Non-Highway Vehicle Permit

Golf carts and other qualified non-highway vehicles may be driven on streets within the Village’s corporate boundaries where speed limit posting is 35mph or less with the exception of Johnsburg Road and Ringwood Road. They are also NOT permitted on any County Roads or State Roads. Signs have been posted on streets where golf carts are allowed, mapping is developed and will continue to be developed as additional designated routes and paths are approved.

In order to drive these vehicles in the Village, you must be 16 years of age, have a valid driver’s license, proof of valid insurance and have your vehicle registered with and inspected by the Village.

A fee of $75.00 (vanity plates) or $60.00 (automatic numerical issue) shall be assessed for all new registrations. Once the plates are received, all permitted Non-Highway Vehicles will undergo an inspection and be issued the plate. Please be advised, vanity plates are first come first serve.

A renewal fee of $25.00 will be charged for the same vehicle each year thereafter. If you have a golf cart or other allowable Non-Highway permitted vehicle, or are thinking of purchasing one, please review Chapter 15.15 of the Johnsburg Municipal Code regulating their use. This code can be viewed on the Village’s website and at the Village Hall. You may print the non-highway vehicle application from the Village of Johnsburg’s website.

Note that the use of four wheelers, motorbikes and other all-terrain vehicles with saddle seats are prohibited on Village streets and violators will be ticketed.
Non-Highway Vehicle Permit FAQ's
What type of specific vehicles are allowed?
There are two (2) types of vehicles which are permitted according to the ordinance:

Golf Cart, as defined by Section 1-123.9

  • a vehicle specifically designed and intended for the purposes of transporting one or more persons and their golf clubs or maintenance equipment
A Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle, as defined by Section 1-168.8.

  • motorized off-highway device designed to travel primarily off-highway, 64 inches or less in width, having a manufacturer's dry weight of 2,000 pounds or less for gas-powered engines or 3,000 pounds or less for electric-powered engines, traveling on 4 or more non-highway tires, designed with a non-straddle seat and a steering wheel for steering control, except equipment such as lawnmowers.
However, both permitted operation of non-highway vehicles (NHVs) on streets, roads, and highways in corporate boundary jurisdiction of Johnsburg once registered and allowed on a designated roadways unless, at a minimum, it has the following:

  1. Valid driver's license issued in his/her name by the Secretary of State or by a foreign jurisdiction
  2. Brakes
  3. Steering apparatus
  4. Tires
  5. Rear view mirror
  6. Red reflectorized warning devices in the front and rear
  7. A slow moving emblem (as required of other vehicles in Section 12-709 of this Code) on the rear of the non-highway vehicle
  8. A headlight that emits a white light visible from a distance of 500 feet to the front
  9. A tail lamp that emits a red light visible from at least 100 feet from the rear
  10. Brake lights
  11. Turn signals
  12. Required liability insurance policy coverage
Note; when operated on a roadway, a non-highway vehicle shall have its headlight and tail lamps lighted as required by Section 12-201 of this Code.  
Are All-Terrain Vehicle (A.T.V.’s) allowed?
No; All-Terrain Vehicle, any motorized off-highway device designed to travel primarily off-highway, 50 inches or less in width, having a manufacturer's dry weight of 1,500 pounds or less, traveling on 3 or more non-highway tires, designed with a seat or saddle for operator use, and handlebars or steering wheel for steering control. Nor are; Off-Highway Motorcycle,  any motorized device designed to travel primarily off-highway on 2 wheels, having a seat or saddle for the use of the operator, upon or by which any person, persons or property may be transported or drawn.

ATV's, Four-wheelers, Three-wheelers, OHM's or motocross (MX) bikes are NOT PERMITTED OR ALLOWED. These vehicles have a “straddle seat” which is specifically prohibited. 
What do I need to do to register and have my vehicle inspected?
Registration and/or Renewal application forms are available on the village’s website/form or at the David G. Dominguez Municipal Center (1515 Channel Beach Ave). Once the form is completed in its entirety and valid proof of liability insurance policy is in hand, * please return the application form and supporting required correspondence to the David G. Dominguez Municipal Center (1515 Channel Beach Ave) with the applicable fee, this applies to first-time and renewal applicants:

  1. 1st time registration; Vanity @ $75.00 (** Inspection required)
  2. 1st time registration; Generic Numerical @ $60.00 (** Inspection required)
  3. Renewal annual registration @ $25.00
  4. Upgrade Generic Numerical to Vanity @ $55.00
  5. Transfer of Non-Highway Vehicle registration @ $25.00
  6. Replacement registration @ $14.00ea.

Notes:


  • Hard copies must be turned into Staff at David G. Dominguez Municipal Center (1515 Channel Beach Ave), there is no online submission feature at this time and proof of liability insurance policy copy must be provided. However, an online payment remittance feature is available here.
  • Within five (5) business days, of being received at David G. Dominguez Municipal Center (1515 Channel Beach Ave), a Community Service Officer will contact the applicant to schedule an appointment to perform the inspection. Upon a successful inspection the required annual permit will be issued. Please note inspection are performed within Village hours of operation 8:00a.m. - 4:15p.m.
How much does the registration cost?
The non-refundable registration and inspection fee are as follows:

  1. 1st time registration; Vanity @ $75.00 (** Inspection required)
  2. 1st time registration; Generic Numerical @ $60.00 (** Inspection required)
  3. Renewal annual registration @ $25.00
  4. Upgrade Generic Numerical to Vanity @ $55.00
  5. Transfer of Non-Highway Vehicle registration @ $25.00
  6. Replacement registration @ $14.00ea
Note; prices and late fees subject to change per amendments to Municipal Code Chapter 15.15, Operation of Non-Highway Vehicles on Village Streets
What are the requirements to obtain registration and permitted use?
625 ILCS 5/11-1426.1(e); No non-highway vehicle (NHV) may be operated on a roadway unless, at a minimum, it has the following: brakes, a steering apparatus, tires, a rear view mirror, red reflectorized warning devices in the front and rear, a slow moving emblem (as required of other vehicles in Section 12-709 of this Code) on the rear of the non-highway vehicle, a headlight that emits a white light visible from a distance of 500 feet to the front, a tail lamp that emits a red light visible from at least 100 feet from the rear, brake lights, and turn signals. When operated on a roadway, a non-highway vehicle shall have its headlight and tail lamps lighted as required by Section 12-201 of this Code.
Do I need to have a valid drivers license to operate a vehicle?
Yes, A person may not operate a non-highway vehicle upon any street, highway, or roadway in this State unless he or she has a valid driver's license issued in his or her name by the Secretary of State or by a foreign jurisdiction (625 ILCS 5/11-1426.1(b-5)).
Am I required to obtain insurance for the vehicle?
Yes, Any person who operates a non-highway vehicle on a street, highway, or roadway shall be subject to the mandatory insurance requirements under Article VI of Chapter 7 of this Code (625 ILCS 5/11-1426.1(g)). Non-highway vehicles must be covered by a farm, home, or non-highway vehicle insurance policy. The policy must have coverage amounts that meet the minimums set for bodily injury or death and for destruction of property. 
I am not a resident of the Village of Johnsburg, am I eligible to operate a non-highway vehicle or golf cart on the village streets?
Yes, although only after the registration and inspection is completed as prescribed herein. However, the permitted allowed use is specific to Village of Johnsburg corporate boundary jurisdiction for operation of non-highway vehicles on streets, roads, designated path routes and highways. Please ensure to review the following boundary map (dated 2024) and Municipal Code Ch.15.15(B) Permitted Streets.
Can the vehicles be operated on all streets?
No, the vehicles may only be operated on Village streets and designated route paths that are identified. Vehicles may cross prohibited streets so long as performed in a perpendicular direction.
Who do I contact to have the inspection scheduled?
Once the Registration and/or Renewal application forms are completed in its entirety and valid proof of liability insurance policy is in hand, return the application form and supporting required correspondence to the David G. Dominguez Municipal Center (1515 Channel Beach Ave) with the applicable fee. Within five (5) business days, of being received at David G. Dominguez Municipal Center (1515 Channel Beach Ave), a Community Service Officer will contact the applicant to schedule an appointment to perform the inspection. Upon a successful inspection the required annual permit will be issued. Please note inspection are performed within Village hours of operation 8:00a.m. - 4:15p.m.

For a complete list of regulations please refer to the Johnsburg Municipal Code Chapter 15.15 which is available on the website or at the David G. Dominguez Municipal Center (1515 Channel Beach Ave).