Road-approved cars can operate on roads that have a speed limit of 35 miles per hour or less. Technically classified as a low-speed vehicle or LSV, your car is allowed to cross a road that has a higher speed limit, but you are not allowed to drive it on those roads. Golf carts can also only be used during the day, unless they have two working headlights and taillights. Wondering if you need a driver`s license to drive a golf cart on the roads? In fact, legal street carts must be driven by a person with a valid driver`s license and over the age of 16. These are some of the biggest requirements to make your golf cart street legal. If you intend to use your golf cart in other states, you should familiarize yourself with their requirements and laws. You`ll likely see similarities, but understanding the differences can be crucial to avoiding a ticket. Golf carts typically have a top speed of 15 or 20 miles per hour, while LSVs travel at least 20 miles per hour and sometimes as fast as 35 miles per hour or more. Another difference between the two is that LSVs must have a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). According to current NHTSA interpretations and regulations, golf cars and other similar vehicles, as long as they cannot exceed 20 miles per hour, are only subject to state and local safety equipment requirements. However, if these vehicles were originally manufactured to travel at more than 20 miles per hour, they are treated as motor vehicles under federal law.
On average, a battery can last up to seven years before it needs to be replaced by an electric golf cart. An approved golf cart can only be operated on a secondary road or a road with a speed limit of 35 miles per hour or less. However, you can cross an intersection where the speed limit is greater than 35 MPH. You`ll find that many golf carts come with their own lights, but it`s important to note that this is an essential requirement for running your golf cart at all times. You need headlights, turn signals and brake lights. This is both to your advantage and to help other drivers know that you are there and where you want to go. Our road-certified cars meet all North Carolina state regulatory requirements and National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) guidelines. We also provide everything you need to make registering your golf cart legal on the street easy and efficient.
Most of what we`ve listed so far applies to all LSV golf cart owners, regardless of where they live in the United States. However, many states have their own laws on what makes a vehicle legal on the road, which must be strictly adhered to. You must be an authorized driver in your state. You will also need liability insurance in addition to registration and authorization. You can only use your golf cart on roads with a speed limit of 35 miles per hour or less, and you must be at least 16 years old to do so. Like a golf cart, drivers under the influence of alcohol must refrain from operating LSV and there must be no open containers in any of these vehicles. Yes! This is something that many golf cart owners don`t think about. Don`t wait until it`s too late. Take out liability insurance for your vehicle and keep it with you when you drive the car.
This, along with your license and registration, is required in the event of an accident. Secondary roads are usually those marked as such by city or state officials. These include owning a chassis number, owning headlights and taillights, installing turn signals on the front and rear of the car, and adding a windshield. If you want to buy a model homologated for the street, check out our selection of models of Villager golf carts. Ready to update your current cart? We`re here to help! Contact us below or call 919-552-9351 for more information. Legal golf carts on the street provide a fun and convenient way to get around the city. These vehicles can be driven on roads at speeds of 35 mph or less in most states. You`ve probably even seen golf carts driving around college campuses, beach towns, and military bases.
We also offer plenty of customization options to customize your legal shopping cart on the street, regardless of your style. Driving golf carts and vehicles at low speeds can provide great comfort in many ways, especially when working or transporting other people in a specialized field. It`s important to know the differences between the two, and as long as drivers are properly licensed and insured, these vehicles can provide entertainment and transportation in situations where a regular vehicle may not be available or practical. Approving your car roadside may seem like a daunting task, but the experts at J`s Golf Carts are here to help you navigate the process with ease. We`ll help you choose the best new golf cart for your driving needs and add the parts and accessories you want. Now that you`re done with the equipment you`ll need to make a golf cart roadworthy and want to add speed to your golf cart, check out our golf cart speed guide to see what upgrades can be added to a golf cart. We invest to give you the best experience, from start to finish! We understand that there may be a lot of questions about legalizing your shopping cart – you are always welcome to call us at 919-552-9351 or contact us below to get in touch with one of our experts. You can also visit us at our showroom at 2229 Wade Nash Road in Holly Springs to take a look at our new and used models and discuss customization with us! In all states, a legal street golf cart must be driven by an authorized driver. Below, we`ve listed the federal requirements that any slow, legal vehicle on the road must have: The same applies to low-speed vehicles – although they are legally considered motor vehicles, the federal government does not allow them on its roads to protect drivers of all kinds, including those who own these vehicles.
There are other physical additions you need to make to your LSV golf cart. All road vehicles must have a license plate, which means you must register it with the DMV. It must be mounted on the bumper and be visible, just like a car. If you`re buying a golf cart or slow motion vehicle (LSV) and live in the state of North Carolina, you may need to familiarize yourself with the specific laws governing driving. Here`s an overview of North Carolina`s golf cart laws: Assuming your golf cart has seat belts, they should be worn at all times, whether or not you do it off-road.