- April 19, 2024
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Concern for traffic safety and unclear guidelines prompted Volusia County Traffic Engineering Director Jon Cheney to request a sign restricting golf cart use on John Anderson Drive in Ormond-by-the-Sea, the unincorporated part of the county in North Peninsula.
"A citizen called us about golf carts on the road," Volusia County District 4 Representative Heather Post said. "We are just saying no unlicensed golf carts on the road."
Cheney said there are golf carts, the kind used on golf courses that go less than 20 mph, and there are low speed vehicles (which are often modified golf carts) that can go 20-25 mph. Unmodified and non-tagged and uninsured golf carts are not allowed on any public road. As with any vehicle, insurance and seatbelts are required.
According to Florida Statute 316.2126, http://bit.ly/2pV7A4n, low speed golf carts that operate and comply with state standards can operate upon any state, county, or municipal roads located within the corporate limits of such municipalities, including state roads that have a posted speed limit of 30 mph or less. Crossing roads like State Road A1A with a posted limit of 45 mph or less can be done at an intersection with an official traffic control device.
Florida tags for low speed vehicle can be acquired at the DMV in Orange City -- the owner would have to transport it to Orange City for a paid inspection -- or when buying through dealerships like Action Golf Carts in Ormond Beach.
Bill Morgan, who has owned the business for the past 18 years, said most of his sales are beachside to people who have retired and want to get rid of one car while still being able to drive locally.
Morgan’s business has a new franchise auto license like any other car dealership, which means the DMV will come to him to do the inspections.
“We buy most of our carts already street legal, but we can also convert them,” Morgan said.
To be street legal, state statute 316.2126 1. C states the carts have to be classified as low speed vehicles which can do 20-25 mph and are legal to drive in areas posted 30 mph or less.
Ormond Beach Police Chief Jesse Godfrey has seen the carts around town and said, “As long as they are operating within the state statute and on prescribed roads, low speed vehicles are allowed in Ormond Beach.”
During the holidays delivery companies used low speed utility vehicles pulling trailers to deliver packages. Godfrey said the delivery companies contacted the police department prior to beginning their seasonal delivery using these vehicles as a courtesy.
