Are Golf Carts Street Legal: Explained

Driving golf carts on the streets is an exciting way of experiencing new adventures. And if you live in South Carolina, then you may have seen golf carts many times in your neighborhood. It’s a convenient way of driving around the city on a pleasant day. In addition, they are fuel efficient and bring several benefits.

But, the real question is “Are Golf Carts Street Legal?”

The answer is “yes” but under certain requirements and restrictions. In this article, I have explained what important factors make a golf cart street-legal and highlighted some key benefits of driving a street-legal golf cart.

Requirements Of A Street Legal Golf Carts

To drive a street legal golf cart, you must comply with certain requirements and restrictions to ensure safety measures. Below, I have mentioned some legal requirements a golf cart should have to be on the road:

• Functioning headlights for safe driving in low light conditions
• Proper braking system to control speed in traffic
• Working taillights to let others know when you’re braking
• Functioning turn signals to make a safe turn or switch lanes without any crash
• Using a horn to let other drivers know your presence on the road
• A proper windshield to avoid extreme weather conditions that affect visibility while driving
• Side mirrors that help in changing lane
• Seatbelts to avoid injuries in case of unexpected accidents
• Use a low-speed vehicle sign to follow your state’s driving rules and regulations.

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Why Should You Follow Rules & Regulations To Drive A Golf Cart?

It’s obvious that street legal golf carts are different from other vehicles regarding performance, size, intended use, etc. Driving a golf cart that isn’t road legal or doesn’t follow the above requirements may result in severe consequences such as life threat or unrecoverable injury in case of an accident. 

However, you must drive a golf cart under a proper license and registration, and make sure you have applied every safety measure before going on the road. 

What Happens If A Street Legal Golf Cart Is Involved In A Crash?

On average, more than 15,000 golf-cart-related injuries happen annually in the United States, out of which 11.3% are golf cart accidents. These accidents include severe head and neck injuries that prove that you should never drive a golf cart that doesn’t comply with regulations.

Driving a golf cart is fun, but it does not offer high safety precautions compared to other vehicles such as sedans, SUVs, etc. However, the person responsible for such accidents can also face press charges and penalties that include hospital bills, and income loss due to unavailability at work. 

How To Make Your Golf Cart Street Legal: Brief Overview

Making your golf cart street legal involves various steps. First, you need to educate yourself with the rules and regulations that apply in your state. The traffic and driving regulations vary from one state to another. So, make sure you’re fully aware of them.

After that install safety measures on your golf cart that I have mentioned above. Get yourself VIN for a golf cart, and also fulfill insurance requirements. In the last, apply for the license plates and set a compliance inspection to ensure that your golf cart is street legal and follows every requirement that is mandatory.

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Benefits Of Using Street Legal Golf Cart

Golf carts are fuel efficient and offer various other advantages, below I have mentioned some of them:

Eco-friendly: the key benefit of using a golf cart is that it also comes with electric motors that do not emit toxins and pollute the environment with carbon footprints. 

Perfect For Short Distance: Street-legal golf carts are efficient and practical for covering short distances. They do not produce unnecessary sound and have a smooth & easy drive compared to regular cars.

Interesting Way To Drive: Driving a golf cart provides an enjoyable experience in an open atmosphere that allows you to enjoy the scenery around you which is way better than locking yourself in a regular car.

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How Old Do You Have To Be Legal To Drive A Golf Cart?

In the United States, there are several rules and regulations for driving a golf cart in different states. However, most American states require children at least 14 years old to drive a golf cart. 

But even with the age of 14 years old, there’s another requirement that your golf cart should be a low-speed vehicle and adhere to every safety measure that your State’s department requires. 

On the other hand, a driver’s license is another must-have requirement for driving a golf cart. Some areas such as highways and public roads require a driver’s license for golf cart operations. 

Legal Age Of Driving A Golf Cart In 50 Different States

Below, I have mentioned the legal age of driving a golf cart in all 50 states of the US:

1 – Alabama

• The legal driving age in Alabama is 18 years old
• Driving on Alabama’s public roads is strictly prohibited unless it’s a low-speed vehicle
• A driving license is required to drive golf carts on a public highway

2 – Alaska

• The legal driving age in Alaska is 16 years old
• A driving license is required to drive a golf cart
• Any person who lacks a driving license must have a learner’s permit. Although, they would also need an adult to accompany them. 

3 – Arizona

• There aren’t any legal age requirements for driving a golf cart in Arizona
• A driver needs to comply with standard driving laws of the state
• You don’t need to acquire a driving license to drive a golf cart on private property

4 – Arkansas

• Legal driving age is above 14 years
• You don’t need a driving license to drive a golf cart in Arkansas
• A person under the age of 14 will be held responsible for any accident or hazard. However, the responsibility will be transferred to the child’s parents.

5 – California

• The legal driving age for golf carts in California is 13 years old
• A person should not carry more than two passengers while driving a golf cart including the driver. In addition, the cart should not weigh more than 1,300 pounds.

5 – Colorado

• The legal driving age is 14 years
• You can drive a golf cart in Colorado without owning a driving license
• Driver must obtain the low-vehicle sign on the back of the cart

6 – Connecticut

• The legal driving age in Connecticut is 16 years old.
• A driving license is required to drive a golf cart

7 – Delaware

• The legal age is 14 years old
• Driving a golf cart on public roads is illegal. No matter how old you are, you can only drive golf carts on private property 

8 – Florida

• The legal age is 14 years old in Florida
• The driver can drive a golf cart on public roads under the speed limit of 25 mph
• A special kind of license will be required if the driver drives the cart over 20 miles per hour.

9 – Georgia

• Surprisingly, the legal driving age for golf carts in Georgia is above 12 years old.
• Anyone who is above 12 years old can operate a golf cart under the supervision of an old that obtained a driving license
• To drive a golf cart alone, you need a driving license

10 – Hawaii

• The legal driving age in Hawaii is 16 years old
• Unfortunately, Hawaii does not issue a 17-character VIN which means you can not make your golf cart street legal that meets federal demands.

11 – Idaho

• The golf cart must have a registered license plate and insured
• There aren’t any certain legal age limits for driving a golf cart in Idaho. It’s better to review your local government’s law.

12 – Illinois

• The legal driving age in Idaho is 18 years
• A golf cart can only be driven on the roads if it follows all safety measures under the speed limit of 35 miles per hour

13 – Indiana

• The legal driving age is 16 years old
• Carts are only allowed to be driven within cities and towns while following the local law
• A valid driving license is required

14 – Iowa

• The legal driving age is 18 years old
• Golf carts can only be driven on public roads and within cities if allowed. The cart must have a low vehicle sign at the back.

15 – Kansas

• The legal driving age in Kansas is 16 years old.
• You need a permit to drive a golf cart locally, a sticker that indicates your cart has been approved for road use
• The maximum speed limit is 35 mph only during the daytime
• You must have a legit driving license and insurance

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Some Other States With Legal Driving Age & Other Requirements

State	Legal Age	Other Requirments
Kentucky	16	Requires a permit from the government, must have a driving license
Louisiana	12	Requires a license, may drive only on designated roads by local law
Maine	14	Only allowed in low-speed areas near golf courses or islands
Maryland	12	They are not street-legal, and can only be driven on private property
Massachusetts	16	Every golf cart should be inspected and registered, and titles
Michigan	16	A valid driving license is required
Minnesota	16	It depends on the local government to give permits or not for driving on public roads
Mississippi	15	Driving golf carts are not allowed on federal highways, state highways, and interstate highways
Missouri	16	Requires a driving license, not allowed to be driven on some state’s roads
Montana	14	Only allowed on local streets, to drive on public roads you may need a license
Nebraska	N/A	Max speed of driving is 20 mph, should not operate a golf cart on federal highways
Nevada	N/A	You need to install equipment that complies with the local government’s law
New Hampshire	13	Driving on public roads is not legal, carts must have registered plates and insurance
New Jersey	18	A valid driving license is required
New Mexico	15	Requires a permit for using a cart on local roads, driving is allowed only during the daytime
New York	14	Driving carts are not allowed on public roads, sidewalks, and even on parking lots
North Carolina	16	Carts should be driven within the speed limit of 35 mph
North Dakota	16	It depends on the town whether they allow carts for driving, driving on a highway is illegal
Ohio	16	Golf carts require licensed plates
Oklahoma	16	Driving on public streets, and highways is allowed, the max speed limit is 25 mph
Oregon	16	Carts can only be driven near the golf course areas, driver must have a valid driving license
Pennsylvania	12	You need to be at least 16 years old to drive on highways
Rhode Island	13	Driving on city streets is not allowed
South Carolina	16	Requires a permit for driving legally, the maximum speed limit is 35 mph
South Dakota	14	A license is required, the cart should be insured, and requires headlight to be driven after dark
Tennessee	16	Allowed to be driven on low-speed roads, should be registered, and titles
Texas	16	Requires a local permit from the government to drive on roads
Utah	18	Requires VIN, and title
Vermont	13	The maximum speed limit is 35 mph
Virginia	16	The maximum speed limit is less than 25 mph, license is compulsory
Washington	16	License is a must-have
West Virginia	16	Golf carts are allowed for legal use on local roads after qualifying as LSV
Wisconsin	16	Carts are not allowed on public roads
Wyoming	N/A	Obtaining license and insurance is compulsory

Final Words

So, are golf carts street legal? I hope that I have every key detail that you need to know. Make sure that you drive a street legal golf cart that follows safety measures and has a proper braking system. 

Avoid riding your golf cart without a license, because cops are always suspicious when see a golf cart on the road. Not having your license could press charges or may charge you a fine.