A golf cart is any vehicle propelled by an electric or gas engine with no less than three wheels in contact with the ground, which is designed and manufactured for operation on a golf course for sporting or recreational purposes and that is not capable of exceeding speeds of 20 miles per hour. Motor vehicles classified as all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) or utility-terrain vehicles (UTVs) or off-road vehicles are expressly excluded from this definition.
No golf cart can be operated:
- At a speed of more than 20 MPH.
- On private property without permission.
- In a negligent manner, such as endangering any person or property.
- Under the influence of alcohol or any controlled substance.
- With more passengers than it’s designed to carry.
Unless otherwise posted, a golf cart may be operated upon a Wentzville City street when the following conditions are true:
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A golf cart may not be operated on a street or highway with a posted speed limit greater than 25 miles per hour.
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A golf cart may not cross a City street or highway with a posted speed limit of greater than 35 miles per hour – even if there is a traffic light at such intersection.
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Golf carts operated on City streets (and designated golf-cart lanes) will be driven as close to the right shoulder as possible and must not impede the regular flow of vehicular traffic.
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Golf carts will not be driven on any sidewalk, trail, path or walkway designed for pedestrians/bicyclists unless designated as a golf-cart lane. Golf carts can cross these pathways, when necessary.
What equipment is required for a golf cart to operate within Wentzville city limits?
The golf-cart lane designation is an authorized municipal roadway expressly allowing for the operation of golf carts at the time of the establishment of the subdivision. The subdivision streets located within Bear Creek and Golf Club of Wentzville are the only designated golf cart lanes currently in Wentzville city limits.
The Wentzville Police Department will have full authority to enforce state and local traffic laws as they apply to the operation of motor vehicles, including the authority to impound a golf cart in the same manner that it would impound other motor vehicles upon the violation of applicable state or local traffic laws.
To read the ordinance in its entirety, click here.