Street Legal Golf Carts

Street legal golf carts belong to a class of an electric vehicle designated by the Federal Government as a 'Street Legal' vehicle. They are also called Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEV) or Low Speed Vehicle (LSV).

The main difference between a regular golf cart and a NEV is that they have certain requirements, they go faster and usually seat four people.

There are several state requirements for a street legal golf cart. This will vary by location but some of them are:

1. Must not be capable of going more than 25 mph but can go at least 20 mph.

2. Must be equipped with headlights, rear turn lights, tail lights and stop lights

3. Must be equipped with reflex reflectors, exterior mirrors, and an interior mirror.

4. Must come with brakes, horn, a reinforced windshield, windshield wiper, and a vehicle identification number or VIN.

5. Must be equipped with turn signal

5. Must have three point seat belts for each passenger

6.  Accepted on roads posted at 35 mph or less

Most manufacturers make this so it can be used in a Golf Mode (15 mph top speed) or Street Mode (25 mph max). This is a list of the basic law requirements.

7. Must have a speedometer

Check with your state to determine what is legal for your area. Don't use this list to make your decision if a vehicle is street legal.

The three most common LEV vehicles that are seen in our golf cart community are Club and EZ GO golf carts and Global Electric Motor Cars (GEM). The city of Peachtree City requires that all golf carts be registered within 10 days of purchase.

If you plan on just using the golf cart paths in Peachtree City, then there is no need to spend the extra money on a street legal cart.

Low Speed Vehicles are required to be tagged, and to be titled and registered with the DMV.

Street Legal Golf Cart Kits

You can purchase a kit that includes most of the requirements to make a golf cart street legal, like this one from Recreation Pro.

This kit is for EZGO TXT (1996-present) gas or electric and includes:

ADJUSTABLE HALOGEN HEADLIGHTS ,

LED TAIL LIGHTS,

TURNING SIGNALS & SWITCH,

HORN, BRAKE LIGHTS, WIRING HARNESS, HARDWARE 

A voltage reducer is recommended on electric carts but not required. wiring may cause excessive voltage resulting in blown bulbs We STRONGLY recommend all electric carts use our voltage reducers (See our other listings). This will guarantee that there is no damage from excessive voltage input to your light kits. 48v carts with 8v batteries must use a voltage reducer. If wired wrong it will cause damage to your light kit that we can not warranty.

EZGO TXT GOLF CART DELUXE STREET LEGAL LIGHT KIT

Street Legal Golf Cart Windshield

Windshields must be DOT approved and are a single piece of high-grade polycarbonate. The fold down windshields can't be used in street legal carts.

Specific to cart makes and models, the part pictured is for the EZGO RXV. Windshield wipers are sold separately.

Go to Amazon to see a selection of street legal windshields for EZGO, Club Car and Yamaha golf carts:

Street Legal Golf Cart Windshields

The street legal Club Car is found in the Villager Low Speed Vehicle series as two or four seater carts.  E-Z-GO 2Five has a two and four passenger Low Speed Vehicle (LSV).

Watercolor, Florida

Street legal golf carts have become very popular along 30A in the panhandle of Florida, especially in Watercolor, Florida.   It's a fun way to get around, making it easier to find parking and to haul your beach gear. 

This popular family beach vacation area offers beach houses for rent that often will include a golf cart or you can choose to rent one from a designated golf cart rental company. 

Golf Cart Community of Peachtree City, Georgia

In the golf cart community of Peachtree City, Georgia all LSMVs must be registered with the Fayette County Tag Office.  However most golf cart owners here only use their golf carts on the over 100 miles of paths rather than roads which means they don't need to be street legal.

If you choose to go with a street legal call, it needs to be insured per state law and only those with a valid driver's license may operate the vehicle.

To use the paths, the LSMV must have a setting that does not allow the vehicle to exceed 20 mph.

No LSMV can be used on any street with a posted speed limit that exceeds 35 miles per hour.

Street legal golf carts provide a new way to get around but the regulations for their use will vary from state to state and even county to county. 

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