Golf carts are not just for the golf course anymore.
In fact, you'll find people using them for short hops in many rural areas, and almost all gated communities.
As of January 1st, Georgia has new rules for them, which has created some confusion.
A law that took effect Sunday creates a classification for some golf carts called "personal transportation vehicles", which must weigh less than 1,375 pounds and not top speeds of 20 mph.
The law requires the carts to be registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles, even though golf carts traditionally don't come with titles, which are required for registration.
Dennis Beinborn of T and T Golf Carts in Trenton says most of the new models, especially those from Yamaha, do come with titles and also the required equipment.
DENNIS BEINBORN, SALES MANAGER, T & T GOLF CARTS "When we put a street legal car together, we automatically install headlights, taillights, turn signals, break lights...your basic car accessories."
The new Georgia law is causing confusion because it is similar to an existing statute for "motorized carts", sometimes called neighborhood electric vehicles, which do not have to be registered with the state.
Those are the ones you do see on golf courses, and sometimes on the road.
Officials in Lookout Mountain, Georgia say the community has plenty of them.
The city council has already controls them by ordinance which includes standard safety equipment.
BRAD HAVEN, LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, GA. "They can be driven on the roads here..they have to stay on the side streets..they can't get on the state routes."
Over the years, the state has taken steps to control use of golf carts and the PTV's, including setting age limits for the drivers.
It's not clear whether personal transportation vehicles can be driven on roadways at all, because the bill creating the law does not include language specifically allowing it.
But Wendell Folks of Chickamauga uses his on the road occasionally, and he watches for problems.
WENDELL FOLKS, CHICKAMAUGA "I watch traffic in my mirrors, and if they start backing up behind me I'll pull over and let them go by."
Good advice, while Georgia sorts out the details of where and how they can be used.
