{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/46.2-916.3.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/46.2-916.3.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/46.2-916.3.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/46.2-916.3.html"}],"law_id":61247,"edition_id":1,"section_id":61247,"structure_id":15856,"section_number":"46.2-916.3","catch_line":"Limitations on golf cart and utility vehicle operations on designated public highways","history":"2004, c. 746; 2008, c. 456; 2009, cc. 743, 835; 2010, c. 112; 2011, cc. 68, 140, 469; 2018, c. 112.","full_text":"A\n\nGolf cart and utility vehicle operations on designated public highways shall be in accordance with the following limitations:1\n\nA golf cart or utility vehicle may be operated only on designated public highways where the posted speed limit is 25 miles per hour or less. However, a golf cart or utility vehicle may cross a highway at an intersection controlled by a traffic light if the highway has a posted speed limit of no more than 35 miles per hour and in the Town of Colonial Beach may cross any highway at an intersection marked as a golf cart crossing by signs posted by the Virginia Department of Transportation;2\n\nIn towns with a population of 2,000 or less, a golf cart or utility vehicle may cross a highway at an intersection conspicuously marked as a golf cart crossing by signs posted by the Virginia Department of Transportation if the highway has a posted speed limit of no more than 35 miles per hour and the crossing is required as the only means to provide golf cart access from one part of the town to another part of the town;3\n\nNo person shall operate any golf cart or utility vehicle on any public highway unless he has in his possession a valid driver&#8217;s license;4\n\nEvery golf cart or utility vehicle, whenever operated on a public highway, shall display a slow-moving vehicle emblem in conformity with &#xA7; 46.2-1081; and5\n\nGolf carts and utility vehicles shall be operated upon the public highways only between sunrise and sunset, unless equipped with such lights as are required in Article 3 (&#xA7; 46.2-1010 et seq.) of Chapter 10 for different classes of vehicles.B\n\nThe limitations of subdivision A 1 shall not apply to golf carts and utility vehicles being operated as follows:1\n\nTo cross a highway from one portion of a golf course to another portion thereof or to another adjacent golf course or to travel between a person&#8217;s home and golf course if (i) the trip would not be longer than one-half mile in either direction and (ii) the speed limit on the road is no more than 35 miles per hour;2\n\nTo the extent necessary for local government employees, operating only upon highways located within the locality, to fulfill a governmental purpose, provided the golf cart or utility vehicle is being operated on highways with speed limits of 35 miles per hour or less;3\n\nAs necessary by employees of public or private two-year or four-year institutions of higher education if operating on highways within the property limits of such institutions, provided the golf cart or utility vehicle is being operated on highways with speed limits of 35 miles per hour or less;4\n\nOn a secondary highway system component that has a posted speed limit of no more than 35 miles per hour and is within three miles of a motor speedway with a seating capacity of at least 25,000 but less than 90,000 on the same day as any race or race-related event conducted on that speedway;5\n\nTo the extent necessary for employees of the Department of Conservation and Recreation, operating only on highways located within Department of Conservation and Recreation property or upon Virginia Department of Transportation-maintained highways that are adjacent to Department of Conservation and Recreation property, to fulfill a governmental purpose, provided that the golf cart or utility vehicle is being operated on highways with speed limits of no more than 35 miles per hour; and6\n\nTo cross a one-lane or two-lane highway from one portion of a venue hosting an equine event to another portion thereof if (i) the crossing occurs on the same day as such equine event, (ii) a temporary traffic control zone is established at such crossing with speed limits of no more than 35 miles per hour, and (iii) the crossing and highway vehicular traffic are being monitored and controlled by a uniformed law-enforcement officer.C\n\nThe governing body of any county, city, or town may by ordinance impose additional restrictions or limitations on operations of golf carts, utility vehicles, or both, on public highways within its boundaries, provided that the restrictions or limitations imposed by any such ordinance are no less stringent than the restrictions and limitations contained in this article. In the event that any provision of any such ordinance conflicts with any provision of this section other than subdivision B 5, the provision of the ordinance shall be controlling.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":223789,"text":"Golf cart and utility vehicle operations on designated public highways shall be in accordance with the following limitations:","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"A1"},"1":{"id":223790,"text":"A golf cart or utility vehicle may be operated only on designated public highways where the posted speed limit is 25 miles per hour or less. However, a golf cart or utility vehicle may cross a highway at an intersection controlled by a traffic light if the highway has a posted speed limit of no more than 35 miles per hour and in the Town of Colonial Beach may cross any highway at an intersection marked as a golf cart crossing by signs posted by the Virginia Department of Transportation;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"A1","prefix_anchor":"A1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"A2"},"2":{"id":223791,"text":"In towns with a population of 2,000 or less, a golf cart or utility vehicle may cross a highway at an intersection conspicuously marked as a golf cart crossing by signs posted by the Virginia Department of Transportation if the highway has a posted speed limit of no more than 35 miles per hour and the crossing is required as the only means to provide golf cart access from one part of the town to another part of the town;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"A2","prefix_anchor":"A2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A1","next_prefix":"A3"},"3":{"id":223792,"text":"No person shall operate any golf cart or utility vehicle on any public highway unless he has in his possession a valid driver&#8217;s license;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"A3","prefix_anchor":"A3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A2","next_prefix":"A4"},"4":{"id":223793,"text":"Every golf cart or utility vehicle, whenever operated on a public highway, shall display a slow-moving vehicle emblem in conformity with &#xA7; 46.2-1081; and","type":"section","prefixes":["A","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"A4","prefix_anchor":"A4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A3","next_prefix":"A5"},"5":{"id":223794,"text":"Golf carts and utility vehicles shall be operated upon the public highways only between sunrise and sunset, unless equipped with such lights as are required in Article 3 (&#xA7; 46.2-1010 et seq.) of Chapter 10 for different classes of vehicles.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"A5","prefix_anchor":"A5","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A4","next_prefix":"B"},"6":{"id":223795,"text":"The limitations of subdivision A 1 shall not apply to golf carts and utility vehicles being operated as follows:","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A5","next_prefix":"B1"},"7":{"id":223796,"text":"To cross a highway from one portion of a golf course to another portion thereof or to another adjacent golf course or to travel between a person&#8217;s home and golf course if (i) the trip would not be longer than one-half mile in either direction and (ii) the speed limit on the road is no more than 35 miles per hour;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"B1","prefix_anchor":"B1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"B2"},"8":{"id":223797,"text":"To the extent necessary for local government employees, operating only upon highways located within the locality, to fulfill a governmental purpose, provided the golf cart or utility vehicle is being operated on highways with speed limits of 35 miles per hour or less;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"B2","prefix_anchor":"B2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B1","next_prefix":"B3"},"9":{"id":223798,"text":"As necessary by employees of public or private two-year or four-year institutions of higher education if operating on highways within the property limits of such institutions, provided the golf cart or utility vehicle is being operated on highways with speed limits of 35 miles per hour or less;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"B3","prefix_anchor":"B3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B2","next_prefix":"B4"},"10":{"id":223799,"text":"On a secondary highway system component that has a posted speed limit of no more than 35 miles per hour and is within three miles of a motor speedway with a seating capacity of at least 25,000 but less than 90,000 on the same day as any race or race-related event conducted on that speedway;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"B4","prefix_anchor":"B4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B3","next_prefix":"B5"},"11":{"id":223800,"text":"To the extent necessary for employees of the Department of Conservation and Recreation, operating only on highways located within Department of Conservation and Recreation property or upon Virginia Department of Transportation-maintained highways that are adjacent to Department of Conservation and Recreation property, to fulfill a governmental purpose, provided that the golf cart or utility vehicle is being operated on highways with speed limits of no more than 35 miles per hour; and","type":"section","prefixes":["B","5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"B5","prefix_anchor":"B5","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B4","next_prefix":"B6"},"12":{"id":223801,"text":"To cross a one-lane or two-lane highway from one portion of a venue hosting an equine event to another portion thereof if (i) the crossing occurs on the same day as such equine event, (ii) a temporary traffic control zone is established at such crossing with speed limits of no more than 35 miles per hour, and (iii) the crossing and highway vehicular traffic are being monitored and controlled by a uniformed law-enforcement officer.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"B6","prefix_anchor":"B6","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B5","next_prefix":"C"},"13":{"id":223802,"text":"The governing body of any county, city, or town may by ordinance impose additional restrictions or limitations on operations of golf carts, utility vehicles, or both, on public highways within its boundaries, provided that the restrictions or limitations imposed by any such ordinance are no less stringent than the restrictions and limitations contained in this article. In the event that any provision of any such ordinance conflicts with any provision of this section other than subdivision B 5, the provision of the ordinance shall be controlling.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B6"}},"ancestry":[{"id":15856,"edition_id":1,"name":"Golf Cart and Utility Vehicle Operation","identifier":"13.1","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12875,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 04:00:37","date_modified":"2026-06-26 04:00:37","permalink":{"id":230533,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":15856,"identifier":"13.1","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/13.1","url":"\/46.2\/III\/8\/13.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12875,"edition_id":1,"name":"Regulation of Traffic","identifier":"8","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12827,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:58","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:58","permalink":{"id":230189,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12875,"identifier":"8","token":"46.2\/III\/8","url":"\/46.2\/III\/8\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12827,"edition_id":1,"name":"Operation","identifier":"III","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12770,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:55","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:55","permalink":{"id":228597,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12827,"identifier":"III","token":"46.2\/III","url":"\/46.2\/III\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12770,"edition_id":1,"name":"Motor Vehicles","identifier":"46.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","permalink":{"id":225289,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12770,"identifier":"46.2","token":"46.2","url":"\/46.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":68017,"structure_id":15856,"section_number":"46.2-916.1","catch_line":"Golf cart and utility vehicle operations on public highways not otherwise designated for such operation","url":"\/46.2-916.1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/13.1\/46.2-916.1","metadata":false},{"id":81285,"structure_id":15856,"section_number":"46.2-916.2","catch_line":"Designation of public highways for golf cart and utility vehicle operations","url":"\/46.2-916.2\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/13.1\/46.2-916.2","metadata":false},{"id":61247,"structure_id":15856,"section_number":"46.2-916.3","catch_line":"Limitations on golf cart and utility vehicle operations on designated public highways","url":"\/46.2-916.3\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/13.1\/46.2-916.3","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":81285,"structure_id":15856,"section_number":"46.2-916.2","catch_line":"Designation of public highways for golf cart and utility vehicle operations","url":"\/46.2-916.2\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/13.1\/46.2-916.2","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/46.2-916.3\/","history_text":"<p>This law was first created in 2004. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?041+ful+CHAP0746\">746<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 5 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 2008, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?081+ful+CHAP0456\">456<\/a>; in 2009, chapters <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?091+ful+CHAP0743\">743<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?091+ful+CHAP0835\">835<\/a>; in 2010, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?101+ful+CHAP0112\">112<\/a>; in 2011, chapters <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?111+ful+CHAP0068\">68<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?111+ful+CHAP0140\">140<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?111+ful+CHAP0469\">469<\/a>; in 2018, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?181+ful+CHAP0112\">112<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":54501,"section_number":"2.2-2341.1","catch_line":"Control over the use of certain vehicles","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-2341.1\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":86642,"section_number":"46.2-1010","catch_line":"Equipment required","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1010\/"},{"id":61953,"section_number":"46.2-1081","catch_line":"Slow-moving vehicle emblems","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1081\/"}],"permalink":{"id":230543,"object_type":"law","relational_id":61247,"identifier":"46.2-916.3","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/13.1\/46.2-916.3","url":"\/46.2-916.3\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/46.2-916.3\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/13.1\/46.2-916.3","dublin_core":{"Title":"Limitations on golf cart and utility vehicle operations on designated public highways","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 46.2-916.3","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"A\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">A.<\/span> <span class=\"dictionary\">Golf cart<\/span> and <span class=\"dictionary\">utility vehicle<\/span> operations on designated public <span class=\"dictionary\"><span class=\"dictionary\">highways<\/span><\/span> shall be in accordance with the following limitations: <a id=\"paragraph-223789\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/46.2-916.3\/#A\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"A1\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">1.<\/span> A <span class=\"dictionary\">golf cart<\/span> or <span class=\"dictionary\">utility vehicle<\/span> may be operated only on designated public <span class=\"dictionary\"><span class=\"dictionary\">highways<\/span><\/span> where the posted speed limit is 25 miles per hour or less. However, a <span class=\"dictionary\">golf cart<\/span> or <span class=\"dictionary\">utility vehicle<\/span> may cross a <span class=\"dictionary\">highway<\/span> at an <span class=\"dictionary\">intersection<\/span> controlled by a traffic <span class=\"dictionary\">light<\/span> if the <span class=\"dictionary\">highway<\/span> has a posted speed limit of no more than 35 miles per hour and in the Town of Colonial Beach may cross any <span class=\"dictionary\">highway<\/span> at an <span class=\"dictionary\">intersection<\/span> marked as a <span class=\"dictionary\">golf cart<\/span> crossing by signs posted by the Virginia <span class=\"dictionary\">Department<\/span> of Transportation; <a id=\"paragraph-223790\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/46.2-916.3\/#A1\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"A2\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">2.<\/span> In towns with a population of 2,000 or less, a <span class=\"dictionary\">golf cart<\/span> or <span class=\"dictionary\">utility vehicle<\/span> may cross a <span class=\"dictionary\">highway<\/span> at an <span class=\"dictionary\">intersection<\/span> conspicuously marked as a <span class=\"dictionary\">golf cart<\/span> crossing by signs posted by the Virginia <span class=\"dictionary\">Department<\/span> of Transportation if the <span class=\"dictionary\">highway<\/span> has a posted speed limit of no more than 35 miles per hour and the crossing is required as the only means to provide <span class=\"dictionary\">golf cart<\/span> access from one part of the town to another part of the town; <a id=\"paragraph-223791\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/46.2-916.3\/#A2\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"A3\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">3.<\/span> No person shall operate any <span class=\"dictionary\">golf cart<\/span> or <span class=\"dictionary\">utility vehicle<\/span> on any public <span class=\"dictionary\">highway<\/span> unless he has in his <span class=\"dictionary\">possession<\/span> a valid <span class=\"dictionary\">driver<\/span>&#8217;s license; <a id=\"paragraph-223792\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/46.2-916.3\/#A3\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"A4\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">4.<\/span> Every <span class=\"dictionary\">golf cart<\/span> or <span class=\"dictionary\">utility vehicle<\/span>, whenever operated on a public <span class=\"dictionary\">highway<\/span>, shall display a slow-moving vehicle emblem in conformity with &#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"Slow-moving vehicle emblems\" href=\"\/46.2-1081\/\">46.2-1081<\/a>; and <a id=\"paragraph-223793\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/46.2-916.3\/#A4\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"A5\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">5.<\/span> <span class=\"dictionary\">Golf carts<\/span> and <span class=\"dictionary\">utility vehicles<\/span> shall be operated upon the public <span class=\"dictionary\"><span class=\"dictionary\">highways<\/span><\/span> only between sunrise and sunset, unless equipped with such <span class=\"dictionary\">lights<\/span> as are required in Article 3 (&#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"Equipment required\" href=\"\/46.2-1010\/\">46.2-1010<\/a> et seq.) of Chapter 10 for different classes of vehicles. <a id=\"paragraph-223794\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/46.2-916.3\/#A5\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"B\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">B.<\/span> The limitations of subdivision A 1 shall not apply to <span class=\"dictionary\">golf carts<\/span> and <span class=\"dictionary\">utility vehicles<\/span> being operated as follows: <a id=\"paragraph-223795\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/46.2-916.3\/#B\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"B1\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">1.<\/span> To cross a <span class=\"dictionary\">highway<\/span> from one portion of a golf course to another portion thereof or to another adjacent golf course or to travel between a person&#8217;s home and golf course if (i) the trip would not be longer than one-half mile in either direction and (ii) the speed limit on the road is no more than 35 miles per hour; <a id=\"paragraph-223796\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/46.2-916.3\/#B1\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"B2\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">2.<\/span> To the extent necessary for local government employees, operating only upon <span class=\"dictionary\"><span class=\"dictionary\">highways<\/span><\/span> located within the locality, to fulfill a governmental purpose, provided the <span class=\"dictionary\">golf cart<\/span> or <span class=\"dictionary\">utility vehicle<\/span> is being operated on <span class=\"dictionary\"><span class=\"dictionary\">highways<\/span><\/span> with speed limits of 35 miles per hour or less; <a id=\"paragraph-223797\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/46.2-916.3\/#B2\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"B3\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">3.<\/span> As necessary by employees of public or private two-year or four-year institutions of higher education if operating on <span class=\"dictionary\"><span class=\"dictionary\">highways<\/span><\/span> within the property limits of such institutions, provided the <span class=\"dictionary\">golf cart<\/span> or <span class=\"dictionary\">utility vehicle<\/span> is being operated on <span class=\"dictionary\"><span class=\"dictionary\">highways<\/span><\/span> with speed limits of 35 miles per hour or less; <a id=\"paragraph-223798\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/46.2-916.3\/#B3\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"B4\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">4.<\/span> On a secondary <span class=\"dictionary\">highway<\/span> system component that has a posted speed limit of no more than 35 miles per hour and is within three miles of a motor speedway with a seating capacity of at least 25,000 but less than 90,000 on the same day as any race or race-related event conducted on that speedway; <a id=\"paragraph-223799\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/46.2-916.3\/#B4\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"B5\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">5.<\/span> To the extent necessary for employees of the <span class=\"dictionary\">Department<\/span> of Conservation and Recreation, operating only on <span class=\"dictionary\"><span class=\"dictionary\">highways<\/span><\/span> located within <span class=\"dictionary\">Department<\/span> of Conservation and Recreation property or upon Virginia <span class=\"dictionary\">Department<\/span> of Transportation-maintained <span class=\"dictionary\"><span class=\"dictionary\">highways<\/span><\/span> that are adjacent to <span class=\"dictionary\">Department<\/span> of Conservation and Recreation property, to fulfill a governmental purpose, provided that the <span class=\"dictionary\">golf cart<\/span> or <span class=\"dictionary\">utility vehicle<\/span> is being operated on <span class=\"dictionary\"><span class=\"dictionary\">highways<\/span><\/span> with speed limits of no more than 35 miles per hour; and <a id=\"paragraph-223800\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/46.2-916.3\/#B5\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"B6\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">6.<\/span> To cross a one-<span class=\"dictionary\">lane<\/span> or two-<span class=\"dictionary\">lane<\/span> <span class=\"dictionary\">highway<\/span> from one portion of a <span class=\"dictionary\">venue<\/span> hosting an equine event to another portion thereof if (i) the crossing occurs on the same day as such equine event, (ii) a temporary traffic control zone is established at such crossing with speed limits of no more than 35 miles per hour, and (iii) the crossing and <span class=\"dictionary\">highway<\/span> vehicular traffic are being monitored and controlled by a uniformed <span class=\"dictionary\"><span class=\"dictionary\">law<\/span>-enforcement officer<\/span>. <a id=\"paragraph-223801\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/46.2-916.3\/#B6\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"C\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">C.<\/span> The <span class=\"dictionary\">governing body<\/span> of any county, city, or town may by <span class=\"dictionary\">ordinance<\/span> impose additional restrictions or limitations on operations of <span class=\"dictionary\">golf carts<\/span>, <span class=\"dictionary\">utility vehicles<\/span>, or both, on public <span class=\"dictionary\"><span class=\"dictionary\">highways<\/span><\/span> within its boundaries, provided that the restrictions or limitations imposed by any such <span class=\"dictionary\">ordinance<\/span> are no less stringent than the restrictions and limitations contained in this article. In the event that any provision of any such <span class=\"dictionary\">ordinance<\/span> conflicts with any provision of this section other than subdivision B 5, the provision of the <span class=\"dictionary\">ordinance<\/span> shall be controlling. <a id=\"paragraph-223802\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/46.2-916.3\/#C\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nLIMITATIONS ON GOLF CART AND UTILITY VEHICLE OPERATIONS ON DESIGNATED PUBLIC\nHIGHWAYS (\u00a7 46.2-916.3)\n\nA. Golf cart and utility vehicle operations on designated public highways shall\nbe in accordance with the following limitations:\n\n   1. A golf cart or utility vehicle may be operated only on designated public\n   highways where the posted speed limit is 25 miles per hour or less. However, a\n   golf cart or utility vehicle may cross a highway at an intersection controlled\n   by a traffic light if the highway has a posted speed limit of no more than 35\n   miles per hour and in the Town of Colonial Beach may cross any highway at an\n   intersection marked as a golf cart crossing by signs posted by the Virginia\n   Department of Transportation;\n\n   2. In towns with a population of 2,000 or less, a golf cart or utility vehicle\n   may cross a highway at an intersection conspicuously marked as a golf cart\n   crossing by signs posted by the Virginia Department of Transportation if the\n   highway has a posted speed limit of no more than 35 miles per hour and the\n   crossing is required as the only means to provide golf cart access from one\n   part of the town to another part of the town;\n\n   3. No person shall operate any golf cart or utility vehicle on any public\n   highway unless he has in his possession a valid driver&#8217;s license;\n\n   4. Every golf cart or utility vehicle, whenever operated on a public highway,\n   shall display a slow-moving vehicle emblem in conformity with &#xA7;\n   46.2-1081; and\n\n   5. Golf carts and utility vehicles shall be operated upon the public highways\n   only between sunrise and sunset, unless equipped with such lights as are\n   required in Article 3 (&#xA7; 46.2-1010 et seq.) of Chapter 10 for different\n   classes of vehicles.\n\nB. The limitations of subdivision A 1 shall not apply to golf carts and utility\nvehicles being operated as follows:\n\n   1. To cross a highway from one portion of a golf course to another portion\n   thereof or to another adjacent golf course or to travel between a\n   person&#8217;s home and golf course if (i) the trip would not be longer than\n   one-half mile in either direction and (ii) the speed limit on the road is no\n   more than 35 miles per hour;\n\n   2. To the extent necessary for local government employees, operating only upon\n   highways located within the locality, to fulfill a governmental purpose,\n   provided the golf cart or utility vehicle is being operated on highways with\n   speed limits of 35 miles per hour or less;\n\n   3. As necessary by employees of public or private two-year or four-year\n   institutions of higher education if operating on highways within the property\n   limits of such institutions, provided the golf cart or utility vehicle is\n   being operated on highways with speed limits of 35 miles per hour or less;\n\n   4. On a secondary highway system component that has a posted speed limit of no\n   more than 35 miles per hour and is within three miles of a motor speedway with\n   a seating capacity of at least 25,000 but less than 90,000 on the same day as\n   any race or race-related event conducted on that speedway;\n\n   5. To the extent necessary for employees of the Department of Conservation and\n   Recreation, operating only on highways located within Department of\n   Conservation and Recreation property or upon Virginia Department of\n   Transportation-maintained highways that are adjacent to Department of\n   Conservation and Recreation property, to fulfill a governmental purpose,\n   provided that the golf cart or utility vehicle is being operated on highways\n   with speed limits of no more than 35 miles per hour; and\n\n   6. To cross a one-lane or two-lane highway from one portion of a venue hosting\n   an equine event to another portion thereof if (i) the crossing occurs on the\n   same day as such equine event, (ii) a temporary traffic control zone is\n   established at such crossing with speed limits of no more than 35 miles per\n   hour, and (iii) the crossing and highway vehicular traffic are being monitored\n   and controlled by a uniformed law-enforcement officer.\n\nC. The governing body of any county, city, or town may by ordinance impose\nadditional restrictions or limitations on operations of golf carts, utility\nvehicles, or both, on public highways within its boundaries, provided that the\nrestrictions or limitations imposed by any such ordinance are no less stringent\nthan the restrictions and limitations contained in this article. In the event\nthat any provision of any such ordinance conflicts with any provision of this\nsection other than subdivision B 5, the provision of the ordinance shall be\ncontrolling.\n\nHISTORY: 2004, c. 746; 2008, c. 456; 2009, cc. 743, 835; 2010, c. 112; 2011, cc.\n68, 140, 469; 2018, c. 112.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}