Do you enjoy the outdoors and plan to use an ATV on the roads in Carrollton? Before you move to Carrollton, prepare yourself for the activities you love. But you want to be extra careful not to have a run in with the law. So, exactly what are the Road Legal ATV’s in Carrollton, GA?
Carrollton is well known for outdoor activities. Much of the population will enjoy hunting, fishing, camping, farming, gardening or homesteading throughout the year. These hobbies often require transportation other than standard vehicles.
City of Carrollton: Low Speed Vehicle Ordinance
Low Speed Vehicles, also known as Off- Road Vehicles or All Terrain Vehicles (ATV’s)
include Four Wheelers, Go-Karts, Golf Carts and Utility Vehicles. In this article, we will
go over the rules and regulations of riding ATVs on City of Carrollton, Georgia roadways. Ordinances often change, so be sure to visit the City’s site to brush up on any changes.
Know the Boundaries
Carrollton is a decent sized city that sprawls across quite a bit of land in Carroll County. The boundaries are not straight lines, so it is important to know when you are in the city or not. Check the city map to know when these law apply to you. You can find exactly which roads will need to follow Carrollton ordinances for ATVs.
Safety First When Operating ATVs
First, it is important to obey the safety rules while operating any of these
vehicles on-road or off-road. According to Carrollton’s Code of Ordinances, anyone
under the age of 18 with a driver’s license may drive on city streets but must wear a
helmet. Even if you’re over 18, you should consider wearing a DOT approved helmet.
City of Carrollton Special Permit
Secondly, a special permit is required for all persons operating an off-road
vehicle on the street. The ATV permit can be obtained during regular hours at City Hall. A
valid drivers license is required for all permit holders. This permit will allow you to drive on-road, as long as you follow traffic laws and your machine does not exceed 30 mph.
In Carrollton, ATVs, golf carts, go karts, UTVs and other low speed vehicles used for agricultural and industrial purposes may be driven on the streets during daylight hours. This caveat only allows for on-premise purposes. The city of Carrollton holds safety in a high regard, and therefore regulates these vehicles closely.
Carrollton Traffic Laws
The third thing to note is that all regular traffic laws must be adhered to by the driver and any passengers. The speed limit must be followed, however there is a maximum speed limit of 30mph for all off-road vehicles. For clarity, an off road vehicle is “Any motorized vehicle manufactured and used exclusively for off-highway use which is fifty (50) inches or less in width, with an unladen dry weight of six hundred (600) pounds or less, traveling on three (3), four (4) or more low pressure tires, with a seat designed to be straddled by the operator and handlebars for steering control.” Even on your golf cart, four wheeler, go kart or moped, you must drive on the right side of the road. These laws apply to any vehicle driven on the streets. Off road vehicles may not operate in creeks, streams or waterways. The only exception is on private property the the driver owns. Carrollton is interested in preserving natural resources. For this reason, it is a major offense to drive your off road vehicle in a waterway because it will cause damage.
Passenger Vehicle Limitations
The Carrollton Code of Ordinances on ATVs limits the number of passengers on low speed vehicles. The code states that the number of allowable passengers is equal to thenumber of seats in or on the vehicle. Four Wheelers are single passenger only while golf carts, go-karts and utility vehicles will vary depending on model.
Safety Guidelines for Road Legal ATV’s and Off-Road Riding
In addition to the helmet restriction mentioned above, there are other safety regulations for ATVS to follow. One is the requirement to display a safety flag at all time when on public city
streets. Safety flags must be a day-glow color, which includes bright, unmistakable
colors in shades of green, yellow, pink and orange. In addition, the size of the flag must
be equal to or exceed 30 square inches. The flag pole must measure a minimum of 7
feet above the ground, allowing them to be in a driver’s line of sight.
This flag for visibility is sometimes called a bicycle flag. It must be affixed to the rear of your vehicle.
Operator’s Permit
The permit mentioned in the first paragraph is obtained from the Carrollton City Hall. An applicant that applies for a “chauffer’s license,” must have a valid driver’s license and must be 16 years of age or older. This permit differs from a Motorcycle License and no examination is required. The process to obtain the license is quite easy.
Carroll County Regulations: Road Legal ATV’s
The City of Carrollton regulates road usage within city limits. Streets, Roads and Highways outside city limits are regulated by the Carroll County and the State of Georgia. When planning to drive any low-speed vehicle on roads that are outside the city limits, it is imperative to be familiar with the county and state regulations.
Housing Market in Carrollton, Georgia
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