Getting Your Golf Cart Street Legal
A golf cart is a great, fuel efficient way to travel around your city! However, before you start shopping you’ll want to read up on golf cart road laws so you can stay safe while driving around town, and avoid catching a pricey traffic ticket. Once you’ve read our article below regarding golf carts and traffic laws, feel free to stop by our dealership in Garner, North Carolina and take a look at our massive inventory.
Vehicle Requirements
In order to drive your golf cart on resident streets legally it will need to be equipped with a few features. If your cart travels over 20 to 25 miles per hour, your cart will need to be fitted with seat belts for every passenger. Your cart will also need to have functioning headlights, tail lights, and blinkers in order to be driven legally. Many states also require a license plate to be present on the vehicle.
Driver Restrictions
Just like a normal road vehicle, golf carts will have to follow various state restrictions. This means that a driver will need to have a license, and those with learners permits will need to be in the car with an adult. You’ll also want to keep your cart’s registration with you when you drive in case you are pulled over, and you'll need to purchase auto insurance in case you are in an accident.
Road Laws
Golf carts are considered low-speed vehicles (LSVs) and are therefore not permitted on any road with a speed limit above 35. In some states it is even required that you place a special LSV sticker on your golf cart if you plan to ride it on city streets. While driving it is expected that golf carts, like any other vehicle, follow all road laws. This means stopping at red lights and stop signs, and staying off sidewalks and out of bike lanes.
State and City Laws
It’s very important that you take the time to look up your state and city’s specific laws regarding golf carts. While it’s legal to drive golf carts on city streets in most U.S. states, there is a lot of variation. For example in Florida there are few restrictions outside of a vehicle curfew and rider age limit. California however, requires that street legal golf carts have a number of safety features such as windshields and bumpers, and meet a weight limit. After checking your state’s requirements be sure to look up city ordinances as well, as different legislation might exist. In Texas there is no state legislation regarding golf carts whatsoever and cities are left to decide what’s legal in their jurisdiction.
We hope this article has been helpful in informing you on the various city and state laws regarding golf carts. If you’re located in the cities of Raleigh, Clayton, or Cary, North Carolina we hope you’ll visit us here at Revel 42 Golf Carts & Powersports! We offer great prices on all our inventory as well as amazing financing rates.