​Town of Braselton Golf Cart FAQ

 This is by no means the entire Braselton ordinance. For the full Ordinance, including definitions, please visit http://www.braselton.net/government/code_of_ordinances/index.php

Who can drive?
1. Those persons who are 16 years of age and older may drive a motorized cart (ie, electric or gas powered golf carts) on the recreation paths and/or streets and those areas accessible by the public of the town unless such person has had his or her license to operate a motor vehicle suspended or revoked by the state which issued said license in which case such person shall not be permitted to operate a motorized cart on the recreation paths and/or streets and those areas accessible by the public of the town during the time of suspension or revocation.

2. Those persons who are 15 years of age but not yet 16 years of age may drive a motorized cart on the recreation paths and/or streets and those areas accessible by the public of the town:

a. If he or she does not have in his or her possession a valid instructional permit issued by the state pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 40-5-24, as may be amended, and has not had his or her instructional permit suspended or revoked, then he or she shall be accompanied in the front seat by a person at least 18 years of age who holds a valid motor vehicle driver's license or he or she shall be accompanied in the front seat by a parent, grandparent or legal guardian; or

b. If he or she has in his or her possession a valid instructional permit issued by the state pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 40-5-24, as may be amended, and is unaccompanied by a licensed driver as provided in subsection (b)(1), or is unaccompanied by a parent, grandparent or legal guardian as provided in subsection (b)(1), then he or she may be accompanied in the vehicle by up to one other person who must be at least 15 years of age, or he or she may be accompanied by up to three immediate family members.

3. Those persons who are 12 years of age but not yet 15 years of age may drive a motorized cart on the recreation paths and/or streets and those areas accessible by the public of the town if they are accompanied in the front seat by a parent, grandparent or legal guardian.

4. No person under the age of 12 shall be permitted to drive a motorized cart on the recreation paths and/or streets and those areas accessible by the public of the town under any circumstances.

Can I drive on the street?
No LSMV (low speed motor vehicle, ie, gem carts) shall be permitted to operate on any street of which the posted speed limit exceeds 35 miles per hour. Except as prohibited above, LSMVs shall be permitted to cross over streets of which the posted speed limit exceeds 35 miles per hour.

What are the rules of the path?
Normal rules of the road shall apply to the recreation paths. For instance, when approaching oncoming path users, each user shall move to his right side of the path. Passing shall be on the left side of the path.

Pedestrians should be given due consideration and reasonable right-of-way by other users of the recreation paths to ensure them safe passage.

How fast can I go?
No person shall operate an EPAMD at a speed greater than seven miles per hour when traveling on any path or sidewalk or 15 miles per hour or any other town right-of-way. (This again is limited by state law, see O.C.G.A. § 40-6-322).

What can go on the path?
Authorized users of recreation paths are as follows:

(1) Pedestrians;
(2) Nonmotorized vehicles;
(3) Roller skates, roller blades and skateboarders (daylight only);
(4) Electric-powered golf carts;
(5) Gasoline-powered golf carts;
(6) Emergency and authorized maintenance vehicles;
(7) Bicycles, traditional and electric (as defined in section 78-91);
(8) Electric and conventional wheelchairs; and
(9) Electric vehicles designed to carry one person at a speed not to exceed 20 miles per hour except as prohibited in section 78-95
(10) LSMV provided that the vehicle is operated only in a mode or other restriction which does not allow the vehicle to exceed 20 miles per hour.
(11) EPAMDs (electric personal assistive mobility device, ie, Segways®).

Prohibited uses of recreation paths are as follows:

(1) Automobiles and trucks (except authorized maintenance vehicles);
(2) Motorcycles;
(3) Street and trail motorized bikes or vehicles (not to include electric bicycles);
(4) Minibikes and mopeds;
(5) Horses;
(6) Go-carts;
(7) Motorized skateboards or motorized scooters;
(8) Motorized play vehicles; and
(9) Except as permitted in section 78-94, any vehicle designed by the manufacturer to be able to travel at speeds in excess of 20 miles per hour under its own power on a flat surface.

Do I need lights?
Motorized carts may be operated over those authorized streets, recreational paths and those areas accessible by the public only during daylight hours unless such motorized carts are equipped with functional headlights and taillights.

EPAMDs shall be equipped with the following: front, rear, and side reflectors which shall be visible from a distance of 300 feet when directly in front of lawful upper beams of headlights on a motor vehicle; a system that when employed will enable the operator to bring the device to a controlled stop; and, if the device is operated between one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before
sunrise, a lamp emitting a white light which, while the device is in motion, illuminates the area in front of the operator for a distance of 300 feet.

Do I need a horn or bell?
A warning or announcement shall be given by operators of golf carts and other users of the recreation paths, such as bicyclists and skaters, when approaching pedestrians from the rear. This warning or announcement may be verbal, but it is recommended that bicyclists and golf cart operators equip their vehicles with a warning device such as a horn or bell. Each user of the recreation paths shall be considerate of the safety and welfare of other users, and dangerous conduct will not be tolerated.