[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

If you are clocked going more than 20 mph, you will get a citation for driving a non registered vehicle, which is a criminal offense, said Katrina Berardi, deputy clerk with the Sumter County Clerk of Courts."

Here's info from an Orlando TV site pertaining to unregistered cars:

ORLANDO --

Have you ever driven a friend's car? Did you ask if their registration is up to date?

Next time you take another person's car for a cruise, you might want to check.

Jim, from Casselberry, writes in to the traffic inbox this week:


Can I get a ticket if I'm driving a buddy's car whose registration hasn't been renewed?

The answer to that question is simple enough.

You have until midnight of the day of the registration period or extended registration period — usually your birthday unless you have registered for multiple years.


If you fail to do so, you cannot operate that vehicle legally until the registration is updated.

And that means anyone.

So, if you are driving a friend's car whose registration is expired, you would receive the ticket, not your friend.


If it has been expired for less than six months, it is classified as a non-criminal traffic infraction, punishable as a non-moving violation. In Orange County, for example, that's $114.

[bagboy]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

If you are clocked going more than 20 mph, you will get a citation for driving a non registered vehicle, which is a criminal offense, said Katrina Berardi, deputy clerk with the Sumter County Clerk of Courts."


How can you get cited for driving a "non-registered vehicle" when these vehicles are not required to be registered???
Are you referring to a LSV on regular roads as opposed to and unregistered golf cart?

The reference is to regular golf carts exceeding 20 mph. The authorities charge the driver with driving an unregistered vehicle because they in fact are operating their cart as if it "were" a registered vehicle that is capable of higher speeds. By the fact they were pulled over and probably clocked by radar, they most likely reach a speed that would require them to be registered and licensed by the DMV as Low Speed Vehicles.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by bagboy

The reference is to regular golf carts exceeding 20 mph. The authorities charge the driver with driving an unregistered vehicle because they in fact are operating their cart as if it "were" a registered vehicle that is capable of higher speeds. By the fact they were pulled over and probably clocked by radar, they most likely reach a speed that would require them to be registered and licensed by the DMV as Low Speed Vehicles.

Now that makes sense.
The "criminal charge" still makes no sense---see my posts about Florida law on golf carts using public roads and also the penalty for an unregistered motor vehicle---both specify NON-CRIMINAL penalties

[Down Sized]

Another Round!!

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by Down Sized

Another Round!!

Are there 15 of them? and are they scored on a 10 point must system by 3 judges?

[bagboy]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

Now that makes sense.
The "criminal charge" still makes no sense---see my posts about Florida law on golf carts using public roads and also the penalty for an unregistered motor vehicle---both specify NON-CRIMINAL penalties

I think maybe the criminal citation part of this could have mostly been aimed at people who steal cars, sell or buy unregistered vehicles, people avoiding their insurance responsibility, etc. And maybe the golf carts got caught in the middle. Alot of maybe here as I really don't know. Bottom line is, keep the cart at 20 mph and no worries.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by bagboy

I think maybe the criminal citation part of this could have mostly been aimed at people who steal cars, sell or buy unregistered vehicles, people avoiding their insurance responsibility, etc. And maybe the golf carts got caught in the middle. Alot of maybe here as I really don't know. Bottom line is, keep the cart at 20 mph and no worries.

I don't know either, but what I posted was all I could find on line. It just doesn't make sense to me that a person could intentionally not register their auto, drive down Hillsborough trail at 59 mph and walk away with nothing but a fistful of tickets, but God forbid someone drives their perfectly legal golf cart 21 mph on the same road and gets a CRIMINAL offense--stranger things have happened, but if true, there is absolutely no equity in that situation, and laws are written and courts generally try to decide on the basis of equity

[tomwed]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

try this:
Statutes & Constitution :View Statutes : Online Sunshine

thank-you
It's too cloudy and hard for me to understand.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by tomwed

thank-you
It's too cloudy and hard for me to understand.

Written by lawyers--that explains it all

[tuccillo]

I believe a criminal offense is essentially anything that is not a civil offense. This includes felonies, misdemeanors, and infractions. You don't go to jail for a speeding ticket, which is a criminal offense.

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

I don't know either, but what I posted was all I could find on line. It just doesn't make sense to me that a person could intentionally not register their auto, drive down Hillsborough trail at 59 mph and walk away with nothing but a fistful of tickets, but God forbid someone drives their perfectly legal golf cart 21 mph on the same road and gets a CRIMINAL offense--stranger things have happened, but if true, there is absolutely no equity in that situation, and laws are written and courts generally try to decide on the basis of equity

[Sandtrap328]

Why not just say it is not legal to drive a golf cart faster than 20 mph on a public road or street?

The golf cart cannot be driven on a street that has a speed limit of higher than 30 mph. The LSV cannot be driven on streets with speed limits of more than 35 mph and the LSV has a speed limit of 25 mph. LSV must have insurance, safety check, and license plate.

Easy enough?

I am sure the guy who passed me with his golf cart will be getting his speed tuned down in his cart - and pay a hefty fine.

[Fredwms]

My understanding is you can be arrested if you are riding a bicycle under the influence. My son was arrested for a DUI riding an ATV off road.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by MikeV

I recently had work done by TV Golf Cart store in Brownwood. As part of the paperwork they ask you to sign a statement that if your cart exceeds 22 mph they will lower it to 22 mph. There is also a line where you can refuse that.

Just had may cart serviced and signed statement saying the cart cant exceed 20 MPH. My cart was verified at 20.3 MPH. But, If I going down hill it will speed up to 22.4 MPH depending on how steep the slop is. Been articles in the paper and on village new channel about warnings for illegally tampered with carts exceeding 20 MPH. I figure I can have lots of fun with 6 or 700 bucks than give it to the courts. So, I never go over 20 MPH even down hill.

[blueash]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

Now that makes sense.
The "criminal charge" still makes no sense---see my posts about Florida law on golf carts using public roads and also the penalty for an unregistered motor vehicle---both specify NON-CRIMINAL penalties

Here is the applicable law
Statutes & Constitution :View Statutes : Online Sunshine

320.57 Penalties for violations of this chapter.—
(1) Any person convicted of violating any of the provisions of this chapter is, unless otherwise provided herein, guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

you cannot look at the rules for a golf cart in this situation. Once the cart is able to go over 20 MPH it is not a golf cart but a LSV, if it can go over 25 MPH it is a motor vehicle. Both a LSV and motor vehicle must be fully licensed and insured with specified safety equipment. So the speeding golf cart fails to satisfy many Florida rules for LSVs and motor vehicles. The specified penalty in S. 775.082 is
b) For a misdemeanor of the second degree, by a definite term of imprisonment not exceeding 60 days.

[jflynn1]

From first hand experience it is a felony.
You are ticketed for driving an unregistered motor vehicle.
You do have to appear in court before the judge.
You will be fined 500.00 Plus court costs plus you will be placed on probation, unless you visit the probation officers office and pay them a fee I believe it was $50.00 for the day you were on probation for in CASH. NO Checks, No Credit Cards etc.

If you do not have the cash you can walk down to the gas station and purchase a money order for the correct amount and pay with the probation money order.

The gas station does not take checks they do take credit cards.

If you do not Pay the fee for being on probation it is $50.00 per day until you pay it or until your probation time is up to get off probation and have the felony expunged from your record.

Plus you need to bring proof that you have had the cart adjusted so that it will not go more than 20 MPH.

I am sure many people like me were sold Golf carts and paid extra to have the high speed transmission included without knowing or being told about this law.