Placid Bay Estates is a Golf Cart Community
Golf Cart Guidance
Riding golf carts around Placid Bay Estates is a popular pastime. To legally drive golf carts on our community roads, you must display a slow-moving vehicle placard and a county-issued decal. To get a decal, you must show proof of insurance and yearly inspection.
There are several local golf cart repair companies that can complete the inspection. You get a decal from the Westmoreland County Treasurer's Office in Montross, Virginia.
Westmoreland County Code of Ordinances
regarding Golf Carts in Placid Bay (copied 6/20/2023)
Sec. 26-154. - Operation of golf carts in Placid Bay Estates Community.
(a)The operation of golf carts shall be permitted within the public streets and rights-of-way of the Placid Bay Estates community. Such operations shall be limited to public streets and rights-of-way that are posted with a speed limit of 25 miles per hour or less. The operation of golf carts shall not be permitted on any street located outside of this community.
Sec. 26-162. - Operation of private golf carts on public streets and rights-of-way.
Any person who operates such golf cart vehicle shall comply with the following minimum standards:
(a)All golf carts used on public streets or rights-of-way way shall display a slow-moving vehicle emblem in accordance with Code of Virginia § 46.2-1081;
(b)No person shall operate a golf cart on any public street or rights-of-way unless he has in his possession a valid driver's license;
(c)Golf carts shall be operated upon the public streets or rights-of-way only between sunrise and sunset, unless equipped with such lights as are required in Code of Virginia Chapter 10, Article 3 § 46.2-1010 et seq. for different classes of vehicles;
(d)The propulsion system shall not be modified to allow the golf cart to exceed the manufacturer's recommended maximum design speed of the golf cart
(e)Golf cart operators shall obey all laws, regulations and safety standards applicable to vehicular traffic;
(f)Golf carts shall be equipped with headlights, brake lights, turn signals, mirrors, and seat belts;
(g)Golf carts operated on public streets or rights-of-way shall be inspected annually by a licensed dealer;
(h)Owners shall present proof of annual inspection and proof of insurance to the Westmoreland County Treasurer before purchasing a motor vehicle decal, which shall be displayed on the golf cart.
Sec. 26-163. - Definition of golf cart.
A golf cart is defined as any three or four wheeled electric or gas powered cart that is sold as a "golf cart." A golf cart does not include "all terrain vehicles," "farm vehicles" or "go-carts" as defined by Virginia Code § 46.2-1993 or other low gravity centered motorized vehicle.