Can Golf Carts Be Street Legal?


Individuals injured in golf cart accidents may still receive no-fault insurance benefits and, depending on the answers to the questions above, may also be eligible for pain and compensation for injuries sustained when a cart is hit by a car.

Golf carts can be street legal on local roads if the regulations within the jurisdiction permit their use. However, federal laws prohibit golf carts from being driven on major highways, because of their low speed and inability to attain the minimum speed limit on interstates.

Remember that some communities allow you to use legal carts on the road, which means you can get by without adding legal requirements to the roads. You will also need an electric golf cart, which will need to be modified to comply with traffic regulations as federal laws prohibit gas-powered golf carts from being used as low-speed vehicles on the roads.

Driving a Golf Cart on the Street Requires a Special Permit

You must have a special permit to drive over 20 miles per hour, and you must be registered with the DMV and have your cart insured. However, the posted speed limit on the road must be 25 mph or less to drive a cart, it must be a battery powered cart, and you must have a valid driver’s license.

This means that golf carts cannot legally be driven on roads or highways with a speed limit greater than 35 mph without a proper license. According to the sergeant, the California Motor Vehicle Code states that golf carts can legally be used on roads that have a top speed of 25 miles per hour. If it has all these things, then a golf cart can only drive on city streets at a top speed of 25 mph during the day, specifically between half an hour before sunrise and half an hour after sunset, Bloch said.

The driver must have a driver’s license or be accompanied by an adult with a driver’s license. Idaho The vehicle must have a valid license plate and must be insured.

Golf Cart Laws Vary by State

Driving in Kentucky requires a permit from the local government, a sticker stating that the truck is approved for use on local roads, and an inspection by the sheriff. The trucks themselves must also be legal and comply with all local, state, and federal regulations. At the federal level, they must have a vehicle identification number (VIN), an illuminated license plate, a horn, and a speedometer. They must also have working headlights, brake lights and turn signals.

They must also be able to travel at least 20 mph but not more than 25 mph on the road. Michigan state law states that a slow moving vehicle must not travel faster than 20 miles per hour. All vehicles in this class, including golf cars, must remain on roads with a speed limit below 25 mph. Technically classified as a low speed vehicle or LSV, your truck can cross roads with a higher speed limit, but you can’t drive it on those roads.

A person cannot drive it on any street unless they are 16 years of age or older and do not have the right to drive a car. It must be certified to the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) for registration and use on public roads, roads or highways.

Golf Carts Require Registration with Local Authorities

You can drive a golf cart on the road in Michigan without having it registered with the Secretary of State, at least not for the purposes of Michigan’s No Fault Auto Insurance Law requirements. When understanding the implications for a municipality considering using golf carts or low speed vehicles (LSVs) on city or county roads, consider that Florida already has state laws that allow low speed electric vehicles or “street vehicles”. legal golf carts. Laws on this subject differ not only from state to state, but also from municipality / city.

But the communities that allow them to travel on their roads have the power to enforce “vehicle safety requirements” that normally only apply to low-speed vehicles. As a rule, a person is forbidden to ride them on a state highway, with the exception of briefly crossing it while driving on an existing road in a village, city or town.

Before making such a designation, the responsible local government must first determine that golf carts can safely travel or cross a public road or road, taking into account factors such as the speed, volume, and pattern of vehicular traffic that uses the road or road.

General Rules for Road-legal Vehicles

In general, to be considered road legal, any golf cart or electric shuttle must meet the same state-regulated registration, insurance, taxes, and inspection requirements as other vehicles traveling on the same or adjacent streets. But where these cars are legal, what matters is how they are used, how they are built and equipped. Just because something has four wheels and an engine doesn’t mean it’s a legal vehicle. If it is legal to use the cart where you want to use it, make sure the model meets all federal requirements.

However, if a local government decides to lower established national and state production, productivity and safety standards and allow “golf carts” access to state-owned roads, the problems must be resolved. Local specifications and regulations must be implemented. local government unit to ensure the use of “golf carts” on their streets.

According to Keys, golf carts that have been modified and no longer meet the legal definition of golf carts cannot be registered for on-road use, but can only be registered for off-road use. In order to modify a golf cart to be road legal, owners must submit a Low Speed ​​Application Form (RV-F1314301), which certifies that the cart has been properly modified to meet all low speed vehicle (or medium speed) requirements. ). Trucks must be registered with the local county office using a copy of the Vehicle Manufacturer’s Declaration (MSO).

Minimum Requirements for Operable Golf Carts

As a minimum, golf carts must be equipped with efficient brakes, a reliable steering system, safety tires, a rear view mirror, red reflective warning devices at the rear and white reflective warning devices at the front of the vehicle.

If your cart does not already have these items, you can work with our team to order and install the parts you need to legalize your cart. We work with the best brands and offer repair services to keep your golf cart in brand new condition. Buy our inventory online or visit our store in Warrensville Heights, Ohio today.

Once you have selected a legal street lighting kit with proper lights/indicators and a windshield, the next thing you will need are mirrors. You will need to make sure you have a clear view of your surroundings as you drive down the street. This includes side mirrors and a center rearview mirror so you can see your surroundings while driving, including oncoming carts, cars or bikes.

Yousef Savimbi

Yousef Savimbi is the avatar of Sporticane. Savimbi created Sporticane in order to provide general knowledge to aspiring young sports stars and their and as well as help them leverage their athleticism and passion into fulfilling careers.

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