Town ordinance outlines licensing, safety‑equipment, insurance and child‑seat requirements for carts operating on local roads.
LAKE WACCAMAW, NC — With warmer weather drawing more golf carts onto neighborhood streets, the Lake Waccamaw Police Department is reminding residents and visitors of the town’s full list of operating requirements. The rules, posted by the town and enforced by LKW Police, apply to all carts driven within the corporate limits.
The department, headquartered at 205 Flemington Drive and reachable at 910.646.3558, oversees inspections, registration decals and enforcement of the ordinance. Chief Scott Hyatt leads the agency.
According to the town’s posted guidance, anyone operating a golf cart must hold a valid driver’s license. Drivers must be at least 16 years old unless they have a state‑issued learner’s permit and are accompanied by a licensed driver, as required under North Carolina law.
Speed restrictions are strict: carts may not exceed a speed that is reasonable for conditions and may never be driven faster than 20 mph. Operators must stay to the extreme right of the roadway and yield to all vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Careless or reckless operation is prohibited.
Lighting requirements apply around sunset. Carts driven one hour before or one hour after sunset must have two clear headlamps visible from at least 500 feet and a red taillight visible from at least 300 feet.
The ordinance also prohibits alcohol consumption and open containers on any golf cart. All carts must carry full liability insurance before being operated in town.
Before use, each cart must be inspected and registered with the police department. A windshield decal is required to confirm that the cart meets all safety and equipment standards.
Golf carts may only be driven on public streets and highways within town limits where the posted speed limit is 35 mph or less.
Child‑safety rules mirror state vehicle‑seat requirements. Infants and toddlers must ride in an NCDOT‑approved car seat securely buckled to the cart. Children must continue using a car seat until they are mature enough for a booster seat and must remain in a booster until a seat belt fits properly without one.
The police department encourages residents to review the rules ahead of the summer season, when lake traffic and neighborhood activity typically increase.
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