Sec. 20. (a) Except as provided in IC 9-21-1-3(a)(14) and IC 9-21-1-3.3, an individual may not operate a vehicle required to be registered under this chapter, under IC 9-18-2.5 (before its expiration), or under IC 9-18.1-14 upon a public highway, street, or rights-of-way thereof or on a public or private parking lot not specifically designated for the use of vehicles, except under the following conditions:

(1) A vehicle may be operated on the public right-of-way adjacent to the traveled part of the public highway, except a limited access highway, if there is sufficient width to operate at a reasonable distance off and away from the traveled part and in a manner so as not to endanger life or property.

Terms Used In Indiana Code 14-16-1-20

  • Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
  • Highway: includes county bridges and state and county roads, unless otherwise expressly provided. See Indiana Code 1-1-4-5
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • operate: means to:

    Indiana Code 14-16-1-4

  • operator: means an individual who:

    Indiana Code 14-16-1-5

  • Property: includes personal and real property. See Indiana Code 1-1-4-5
  • vehicle: refers to an off-road vehicle or a snowmobile. See Indiana Code 14-16-1-7
(2) The operator of a vehicle may cross a public highway, other than a limited access highway, at right angles for the purpose of getting from one (1) area to another when the operation can be done in safety. The operator shall bring the vehicle to a complete stop before proceeding across a public highway and shall yield the right-of-way to all traffic.

(3) Notwithstanding this section, a vehicle may be operated on a highway in a county road system outside the corporate limits of a city or town if the highway is designated for this purpose by the county highway department having jurisdiction.

(4) A law enforcement officer of a city, town, or county or the state may authorize use of a vehicle on the public highways, streets, and rights-of-way within the officer’s jurisdiction during emergencies when conventional motor vehicles cannot be used for transportation due to snow or other extreme highway conditions.

(5) A vehicle may be operated on a street or highway for a special event of limited duration conducted according to a prearranged schedule only under permit from the governmental unit having jurisdiction. The event may be conducted on the frozen surface of public waters only under permit from the department.

     (b) An individual less than fourteen (14) years of age may not operate a vehicle without immediate supervision of an individual at least eighteen (18) years of age, except on land owned or under the control of the individual or the individual’s parent or legal guardian.

     (c) Except as provided in IC 9-21-1-3(a)(14) and IC 9-21-1-3.3, an individual may not operate a vehicle on a public highway without a valid motor vehicle driver’s license.

     (d) A vehicle may not be used to hunt, pursue, worry, or kill a wild bird or a domestic or wild animal.

[Pre-1995 Recodification Citation: 14-1-3-11.]

As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.9. Amended by P.L.259-2013, SEC.42; P.L.198-2016, SEC.642; P.L.256-2017, SEC.184.

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