Before buying a golf cart to use on public roads, it is a good idea to make sure your state and local governments allow it. This is especially true if you live in an area that is patrolled by state police. You may find that even though your local government allows for the use of golf carts on public roads, your state government does not.
Full Answer
Where can I buy a golf cart?
Club Car dealers can be found nationwide as one of the biggest golf cart brands available on the market. Yamaha Golf Cart dealers can also be found nationwide. Some of which are distributors and others are smaller dealerships.
Can you drive a golf cart on the road?
Golf carts are not street legal and can only be driven on private property. A golf cart can be driven on public roads at a speed of 20 miles per hour with speed limits under 25 miles per hour as long as the driver is at least 14 years old.
Can electric golf carts be used in your community?
This being said, some localities have made exemptions to this rule so that golf carts can be used within golf cart communities. Electric golf carts may operate on roads with speed limits of 35 miles per hour or less. Golf carts may be used on roads with speed limits of 35 miles per hour or less. The driver must have a driver’s license to do so.
What kind of insurance do I need to drive a golf cart?
Insurance coverage should be standard liability and should include under insured and uninsured motorists coverage to cover the driver completely. Now, it is legal to drive golf carts in Ohio on any public street with a 35 mph speed limit posted.
Where can you drive a golf cart in California?
The California Vehicle Code says golf carts can be operated legally on streets that have a maximum posted speed limit of 25 mph, said Sgt. Matthew Bloch of the Menifee Police Department. If our reader wants to drive on such a street, Bloch said, the golf cart cannot be modified to go faster than 15 mph, as Keyes noted.
Can I drive a golf cart in Michigan?
You can drive a golf cart on the road in Michigan in small communities that have allowed them. You can't drive them on roads with a speed limit over 30 mph and can't be driven at more than 15 mph. Drivers must be at least 16 years of age and have a driver's license. No auto insurance is required to operate one.
Where can you drive a golf cart in Florida?
(1) A golf cart may be operated only upon a county road that has been designated by a county, a municipal street that has been designated by a municipality, or a two-lane county road located within the jurisdiction of a municipality designated by that municipality, for use by golf carts.
Is it legal to drive around in a golf cart?
You cannot drive golf carts legally on public roads in Delaware, Hawaii, Maryland, Missouri, or Rhode Island. New York takes it a step further by explaining that you could be arrested for operating a golf cart on public roads or sidewalks or in parking lots.
What makes a golf cart street legal in Michigan?
Public Act 491 of 2014 enables local units of government with a population of 30,000 or less to adopt a resolution to allow the use of golf carts on certain streets within their jurisdiction—streets with a speed limit of 30 MPH or less.
Do you need a license for a golf cart in Michigan?
What are the Golf Cart Laws for Michigan? Michigan law requires drivers to be a minimum of 16 years old, with a valid driver license to drive a golf cart. For golf cart drivers living in a town with 30,000 or fewer residents, a golf cart may be driven on regular roads.
Can you drive golf carts on the sidewalk in Florida?
Operating golf carts on public roads, streets, or sidewalks is prohibited in Florida, but there are exceptions: golf carts can use county or municipal roads that have been designated for cart use by the governmental entity that has authority.
Can you drive a golf cart on city streets in Florida?
One thing that both golf carts and LSVs have in common is the ability to drive them in residential neighborhoods. However, an LSV may also operate on any public road with a speed limit no higher than 35 miles per hour.
Do you need a license in Florida to drive a golf cart?
In Florida, you do not need a valid driver's license to operate a golf cart. The state does not impose age restrictions for operating a golf cart while on a golf course. But a golf cart driver has to be over 14 years old when crossing a public road designated for golf carts.
How fast can a golf cart go without a governor?
A typical electric cart without an upgraded speed control tops out around 12 mph.
Can you drive a golf cart on the road in the US?
A golf cart can be driven on streets with a 35 mile per hour or less speed limit during daylight hours. You can cross a highway or street at an intersection even if the highway or street being crossed has a speed limit of greater than 35 mph. The driver and vehicle must be licensed and the vehicle must be insured.
How old do you have to be to drive a golf cart around the neighborhood?
Golf carts are allowed to drive up to one mile on low-speed public roads. Golf cart driver must need to be at least 12 years old to drive a golf cart. However, to cross a highway, you must be at least 16 years old.
What is a golf cart used for?
Golf Carts, in addition to the obvious use on the golf course, are increasingly being used for short-distance trips in communities as an alternative to the family car, for example, carrying children and pets from home to the club house or recreation center.
What is the law in Florida for golf carts?
Additionally, Florida law restricts operation of Golf Carts to the hours between sunrise and sunset, and requires Golf Carts to be “equipped with efficient brakes, reliable steering apparatus, safe tires, a rearview mirror, and red reflectorized warning devices in both the front and rear. ”. [12]
What is an electric car?
An “ electric vehicle” is defined as a “a motor vehicle that is powered by an electric motor that draws current from rechargeable storage batteries, fuel cells, or other sources of electrical current.”. Accordingly, a golf cart running on a rechargeable battery is a type of electric vehicle but not all electric vehicles are golf carts ...
What is a utility vehicle?
A “ Utility Vehicle” means a motor vehicle designed and manufactured for general maintenance, security, and landscaping purposes, but the term does not include any vehicle designed or used primarily for the transportation of persons or property on a street or highway, or a golf cart, or an all-terrain vehicle as defined in s. 316.2074. [8] (.
Do you need a driver's license to operate a golf cart in Florida?
[10] . Accordingly, Golf Carts can be operated without the requirement of a driver’s license or insurance. However, there is a minimum age requirement.
Is a golf cart an electric vehicle?
Accordingly, a golf cart running on a rechargeable battery is a type of electric vehicle but not all electric vehicles are golf carts or low-speed vehicles (i.e., those that exceed 20 mph are electric vehicles but not golf carts). [5]
Can golf carts be used in an association?
Golf Carts share an Association’s common element roads with other motor vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians and animals, creating the potential for liability for an Association. Whether or not to allow Golf Carts and how best to regulate them is a decision faced by Associations with increasing frequency. Consequently, Associations are faced ...
Golf Cart Dealers Near Me
Our Dealer Locator is the largest database of golf car dealers available online today. You can search by specific manufacturer model by using your address or zip code.
Club Car Dealer Locator
Club Car dealers can be found nationwide as one of the biggest golf cart brands available on the market.
Yamaha Golf Cart Dealer
Yamaha Golf Cart dealers can also be found nationwide. Some of which are distributors and others are smaller dealerships. Both will be equally effective of taking care of all your Yamaha parts and repair needs for you golf cart.
EZGO Locator
EZGO golf cart dealers are among the top three most popular dealerships as well in the golf car industry. With over 400 dealers nationwide, you should not have any trouble finding the nearest dealer to you.
ICON Dealer Locator
With ICON being a relatively new manufacturer within the market, and finding a new dealer can be somewhat tricky. With new dealers being added every few months, be sure you are working with a dealer that can get your aftermarket parts for you ICON EV.
Liability Waivers
The signing of a liability waiver is usually required in addition to other factors regarding personal golf cart use. The liability waiver will relieve the golf course and/or club of any and all liability concerning any loss or damage that may befall your personal golf cart while on their property, whether in use or being stored.
Inspection Requirements
Different golf courses will have different requirements when it comes to what will and what will not pass their inspection of your personal golf cart. For an updated inspection or requirement list, you should contact the golf course of your choice as they could be completely different than other places.
Golf Course Cart Fees
The majority of golf courses you will come in contact with will require certain cart fees to be paid in order to access their facilities and make use of their accommodations.
Rules and Regulations
Obtaining the okay to use your personal golf cart at the club or golf course of your choice will require you to follow and stay up to date on their rules and regulations. Each club and golf course will have its own set of rules and regulations that cater specifically to their complex.
What equipment is needed for a golf cart?
To be street legal, a golf cart must have the following functioning equipment: seat belts, a windshield, a horn, turn signals, rear-view mirror, head lights and brake lights. The LSV must be equipped with the following: a windshield, headlamps, tail lamps, stop lamps, mirrors, reflectors, parking brakes and se at belts.
What is the difference between a golf cart and a low speed vehicle?
Difference between a Golf Cart and an LSV. A golf cart is an open 4-wheeled vehicle that can drive up to 15 miles per hour. A low speed vehicle or LSV is another 4-wheeled vehicle that tends to have more coverage than a golf cart and has speeds up to 20-25 miles per hour.
How old do you have to be to drive a golf cart in Ohio?
The driving of golf carts by underage persons is prohibited. In Ohio the age when a person can apply for a driving permit is 16. The permitted driver can drive when accompanied by a licensed driver at least 21 years of age.
Can you drive a golf cart at night?
No one can legally drive a golf cart while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If the golf cart does not possess operating lights, it cannot be driven at night.
Do you need a DOT number to drive in Ohio?
Ohio requires a DOT number on all road-worthy vehicles. To obtain DOT or department of Transportation approval and DMV or the department of motor vehicle approval, the vehicle must have be registered and insured. The driver must be licensed and meet the age limits required for licensing.
Do golf carts need insurance?
Golf carts, like cars and trucks, should carry insurance coverage. Insurance coverage should be standard liability and should include under insured and uninsured motorists coverage to cover the driver completely.
What is the process of buying a used golf cart?
An essential part of the process of buying a used golf cart that is frequently overlooked (due to time constraints, cost, or just pure laziness) is taking a prospective vehicle to a trusted shop or dealer to have it professionally inspected.
How much does a golf cart battery cost?
Golf cart batteries don’t last forever, and can easily cost between $1,000-$2,000 for a new set. Faulty or old batteries can also damage other key components of the cart, such as the motor, or the onboard charger (this happened to us).
What type of batteries are used in golf carts?
Keep in mind that these tips are specific to lead-acid batteries, which are the most common types of batteries you’re likely to encounter. In the off chance you come across a golf cart with newer lithium ion batteries or some other type, you’ll need to research tips specific to those batteries.
How to check battery voltage?
Ideally, you’d also want to do three tests when the batteries are fully charged and cooled: 1 Visual Inspection Inside (e.g. electrolyte levels) & Out (e.g. bulging, cracks/leaks, excessive corrosion, etc.) 2 Voltage Test (each battery and total) 3 Hydrometer Test (Specific Gravity)
Is a golf cart a good investment?
When buying a used golf cart, some prospective buyers take a golf cart for a short spin around a parking lot and call it good. Even worse, they buy a golf cart without riding it at all, or sight unseen. The only way to ensure that a particular golf cart will be a good investment for you is to take it for a drive that mimics how you intend ...
Do you need to know the batteries of a golf cart?
If you’re buying a used golf cart that’s electric powered, you’ll also need to know some basic information about the batteries. If possible, you’ll also want to test and inspect the batteries as well.
Can you drive a golf cart on public roads?
In many places, your golf cart will need to be modified to be permitted to drive on public roads. Some places require the addition of a street legal kit, while other places only allow gas-powered carts to use public roads.
Why Golf Carts are So Popular in Campgrounds
It’s easy to figure out why golf carts are a big part of camping. Because they’re fun to drive around the campground. Especially in large RV parks or campgrounds, they can be used to go visit other campers in another section. Golf carts also are popular because you can pack the family in (within reason) to go for a scenic tour of the campground.
Do You Have to be Disabled to Operate a Golf Cart in a Campground
It used to be that to be allowed to use golf carts in campgrounds, the operator must be deemed disabled. They must have a handicap placard issued by the state they register their vehicle (s) in.
Why Some Campgrounds Frown upon Golf Carts
Unfortunately, there’s some not-so-great things about allowing golf carts in RV parks and campgrounds.
Do Golf Carts Have to be Licensed to Use in a Campground or RV Park?
Depending on which state or municipality, campgrounds may only allow street-legal ‘only’ golf carts (we’ll get to that in a moment).
Gas Powered vs. Electric Golf Carts?
There are two different ways golf carts are powered; electric and gas.
Can I use my golf cart at a National Park campground
Generally speaking, National Parks do allow you to use your golf cart in the campground only, unless otherwise specified by each park. Golf cart usage in the park’s campgrounds hinges on each park’s rules and regulations.
Your takeaway on taking your golf cart to campgrounds
While driving your golf cart around is a fun and enjoyable part of your definition of camping, know that there are responsibilities of operating them. Before making reservations, always check with each campground to see if they allow them, what their requirements are to operate them and any applicable fees.
