Street Legal Golf Carts

Everyone is familiar with the sturdy carts that shuttle us around on the golf course. But did you know that more and more people are choosing to use golf carts on the streets? Golf carts are fun to drive, versatile, and affordable little vehicles, perfect for short trips around town. They are also great utility vehicles for company use, shuttling employees around a large campus.

Golf carts are stylish, too, and highly customizable. They come in both gas powered and electric powered versions, only adding to your options. Electric carts have the capacity to travel about 40 miles on a single charge.

While golf carts are not legal to operate on the streets in six states, the majority of states do allow them, as long as they are properly equipped. The carts must be able to go at least 20 mph, but cannot exceed 35 mph. When all the federal and state requirements are met, you will have a fun little vehicle to scoot around in.

What Is a Street Legal Golf Cart?

For a golf cart to be allowed on the road it must meet certain safety regulations. The National Highway Safety Administration has several requirements for golf carts intended for use on public roads. These include:

• Speedometer
• Horn
• Interior and exterior-mounted mirrors
• 17-digit vehicle identification number (VIN)
• Reflex reflectors on all corners of the cart
• Working brake lights, headlights, and tail lights with turn signals
• Department of Transportation-approved tires, windshield wiper and seat belts
• Minimum top speed between 20-25 miles per hour

If you own a golf cart and want to convert it to a street legal version, there are kits available to do just that. Your local dealer can provide an array of options to change your cart into a safe street legal golf cart.

Why Should You Have a Street Legal Golf Cart?

We are all becoming more eco-friendly these days. Trying to reduce the carbon footprint is a group effort and owning a street legal golf cart is a step in the right direction. Instead of wasting all that fuel to make multiple short trips in a standard sized car, an electric street legal golf cart is the answer. It reduces emissions and conserves fuel, which is a win-win for the environment.

Local Laws for Street Legal Golf Carts

In addition to the federal requirements for street legal golf carts, each state will also have their own specific requirements. Some states use the term low-speed vehicle, or LSV for golf carts. In California the additional requirements are as follows:

 The carts must not weigh more than 1,300 pounds and should not carry more than two people, including the driver. The cart must have a safety-glazed windshield and also fenders.

Power Machinery Center Sells Street Legal Golf Carts

Power Machinery Center is a leading distributor of Club Car electric golf carts. Club Car builds a sound street legal product called the Villager series that passengers truly appreciate. Call us for more information about how to get your Club Car street legal golf cart. Contact our Oxnard or our Bakersfield center at (877) 237-6295.