“The Village of East Dundee adopted a new ordinance that allows the use of certain non-highway vehicles — including golf carts and utility task vehicles (UTVs) — on designated Village roads. This change, passed by the Village Board at its June 16th, 2025 meeting, follows updated provisions in the Illinois Vehicle Code that permit municipalities to regulate local non-highway vehicle use.
Under the new Chapter 73 of the Village Code, licensed drivers aged 18 or older may operate registered non-highway vehicles on Village roads with a speed limit of 35 mph or less. All vehicles must meet strict safety requirements, including lights, seat belts, reflectors, turn signals, and a slow-moving vehicle emblem. Operators must also carry mandatory insurance and adhere to state and local traffic laws. Operation is not allowed on sidewalks, bike trails, or non-vehicular public property nor is it permitted on any township, county, or state roads, except to make direct crossings under the conditions set forth in § 73.02 of the Village Code. Children under 8 must be in an appropriate child restraint system and must be accompanied by a parent/guardian or someone over 21 (not the driver). Children under 2 must be in a rear-facing seat unless over 40 lbs.
To drive a non-highway vehicle in East Dundee, residents must register their vehicle with the Administrative Department by submitting a non-highway vehicle permit application, all safety certifications, proof of insurance, and a $25 fee. Registered vehicles will receive a Village sticker, which must be visibly displayed. All permits are annual and expire at the end of each year on December 31, regardless of when the license is approved.
Currently, crossing non-village roads is only allowed over Illinois Route 72 at specified intersections (see below). There are currently no approved crossings for RT 25 or RT 68. For more details, or to apply for a permit, visit the Village’s Golf Cart Operations Page.”
See the East Dundee Facebook post for comments. We do not expect it to last long.