As summer approaches, remember that it is illegal drive your 4-wheeler, dirt bike, or mini motorcycle on Tulsa streets or sidewalks. 

All motorized vehicles operating on Tulsa streets must be properly licensed.  If your ATV, dirt bike or mini motorcycle does not have a license plate, it is illegal to drive it on city streets.  You must have a driver’s license to operate a motor vehicle on city streets.  That means anyone under 16 who is driving their bike in the neighborhood is breaking the law.  Sidewalks are off limits too.  Tulsa city ordinance prohibits anyone operating a vehicle on a sidewalk. 

As summer approaches, remember that it is illegal drive your 4-wheeler, dirt bike, or mini motorcycle on Tulsa streets or sidewalks.  All motorized vehicles operating on Tulsa streets must be properly licensed.  If your ATV, dirt bike or mini motorcycle does not have a license plate, it is illegal to drive it on city streets.  You must have a driver’s license to operate a motor vehicle on city streets.  That means anyone under 16 who is driving their bike in the neighborhood is breaking the law.  Sidewalks are off limits too.  Tulsa city ordinance prohibits anyone operating a vehicle on a sidewalk. 

 What are the consequences?  Tickets, fines and legal liability.  Both the child and parent can be cited and fined for violating these laws.  Additionally, since your minor child is not insured to drive, you can be held financially liable in the unfortunate event of an accident. 

 Need more info?  Go to the website and read the article on the home page.  It contains excerpts from Tulsa City Ordinances and links to the City of Tulsa website where you can get more information. 

 Summer break is upon us.  The pool and the splash pad are opening.  There is going to be more vehicle and foot traffic in our neighborhood.  We want to keep all of our neighborhood residents safe.  Please ensure that your family is complying with city ordinances regarding these vehicles, and let’s make summer 2009 safe and fun for everyone at Trinity Creek!

Links for Additional Information

Lists Traffic Codes for City of Tulsa:

http://www.cityauditorphilwood.com/ordinances/37TRAFIC.pdf   

 Lists Traffic Code Violations and Equipment Requirements for City of Tulsa (fines, court appearance, and arrest):

http://www.cityauditorphilwood.com/Supp20/21981.pdf       

 Lists updates for 2009 Traffic Codes for City of Tulsa:

http://www.cityauditorphilwood.com/Supp20/21982.pdf       

Excerpts from Tulsa Traffic Code

Title 37 - Traffic Code Supp. 13 (7/1/03)

TULSA REVISED TRAFFIC CODE

SECTION 400. ONLY LICENSED PERSONS MAY OPERATE

 No person shall operate a motor vehicle upon any public roadway, street, highway, turnpike or other public place within this City without having first procured a driver's license from the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety, except as otherwise specifically exempted by Oklahoma law. Any violation of this section shall be unlawful and an offense punishable by a fine of not less than FIFTY DOLLARS ($50.00) nor more than THREE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($300.00), excluding costs, fees and assessments, or by imprisonment in the City Jail for not more than thirty (30) days, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

 SECTION 403. PERMITTING UNAUTHORIZED MINOR TO DRIVE

 No person shall cause or knowingly permit a minor under the age of sixteen (16) years to drive a motor vehicle upon any public roadway, street, highway, turnpike or other public place when such minor is not authorized to do so by the laws of the state of Oklahoma or in violation of any of the provisions of state or local law.

Ord. No. 18696

 SECTION 406. LICENSE TO BE CARRIED AND EHIBITED ON DEMAND

 Every licensee shall have such licensee’s driver’s license in the licensee’s immediate possession at all times when operating a motor vehicle and shall display the same upon demand of any police officer of the City of Tulsa or other peace officer. However, no person charged with violating this section shall be convicted if such person produces in court, or in the office of the arresting officer, a driver’s license issued to such person and valid at the time of the arrest.

Ord. No. 18696

 SECTION 409. LICENSE PLATE DISPLAY

 A. No person shall operate a motor vehicle upon the streets, roadways or thoroughfares unless such vehicle displays a current and appropriate identification number plate as required by the state of Oklahoma.

 D. License plates shall be placed and fastened securely to the rear of the vehicle and the numbers and letters of such plate shall be upright reading from left to right and clearly visible at all times.

Ord. Nos. 14271, 19491

 E. Any person violating any of the provisions of this section shall be guilty of an offense and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not less than TEN DOLLARS ($10.00), nor more than ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($100.00), excluding costs, fees, and assessments.

Ord. No. 20564

 SECTION 412. CLASS AND ENDORSEMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR DRIVER’S LICENSES

 A. No person, except as otherwise specifically exempted, shall operate a motor vehicle upon any public roadways, streets, highways, turnpikes or other public places within this City unless such person has a valid Oklahoma driver’s license for the class of vehicle being operated.

 B. No person, unless otherwise specifically exempted, shall operate a vehicle upon any public roadways, streets, highways, turnpikes or other public place within this City, without first having procured a driver’s license bearing any endorsement required by the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety, qualifying such person for the operation of such vehicle.

 C. Any violation of this section shall be unlawful and an offense punishable by a fine of not more than FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($500.00), excluding costs and assessments, or by imprisonment in the City Jail for not more than ninety (90) days, or by both such fine or imprisonment.

Ord. No. 18696

 SECTION 300. OFFENSE APPLICABILITY

 The sections and provisions of this title are in each and every instance applicable to the drivers or operators of motor vehicles or motorcycles, and such other persons so designated, and the failure of any such person to obey the requirements of any such section or provision is hereby declared to be unlawful and an offense and punishable as prescribed.

 SECTION 301. PARTIES TO A CRIME

 Every person who commits, attempts to commit, conspires to commit or aids or abets in the commission of any act declared in this title to be an offense, whether individually or in connection with one or more other persons or as a principal, agent or accessory, shall be guilty of such offense; and every person who falsely, fraudulently, forcibly or willfully induces, causes, coerces, requires, permits or directs another to violate any provisions of this title is likewise guilty of such offense.

 SECTION 638. DRIVING ON SIDEWALKS

 No vehicle shall be driven within or upon any sidewalk area except at a driveway or alley.

 SECTION 639. MOTORCYCLES OR MOTOR SCOOTERS ON SIDEWALKS

 No motorcycle or motor scooter shall be ridden upon any sidewalk.