Golf carts first arrived on the Georgia Tech campus to accommodate the 1996 Summer Olympics and since then their use, as well as the use of Low Speed Vehicles (LSVs), has expanded. This policy clarifies Georgia Tech’s particular expectations regarding the purchase, safe use, and operation of LSVs and golf carts on the Georgia Tech campus.
Georgia Tech LSVs and golf carts are types of motor vehicles and, as such, they and their drivers are subject to Institute and University System of Georgia (USG) policies, as well as Georgia state law.
Institute employees who operate Georgia Tech LSVs and golf carts are subject to Board of Regents policy on Motor Vehicle Use
Georgia Tech adheres to an overarching state policy regarding the use of state-owned vehicles. State policy is provided through the Georgia Department of Administrative Services (DOAS). The DOAS Office of Fleet Services’ Georgia Fleet Management Manual serves as the policy document governing the acquisition, maintenance, repair, and replacement of state-owned passenger-carrying vehicles.
The purchase, safe use, and operation of Georgia Tech LSVs and golf carts must be in compliance with the procedures in Section 5 below, as well as Georgia state law regarding street legal vehicles (see O.C.G.A. § 40-6-330.1).
This policy applies to LSVs, golf carts, and other motorized carts owned by Georgia Tech and/or driven within the Georgia campus.
Low Speed Vehicle (LSV) |
Any four-wheeled electric vehicle whose top speed attainable is one mile greater than 20 miles per hour but not greater than 25 miles per hours on a paved level surface and which is manufactured in compliance with those Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for low-speed vehicles as set forth in 49 C.F.R. § 571.500, and in effect on January 1, 2001. These vehicles have a vehicle identification number (VIN) and are street legal. |
Street Legal Golf Cart |
A motorized cart having no less than three wheels and an unladen weight of 1,300 pounds or less, that cannot operate at more than 20 miles per hour, and is not manufactured in compliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for low-speed vehicles as set forth in 49 C.F.R. § 571.500. Effective January 1, 2012, Georgia state law requires personal transportation vehicles, including golf carts and other motorized carts, be enhanced with specific safety equipment to become street legal (see O.C.G.A § 40-6-330.1). |
Non- Street Legal Motorized Carts |
Any motorized vehicle that does not have a VIN and is not street legal. Non-Street Legal Motorized Carts other than Landscape/Maintenance Utility Vehicles are not authorized to be driven within the Georgia Tech campus. |
Landscape/ Maintenance Utility Vehicle |
Any mower, tractor, front-end loader, street sweeper/scrubber, or unlicensed motorized vehicle that is designed with a cargo area for landscape/maintenance services and whose primary purpose is to transport or deliver materials and equipment, not people. These vehicles are intended to be driven adjacent to turf that may be used as lawns, play fields, and other campus green space next to buildings, parking decks and sporting venues, solely to deliver materials and equipment and to perform maintenance on campus green space.A landscape/maintenance utility vehicle may occasionally be driven on a road – with caution. These unlicensed vehicles must display a fluorescent safety triangle on the back of the vehicle or they will be prohibited from driving on campus or public streets. |
5.1 Registration |
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LSV and Golf Cart Registration |
1) LSV registration may only be issued for compliant vehicles per 49 C.F.R. § 571.500 and to individuals who possess a valid driver’s license. 2) Golf cart registration may only be issued for compliant vehicles per O.C.G.A § 40-6-330.1. 3) Any Georgia Tech unit currently owning or purchasing a LSV or golf cart must register each vehicle with Georgia Tech Fleet Services. Upon receipt of the vehicle, the Fleet Services Coordinator will assign and affix a number to the vehicle for inventory purposes. The Fleet Services Coordinator is required to send a copy of the license plate with the registration and state ID to DOAS. 4) The Fleet Service Coordinator will apply for an amber light sticker and state registration decal. The decal will be delivered to Fleet Services and adhered to the vehicle by the department. 5) DOAS will add the vehicle to the asset list for physical damage coverage. 6) The department owning or purchasing the vehicle is required to affix or have affixed to each vehicle two Georgia Tech unit decals, one that is visible on each side of the vehicle, identifying it as an Institute/state vehicle. It is also required to have the “How’s My Driving” sticker with its designated phone number. Affixing these decals is not the responsibility of Fleet Services. 7) Any LSVs or golf carts transferred to another unit or to Intercampus or Statewide Surplus must be reported to Fleet Services to keep the inventory current. 8) Organizations that are not Georgia Tech units (e.g., affiliated organizations), but have individuals who operate LSVs and golf carts on the Georgia Tech campus also must register each vehicle with Fleet Services. However, tags, licenses, parking permit and maintenance for privately-owned vehicles are solely the responsibility of the vehicle owner. |
Golf Cart Safety Requirements |
1) By Georgia state law, effective January 1, 2012, golf carts must have the following working safety equipment to be street legal: a) A braking system sufficient for the weight and passenger capacity of the vehicle, including a parking brake; b) A reverse warning device functional at all times when the directional control is in the reverse position; c) A main power switch. When the switch is in the "off" position, or the key or other device that activates the switch is removed, the motive power circuit shall be inoperative. If the switch uses a key, it shall be removable only in the "off" position; d) Head lamps; e) Reflex reflectors; f) Tail lamps; g) A horn; h) A rearview mirror; i) Safety warning labels; and j) Hip restraints and hand holds. 2) Non-street legal golf carts currently in use on the Georgia Tech campus will be phased out of use by July 31, 2016. In the meantime, they should not be driven on public streets. 3) After August 1, 2016, non-street legal golf carts will not be eligible for Georgia Tech parking permits or Fleet Services registration. |
5.2 Purchase |
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Street Legal | The purchase of non-street legal golf carts by any Georgia Tech unit is prohibited as of the date of this policy. |
Vehicle Purpose |
LSVs and street legal golf carts may be purchased for use on the Georgia Tech campus only for legitimate Georgia Tech business purposes. These purposes include: a) transporting goods or services for delivery; b) transporting materials and skilled individuals to provide safety, maintenance, and repair services; c) transporting individuals to comply with ADA requirements for special events; d) transporting individuals with the specific purpose of attending Georgia Tech meetings, or touring the campus for fundraising, recruiting, and enhancing Georgia Tech; and e) incident or emergency response.
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Approval Procedures |
1) Georgia Tech departments requesting approval by the Fleet Services to purchase authorized vehicles must justify the service purpose for which the vehicle is intended. 2) Georgia Tech Procurement Services is responsible for approving for purchase only those vehicles that are in compliance with federal and state law and have a vehicle identification number (VIN). 3) LSVs purchased by any Georgia Tech department must comply with DOAS Office of Fleet Services requirements for on-road vehicles that became effective June 30, 2007. 4) All Georgia Tech vehicle purchases must be approved in writing by DOAS Office of Fleet Services. 5) Any Georgia Tech unit seeking approval from DOAS to purchase a vehicle must first contact the Fleet Services Coordinator through the online Vehicle Purchase Request form. 6) The Fleet Services Coordinator is the liaison between Georgia Tech units and DOAS for all vehicle purchase requests. 7) DOAS and the State Accounting Office have launched the Asset Management System to track all state assets. The purchase of all state vehicles, including LSVs and golf carts, must be approved by the DOAS Office of Fleet Service through the Asset Management System. All requests are routed to DOAS through the Fleet Services Coordinator. |
5.3 Maintenance |
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Motor Vehicle Maintenance Policy |
To ensure the safety and prolonged use of all Institute motor vehicles, each unit owning a motor vehicle shall refer to the Georgia Fleet Management Manual and the Georgia Tech Motor Vehicle Maintenance Policy regarding the required maintenance, repair, inspection, and asset registration of motorized vehicles. |
5.4 Operations |
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Drivers |
Institute employees who operate Georgia Tech LSVs and golf carts are subject to the Driver qualification and training requirements of the Board of Regents policy on Motor Vehicle Use. |
5.5 Allowed Use |
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Parking |
Departments operating LSVs and golf carts on the Georgia Tech campus, other than Landscape/Maintenance Utility Vehicles, must purchase and display the appropriate GT campus parking permit and must purchase a reserved stall if the charging station is in a parking deck or lot. LSVs and golf carts on the Georgia Tech campus must only be parked in officially designated “Service Vehicle” parking areas, “LSV” parking stalls and loading docks. Drivers of LSVs and golf carts on the Georgia Tech campus must obey all parking regulations.
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Streets |
Drivers of Georgia Tech LSVs must not use LSVs on high-speed streets (i.e., streets with above 35 miles per hour speed limits) surrounding the campus. Drivers of Georgia Tech golf carts must not use streets with speed limits above 25 miles per hour. Drivers should refer to the Low Speed Vehicle Safe Boundary Map Drivers of Georgia Tech LSVs and golf carts must obey all traffic regulations. |
Sidewalks |
Driving and parking LSVs and golf carts on sidewalks and pedestrian walkways within the Georgia Tech campus is prohibited, with the exception of when they are used occasionally for tasks requiring use on sidewalks and grass for required Georgia Tech services, including: a) Carrying out irrigation, trash pick-up, and other Facilities Management or Parking/Transportation business; b) Building inspections for hazardous materials, and other EHS business; c) Supporting Institute Communications photo and video operations; d) Delivering Georgia Tech mail; e) Delivering Georgia Tech library materials and collections; f) Repairing Buzzcard-related equipment; g) Transporting individuals in compliance with ADA/disability requirements; and h) Incident or emergency response. |
Privately Owned LSVs & Golf Carts |
Privately owned LSVs and golf carts on the Georgia Tech campus are subject to Institute policies and procedures regarding registration, parking, and allowed use. Anyone found violating these policies and procedures shall be cited and held personally responsible. |
Unauthorized Use |
Non-street legal golf/motorized carts, other than landscape/maintenance utility vehicles, in use on the Georgia Tech campus will be phased out of use by July 31, 2016. In the meantime, they should not be driven on public streets. |
5.6 Penalties |
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Citation, Enforcement and Impoundment |
Georgia Tech Police Department and Georgia Tech Parking and Transportation shall share enforcement duties regarding the operation and parking of LSVs and golf/motorized carts on campus. GTPD is responsible for citations involving LSV and golf/motorized cart moving violations. Parking and Transportation is responsible for citations involving LSV and golf/motorized cart parking violations. Any LSV or golf/motorized cart found in violation of this policy will be subject to citation and/or impoundment. The GT Driver that violates this policy will be submitted to the department head for follow up corrective action. |
5.7 Exceptions |
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Special Events |
Exceptions to the policy for reasons of access during special events must be approved in advance in writing by the Executive Vice President for Administration and Finance or the EVP’s designee. |
Revision Date |
Author |
Description |
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March 4, 2016 | Environmental Health & Safety, Fleet Services, Parking and Transportation | New Policy |