicles that people are operating on the roadways,” said Hopkinsville Police Chief Newby to the committee.

He recommended that the city should also create ordinances regarding the legality of residents driving lawnmowers, golf carts, minibikes, and other similar vehicles on roadways. He also brought up that all SPVs would not be permitted on federal roadways such as Fort Campbell Boulevard.

In early June, the Christian County Fiscal Court established and approved an ordinance for county roads ahead of the bill, with the Christian County Sheriff’s Office sharing details about regulations and inspections if outside of the city limits.

The committee of the whole voted to forward the drafted ordinance for SPVs to the Hopkinsville City Council for approval, with two separate votes required before it takes effect.

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