Is It Legal to Ride Golf Carts on North Carolina Public Roads?
Environmental concerns, quality of life issues and the high price of gas make driving a golf cart an attractive alternative. In North Carolina, though, drivers need to know the rules before they hit the road in a golf cart.
The Facts
Some golf carts are legal on most public roads in North Carolina. Others are illegal on all public roads unless allowed under special exemptions, which are passed by the state Legislature and approved by the state's governor.
Types
North Carolina separates carts into street-allowed and street-legal golf carts, and laws vary according to the type of cart driven. In most instances, only street-legal carts are allowed on public roads. Street-legal carts are subject to the same requirements as other vehicles. They must be registered and licensed and must feature seatbelts, headlights, brake lights, four-wheel brakes, proper insurance and a vehicle identification number.
Typical carts, which fall into the street-allowed category, reach speeds no greater than 15 mph and do not have brake lights, headlights or seat belts. Unless the state legislature specifically passes a law to allow all golf carts in a certain geographic area, street-allowed golf carts are not legal on public roads.
Geography
Although street-allowed golf carts are not allowed on public streets, some communities petition ed the state for an exemption fro the state law. Municipalities that have received state law exemptions include the resort communities such as Carolina Beach, Wrightsville Beach and Pinehurst.
In exempt communities, municipal governments are free to place restrictions on street-allowed golf carts. The restrictions are only enforceable on those specific communities. For example, one county requires drivers of street-allowed golf cart drivers to possess a valid North Carolina driver's license, and most communities restricts hours of operation to the daytime, when golf carts are easier to spot on the roads.
Change
In August 2009, North Carolina Gov. Beverly Perdue signed a bill allowing street-allowed golf carts on state roads in Currituck and New Hanover counties. Government leaders in Currituck County planned to allow the carts only on roads with lower speed limits.
Misconceptions
Some people believe golf cart operators do not need to obey state driving laws. Golf cart drivers, though, are subject to the same laws as other drivers, and they can receive citations for failing to regard such traffic control devices such as stop signs.
Considerations
To be legal on a given street, golf carts must be capable of meeting posted minimum speed limits. Because golf carts cannot be driven at higher speeds, they are often not legal on highways and never legal on U.S. interstates. All-terrain vehicles such as three-wheelers and four-wheelers are not categorized as golf carts.
Tags: North Carolina, golf carts, golf carts, street-allowed golf, public roads
