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Part of Outdoor activity guidelines and enforcement

Golf carts on public roads

Interested municipalities can apply to participate in a 5-year project to pilot the use of golf carts on select roads in their communities.

Overview

Alberta’s government is working with municipalities to pilot the limited use of golf carts in their communities, to enhance the mobility of Albertans and provide additional recreational options.

Projects like this allow new and innovative uses of existing vehicles or new modes of transportation – and they also expand on municipalities already having the ability to allow registered off-highway vehicles operate on their roads.

These pilot projects will provide real-life evidence that:

  • helps the province evaluate and understand any safety implications
  • informs future policy decisions for similar transportation technologies

If your municipality is interested in participating in this pilot project, we encourage you to submit a proposal.

  • Quick facts

    • Alberta recently allowed expanded usage of off-highway-vehicles (OHVs) on Highway 734 near Nordegg.
    • As of March 31, 2023, there were 104,025 registered off-highway vehicles in Alberta.
    • Three Canadian jurisdictions (British Columbia, Ontario, Saskatchewan) already have provisions within their legislation that broadly address golf cart use on select municipal roads.

  • Legislation

    Recent amendments to the Traffic Safety Act enable the Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors to create pilot project regulations to test new transportation-related solutions or activities. These regulations may include activities currently prohibited by the Traffic Safety Act.

    The first pilot project regulation – the Pilot Project (Golf Carts) Regulation – allows interested municipalities to pilot the use of golf carts on select public roads within their jurisdictions.

    Amendment

    Passed in May 2024, the Traffic Safety Act Pilot Project Amendment allows the government to create a pilot project regulation that can respond to these requests. The amendment provides the authority for a pilot project regulation to override sections of the Traffic Safety Act and its regulations.

    Regulation

    The Pilot Project (Golf Carts) Regulation to allow golf carts on select public roads overrides sections of the:

    • Traffic Safety Act
    • Vehicle Equipment Regulation
    • Use of Highway and Rules of the Road Regulation
    • Operator Licensing and Vehicle Control Regulation (OLVCR)

    For instance, golf carts meet the definition of and are named as a miniature motor vehicle in the OLVCR, but the OLVCR does not allow miniature vehicles to be registered as motor vehicles.

    The Traffic Safety Act requires motor vehicles to be registered and insured. This has prevented the government from meeting stakeholder requests in the past.

Requirements

The Pilot Project (Golf Carts) Regulation:

  • outlines minimum requirements and limitation for golf carts to be legally allowed on public roads
  • states requirements for municipal bylaws to be approved

  • Minimum requirements and limitations

    Under the Pilot Project (Golf Carts) Regulation:

    • operators must be 14 years of age or older
    • golf carts may not be operated at night
    • the number of passengers is limited to the number of seats as provided by the manufacturer
    • operators must carry and show proof of municipal authorization upon request of any bylaw, peace or police officer
    • operation of golf carts is only allowed on roads within a municipality:
      • that have been identified in a municipal bylaw
      • where the maximum speed limit is 50 km per hour or less
      • that cross a road with a speed limit over 50 km per hour only at points that have been specified in municipal bylaw
      • in communities that have erected signage as specified in municipal bylaw
    • golf carts are maintained as prescribed by the manufacturer and:
      • must be in good working order
      • may not be home-built or modified
    • the towing of vehicles or equipment is not allowed
    • operators must follow all rules of the road unless otherwise included in the above operating parameters
    • rental businesses and their golf carts are not included in the pilot project at this time and are not eligible for municipal authorization
    • unless specified in the regulation, golf carts are subject to all other rules, terms and conditions as if they were a motor vehicle – and they must be operated as such

  • Municipal requirements

    Municipal bylaws must:

    • note the coming into force and expiry dates
    • include any operating parameters that exceed the requirements and limitations as outlined in the regulation
    • specify the form, process and fees for operators to obtain proof of municipal authorization (for example, permit or registration)
    • clearly designate routes and include a map of such routes:
      • when submitting proposed bylaws and routes, municipalities also include a document that explains why the routes (highways) were selected and demonstrates consideration of:
        • collision statistics for the routes
        • traffic volume for the routes
        • whether the routes are primarily used for local or recreational traffic
    • indicate that data will be collected and reported as required by the Registrar
    • specify that operators must:
      • report collisions resulting in property damage, injury or death directly to the municipality
      • outline the form and manner in which that information must be reported

How to apply

Step 1. Read the guidelines

Golf Cart Municipal Bylaw Guidelines

Step 2. Complete the application package

Fill out the Golf Cart Municipal Bylaw Application Form.

Include the following documents in your application package:

  • draft bylaws
  • list of proposed routes
  • map of proposed routes
  • explanation of route selection

Step 3. Submit the application package

Send the package to our Permitting and Exemption department:

Apply now

After you apply

The Permitting and Exemption department will:

  • review your application within 30 calendar days
  • contact you with any questions we may have
  • let you know whether or not your application was successful

Data collection and reporting

Municipalities are required to collect data and report as requested by the Registrar. Reporting requirements include:

  • notifying the Registrar within 24 hours of major incidents – collisions resulting in damage over $5,000, injuries requiring medical care or fatalities
  • submitting quarterly reports on January 31, April 30, July 31 and October 31 – number of permits issued and all collisions, regardless of damage thresholds
  • submitting a pilot project report – on November 30 of each year – that provides details on golf carts, users, resident feedback, and other municipal issues and concerns

Contact

Connect with the Permitting and Exemption department:

Email: [email protected]

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