What Qualifies as a Personal Transportation Vehicle (PTV)?
A Personal Transportation Vehicle (PTV; i.e. Golf Cart) is a motor vehicle that:
- Has at least four wheels
- Reaches speeds of less than 20 mph on level ground
- Weighs 1,375 pounds or less (unladen/empty)
- Can carry up to 8 passengers
What’s not a PTV?
The term does not include mobility aids, e.g. electric personal assistive mobility devices, power wheelchairs, and scooters, that can be used indoors and outdoors for the express purpose of enabling mobility for a person with a disability. The term also does not include any all-terrain vehicle or multipurpose off-highway vehicle (as defined in O.C.G.A. § 40-1-1(3) and (33.1)).
Rules for Operating a PTV on City Streets
- PTV (Golf Cart) must pass city inspection
- A valid driver's license is required to register & drive
- Only allowed on city-regulated streets with speed limits of 25 mph or lower (map on website)
- Must carry proof of insurance in the vehicle
- All traffic laws apply (including DUI, hands-free, and open container laws)
- PTVs are entitled to a full traffic lane and parking space downtown
- Do not drive on sidewalks or across front yards
- Never pass a vehicle in the same lane
Passenger & Driver Safety Rules
To ensure safety for everyone, all drivers and passengers must follow these safety guidelines while operating or riding in a PTV (Golf Cart).
- All occupants must have their own seat & seatbelt
- Riders may not sit on the lap of another rider
- No standing or hanging onto the vehicle during operation
- All riders must wear seatbelts/hip restraints while on public streets
- Everyone must remain seated while the PTV is moving
Required Safety Equipment for All PTVs
Your PTV (Golf Cart) must be equipped with each item below in order to qualify for the PTV Permit:
- Braking system sufficient for the weight & passenger capacity of the vehicle, including a parking brake
- Reverse warning device
- Main power switch (key-removable in OFF position)
- Seat belts
- Head lamps & tail lamps
- Reflex reflectors
- Horn
- Rear-view mirror
- Safety warning labels
- Hip restraints & handholds
- Windshield
Enforcement & Penalties
Violating PTV rules may result in citations and fines under City and State law. Fines are issued to the registered owner, even if they weren’t the driver.
Penalties include:
- 1st Offense: Up to $75 fine
- 2nd Offense (within 1 year): Up to $150 fine
- 3rd Offense (within 1 year): Up to $250 fine, registration revoked, and a 2-year ban on registering or operating a PTV on public roads
The City may also revoke registration if the owner:
- No longer holds a valid driver’s license, or
- Fails to comply with City or State laws
Call 911 to report dangerous violations, e.g. reckless driving, underage operation, other dangerous situations.
Non- emergencies can be reported to the Douglasville Police Dept. at 770.920.3010 (Monday–Friday, 8 AM – 5 PM).
Here is a map of the streets that PTVs can be driven on.