Hattiesburg, Mississippi – During the August 16 meeting of the Hattiesburg City Council, a new ordinance regulating golf carts and low-speed vehicle usage on city roads was approved.

The ordinance requires that all golf carts and low-speed vehicles operated on public roads within the City be registered through the City Clerk’s office. The ordinance will take effect in 30 days, with registration for vehicles beginning September 15.

Regulations outlined in the ordinance include

• Operation is limited to roads with a speed limit of 30 miles per hour or less. The city’s Traffic Committee can also prohibit other roads based on traffic counts, recommendations by governing authorities, street design and other factors
• Vehicles must meet safety equipment requirements under 49 CFR Section 571.500 (headlamps, front and rear turn signal lamps, tail lamps, stop lamps, reflect reflectors, exterior mirror mounted on driver’s or passenger’s side, parking brake, VIN number or Serial Number, Type 1 or Type 2 seatbelts, proper windshield and an alert sound)
• Drivers operating a golf cart or low-speed vehicle must have a valid driver’s license and proof of financial responsibility as required by state law
• Operation is limited to the outside lane of multi-lane streets and roads, where applicable
• Operation is subject to all applicable laws of the State of Mississippi and the City related to traffic and parking, along with corresponding penalties, not specifically addressed herein
• Operation is not permitted within the barricaded confines of any festival, event or road closure where typical vehicular traffic is prohibited

The need for an ordinance was brought up in a work session by the Hattiesburg City Council in early summer and a draft was originally presented at the August 1 meeting. Additional registration details under this new ordinance will be shared with the public as the effective day is closer.

Golf-cart and low-speed vehicle ordinances are becoming more common after the passing of Senate Bill 2605 in the 2021 session of the Mississippi Legislature. This bill made it legal for cities and towns to pass ordinances to legally allow these vehicles operable on city streets. Hattiesburg joins eight additional cities in Mississippi to pass a similar ordinance.

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DOWNLOAD THE ORDINANCE & SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS

GOLF CART & LOW-SPEED VEHICLE ORDINANCE
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. Why is an ordinance necessary?

In 2021, the Mississippi Legislature passed Senate Bill 2605 giving municipalities the authority to pass ordinances for golf-cart and low-speed vehicles to match the needs of a community. As it currently stands, the operation of golf carts and low-speed vehicles is illegal within the city limits of Hattiesburg. The ordinance will not only make it legal but make provisions that prioritize public safety.

2. How much will registration be?

$100

3. If I already have a golf cart or low-speed vehicle, will I have to register it for legal use?

Yes. If the ordinance is passed, legal use will require registration of the vehicle with the City Clerk’s office. All registered vehicles will be required to place a decal on the golf cart or low-speed vehicle proving registration.

4. Once registered, can I drive my golf cart on any city street?

No. Registered golf carts and low-speed vehicles should only be operated on public roads and streets in the city where there is an established speed limit of 30 miles per hour or less. The city’s Traffic Committee can also prohibit other roads based on traffic counts, recommendations by governing authorities, street design and other factors.

5. Once I have my registration, will it have to be renewed? 

Registration will remain valid for as long as the registrant is the owner of the golf cart or low-speed vehicle. Replacement decals for those that are lost or damaged can be purchased for an additional fee of $5.

6. Once registered, can I drive my golf cart on any city street?

No. Registered golf carts and low-speed vehicles should only be operated on public roads and streets in the city where there is an established speed limit of 30 miles per hour or less. The city’s Traffic Committee can also prohibit other roads based on traffic counts, recommendations by governing authorities, street design and other factors.

7. Who will enforce the ordinance?

The Hattiesburg Police Department will enforce all traffic and road-based regulations listed in the ordinance. Citations will be written for unauthorized operation of a golf cart or low-speed vehicle.

8. What if my golf cart is missing a few of the street legal requirements?

All golf carts and low-speed vehicles will be required to meet the operable safety standards before being registered.

9. Can an underage driver operate my registered golf cart or low-speed vehicle under my supervision or authority? 

No. The ordinance regulates that all drivers operating a golf cart or low-speed vehicle must have a valid driver’s license and proof of financial responsibility as required by state law. Underage driving will not be permitted.

10. What happens if my underage driver is pulled over for operating our family’s golf cart or low-speed vehicle?

The Hattiesburg Police Department will issue a citation for unlicensed driving. This is considered a misdemeanor and the fine is $445.