TO AMEND CHAPTER, TITLE 56 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO SPECIALIZED VEHICLES, BY ADDING SECTION 56-2-105 TO REQUIRE PERMITTED GOLF CARTS TO OPERATE ONLY WITHIN TWO MILES OF THE ADDRESS ON THE REGISTRATION AND TO REQUIRE PERMITS BE REPLACED EVERY FIVE YEARS OR AT THE TIME OF ADDRESS CHANGE; AND TO REPEAL SECTION 56-3-115.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION    1.    Chapter 2, Title 56 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 56-2-105.    (A)    An individual or business owner of a vehicle commonly known as a golf cart may obtain a permit decal and registration from the Department of Motor Vehicles upon presenting proof of ownership and financial responsibility for the golf cart and upon payment of a five dollar fee.

(1)    During daylight hours only, a permitted golf cart may be operated only within two miles of the address on the registration certificate and only on a secondary highway or street for which the posted speed limit is thirty-five miles an hour or less.

(2)    During daylight hours only, while traveling along a secondary highway or street for which the posted speed limit is thirty-five miles an hour or less, a permitted golf cart may cross a highway or street at an intersection where the highway has a posted speed limit of more than thirty-five miles an hour only within two miles of the address on the registration.

(B)    A person operating a permitted golf cart must be at least sixteen years of age and shall hold a valid driver's license. The operator of a permitted golf cart being operated on a highway or street must have in his possession:

(1)    the registration certificate issued by the department;

(2)    proof of financial responsibility for the golf cart; and

(3)    a driver's license.

(C)    A golf cart permit must be replaced with a new permit every five years or at the time of an address change. Golf cart owners holding golf cart permits on or before October 1, 2011 will have until September 30, 2015 to obtain a replacement."

SECTION    2.    Section 56-3-115 of the 1976 Code is repealed.

SECTION    3.    This act takes effect October 1, 2011.