Hi all,
The following question was sent by Email, the name of the sender is redacted for privacy:
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“First of all I want to tell you how informative I find your blog. It seems as though it is the only place to get the "truth"!My reason for writing is that I have been seeing more and more golf carts on the perimeter roads. I am not talking about service people but residents. They do not have license plates and I am wondering if this is legal?”
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There appears to be no requirement in Florida to have License Tags on a Golf Cart.
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Following is a recap of Florida law on golf Carts.
It would appear that these statutes refer to Golf carts on Public Streets and roads, not in private communities like CV. We should be able to enact regulations for use on UCO roads; a legal opinion should be sought.
Dave Israel
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FS 320.01 Definitions, general.--As used in the Florida Statutes, except as otherwise provided, the term:
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(22) "Golf cart" means a motor vehicle that is designed and manufactured for operation on a golf course for sporting or recreational purposes and that is not capable of exceeding speeds of 20 miles per hour.
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316.003 Definitions.--The following words and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them in this section, except where the context otherwise requires:
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(68) GOLF CART.--A motor vehicle designed and manufactured for operation on a golf course for sporting or recreational purposes.
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316.212 Operation of golf carts on certain roadways.--The operation of a golf cart upon the public roads or streets of this state is prohibited except as provided herein:
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(1) A golf cart may be operated only upon a county road that has been designated by a county, or a municipal street that has been designated by a municipality, for use by golf carts. Prior to making such a designation, the responsible local governmental entity must first determine that golf carts may safely travel on or cross the public road or street, considering factors including the speed, volume, and character of motor vehicle traffic using the road or street. Upon a determination that golf carts may be safely operated on a designated road or street, the responsible governmental entity shall post appropriate signs to indicate that such operation is allowed.
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5) A golf cart must be equipped with efficient brakes, reliable steering apparatus, safe tires, a rearview mirror, and red reflectorized warning devices in both the front and rear.
(6) A golf cart may not be operated on public roads or streets by any person under the age of 14.
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(4) A golf cart may be operated only during the hours between sunrise and sunset, unless the responsible governmental entity has determined that a golf cart may be operated during the hours between sunset and sunrise and the golf cart is equipped with headlights, brake lights, turn signals, and a windshield.
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(2) A golf cart may be operated on a part of the State Highway System only under the following conditions:
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(a) To cross a portion of the State Highway System which intersects a county road or municipal street that has been designated for use by golf carts if the Department of Transportation has reviewed and approved the location and design of the crossing and any traffic control devices needed for safety purposes.
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(b) To cross, at midblock, a part of the State Highway System where a golf course is constructed on both sides of the highway if the Department of Transportation has reviewed and approved the location and design of the crossing and any traffic control devices needed for safety purposes.
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(c) A golf cart may be operated on a state road that has been designated for transfer to a local government unit pursuant to s. 335.0415 if the Department of Transportation determines that the operation of a golf cart within the right-of-way of the road will not impede the safe and efficient flow of motor vehicular traffic. The department may authorize the operation of golf carts on such a road if:
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1. The road is the only available public road along which golf carts may travel or cross or the road provides the safest travel route among alternative routes available; and
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2. The speed, volume, and character of motor vehicular traffic using the road is considered in making such a determination.Upon its determination that golf carts may be operated on a given road, the department shall post appropriate signs on the road to indicate that such operation is allowed.
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(3) Any other provision of this section to the contrary notwithstanding, a golf cart may be operated for the purpose of crossing a street or highway where a single mobile home park is located on both sides of the street or highway and is divided by that street or highway, provided that the governmental entity having original jurisdiction over such street or highway shall review and approve the location of the crossing and require implementation of any traffic controls needed for safety purposes. This subsection shall apply only to residents or guests of the mobile home park. Any other provision of law to the contrary notwithstanding, if notice is posted at the entrance and exit to any mobile home park that residents of the park utilize golf carts or electric vehicles within the confines of the park it shall not be necessary that the park have a gate or other device at the entrance and exit in order for such golf carts or electric vehicles to be lawfully operated in the park.
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(7) A local governmental entity may enact an ordinance regarding golf cart operation and equipment which is more restrictive than those enumerated in this section. Upon enactment of any such ordinance, the local governmental entity shall post appropriate signs or otherwise inform the residents that such an ordinance exists and that it shall be enforced within the local government's jurisdictional territory. An ordinance referred to in this section must apply only to an unlicensed driver.
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(8) A violation of this section is a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable pursuant to chapter 318 as a moving violation for infractions of subsection (1), subsection (2), subsection (3), subsection (4), or a local ordinance corresponding thereto and enacted pursuant to subsection (7), or punishable pursuant to chapter 318 as a nonmoving violation for infractions of subsection (5), subsection (6), or a local ordinance corresponding thereto and enacted pursuant to subsection (7).
Monday, June 1, 2009
GOLF CARTS AND LICENSE TAGS
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8 comments:
After reading all info I am teed off the only concern is this what are the rules for CV roads and only CV roads,
is it a bogey to drive or is it par to do so? wedge or driver?
What is a "UCO road"? UCO is a master HOA authorized by the independent associations to administer elements common to all of the associations for the common good, such as the security gates, and to interact and negociate with WPRF for the convienence and collective advantage of the independent associations. The perimeter roads are indeed a common element in which all residents have an interest, but they are not "UCO roads". Subtle use of that type of language, dropped here and there over time influences people and changes reality. UCO owns nothing, but they may be authorized to administer the roads for our collective benefit. When I read articles about dogs being walked on "association property" or "UCO property" I do a slow burn. This is not a shorthand that I am comfortable with.
The Villages Homeowners' Association has put thought into their Golf Cart Rules of The Road, see:
http://www.villagesgolfcartman.com/id16.html
I did not know our roads were private as the sheriff's office is invited in to give tickets for various violations. I still don't know why license plates would not be required. Does that mean if I only drive my car on CV roads and never leave the village that I do not need license plates?
Just went to the site that Elaineb mentioned. It says they must have LICENSE PLATES AND LIGHTS. Also the Villages has 70,000 people and counting. Those are their rules, not ours!
Who is the golf cart police and why is this an issue?
To Don4060
UCO is NOT a master HOA. UCO is a management? company the associations hired to handle certain common elements.
Levy sold the roads to "UCO", but since UCO is not legal, god only knows who actually owns the main roads. The "side roads" are owned by the individual associations.
And yes, you do not need a license to drive in CV.
And yes, the sheriff dept. cannot issue tickets in CV because tickets are a civil matter and UCO is not legal and does not own the property and therefore cannot call in the sheriff.
However, your own association CAN call in the sheriff to enfore traffic laws on your property, as long as you have legal signs and markings installed.
I have a golf cart..It is insured and was never told one needs a license plate. I don't drive it at night because I don't have lights on it yet. At a meeting of the delegates it was told that golf carts should ride on the sidewalk and not the streets???
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