No person shall be required to obtain the registration certificate, license plates, or decals for or pay any registration fee for any golf cart or utility vehicle that either (i) is not operated on or over any public highway in the Commonwealth or (ii) is operated on or over a public highway as authorized by Article 13.1 (§ 46.2-916.1 et seq.) of Chapter 8.
Va. Code § 46.2-676