WHITE OAK, Texas (KLTV) – While there are no golf courses nearby, the City of White Oak has passed an ordinance allowing golf carts on neighborhood streets. But there are a few steps to take before residents can hit the streets in them.
White Oak Police Chief Brannon Robertson says to drive a golf cart on White Oak city streets there are steps to take.
“It’s going to take some specialization of the golf cart to make it legal,” Robertson said.
He says that involves brake lights and blinkers just like any other vehicle.
“You’ll have to get that equipped yourself. Now you can’t register a golf cart, however, the law does require a license plate. And it’s a special license plate that I believe it’s a $10 cost through the state,” Robertson said.
Plates are available at the Gregg County Tax Assessor’s Office for a one-time fee.
And there are a few more rules.
“To drive one, you have to have a driver’s license. You can’t drive it on roads with a speed limit higher than 35,” Robertson said.
Which pretty much confines carts to White Oak neighborhoods like where J.Q. Adams lives. He wasn’t aware of the ordinance until I told him about it and explained the rules.
“If you have to go through all those, then I feel like it should put you in the right frame of mind that you are in a vehicle that has to respect the rules of the road. And if you have that, then I don’t see any problem with it,” Adams said.
Chief Robertson says a group of citizens recently approached city council with the proposition.
“State law does allow provisions to make it legal through municipalities and counties under certain circumstances,” Robertson said.
“And if you have to get the taillights, you have to get the license plate and you have to follow the same rules, what’s the difference between that and a Jeep with the doors off?” Adams said.
White Oak police will be checking to make sure cart users are complying with the law.
Chief Robertson says side by sides and ATVs with no license plates are not allowed on the streets of White Oak. The only vehicles approved would be those which would be used on a golf course.
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