Golf carts have long been a favorite mode of transportation in small areas. Their low speeds make them ideal for giving kids a chance to experience driving, but many people don’t fully understand Georgia laws regarding golf carts. If you or a loved one have been injured in a golf cart accident with an underaged driver, you may benefit from speaking with an Atlanta golf cart accident lawyer with John Foy & Associates.
While a golf cart may generally be safer when state laws and local ordinances are obeyed, an accident in one can still cause significant property damage and injury. You should not have to bear the consequences of someone else’s behavior, and with our firm’s experience across Georgia, we can fight for the injury compensation you deserve.
Defining a Georgia Golf Cart
Driving golf carts on a public road is typically illegal in Georgia, though individual municipalities can set their own regulations within reason. The Georgia Department of Public Safety defines a golf cart as any motorized vehicle designed for the purpose and exclusive use of transporting one or more people and equipment to play the game of golf in an area designated as a golf course. Additionally, it must have an average speed below 15 miles per hour.
Frequently, what we consider a golf cart may be closer to a personal transportation vehicle under Georgia State law, but local ordinances may have additional requirements. They may also be referred to as motorized carts. The identifying features of a personal transportation vehicle include:
- Weight is below 1,370 lbs
- Motor Vehicle
- Minimum of 4 wheels
- Capacity does not exceed eight people
- Maximum ground speed capability of less than 20 miles per hour
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Georgia Golf Cart Age Requirements
Given that the Georgia Department of Public Safety requires golf carts to stay on roads with speed limits of 35 mph and under, driving one is considered much safer to many. For this reason, the regulations are slightly relaxed when it comes to operating them. The general guidelines for golf cart use in Georgia are as follows:
- 12 years old with a fully licensed driver over 18 in the front seat
- 15 years old with a valid driving permit
- 16 years old
- You may not operate a golf cart if your license was suspended for DUI
Obtaining Your Georgia Driving Permit or License
In the state of Georgia, you are eligible to drive a golf cart on your own at the age of 15 if you have a valid permit. To obtain a permit from the Department of Drivers Services, you must be at least 15 years old, provide appropriate documentation, and pass a written exam. To obtain a license, you must have driver education, the required number of hours of driving experience, and pass a practical exam.
Guidelines for Legal Golf Cart Use
State-level guidelines for golf carts are minimal. However, you should check your local municipalities as they may have more stringent guidelines for legal use. Examples of some of the local requirements are:
- Insurance coverage that complies with Georgia’s rules and regulations for minimum coverage
- Usage on approved roads only
- Supervision requirements for minors without a license
- Compliance with Georgia’s distracted driving or Hands-Free Law at all times.
- Functioning headlights and tail lights
- Registration with your local tag office
- Pay fees associated with the use of golf carts or multi-use paths
Some local governments may not require golf cart insurance, while others may. The Peachtree City path rules highlight the driver’s liability in both civil and criminal matters if their vehicle is involved in an accident that causes injury. If you have been in an accident where an uninsured cart was involved, you may want to contact us to speak to our Atlanta uninsured motorist lawyer to explore your legal options.
Violating Georgia State and Municipality Golf Cart Laws
Regardless of the age or license status of the driver, they are responsible for following the laws designated by the city you are in. These fines can vary dramatically and may include city and state fines depending on where you are in violation. In Peachtree City, the fines can range from $250 for a first offense up to $1000 for a third offense. Additional violations can result in fines of $1,000 and possible jail time.
You may be fined or receive citations for using your golf cart on unauthorized or prohibited roads, exceeding the speed limit allowed for your vehicle, or driving under the influence. If you are found to be engaging in behavior that is considered to be drunk driving, even on a golf cart, you could be charged with a DUI. This charge may result in your license being suspended, fines, or even jail time.
Some of these violations can affect the status of your standard license. Violations by teens on a golf cart can affect their ability to secure a driver’s license when they are otherwise eligible. If you lose your license due to a DUI while driving a golf cart or any other vehicle, you are no longer eligible to drive a golf cart legally.
Georgia Golf Cart Laws
Knowing where and how you are allowed to drive your golf cart can be confusing. Thankfully, you can generally find the information in your municipal codes, and there are generally posted signs with the requirements near the paths they are allowed. The ease of access to this information can make it more frustrating when you are injured as a result of someone else’s negligence or recklessness.
If you have encountered trouble regarding golf cart laws in Georgia or were injured in an accident by someone who has broken them, contact us today for a free consultation. When you schedule a free case consultation with John Foy & Associates, we can discuss your legal options with us. We work on a contingency basis, so you won’t owe us anything until we recover compensation for you, and our case results speak for themselves.
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