As golf carts become more and more popular in Florida, it is important to make sure you know the requirements if you plan to drive it on public roads. Currently, there are places you can drive your golf cart legally and places you cannot. Many golf cart manufacturers are beginning to list their golf carts as LSV's. In this article, we will explain what an LSV is and what you need to be street legal when driving your golf cart in Florida!

Current Florida Statute On Golf Cart Operation

If you are only planning on operating your golf cart on a golf course and on your private property, the Florida Statutes, defines the rules in section 320.01(22) as "a motor vehicle that is designed and manufactured for operation on a golf course for sporting or recreational purposes and that is not capable of exceeding speeds of 20 MPH." Golf carts are allowed to be operated on roadways that are designated for golf carts with a posted speed limit of 30 MPH or less. In the state of Florida, golf carts are NOT required to be registered and titled and there are no requirements to be insured with PIP or PDL coverage. The minimum age requirement to operate a golf cart is 14 years old.

However if you are wanting to legally drive your golf cart on roadways where the posted speed limit is up to 35 MPH, you need to make sure your cart meets the standards of a low speed vehicle (LSV).  An LSV is a vehicle that has a top speed that is greater than 20 MPH but less than 25 MPH.  There are some basic requirements for an LSV to be street legal compliant.  Low speed vehicles need to have a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), be registered and titled.  LSVs must also be insured with personal injury protection (PIP) and property damage liability (PDL).  Low speed vehicles are only permitted to be operated on streets where the posted speed limit is 35 MPH or less.

LSV Safety Equipment

All LSVs must be equipped with the following safety equipment:

• Windshield
• Windshield wipers
• Exterior mirrors (driver side and an interior rear view or passenger side)
• Headlights
• Parking brake
• Front and rear turn signals
• Tail lights and brake lights
• Reflectors
• Horn
• Seat belt for each designated seat

How To Convert Your Golf Cart To A LSV

Now that you know what's needed, how do you go about converting your golf cart to a street legal LSV? It's really a simple process! The first thing you need to do is make sure your golf cart is equipped with all of the safety equipment listed above.  The next step in the process is to take your golf cart to a Motorist Services Regional Office in your area for a vehicle inspection (you will need to trailer it) and to apply for title and registration.  The following documents will need to be presented:

• Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin or a bill of sale for the golf cart - Form HSMV 84490 (Statement of Builder)
• Affidavit for Golf Cart Modified to a Low Speed Vehicle - Form HSMV 86064
• Original bill of sale or receipt(s) for all parts used to convert the golf cart to an LSV
• Sales tax or sales tax exemption information for all parts
• Certified weight slip for the converted golf cart (this can be done at a weigh station at a truck stop or a local CAT scale)
• Application for Title - Form HSMV 82040
• Proof of Florida insurance (minimum $10,000 PIP and $10,000 PDL)
• Identification (driver license, ID card or passport)

After providing the required documents the last thing to do is pay applicable fees (inspection fee, initial registration fee if applicable, title fee, registration fee and plate fee).

Let's wrap this up!

The information above is based on current Florida statutes as of January 2021. Laws and statutes can change depending on your location. Please do your due diligence and verify the above information with your local DMV to be sure it is still applicable. If you have any questions regarding street legal golf carts or LSV's, our knowledgeable staff at Performance Golf Carts will be happy to point you in the right direction and make sure you ride happy!