[Lone Traveller]

I said I’d write an explanation of my streets and roads question but an intervention of life pulled me away. As some of you know I have cerebral palsy and have been looking into adaptations that would funnel, steering, acceleration and braking into one joystick control on a golf cart. It can and is being done in automobiles and wheel chairs. The cost of Automobile type controls is about $40,000.00. (That’s not a typo $40,000.00 is correct. That’s why you groups collect to help individuals obtain such equipment.) Those controls for a wheelchair run about $2,000.00. The choice of which one is correct for a golf cart depends on where it will be used. That is the reason for my needing to know if the roads and streets in the Village are public of private. If they are considered public I need the automobile type controls. If they are private roads the wheelchairs controls are acceptable. Maybe I should add here both types of control offer the same level of safety. It is just a matter of regulations.

Of course the whole question for me is a mute point if your roads belong to the county. That would mean everybody needs a regular driver’s license to drive a golf cart in the Villages. That’s bad for me since I cannot pass a driver’s test. However, that may be good for the rest of you. I’ve been reading here about how grandparents allow children to drive golf carts. Well if your roads and streets are public than not only do these people have a total disregard for the safety and welfare of others, they are breaking the law. You have legal recourse to stop them. At least that’s the way I see it, unless the Villages has enough pull with the local officials and have created some type of hybrid system that allows non-licensed drivers to drive golf carts within the Villages. If they have, please let me know.

I’m not giving up. Anything worth having is worth fighting for. I still have a few tricks up my sleeve. Check my other post.

Whether I’m able to get to the Village or not I want you to know something. I think you are a great, friendly group. You have a lifestyle that is the envy of many people, including me. If I don’t make it there to live I will always have glowing word for the Village and people living there. You have a cheerleader.

[ejp52]

I sent you a pm LT.

[English Ivy]

You do not need a drivers license to drive a golf cart in The Villages.

Here's the link to the Villages Golf Cart Safety Brochure which states this: http://www.districtgov.org/images/wh...rtBrochure.pdf

So if a required drivers license is what stands in the way of $2,000 vs $40,000 to modify a cart with controls for you I would think you'd be ok. Maybe contacting the Florida Drivers License Bureau is the best way to get the info you need.

Good luck to you. Hope everything works out and you're able to move here!

[ConeyIsBabe]

Sending you my positive vibes

[SteveFromNY]

Originally Posted by Lone Traveller

. If they are private roads the wheelchairs controls are acceptable. Maybe I should add here both types of control offer the same level of safety. It is just a matter of regulations.

LT - I don't get it. Who's regulations? Golf carts seem to be very un-regulated. You don't even need a driver's license to operate one. Assuming there is the same level of safety, why can't you get the $2,000 modifications? Who's making you get the outrageously more expensive automotive style?
Seems like a personal choice to me. Can you explain what's driving the need for the distinction?

[villager99]

driver's license are not needed to drive golf carts on village trails and streets. although speed and distance ranges are less, electric mobility devices(wheelchairs or scooters) are also used throughtout the villages. i know at least one villager who had her golf cart modified so she can sit in her power chair and drive her golf cart (including braking) with just a hand control.

[villager99]

as a disabled non driver's license villager i've been thinking about this issue and wonder if some golf cart modifications would cause them to no longer qualify as "golf carts" just as supping up a cart to go over 20 mph makes it a motor vehicle and not a cart. thus requiring a driver's license and registration with the dmv.
i would stasrt by calling the sumter county sherriff's department as they monitor many of these current issues in the villages with golf carts vs low speed vehicles or street legal golf carts. and wold best understand the situation.

[Lone Traveller]

Steve I got this information from Shepherd Spinal Center in Atlanta. They should know what they are talking since they do it all the time. The distinction seen to be one of law related to usage. But sine you don’t need a license for TV is doesn’t matter.