1604 - Local ordinances prohibited.

§ 1604. Local  ordinances  prohibited. Except as otherwise provided in  this chapter, local authorities shall have no power to pass, enforce  or  maintain any ordinance, rule or regulation requiring from any owner of a  motor  vehicle  or motorcycle, or from any operator or chauffeur to whom  this chapter is applicable, any tax, fee, license or permit for the  use  of  the  public  highways,  or  excluding  any  such  owner, operator or  chauffeur from the free use of  such  public  highways,  excepting  such  driveway,  speedway or road as has been or may be expressly set apart by  law for the exclusive use of horses and light carriages, or in any other  way restricting motor vehicles or motorcycles or their speed upon or use  of the public highways; or setting aside for any given time a  specified  public  highway  or  any part thereof constructed in whole or in part at  the  expense  of  the   state   for   exhibitions,   shows,   exercises,  entertainments  or  meetings;  and  no  ordinance,  rule  or  regulation  contrary to or in any wise inconsistent  with  the  provisions  of  this  chapter, now in force or hereafter enacted shall have any effect.    Provided,  however,  that  the  power  given  to  local authorities to  license and regulate vehicles  offered  to  the  public  for  hire,  and  processions, assemblages or parades in the streets or public places, and  all  ordinances,  rules and regulations which may have been or which may  be enacted in pursuance of such powers shall remain in  full  force  and  effect.