PTVs: OK In Dalton But Not Everywhere In Dalton

The use of Personal Transportation Vehicles (PTVs) is approved in Dalton, but not everywhere in the city. PTVs, often referred to as golf carts or other similar vehicles, can only be driven on roads that have been approved for their use by the Mayor and Council and only after the PTV in question has been inspected by the police department and shown to be in compliance with specifications set forth in the PTV ordinance. 

The Mayor and Council passed an ordinance in late 2018 allowing residents of Dalton to request approval for PTV use in their neighborhoods and the first neighborhood was approved in February 2019. As part of the ordinance, city leaders required that PTVs meet certain requirements including being equipped with seat belts. Other specifications included having a braking system and parking brake, a reverse warning system, head lamps, reflectors, main power switch, tail lamps, a horn, a rear view mirror, safety warning labels, and hip restraints/hand holds. Gas-powered PTVs were further required to have an approved exhaust system with emission controls. The vehicles can only be driven by licensed drivers ages 16 and up, and the vehicles must be insured the same as other motor vehicles on the roadway. Before being operated on city streets, each PTV must be inspected and approved by the Dalton Police Department. 

To be approved for PTV use, the city streets or roads in question also must meet a set of requirements in the ordinance. The roadway must have a posted speed limit of 25 mph or less, not be designated as part of a state or federal highway system, primarily be considered a residential street or a street within the central business district (zoned C-3), and also be approved by vote of the City Council.

Anyone who wishes to operate a PTV on city streets or to have their neighborhood approved for PTV use should review the complete set of requirements in the city's ordinance. The PTV ordinance can be viewed by clicking here (ordinance is attached to the neighborhood application on pages 4-8). 

To have your PTV inspected for use on city streets, contact the Dalton Police Department at 706-278-9085 and press 3 for the Patrol Division. 

As of April 2022, only the following neighborhoods and roads are approved for PTV use in Dalton: 

  • Downtown C-3 business district
    • Hamilton Street
    • Pentz Street
    • Selvidge Street
    • Depot Street
    • South Depot Street
    • King Street
    • Crawford Street
    • Gordon Street
    • Cuyler Street
    • Waugh Street and Morris Street are NOT authorized
  • Oakdale Subdivision
    • Oakmont Drive
    • Oakmont Place
  • Fairington Subdivision
    • Fairington Drive
    • Habersham Way
    • Kingston Court
    • Stanford Court
  • Castlewood Subdivision
    • Woodvalley Drive
    • Woodvalley Court
  • Other Roads
    • Ryman Ridge Road
    • Martha's Bridge Road
    • Saint Ives Place
    • Wintergreen Court
    • Ella Lane
    • Maple Way
    • Kinnier Court
    • Huntington Road
    • Huntington Woods Way
    • Rena Lane
    • South Rena Lane
    • Broadview Terrace
    • Bedford Drive
    • Cameron
    • Canterbury
    • Chadwell

 

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