Ron Artest was stopped dead in his tracks yesterday — after cops saw the dude rolling around Los Angeles in an oversized go-cart and realized something was wrong.

Law enforcement sources tell us Artest was cited because the registration on the car was expired. But get this — we’re told the car isn’t even registered to Ron.

Ron — who was smiling throughout the entire incident — was eventually sent on his way. The cops were “very happy” he was wearing a helmet.