Street Legal Golf Carts Blog

Street-legal golf carts, no five-iron or set of clubs required. But, what is required is:

A registered state driver's license
A valid vehicle registration (yes, you will need to get your golf cart registered in order to drive it on the road)

Street legal golf carts - also known and Low-Speed Vehicles or (LSV) are accessible, easy, and a fun way to get around and have a wide range of applications. For example, they can be used for driving around local neighborhoods, large commercial properties, or private estates without a need to fill up the gas tank.

Take a quick look at the 2022, Tomberlin Ghosthawk!

Where To Buy A Street Legal Golf Cart?

Certified Golf Cart Dealership

Your best bet is to work with a local certified Golf Cart Dealer. These dealers have direct relationships with the manufacturers of the builders of the carts such as: Tomberlin Golf Carts and Icon Golf Carts. Just like a Car Dealership (Ford Manufacturers, send the cars to the dealer to sell). The benefits of purchasing directly from a certified dealer include:

Trusting brand relationship
Continued customer service
A place to call if issues arise
A knowledgeable service provider and mechanic

If you are local to Los Angeles and looking for a Street-Legal Golf Cart or (NEV) Neighborhood Electric Vehicle you will want to call the experts in town E3Vehicles located in Hermosa Beach, California. 310-386-3679

Peer-to-Peer Purchases

Peer-to-peer would include sourcing and purchasing a street-legal golf cart from the local newspaper, craigslist, ebay or other 3rd party website. While the price might be lower, there are sure red flags to look out for:

When is the last time the batteries were replaced?
Who will you take the cart to for mechanical service
Can you trust the vehicle has been maintained and serviced?

These questions should 100% be asked and if necessary still contact your local golf cart dealer to see if they can provide a service review or maintenance plan for the make and model.

Can I drive a Street-Legal Vehicle On The Road?

It’s in the name: street legal. So, does that mean you’re okay to drive on the road? Yes and no. If you’re thinking of coasting around on public roads, a street-ready golf cart (also known as neighborhood electric vehicle) needs to meet federal regulatory requirements. It’s for your safety!

For that, it must have:

Speedometer and horn(s)
License plate/lighted license plate
Like a regular vehicle, working headlights, brake lights, and taillights
Mounted mirrors for both the interior and exterior
VIN number
Department of Transportation (DOT) approved tires
Minimum driving speed of 20 mph

That’s what separates a street-legal cart from regular golf carts: speed and functionality. Street-ready golf carts, on average, hit at a maximum of 25mph.