A golf cart is a convenient, fun, and relatively quick way to move around a golf course or a private property.
It can surely be tempting to take your golf cart for a spin on the streets of your neighborhood or across town, but is it allowed? And if so, are there any restrictions or rules you should abide by?
This brings us to today’s question: can you drive a golf cart on the road?
Although some states prohibit the action, many states do allow driving golf carts on public roads given that certain requirements are met. These include modifying the cart by adding headlights, rear lights, indicators, a horn, a windscreen, wipers, seatbelts, and a speedometer. Also, the vehicle should carry a license plate number, be driven in a low-trafficked residential area, and have a speed that falls within the road’s maximum and minimum speed limits.
Keep reading to find out more about the possibility of driving a golf cart on the road, the conditions you should fulfill, the states where it’s legal, and how you can make your golf cart street legal.
Table of Contents
Can You Drive a Golf Cart on the Road?
Generally speaking, a golf cart is meant to be used to move around golf courses or private properties and maybe to cross roads that are very close to such locations.
When it comes to driving golf carts on the road, you can do so in many states, cities, or municipalities within the United States, although the rules usually vary from one jurisdiction to the other.
Some states are more forgiving and open to the concept of driving golf carts on public roads than others. For example, Florida, Georgia, Arizona, and California are among the most “flexible” states.
That said, it’s possible to drive a golf cart on the road in particular situations after you’ve met the requirements set by your state and obtained a permit/license from the corresponding authorities to do it.
Whether you can or can’t drive a golf cart on the road comes down to multiple factors that include the following:
- The location of the road.
- The speed you’re planning to drive at.
- If you possess a valid driver’s license.
- The type of the road.
- How old you are.
- If the state you want to drive in requires golf carts to get insured.
What Are the Requirements for Driving a Golf Cart on the Road?
As mentioned earlier, it’s perfectly fine to drive a golf course around golf courses or private properties and maybe even cross streets that are very close to such locations.
But if you want to take your golf cart for a spin on a public road, you need to meet the requirements set by your state and obtain a permit/license from the corresponding authorities to do it.
We live in a huge country, so it should come as no surprise that every region and state has different laws and regulations to abide by when it comes to taking a golf cart out on public roads. That said, the conditions you should fulfill typically involve the following points:
- You should be 16 years or older.
- Your golf cart should be modified to feature appropriate safety features.
- You should possess a valid driver’s license.
- You should get a permit/registration from your local authorities such as the DMS, DMV, or police.
- Your golf cart should carry valid registration plates.
Where Is It Legal to Drive a Golf Cart on the Road?
Most of the states across our country allow you to drive a golf cart on public roads as long as you meet the requirements and follow the rules set by each state. In some states, these laws refer to the golf cart as a low-speed vehicle.
Florida, Texas, Georgia, Arizona, Michigan, and California are among the states where you can drive a golf cart on the road.
State requirements and regulations for driving a golf cart on public roads involve the following:
- Having a lighted license plate
- Having a VIN (vehicle identification number)
- Being of legal age with a valid driver’s license.
- Featuring a speedometer, horn, windshield, indicators, headlights, mirrors, rear lights, tires, wiper, and seat belts.
- Being able to reach a speed of 20 mph on the road but no more than 35 mph. This is to avoid hindering regular traffic and ensure safety when driving around faster vehicles.
Missouri, Hawaii, Delaware, Rhode Island, New York, and Maryland are all states where it’s illegal to drive a golf cart on public roads, even if you abide by the rules mentioned above. In New York specifically, you could get arrested for such an action.
Do You Need a License or a Title to Drive a Golf Cart?
You don’t need a license to drive your golf cart if you simply plan to use it on golf courses and private properties. But if you decide you want to cruise public roads in your golf cart, you must obtain a license.
Whether it’s a valid driver’s license or a valid permit from local authorities to let you do so, it’s illegal to drive a golf cart on public roads unless you have such documents.
The same goes for obtaining a title for your golf cart. While you’re not obliged to do this if you’re only driving your golf cart on golf courses and private properties, you must acquire a title for the vehicle if you’re planning to take it out on public streets.
Wrap Up
So, can you drive a golf cart on the road? The answer mainly depends on your state and compliance with rules and regulations.
Some states prohibit the action, but many states do allow driving golf carts on public roads given that certain requirements are met.
These include modifying the golf cart by adding headlights, rear lights, indicators, a horn, a windscreen, wipers, seatbelts, and a speedometer.
Also, the golf cart should carry a license plate number, be driven in a low-trafficked residential area, and have a speed that falls within the road’s maximum and minimum speed limits.
