PTV Registration

this ordinance will take effect october 1, 2023.

The City of Madison permits the use of “Personal Transportation Vehicles” or “PTVs” as a form of transportation when used in compliance with Code of Madison and the laws of the State of Georgia. Find Madison's ordinance here. Find highlights of the ordinance below.

REGISTRATION
PTVs/Golf Carts must be registered with the City of Madison Police Department before it can be operated on public roads within the City. Registrations are good for five years. Two decals will be provided upon registration. Decals should be displayed on the front windshield and rear fender area of the vehicle.  The registration fee is $15.00 for 5 years.   

Click here for the PTV Registration Form.

Click here for the PTV brochure

REQUIRED EQUIPMENT
In order to operate on public roads, a PTV/Golf Cart must be equipped with the following:

  • Head lamps
  • Tail lamps
  • Brake lights
  • Reflex reflectors
  • Turn signals
  • Windshield
  • Horn
  • Rearview mirror
  • Seat belts for all passengers
  • Braking system sufficient for the weight and passenger capacity of the vehicle, including a parking brake
  • Reverse warning device
  • Safety warning labels
  • High-mounted amber strobe light approved by GA Dept. of Public Safety
This is a PTV:
Personal transportation vehical
This is NOT a PTV:
Golf cart

INSURANCE REQUIRED
Owners/operators must carry liability insurance with limits not less than the amounts specified in O.C.G.A. § 33-7-11(a)(1)(A)

PASSENGER LIMITATION
No motorized cart shall be operated with a passenger under the age of six (6) because motorized carts are not equipped with approved child safety seat anchor systems mandated by the Federal Highway Safety Administration.

DRIVERS LICENSE REQUIRED
Only persons possessing a valid driver's license or instruction permit issued by the state of Georgia, another state of the United States of America or an appropriate international agency shall be permitted to operate a motorized cart on the streets of the city No motorized cart shall be operated with a passenger under the age of six (6) because motorized carts are not equipped with approved child safety seat anchor systems mandated by the Federal Highway Safety Administration.

OPERATION AREAS
Motorized carts shall not be operated on sidewalks or trails in the city.

Motorized carts shall not be operated on any street within the city for which the posted speed limit is over thirty-five (35) miles per hour, nor on or across any street on which such operation is determined by the mayor and council to be otherwise unsafe.

Motorized carts shall not be operated on any state or federal highways (highways 441, 83, 278, 129, 24, i.e. Main Street and W. Washington Street). Crossing of state or federal highways by motorized carts shall only be permitted at crossings approved by the Georgia Department of Transportation and posted with community signage.

PENALTIES
Any person who is convicted of violating the provisions of this chapter shall be punished as provided in Chapter 1.12 of the Madison Code of Ordinances.