GOLF CARTS & LOW-SPEED VEHICLE Street Legal Requirements

Many residents are utilizing “golf carts” on road ways and there are many misconceptions that we would like to clear up. A golf cart has a maximum speed of 20 mph and it does not meet street legal specifications. What is legal are “Low-Speed Vehicles” (LSV’s). A LSV differs from a golf cart in that it:

• Has a 17-digit vehicle identification number (VIN) that conforms to the National Highway Safety and Traffic Administration.

• Has a Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin (MSO) that states that the vehicle complies with safety standards set for LSV’s. LSV’s are built with greater specifications than golf carts. Also, golf carts CANNOT be retrofitted to become LSV’s as they will not have this MSO from the manufacturer.

Some States have restrictions on where LSV’s can be driven based on a set speed limit- most states that LSV’s cannot be driven on roadways where the speed limits exceed 35mph. Alabama does not have a law that directly states a speed limit. However, State law does specify that a LSV cannot be driven on a roadway where it impedes traffic and law enforcement officers do interpret this as being on a roadway with a maximum speed of 35mph.

It’s also important to point out that a LSV is a vehicle and is to be handled as one:

• If your child is not old enough or not licensed to drive a car, he/she is not old enough or licensed to drive a LSV.

• You cannot drive a LSV on the sidewalks or stand on the side and drive- all traffic laws that apply to your personal vehicle, apply to your LSV!!!

• Like your vehicle, your LSV must be tagged/registered by the DMV and be driven by a licensed and insured driver.

A Low-Speed Vehicle must have the following in order to be street legal:

• Basic standard that meets safety requirements (the Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin)

• A minimum threshold of 20 and a top speed of 25 mph

• Headlamps

• Front and rear turn signal lamps

• Tail Lamps

• Stop Lamps

• Reflex reflectors: One red on each side as far to the rear as practicable, and one red on the rear

• Exterior mirror mounted on the driver’s side of the vehicle and either an exterior mirror mounted on the passenger’s side of the vehicle or an interior mirror.

• Parking brake

• Windshield that conforms to the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (AS-1 or AS-5 composition)

• A Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

• Type 1 (lap belt) or Type 2 (shoulder belt)

This is an abbreviated version of the department of Transportation’s 47-page document that outlines golf carts and Low-Speed Vehicles: 49CFR Part 571

*Some manufacturers promote “golf carts” that exceed 20mph. If they exceed 20mph, the manufacturer must increase the safety features according to federal code which then classifies it as a LSV.