Frequently Asked Questions
What do I have to do to drive a golf cart on the streets of Oak Island?
Definition
A golf cart is self-propelled and therefore considered a motor vehicle as defined in G.S. 20-4.01(23). There are registrations, insurance and equipment requirements that apply to all motor vehicles driven on a street or highway. Therefore, a golf cart driven on a street or highway must be registered, insured and equipped with safe tires, safe brakes, a horn, directional signals and comply with other similar equipment requirements. The cart must be certified road ready by a state approved dealership. The dealership will issue the cart a Vehicle Identification Number. Once the VIN has been issued the owner must register the cart through DMV and be issued a license tag.
Safe operating rules:
- Operator Must be at least 16 years old and have a valid North Carolina Drivers License
- Occupants 12 and under must wear a seat belt.
- Hands and feet should be kept inside the cart at all times.
- Carts should only be driven in designated areas.
- Set the brake before leaving the cart.
- To avoid tipping over, drive carts straight up and straight down slopes.
- Slow down before corners.
- Do not move cart until both occupants are seated.
- Occupants should remain seated while the cart is in motion.
- Be extra careful when surfaces are wet and/or muddy.
Exception for Mobility Impairment
Under G.S. 20-175, a person with mobility impairment can operate a motorized wheelchair, or similar vehicle not exceeding 1,000 lbs., in order to provide the person with the mobility of a pedestrian. A golf cart would qualify as a similar vehicle and most golf carts weigh between 780 and 820 lbs, which does not exceed the 1,000 lb. Limitation under G.S. 20-175.5.
Mobility impairment is defined in G.S. 20-37.5 and requires a determination by a licensed physician that an individual:
- Cannot walk 200 feet without stopping to rest.
- Cannot walk without the use of, or assistance from, a brace, cane, crutch, another person, prosthetic device, wheel chair, or other assistive device,
- Is restricted by lung disease to such an extent that the person’s forced (respiratory) expiratory volume of one second , when measured by spirometry, is less than one liter, or the arterial oxygen tension is less than 60 mm/hg on room air at rest.
- Uses portable oxygen.
- Has a cardiac condition to the extent that the person’s functional limitations are classed in severity as Class III or Class IV according to standards set by the American Heart Association or;
- Is severely limited in their ability to walk due to an arthritic, neurological, or orthopedic condition.
If a mobility impaired individual operates a golf cart, he is not required to comply with the motor vehicle regulations mentioned above. He is subject, however to all rules which would otherwise apply to pedestrians. These laws include operating the golf cart on the side walk or on the shoulder of the road facing traffic. (G.S. 20-174(d).
If it is not apparent that an individual is mobility impaired as defined on G.S. 20-37.5 and the individual is operating a golf cart on a street or highway claiming an exemption the individual should be cited and told to bring a note from a licensed physician specifying the impairment under G.S. 20-37.5.
That Sections 28-6 and 28-12 of the Oak Island Code are hereby amended to read as follows:
Amend:
Sec. 28-6 Exception for motorized wheelchairs.
Notwithstanding the restricted area listed in Sec. 28.5, person(s) who have been issued a state handicapped permit and/or a permanent handicapped registration plate and a permit issued by the Town of Oak Island Police Department may operate an approved beach accessible vehicle on the beach in designated areas. Operation is permitted by the permit holder or his/her designated driver who shall at all times operate in a safe and prudent manner, who shall give way to pedestrians at all times and who shall give warning before starting, stopping, turning his vehicle and remain clear of the federally-protected turtle nesting areas. The number of passengers shall be limited to the design of the approved vehicle.
Operation is limited to: (1) the last beach access on West Beach Drive and west to a point as designated by signage reflecting no further vehicle traffic; (2) from 58th Street SE to 69th Street SE; (3) from dawn to dusk.
Add:
Sec.28-12
(g.) Except as may be otherwise provided for by state law, violation of this chapter as it pertains to operation or parking of vehicles, will be prosecuted and will be punished as provided in NCGS 14-4 as the same may be amended from time to time.
Adopted this the 8th day of February 2005.
On the Beach
Sec. 6-7 Exceptions for Motorized Wheelchairs
That Sections 28-6 and 28-12 of the Oak Island Code are hereby amended to read as follows:
Amend:
Sec. 28-6 Exception for motorized wheelchairs.
Notwithstanding the restricted area listed in Sec. 28.5, person(s) who have been issued a state handicapped permit and/or a permanent handicapped registration plate and a permit issued by the Town of Oak Island Police Department may operate an approved beach accessible vehicle on the beach in designated areas. Operation is permitted by the permit holder or his/her designated driver who shall at all times operate in a safe and prudent manner, who shall give way to pedestrians at all times and who shall give warning before starting, stopping, turning his vehicle and remain clear of the federally-protected turtle nesting areas. The number of passengers shall be limited to the design of the approved vehicle.
Operation is limited to: (1) the last beach access on West Beach Drive and west to a point as designated by signage reflecting no further vehicle traffic; (2) from 58th Street SE to 69th Street SE; (3) from dawn to dusk.
Add:
Sec.28-12
(g.) Except as may be otherwise provided for by state law, violation of this chapter as it pertains to operation or parking of vehicles, will be prosecuted and will be punished as provided in NCGS 14-4 as the same may be amended from time to time. Adopted this the 8th day of February 2005.
Oak Island Police Department
4621 East Oak Island Dr.
Oak Island N.C. 28465
Phone: (910) 278-5595
Fax: (910) -278-8980
Email: oipsnc@yahoo.com
Information also available on our website:
www.oakislandpolice.com
Special thanks to Golf Cart Outlet for their assistance in creating this brochure.
Golf Cart Outlet is a certified state dealer.
910-579-8070
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