Tips for Making Your Golf Cart Street Legal

Golf carts are extremely useful vehicles to have when you’re moving from hole to hole on the course with all your clubs in tow. They zip across the trails and over the green with ease, making your game much more fun and relaxing.

The usefulness of golf carts doesn’t end there. Many people have discovered that golf cars are an ideal transport solution on roads and streets in addition to the golf course. Their light footprint, high fuel efficiency and ease of use make them very practical for short trips within certain areas like retirement communities and college campuses.

However, you’ll need to check the local laws where you live and also equip your golf cart to make it street legal. This list of tips courtesy of Dever Golf Car Sales, with locations in Lexington and Louisville, should help you do precisely that.

Check Your Speed

In most jurisdictions, golf carts need to be able to reach a minimum of 20 mph in order to qualify as street legal vehicles. They may have speeds no faster than 25 mph, as they are classified as slow-moving vehicles, meaning you can’t use them to cut through traffic on the highway. Any vehicles in this class, including golf cars, need to remain on roads with speed limits under 25 mph.

If your cart isn’t capable of reaching 20 mph, you’ll have to modify your golf cart’s engine to give it more power and boost your speed. You will also need to have an electric-powered golf cart to modify for street legality, as federal laws forbid gas-powered golf carts from being used as low-speed vehicles on roads.

Improve Visibility

Your next step will be to make your golf cart more visible to others, in addition to improving your own visibility as an operator. This means adding several types of lights to your golf cart, which can come in kit form to make things easier and more budget-friendly. Your golf cart will need headlights, taillights, brake lights and turn signals in order to qualify as street legal.

Look for a kit or set of lights that is tailored to your particular make and model of golf cart. Lights will help you see in dim or dark conditions, and they will allow pedestrians, bicyclists and those operating other vehicles to see you coming. Some of these kits even come with a horn, which can further help you signal your approach to others.

Add Safety Features

You’ll also have to equip your golf cart with some essential safety features to make it function as a street legal vehicle. This includes side mirrors and a center rear-view mirror to allow you to see your surroundings as you drive, including any approaching carts, cars or bicycles. Some local laws will specify exactly what types of mirrors your cart will need, so make sure to check these.

Another adjustment you’ll have to perform is adding a windshield to your golf cart. Windshields can help to prevent injury during an accident in addition to keeping bugs, wind and precipitation from hitting you in the face as you drive. You can even get windshield wipers to improve visibility further.

Finally, you’ll have to add seat belts to your golf car. Each seat needs to have a seat belt because your open-sided golf cart leaves riders more vulnerable to falling out of your vehicle in the event of a sharp turn or a crash. Make sure these suit your particular model of golf car and that they’re properly installed.

Further Stipulations

Most places will require your golf cart to have a slow-moving vehicle sign, which is generally orange or another bright color, reflective and triangular in shape. This alerts other drivers to your low speeds so they don’t hit you. 

You’ll also have to have a valid state driver’s license and be at least 21 years of age to drive your street legal golf cart. Your golf cart will need a license plate and you’ll have to register it with the right governmental body to get a VIN, or vehicle identification number. You should have appropriate insurance for your golf cart according to federal law in order to operate it on the road. Your cart will also need to be inspected for safety once per year.

With a little modification, you can easily alter your golf cart to make it legal for on-road usage. Need a golf cart to improve your game or transport you elsewhere? Visit one of our three  Lexington, KY, dealerships or our location in Louisville, KY, to see our selection of new and used golf carts for sale. Dever Golf Car Sales proudly serves our customers throughout Kentucky.