Most of our customers love to use their golf carts for much more than just their morning or afternoon round of 18 holes! The problem is, they are not confident that they won't be pulled over for driving their cart on the street resulting in a silly ticket being written to them. Have no fear, we've got the info (and items) you need to get your cart running legally on your neighborhood streets today.
What Makes a Golf Cart Street Legal?
A street legal golf cart is a cart which features all necessary equipment to be certified for legal use on the road in the United States of America. But the laws which make a golf cart street legal vary from state to state and even from town to town. However, all street legal golf carts typically feature 5 key golf cart accessories installed on them that complete a golf cart street legal kit:
- Golf cart lights (headlights & taillights w/ brake lights)
- Golf cart mirrors
- A windshield
- A horn kit
- Seatbelts (one per rider)
Once you have these necessary parts installed on your golf cart, you will still need to get the golf cart registered with either the State vehicle department, or your local municipality for use in your town. Additionally, your local authority may require your cart to have a license plate. And you will need to have insurance (Personal Injury Protection and Property Damage Liability) as well.
How to Make a Golf Cart Street Legal in 2024
1. Golf Cart Lights
While many golf carts these days are sold for neighborhood use and come straight from the factory with street legal headlight and taillight kits, it is still true that more than half of new carts sold in 2024 are for fleet (golf course) use, and therefor do not include a light kit from the factory. And these carts without golf cart lights installed are not street legal. Think about if your family car didn't have headlights. Driving in the evening would be a nightmare! It's no different for your golf cart.
Luckily, no matter what year, make or model your golf cart is: there is likely a light kit out there that is made for your cart. These kits will hook up easily on your cart, using your cart's batteries for power, and will look like they came straight from the factory as well! And while there are cheap Basic light kits (generally, just front headlights and rear tail/brake lights) and simple white LED Light Bars for sale (like you see on big lifted jeeps/trucks)... a bit more than either of those options are needed to make your cart street legal.
Street Legal Golf Cart Light Kits include:
- Headlights: To keep the path lit in front of you, and alert other vehicles and people of your presence.
- Taillights: Same as headlights, but for the back side of your cart.
- Horn: In case of emergency need while driving.
- Turn Signals / Indicators: The roadway requires that you can signal to other drivers of your intent to turn or change lanes.
- Brake Lights: Taillights alone are not enough to be street legal, your taillights will need to brighten when you apply your cart's brakes, to signal to other drivers your intent to slow down.
2. Golf Cart Mirrors
Driving without mirrors is truly driving blind. Mirrors are essential when driving your cart on the road or through your neighborhood, and are a key piece to making your golf cart street legal. They give you increased safety and command while you're riding (and you can be sure you'll never miss the drink-cart lady as she drives past again)! But in all seriousness, it is incredibly important to know what's behind you while you're on the road. Golf Cart side-view mirros and rear-view mirrors alike make driving your golf cart feel as safe as driving your car.
Some towns require only one or the other mirror types to be installed on your golf cart for street legality... while other cities will require both side-view and rear-view mirrors. Check your local laws, or order both if you are unsure! We carry only the best quality golf cart mirrors online at the best prices.
3. Golf Cart Windshield
A golf cart windshield is necessary when making your cart street legal. And just like all the other necessary street legal accessories, they make using your cart better. Windshields add functionality to your cart while keeping the bugs off your face and the wind chill (or rain) out of your eyes when driving. The best part about golf cart windshields is that most require no drilling or modification to install!
We offer basic tinted or clear acrylic foldable/folding windshields that will get the job done in most municipalities when making your golf cart street legal. Still, some cities/municipalities will require more meaning you may have to use a more expensive "DOT approved" AS5 golf cart windshield. Luckily, we offer all windshield types on the market, including regular shatter-resistant windshields as well as DOT approved AS5 options. Check out our golf cart windshields.
4. Golf Cart Seat Belts
Again, just like in cars... seat belts are needed in your golf cart to operate legally on the road as well. Don't want your passengers falling out on a busy road! And the general rule of thumb is one seat belt per passenger (to stay out of trouble). So this rule applies to all seats on your cart (including any rear seat kits). Check out our Golf Cart Seat Belts for sale here.
5. Slow Moving Vehicle Sign
Your municipality (especially in rural areas) may also require you to have a “Slow Moving Vehicle” sign while operating your golf cart on roadways. If you can't find the rules in your village/city's online webpage - just order one. They are cheap and it's better to be safe than sorry! And adding a golf cart slow moving vehicle sign to your cart only takes 5 minutes to install.
Get Your Cart Registered
With the five items from our list above installed on your cart, you're ready to register!
As mentioned throughout the article: it is still highly recommended that you check your local laws. Each state, city, village and town has their own rules on operating golf carts/ NEVs and LSVs on the road. Some may even require things such as Radial golf cart tires and small reflectors to be present. So to be safe, place a call to your local village office and check to make sure that driving your golf cart on the street complies with local and state laws. Additionally some towns may require these items:
- DOT approved tires (stamped on the sidewall)
- Speedometer
- Reflectors on sides of front and rear bumper
Bonus Info: Are Golf Carts Street Legal Everywhere?
The short answer is "YES, but". And 48 U.S. states do have language in their laws allowing golf carts to be operated on public roadways. But both Hawaii and New York have active laws banning the use of golf carts on their public streets, although they both still allow LSVs to be used on their roads (which are a type of golf cart). One thing is certain: even if golf carts are street legal in your state, all 50 states prohibit golf cart use on highways and interstates. This is why it's important to explore the laws in your state and your particular town. Your local DMV can definitely point you in the right direction!
Be safe out there, and remember to always respect the rules of the road! Happy Carting! Be sure to check out the rest of our Golf Cart Accessories and Golf Cart Parts. And please give us a call any time at 1-844-422-7884 if you have questions about golf cart accessories for your cart!
Updated: 10/21/2024
