Golf Carts, Low Speed Vehicles and Neighborhood Electric Vehicles

10 Jul Golf Carts, Low Speed Vehicles and Neighborhood Electric Vehicles

The Differences Between Golf Carts and Low Speed Vehicles

If you live in a gated community like a golf country club or other private neighborhood, it’s likely you’re allowed to get around the streets in the development on a traditional golf cart. This is enough for many people who just want to get to their clubhouse for a round of golf or dinner.

While there are many key differences between a golf cart and LSV, the main one is golf carts are restricted to only reaching a top speed of 15 mph while an LSV can attain a top speed of 25 mph. Some jurisdictions do allow standard golf carts to be driven on public roadways, but there are some caveats to be aware of to avoid breaking the law, like the road’s speed limit and other considerations.

To be clear, the terms Low Speed Vehicle and Neighborhood Electric Vehicle are often used to describe the same type of modern electric vehicles that are becoming so popular around the country. There is another classification called Off Highway Vehicles, (OHVs), which apply to things like all terrain and utility vehicles that may be used for exploring the woods, camping, and hunting.

Florida law says that in order to operate a LSV on your local roads, certain requirements must be met:

• Vehicles must be capable of speeds no less than 20 mph and no greater than 25 mph.
• Unlike golf carts, an LSV must be titled, registered, and insured just like a passenger car.
• Operators must hold a valid driver’s license.
• LSVs can be operated on roadways with a speed limit of 35 mph or less. (For golf carts, the roadway speed limit is 30 mph).
• LSVs must be equipped with certain accessories and features including headlights, taillights, brake lights, turn signals, reflectors, mirrors, windshield, parking brake, a Vehicle Identification Number, (VIN), DOT-approved seat belts for all passengers and more.

Complete details regarding all LSV legal requirements in Florida can be found on the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles website.

Many people have converted their golf cart into an LSV, and Florida also has a list of legal requirements which must be met in order to have those carts registered and titled for street use.

LSVs are not only used to take the family to the community pool or get to lunch at the neighborhood café, but many multi-passenger vehicles are used as security and delivery vehicles, transportation shuttles for places like large corporate campuses, new home communities, schools and universities, sports venues, medical transportation and much more.

Coastal Carts is your source for a wide array of Yamaha, Icon and Tomberlin carts for use on the golf course along with many options for street legal vehicles like the Tomberlin E-Merge, Icon LSV and Yamaha Conversion vehicles.

Stop into our showroom and let our cart professionals guide you on getting the best vehicle to meet your needs or speak to our service department about converting your existing cart to a street legal LSV.