# Iowa Code § 321G.13: Unlawful operation > Iowa · Statutes · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IA_TVIII_C321G_S321G.13 ## Section - **Citation:** Iowa Code § 321G.13 - **Heading:** Unlawful operation - **Jurisdiction:** Iowa - **Kind:** Statutes - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** IA Code / Title VIII / Chapter 321G / Section 321G.13 ## Text (1) A person shall not drive or operate a snowmobile: (1) (a) At a rate of speed greater than reasonable or proper under all existing circumstances. (1) (b) In a careless, reckless, or negligent manner so as to endanger the person or property of another or to cause injury or damage thereto. (1) (c) While under the influence of intoxicating liquor or narcotics or habit-forming drugs. (1) (d) Without a lighted headlight and taillight from sunset to sunrise and at such other times when conditions provide insufficient lighting to render clearly discernible persons and vehicles at a distance of five hundred feet ahead. (1) (e) In any tree nursery or planting in a manner which damages or destroys growing stock. (1) (f) On any public land, public ice, or designated snowmobile trail, in violation of official signs of the commission prohibiting such operation in the interest of safety for persons, property, or the environment. Any officer appointed by the commission may post an official sign in an emergency for the protection of persons, property, or the environment. (1) (g) In any park, wildlife area, preserve, refuge, game management area, or any portion of a meandered stream, or any portion of the bed of a nonmeandered stream which has been identified as a navigable stream or river by rule adopted by the department and which is covered by water, except on designated snowmobile trails. (1) (g) This paragraph “g” does not prohibit the use of ford crossings of public or private roads or any other ford crossing when used for agricultural purposes; the operation of construction vehicles engaged in lawful construction, repair, or maintenance in a streambed; or the operation of snowmobiles on ice. (1) (h) Upon an operating railroad right-of-way. A snowmobile may be driven directly across a railroad right-of-way only at an established crossing and, notwithstanding any other provisions of law, may, if necessary, use the improved portion of the established crossing after yielding to all oncoming traffic. This paragraph does not apply to a law enforcement officer or railroad employee in the lawful discharge of the officer’s or employee’s duties or to an employee of a utility with authority to enter upon the railroad right-of-way in the lawful performance of the employee’s duties. (1) (i) Upon the surface of any public water in a maneuver known as water skipping. This paragraph “i” does not apply to operation on rivers or streams between November 1 and April 1. (2) A person shall not discharge a firearm while on a snowmobile, except that a nonambulatory person may discharge a firearm from a snowmobile while lawfully hunting if the person is not operating or riding a moving snowmobile. (3) A person shall not drive or operate a snowmobile on public land or a designated snowmobile trail without a measurable snow cover. (4) As used in this section, “rented by the person” includes a person who does not necessarily rent the land but who principally provides labor for the production of crops located on agricultural land or for the production of livestock principally located on agricultural land. The person must personally provide such labor on a regular, continuous, and substantial basis. [C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321G.13; 81 Acts, ch 113, §8]89 Acts, ch 244, §25, 26; 91 Acts, ch 236, §3; 99 Acts, ch 97, §1; 2002 Acts, ch 1001, §2; 2002 Acts, ch 1027, §7, 8; 2004 Acts, ch 1132, §19 – 22; 2005 Acts, ch 138, §9; 2007 Acts, ch 22, §69; 2010 Acts, ch 1061, §180; 2012 Acts, ch 1100, §17 – 19; 2016 Acts, ch 1070, §1; 2017 Acts, ch 29, §97, 98; 2017 Acts, ch 69, §46; 2018 Acts, ch 1058, §1, 2; 2018 Acts, ch 1172, §28; 2025 Acts, ch 48, §1 ## Nearby sections - [Iowa Code § 321G.1 Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IA_TVIII_C321G_S321G.1.md) - [Iowa Code § 321G.2 Rules.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IA_TVIII_C321G_S321G.2.md) - [Iowa Code § 321G.3 Registration required for residents penalties.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IA_TVIII_C321G_S321G.3.md) - [Iowa Code § 321G.4 Registration — fee.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IA_TVIII_C321G_S321G.4.md) - [Iowa Code § 321G.4A User permit fee.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IA_TVIII_C321G_S321G.4A.md) - [Iowa Code § 321G.4B Nonresident requirements fees penalties.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IA_TVIII_C321G_S321G.4B.md) - [Iowa Code § 321G.5 Display of registration and nonresident user permit decals.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IA_TVIII_C321G_S321G.5.md) - [Iowa Code § 321G.6 Registration — renewal.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IA_TVIII_C321G_S321G.6.md) - [Iowa Code § 321G.7 Fees remitted to commission — appropriation — trail equipment donation.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IA_TVIII_C321G_S321G.7.md) - [Iowa Code § 321G.8 Exempt snowmobiles.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IA_TVIII_C321G_S321G.8.md) - [Iowa Code § 321G.9 Operation on roadways and highways.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IA_TVIII_C321G_S321G.9.md) - [Iowa Code § 321G.10 Accident reports.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IA_TVIII_C321G_S321G.10.md) - [Iowa Code § 321G.11 Mufflers required.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IA_TVIII_C321G_S321G.11.md) - [Iowa Code § 321G.12 Headlight taillight brakes.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IA_TVIII_C321G_S321G.12.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IA_TVIII_C321G_S321G.13. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.