WHAT IS REQUIRED?

On March 25, 2021, St. James Parish passed a new ordinance which allows the legal operation of golf carts on parish roads or streets under the following provisions in accordance with Louisiana Law:

  1. Anyone operating a golf cart must be at least 16 years old and possess a valid Driver’s License.
  2. The golf cart must be registered with the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV), and an OMV decal must be applied to a side panel of the vehicle.
  3. Following OMV registration, the golf cart must be inspected by a St. James Parish Sheriff’s Office (SJSO) deputy, and the SJSO decal must also be applied to the vehicle. Golf carts must also contain the following equipment for approval:
    1. Efficient brakes
    2. Reliable steering apparatus
    3. Safe tires
    4. Rear view mirror
    5. Red reflective warning devices in both the front and rear of the vehicle
    6. Front and rear turn signal lamps
    7. Tail lamps
    8. Brake lamps
    9. Headlamps
    10. Vehicle identification number or serial number
    11. Vehicle must have an OMV “Off Road” decal
    12. Proof of liability insurance (in accordance with R.S. 32:900 (B))
  4. The licensed operator must have in their possession proof of liability insurance specifically covering the golf cart being operated.
  5. The golf cart must be operated only on a parish street that currently has a posted speed limit of twenty-five (25) MPH or less.  The crossing of, or operation of a golf cart on any state highway, levee, parish property or right of way is prohibited.
  6. The golf cart shall be operated in accordance with all state traffic laws and carry only the number of passengers for which it was designed.
WHAT TO DO NEXT?

If you own a new/previously registered vehicle:

    1. Go to the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) for vehicle registration.  You will need the following:
      1. A completed vehicle application form, Form No. DPSMV 1799
      2. Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin (new/unregistered vehicle) or title
      3. Itemized invoice from dealer to purchaser or original notarized bill of sale or invoice (new/unregistered) or current certificate of title assigned before a notary by seller to purchaser, with the properly released lien, if applicable.
      4. Security agreement, if applicable.
      5. Applicable fees (title, handling, mortgage recordation fee)
      6. Applicable sales/use tax
      7. Proof of liability insurance
      8. A statement from the owner, Form DPSMV 1809, Statement of Golf Carts Form indicating:
        1. that the golf cart contains all equipment required for use as indicated above.
        2. the owner is aware that the vehicle shall be operated only by a licensed driver.
        3. the golf cart may be operated only upon a parish road that has been designated by a parish or a municipal street that has been designated by a municipality for use by a golf cart. A golf cart may be used to cross a part of a state highway where a golf course is constructed on both sides of the state highway if the Department of Transportation and Development has issued a permit for the crossing.
      9. Once OMV registration is complete and OMV decal is applied to vehicle, contact the St. James Parish Sheriff’s Office (SJSO) to schedule a Final Inspection.  After successful inspection, SJSO decal will be applied to vehicle adjacent to OMV decal.

 

If you own a used/unregistered golf cart:

 

  1. Go to the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) for vehicle registration.  You will need the following:
      1. A completed vehicle application form, Form No. DPSMV 1799
      2. In lieu of a title, an affidavit of physical inspection shall be acceptable for titling/registration of used golf carts.  The physical inspection must be performed by a full-time Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certified law enforcement officer who has been certified by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, Office of State Police, to inspect motor vehicles.
      3. Itemized invoice from dealer to purchaser to original notarized bill of sale to invoice from the owner.
      4. Security agreement, if applicable.
      5. Applicable fees (title, handling, mortgage recordation)
      6. Applicable sales/use tax
      7. Proof of liability insurance
      8. A statement from the owner, Form DPSMV 1809, Statement of Golf Carts Form indicating:
        1. that the golf cart contains all equipment required for use as indicated above.
        2. the owner is aware that the vehicle shall be operated only by a licensed driver.
        3. the golf cart may be operated only upon a parish road that has been designated by a parish or a municipal street that has been designated by a municipality for use by a golf cart. A golf cart may be used to cross a part of a state highway where a golf course is constructed on both sides of the state highway if the Department of Transportation and Development has issued a permit for the crossing.
      9. Once OMV registration is complete and OMV decal is applied to vehicle, contact the SJSO to schedule a Final Inspection.  After successful inspection, an SJSO decal will be applied to vehicle adjacent to OMV decal.

         

         

         

    NOTES

When it is time to renew OMV registration, you will be required to also renew SJSO inspection. Golf carts are subject to the compulsory insurance requirements. If liability insurance is cancelled, it will result in a revocation of the registration and the driver’s license. To prevent insurance cancellations, the title must be surrendered and a title correction processed to re-classify the vehicle as an Off Road Vehicle. A title fee will be assessed.