The Wake Forest Police Department is reminding youth and adult residents that the operation of golf carts on Wake Forest roadways is strictly prohibited. The prohibition includes public streets within town neighborhoods and subdivisions.
North Carolina law defines a golf cart as “a vehicle 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.”
All motor vehicles operated on a public street or highway must be registered with the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and carry liability insurance. Since golf carts are not considered motor vehicles, they cannot be registered.
Although several North Carolina municipalities have passed ordinances legalizing the operation of golf carts on public streets, Wake Forest is not among them. Anyone caught illegally operating a golf cart within the Town of Wake Forest is subject to criminal prosecution.
The Wake Forest Police Department is especially concerned with the increase in the number of violations involving juveniles on golf carts. In addition to lacking the safety features of cars, the size and weight of golf carts make them dangerous around larger vehicles, particularly when operated by inexperienced drivers.
“Our number one concern is the health and safety of our residents,” Police Chief Jeff Leonard said.
“My hope is that the young people in our community, and their parents and guardians, will be mindful of the potential safety risks and not operate golf carts on our public streets. We need their cooperation to prevent accidents that might injure themselves and others.”
Area residents are reminded that North Carolina law distinguishes between golf carts and Low Speed Electric Vehicles (LSEV). While the operation of golf carts on public streets is illegal, state law allows for the operation of LSEV on public streets under the following conditions: the operator possesses a valid driver’s license; the vehicle is registered with the NCDMV, has a valid license tag, vehicle inspection, and valid vehicle insurance.
LSEV’s fall under Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 500 (49 CFR 571.500) which states they “must” have the ability to travel between 20-25 mph, and be equipped with headlamps, stop lamps, turn signal lamps, tail lamps, reflex reflectors, parking brakes, rearview mirrors, windshields, seat belts, and vehicle identification numbers (VIN).
Anyone who brings an LSEV from out of state must provide proof that the LSEV is registered with their state of residence DMV. The LSEV must also have a DMV-issued license tag and valid insurance. The Town of Wake Forest does not offer any type of temporary permit for the use of LSEVs.
For more information, call the police department at 919-554-6150.
