New rules adopted by the Fayette County Commission March 27 will allow 15-year-olds to drive a golf cart solo if they have a learner’s permit.
While part of the impetus is an effort to allow golf carts to be driven to Starr’s Mill High School, that is not in the immediate offing due to the lack of a cart path leading to the school. The school also does not yet have a separate parking lot for golf carts similar to the one built several years ago at McIntosh High School.
Another rule change will allow children as young as 12 to operate a golf cart as long as a licensed adult is present in the vehicle at the time.
Along with the rule changes is the adoption of a $15 fee to cover the issuance of a decal for each cart. The county is hopeful that Peachtree City and Tyrone officials will agree to allow county residents to drive on their path systems at no additional charge.
The new ordinance also requires owners of gas-powered golf carts to make sure the exhaust system function is “in good working order” and failure to do so can result in revocation of the cart’s registration.
The ordinance was adopted on a 4-0 vote with commissioner Allen McCarty absent from the meeting.
