How Can You Make a Golf Cart Legal to Drive on the Street?

What Does Street Legal Mean?

A frequently asked question by many golf cart buyers/users is whether or not their golf cart is street legal. Brands such as EZGO and Yamaha produce either the necessary golf cart parts to be street legal or models specifically for this purpose. Being street legal means the golf cart can be used legally on roads as a means of easy transportation. It can be used for either professional or personal use (within legal limits).

Why Golf Carts?

Golf carts, much like mopeds and electric scooters, are increasingly convenient methods for getting around at low speeds from point a to b. Used by everyone from security officers to neighborhood explorers, it is a leisurely and cost-efficient way to get around compared to the other popular choices, and with low danger.For this reason, some golf carts can also be referred to as low-speed vehicles. As such, there is not a lot you need to do—sometimes nothing—to operate them on the street.

They can be convenient both for their safety, their speed, and their relative comfort, depending on the environment.

Street-Allowed vs. Street Legal

There are two types of golf carts that are permitted use on streets. One is referred to as street-allowed golf carts. The other are referred to as street legal golf carts. To be street allowed means that the speed of the golf cart is less than 20 mph without any of the safety features required on a street legal cart. The finer details for sorting through are entirely dependent on local laws. In some areas, the line is more ambiguous.

How Do I Make My Cart Street Legal?

There are very specific guidelines for determining if a golf cart is street legal. The first aspect that determines legality are the local laws by state and county. Many states permit street legal golf carts if registered and safely set up.However, it comes down to the county/city decision on what is safe for the local roads.

The golf cart’s parts are important as well. There is a running list of requirements to be present to be accepted by the local DMV.It includes but is not limited to:

• Headlamps
• Turn signals
• Tail lamps
• Golf cart windshields
• Safety reflective tape
• Parking brakes
• Seatbelts & car seats

The headlamps/tail lamps, reflective tape, and turn signal are to ensure that when near automobiles there is compliance, and the ability to be seen safely, whether day or night. Another requirement is that the combined weight on the cart be less than 3,500 pounds, which means 4-6 maximum people on board during any transit activity.

Getting Approval to Drive on the Street

The process of applying for approval for golf carts varies. For some, it’s a matter of inspection, paying a fee, and submitting the proper paperwork. It’s a requirement everywhere to pay for insurance for a street legal golf cart just the same as a full automobile. The price for insurance is dependent on the purpose of the street legal golf cart, the number of likely drivers, and the state and company the insurance is being purchased from.

Where Can You Drive?

Once all of the proper requirements have been settled, there are many uses available. They can be used for exploring campuses, neighborhoods, and sightseeing. The range is only limited by the speed limit in the areas intended. It’s unlikely there will ever be highway legal carts.

Popular among campus cruisers and retirees, you can’t understate the importance of understanding the laws in the intended area of use. There can be slight confusion on the difference between street legal and street allowed, which leads to fines occurring that need not be levied.Speaking to a golf cart specialist can help prevent any avoidable out of pocket costs. Knowing what is needed versus what is possibly needed makes a world of a difference.

Final Thoughts

The process for discovering if a cart can be street legal is simple. First, research state and county laws for what golf cart parts are required to be declared street legal. Find the best priced source for golf cart parts, and be sure to check that what is ordered fits the requirement. Fill out the necessary applications to be reviewed for your eligibility, and purchase the proper insurance. Finally, place the registration stickers, and know where you can and cannot operate the vehicle.