
Making Your Golf Cart Street Legal
- Lights. Even if you’re only ever planning on driving your golf cart in the daytime, you’ll need a full set of lights, including headlights, turn signal lights, brake lights, and ...
- Mirrors. Next up, you’ll want to add some mirrors. ...
- Seatbelts. An absolute must! ...
- Protective Windshield. ...
- Horn. ...
- Speedometer. ...
- Slow Moving Vehicle Sign. ...
- Final Thoughts. ...
Full Answer
Are seatbelts required in a street legal golf cart?
Therefore if you are driving, or riding as a passenger in a golf cart, while it may be a good idea to wear a seatbelt if the vehicle is so equipped, you are exempt from having to do so. – blog submitted by ticketbust.com, helping drivers contest and dismiss their traffic tickets.
How do you make a go cart street legal?
- Brakes: A go-kart would need to have properly functioning brakes, which are in good condition. ...
- Mirrors: Mirrors are an essential feature that go-karts must be equipped with. ...
- Windshield: A windshield acts as a safety barrier from wind and foreign objects while driving. ...
- Seat Belts: One of the most important safety features of any vehicle are seat belts. ...
What to make a go cart street legal?
Step by Step Guide to Make you Go-kart Street Legal
- Install all the necessary parts. First of all, get that your go-kart is not a regular vehicle like a car, truck, minivan, or motorbike.
- Get the Go-Kart Inspected. After you make all the necessary modifications, it’s time you get your go-kart inspected for a speed test.
- Speed Test. ...
- Registering the go-kart. ...
Can I make a go cart street legal?
You certainly can make a go-kart street legal. However, you should know that by default, racing and off-road go-karts are not allowed on public roads because they lack the necessary requirements to be operated on the street safely.

What do you need for a street legal light kit?
Once you’ve selected a street legal light kit with the proper lighting/indicators and a windshield, the next thing you’ll need is mirrors. You'll want to make sure you have clear view of your surroundings while driving on the street. The most popular and required mirrors for on-street driving are: Rear View Mirror.
Is it legal to put lights on a golf cart?
Installing golf cart lights is one of the key components in making a golf cart street legal, if not the most important. There are so many different lighting options for golf carts out there. Generally, you’ll see “Basic” and “Street Legal” or "Deluxe" options.
Can you drive a golf cart on the street?
For example, in some cities in Florida, Georgia, Texas and California there are entire communities that drive their golf carts on the street. ALWAYS check with your local municipality to make sure it’s okay to drive a golf cart on the street.
What are the requirements for a golf cart?
Golf Cart Light Requirements. Working lights, head, brake, and tail lights with turn signals are all essentials. You need to make your golf cart be noticeable in traffic and on roads. Your vehicle must be equipped with headlights, stop lamps, turn signal lamps, and tail lamps. Just like any other vehicle, it’s important ...
How old do you have to be to drive a golf cart?
While the operator of a golf cart does not have to be a licensed driver, they must be over 14 years old. How old you have to be to drive a golf cart ranges from state to state.
What are the accessories needed for a golf cart?
Other accessories that are necessary on a street legal golf cart: wipers that will operate in a rain storm. a horn to alert pedestrians or other vehicles of your presence.
What is the difference between a golf cart and a car?
Golf Cart Windshields, Reflectors, and Mirrors. The most obvious difference between a normal car and a golf cart is collision protection; or the lack thereof. Before you set out, you need to be able to see all parts of the road from inside the golf cart. A golf cart must have reflex reflectors and rear view mirrors.
How many states allow golf carts?
Currently, 47 states allow these types of vehicles to be driven on public roads, although every state has different requirements for the golf carts. There are plenty of reasons why it would be great to be able to drive either of these machines on public roads in the states that allow it. If your plan is to make your golf cart roadworthy by ...
How fast can you drive a golf cart in Key West?
That’s why you see more golf carts in beach towns like Key West because the speed limit for the roads there are less than 35mph.
Why do you need a horn when driving an electric golf cart?
a horn to alert pedestrians or other vehicles of your presence. A horn is especially necessary, because if you drive an electric golf cart, chances of other people hearing it coming will be nonexistent. Electric golf carts are known to be very silent.
What is required for a golf cart?
Windshield. Windshields are required federally for street legal golf carts – plus, they’ll shield you from any rocks, dust, or other debris that may be kicked up by other vehicles in front of you. Be sure to choose a shatter resistant acrylic windshield, as these can withstand the high speeds of golf balls on the course while still offering ...
How fast can a golf cart go?
The main requirement for golf carts is speed: golf carts must reach a minimum speed of 20 miles per hour.
What is a slow moving vehicle sign?
This sign alerts faster-moving vehicles that your golf cart is present on the road and may not be moving at the same speed they are, protecting you and your passengers. It’s cheap, easy to install, and required to make any golf cart street legal.
How to get a VIN number for a golf cart?
In order to get a VIN number for your golf cart, you’ll need to register it with your local DOT (Department of Transportation) authority. You’ll typically need information such as proof of purchase, the weight of the golf cart, and proof that you’ve equipped the vehicle with the necessary items above.
Do you have to have a golf cart registered?
Golf carts must be registered, titled, insured, and inspected in order to be on a street or road. If the golf cart is electric-powered then emissions testing is not required.
Can you take a golf cart on public roads?
The bottom line here is that if you want to take your golf cart on public roads, you must make your golf cart street legal. Not only from a legal perspective, but also for the safety of you, your passengers, and others on the road. It’s a good idea all-around. Not to mention all the additional use you’ll get out of your golf cart!
Do golf carts require gas?
Many golf carts don’t require gas and are quieter than standard vehicles, making them more appealing options for short distance travel. Take a read through our comprehensive guide on how to make your golf cart street legal and you’ll be on the road in no time.
Where are golf carts legal?
Additionally, golf cart drivers must be licensed to operate a motor vehicle. Maine. Golf carts are legal for use in low-speed areas around golf courses and on islands that are habitable. Maryland.
How much weight can a golf cart carry?
The carts must not weigh more than 1,300 pounds and it should not carry more than two people, including the driver. The cart must have a safety-glazed windshield as well as fenders. Colorado. Golf carts may only operate on roads with speed limits under 35 miles per hour.
How old do you have to be to drive a golf cart in Minnesota?
The driver must be at least 16 years old and must have a driver’s license. Golf carts cannot be driven within 30 minutes of sunset and sunrise. Minnesota. The state of Minnesota allows for the local government to permit or not permit golf cart use on public roadways and highways under their jurisdiction.
How fast can a golf cart go?
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.
What are the speed limits for golf carts in Illinois?
Illinois. If a municipality specifically allows it, golf carts can be driven on roadways that are deemed safe and have speed limits of 35 miles per hour or less. Indiana. Golf carts are limited to cities and towns that have passed local laws to allow for them to be driven on the road.
What is the speed limit for electric golf carts?
Alaska. Electric golf carts may operate on roads with speed limits of 35 miles per hour or less. Arizona. Golf carts may be used on roads with speed limits of 35 miles per hour or less.
When will electric golf carts be available?
Electric Vehicles / By Peter Jones / August 12, 2019. July 4, 2020. Many golf carts can go quite fast and they are very convenient to use. For this reason, many people want to use them for getting around town.
How fast can a golf cart go?
Golf carts may be operated on roadways that are designated for golf carts with a posted speed limit of 30 MPH or less. Golf carts are not titled or registered and are not required to be insured with PIP and PDL coverage. A person must be 14 years or older to operate a golf cart.
What is a golf cart in Florida?
Golf carts are defined in section 320.01 (22), Florida Statutes, as “a motor vehicle that is designed and manufactured for operation on a golf course for sporting or recreational purposes and that is not capable of exceeding speeds of 20 MPH.”.
What is the speed limit for a golf cart?
A lighted license plate bracket. Minimum top speed of 20mph. With all of these requirements met, golf carts may be driven on roads with a speed limit of 25mph or less. Since the rules are ever-changing and may vary slightly from one area to another, ...
Do you need to be road ready to drive a golf cart?
In order to be road-worthy, your golf cart will need to be accessorized with some basic safety features that you’d expect on a regular motor vehicle. There are places from which you can buy a road-ready golf cart – or, you can go out about adding the following to your current golf cart yourself.
Can you drive a golf cart on the street?
When you’re road-ready, double-check with your local authorities to make it’s OK to drive a golf cart on the street.
Do you need a seatbelt for a golf cart?
An absolute must! Everyone riding in your golf cart should have the safety of a seatbelt. This Loytes Seat Belt Kit will fit most golf carts and is surprisingly easy to install. It’s worth considering adding a seat belt kit even if you’re not planning on taking it out on the road, especially if you are cruising with children onboard.
