Driving a golf cart or golf car offers fun and convenience, especially on scenic Village grounds, but it’s important to know the rules before getting behind the wheel of either.
Golf Carts
A golf cart is a motor vehicle having all of the following attributes:
- Having not less than three wheels in contact with the ground
- Having an unladen weight of less than 1,300 pounds
- Designed to be operated at no more than 20 mph
- Designed to carry golf equipment and passengers
- Is exempt from California motor vehicle registration
Golf carts must obey all GRF vehicle, parking and traffic rules, including stop signs, speed limit, parking and GRF decals. The exceptions for golf carts include:
- A driver’s license is not required to operate a golf cart.
- No government vehicle registration is required.
A nonresident driving a golf cart must be age 16 years or older and accompanied by a resident. Golf cart operators must use head lamps and tail lamps from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise. Golf carts must only be driven on pavement. Driving off pavement is prohibited with one exception. Limited driving off pavement is allowed at the GRF 27-hole golf course, in accordance with golf course rules.
Golf Cars
A golf car is a motor vehicle that has all the attributes of a low-speed vehicle (LSV) or neighborhood electric vehicle (NEV):
- Having four wheels
- Having a gross vehicle weight rating of less than 3,000 pounds
- Designed to attain a speed of more than 20 miles per hour and not more than 25 miles per hour on a paved level surface
- May legally be driven on public streets with a maximum speed limit of 35 miles per hour
- Requires government motor vehicle registration on a public street
The main difference between golf cart and golf car use as it relates to golf is that golf cars cannot be driven onto the golf courses; however, golf cars may be driven on paved golf cart paths within the Village. Outside the Village, golf cars are considered motor vehicles and are required to follow California driving laws.
Both Golf Carts and Golf Cars
Whether driving a golf cart or golf car, obey all GRF vehicle, parking and traffic rules, just as any other motor vehicle. Golf cars and golf carts may be driven on paved golf cart paths.
Golf carts and golf cars may be driven on paved cart paths. On a golf cart path all drivers must:
- Travel at a slow speed that is reasonable and prudent.
- Exercise due regard for the safety of all pedestrians.
- Yield the right-of-way to all pedestrians.
Parking on a cart path is prohibited, except in a marked parking stall. Driving or parking is not allowed on sidewalks, breezeways or patios.
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