Golf carts & LSVs
Can you drive a golf cart on Oak Island?
The short answer
Not on the beach. On the streets, you need a registered, street-legal low-speed vehicle (LSV) and a licensed driver 16 or older, and LSVs can't use roads posted above 35 mph. A plain golf cart that isn't registered as an LSV may be driven only by people with a mobility impairment, never on Oak Island Dr, Beach Dr or Ocean Dr, and at no more than 20 mph.
Town code Sec. 28-5, 28-6, 28-38
The rules
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Nothing with a motor on the sandMotor vehicles, golf carts, e-bikes and any other electric vehicle are banned on the beach at all times, along with scooters, Onewheels, skateboards and unicycles (Sec. 28-5).
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The one beach exceptionA Town-approved beach mobility vehicle driven by someone with a state handicap placard or plate (Sec. 28-6).
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Street-legal LSVsRegistered low-speed vehicles need a licensed driver 16 or older and can't use roads posted above 35 mph.
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Plain golf cartsOnly for people with a mobility impairment. Not on Oak Island Dr, Beach Dr or Ocean Dr, and capped at 20 mph (Sec. 28-38).
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BikesRegular pedal bikes aren't on the beach ban list, but bikes aren't allowed on the scenic marsh walkways (Sec. 22-4) or on the pier (Sec. 22-12).
Quick answers
Common questions
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Are golf carts street legal on Oak Island?Only if the cart is registered as a street-legal low-speed vehicle (LSV), driven by a licensed driver 16 or older, on roads posted 35 mph or less. An unregistered golf cart may be driven only by someone with a mobility impairment, off Oak Island Dr, Beach Dr and Ocean Dr, at up to 20 mph.
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Can you drive a golf cart on Oak Island beach?No. Golf carts and other vehicles are banned on the sand. The only exception is a Town-approved beach mobility vehicle driven by someone with a state handicap placard or plate.
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Are e-bikes allowed on Oak Island beach?No. E-bikes and other electric vehicles are banned on the beach at all times.
All the beach rules Beach wheelchairs & access More questions
From the Town of Oak Island Beach Rules and Code of Ordinances (Chapters 22 and 28) and the Town's Low-Speed Vehicle page. Rules can change, and the Town is the final word.