license confusion

[mulligan]

If I read the un-named news correctly, a certain gentleman was busted for operating a golf cart without a driver's license. His had been suspended in 2006 for a dui. That would lead me to believe that anyone who has lost/ given up his or her license and continues to operate a golf cart on public streets, does so illegally. Also I am confused as to how an unlicensed operator under the legal age to obtain one, has the legal right to operate on the street. Opens up all sorts of discussion ie: the elderly parent who cannot pass the eye test, or the widow who never had the need to drive until her husband died, or the visiting 14 year old grandchild with no knowledge of rules of the road. They are all among us driving the roads, but legal or not??

[bluedivergirl]

I suspect the man in question was arrested because he was crossing 441, where golf carts aren't supposed to be.

[Bonny]

When a friend of mine got a DUI here in the Villages, they suspended her license for a year. She was told she could not drive a car or golf cart.

[Chatbrat]

When your license is suspended or revoked , you are prevented from operating any MOTOR VEHICLE, a golf cart is a MOTOR VEHICLE, last Jan. Fl has implemented new child restraint seat regulations, since these regulations apply to MOTOR VEHICLES, get ready to get ticketed for not having small childen properly secured in a MOTOR VEHICLE,

If you license is revoked because of medical reasons, you can't operate any MOTOR VEHICLE

[villagetinker]

The way I read the article, I agree with bluedivergirl, both of the streets the golf cart was being operated on were not for golf cart traffic. I would bet the stiffer penalities were imposed because of the driving without a license. JMHO.

[Topspinmo]

If their not breaking the law, Changes are they won't get caught. The problem is most that got their license revoked cause they broke the law or don't know the rules?:popcorn: every day if I go 2 miles I see probably 20 violations. I once new drunk that crashed about every thing on wheels and included airplane. His license was removed for 10 years. He lived about 2 miles out of town, his thirst drove him to his riding lawn mower to get to the local watering hole. Back in the 60s wasn't against the law in that state till he wrecked the lawn mower going home, he got arrested for public intoxication.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

When your license is suspended or revoked , you are prevented from operating any MOTOR VEHICLE, a golf cart is a MOTOR VEHICLE, last Jan. Fl has implemented new child restraint seat regulations, since these regulations apply to MOTOR VEHICLES, get ready to get ticketed for not having small childen properly secured in a MOTOR VEHICLE,

If you license is revoked because of medical reasons, you can't operate any MOTOR VEHICLE

If that's true, how is it that children, 14 years old, that do not have a license to drive a MOTOR VEHICLE are legally allowed to drive golf carts (MOTOR VEHICLES) in The Villages?

here's an interesting case on the subject.

Is a Modified Golf Cart a Motor Vehicle? | Glover Law (http://www.gloverlawfirm.com/law-blog/modified-golf-cart-vehicle/)

[Chatbrat]

Its the law -you must be 14 years old to operate a golf cart, if you have a license it must be in good standing--wondering if you do not renew your license, can you still operate a golf cart ?

[Justus]

If that's true, how is it that children, 14 years old, that do not have a license to drive a MOTOR VEHICLE are legally allowed to drive golf carts (MOTOR VEHICLES) in The Villages?

here's an interesting case on the subject.

Is a Modified Golf Cart a Motor Vehicle? | Glover Law (http://www.gloverlawfirm.com/law-blog/modified-golf-cart-vehicle/)

It's totally illogical, isn't it?

[bagboy]

Right or wrong, good or bad, these are laws in the state of Florida. Age 14 and over can operate a golf cart and those convicted of DUI (and maybe other traffic offenses) cannot.

[dillywho]

Could it be that he was in a street legal cart which does require that the operator have a license?

I thought that golf carts are not classified as motor vehicles unless they are street legal or have been modified to exceed 20 mph.

[obxgal]

The first thing my insurance company ask for was my and my husbands drivers license numbers. They are also printed on our insurance policy.

I've heard if your under 14 and have a violation the officer will assign you a number which is registered under your name and address in your states DMV and when you go for you license it may cause you a problem. Don't know how true it is.

[Chatbrat]

If you are under 14 & you are cited in Fl for operating a golf cart-IT WILL FOLLOW WHEN YOU GO FOR YOUR DRIVER'S LICENSE (even out of Florida) & THE OWNER OF THE GOLF CART IS IN DEEP CRIMINAL POOP
Grand parents-golf carts are not toys for kids to play with.

[rubicon]

Could it be that he was in a street legal cart which does require that the operator have a license?

I thought that golf carts are not classified as motor vehicles unless they are street legal or have been modified to exceed 20 mph.

golf carts are motor vehicles. However if a golf cart is modified to exceed 20 mph and not registered, then it is considered an unregistered motor vehicle. Hence driving on a multi-modal path is not a problem but when you enter a diamond lane or street you are now on a public road and can be arrested for driving an unregistered motor vehicle.

The case glover law cited is missing something. I can't ascertain with certainty if the defendant filed claim under his auto policy or golf cart policy? If the former the golf cart irrespective of modification and use would have been excluded. If claim filed under the defendants golf cart policy the court probably reasoned that since the insurance company accepted premium from the defendant then they would make certain insurance was available to the defendant. the court decision based on the golf cart policy makes no sense at all...but then courts often don't because irrespective of law a judge will make the facts fit the law and vice versa.

[TomW]

I'm just guessing but I suspect the lawmakers contemplated 14 yr olds operating golf carts on golf courses. Remember the rash of ATV deaths among young teens a few years back. I doubt any legislator foresaw the rec trails of The Villages and crazy drunk oldsters who crank up their carts to 40mph operating alongside grandchildren who have never driven or even seen a golf cart up close all operating them on our rec trails.

[DonH57]

I'm just guessing but I suspect the lawmakers contemplated 14 yr olds operating golf carts on golf courses. Remember the rash of ATV deaths among young teens a few years back. I doubt any legislator foresaw the rec trails of The Villages and crazy drunk oldsters who crank up their carts to 40mph operating alongside grandchildren who have never driven or even seen a golf cart up close all operating them on our rec trails.

In the time we've lived here in the villages rarely have we witnessed an issue with the younger ones operating golf carts on the multi modal paths. Almost on a weekly basis we have witnessed a cart operator passing two or more carts and causing walkers having to jump out of the way as it was obvious this person was entitled to put others in danger. I'm just wondering when and if someone gets injured. Drive defensively. :ho:

[Shadow8IA]

You can get a DUI on a riding lawn mower and lose your license if your on or crossing a public road. I've seen it happen twice. I guess it's a motorized vehicle

[TNLAKEPANDA]

I have often wondered do you have to carry your DL when operating your golf cart? Do you have to carry any ID at all? Anyone know what the "law" is? I don't normally take my DL if just going to the pool or to a friends house.

[Bonny]

I have often wondered do you have to carry your DL when operating your golf cart? Do you have to carry any ID at all? Anyone know what the "law" is? I don't normally take my DL if just going to the pool or to a friends house.
I usually have my DL but can't imagine not having ID on me. You just never know what's going to happen especially as we are getting slightly older, :D.

[pauld315]

Right or wrong, good or bad, these are laws in the state of Florida. Age 14 and over can operate a golf cart and those convicted of DUI (and maybe other traffic offenses) cannot.

Can you cite the statute that says this ?

[The Mountaineer]

On a tangent to this topic:

I will be flying to The Villages in December to purchase a used golf cart.

What IS the cost of a license to drive the thing?

I also hope to modify the cart into blue and gold with a West Virginia Mountaineers logo. That's a surprise, huh? What's the usual cost for converting a golf cart into your favorite team's colors and logo?

We loved The Villages so much on our two winter visits that Paula bought a home along Silver Lake golf course, so our rental days are over. We'll still spend our cooler summers in Ohio, but will stay in The Villages much longer now.

Thank you for any information you can provide, or links that will answer my questions.

I just LOVE the way EVERY day is funday in The Villages!

[MDLNB]

You are not required to possess a drivers license to operate a golf cart unless it is a street legal and registered motor vehicle. If you modify your golf cart so that it can exceed 20mhp then you can be charged with driving an unregistered motor vehicle.

[Chatbrat]

Additional charges, uninsured, a non street legal vehicle ( brakes, lights, wipers & seat belts) the $$$ will add up

[Ithreeputtoo]

Here is what the FL Attorney General says:
Moreover, any person operating a golf cart in accordance with section 316.212, Florida Statutes, is exempt from the requirement of a driver's license.[9] The Legislature, however, has prohibited the operation of a golf cart on public roads or streets by any person under the age of fourteen.[10]

[Ithreeputtoo]

Here is the law:

Moreover, any person operating a golf cart in accordance with section 316.212, Florida Statutes, is exempt from the requirement of a driver's license.[9] The Legislature, however, has prohibited the operation of a golf cart on public roads or streets by any person under the age of fourteen.[10]

[xcaligirl]

If that's true, how is it that children, 14 years old, that do not have a license to drive a MOTOR VEHICLE are legally allowed to drive golf carts (MOTOR VEHICLES) in The Villages?

here's an interesting case on the subject.

Is a Modified Golf Cart a Motor Vehicle? | Glover Law (http://www.gloverlawfirm.com/law-blog/modified-golf-cart-vehicle/)

My exact same thought!