Back

Golf Carts Vs. Low Speed Vehicles: What’s The Difference?

Jun. 16 2022 Education By Rick Case E-Z-GO

Share

E-Z-GO Golf Cart Rick Case

Florida's natural warm-filled weather calls for residents to spend their days outdoors throughout the whole year and with the help of low speed vehicles, alongside golf carts, they can help you increase the enjoyment of just that. But first you would need to understand the Florida laws that come with owning a golf car or a low speed vehicle.


Here we will give you the proper definition of a low speed vehicle (LSV) and a golf cart, explain the difference between the two, and what you can expect if you wish to convert your golf cart into a low speed vehicle. 

Let’s begin shall we?


What is a golf cart?


According to the Florida Statute, the definition of a (22)Golf cart” means 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 miles per hour. 

Golf Cart Regulations:

Golf Cart Road Sign

  • Golf carts may be operated on roadways that are designated for golf carts with a posted speed limit of 30 MPH or less. 

  • Golf carts may cross a portion of a country road which intersects a roadway that is approved for golf carts, or that intersects a golf course or mobile home park.  

  • Roadways should have signs posted that golf carts share the roadway.

  • The operation of golf carts on roads must comply with any more restrictive ordinances enacted by the local government officials and should be verified prior to operating these vehicles.

  • Golf carts were originally designed for the use in golf courses

  • Golf carts aren’t titles or registered and they do not have to be insured with PIP and PDL coverage.

  • A person must be 14 years or older to operate a golf cart.

“Low Speed and All-Terrain Vehicles.” Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, 5 May 2022, https://www.flhsmv.gov/safety-center/consumer-education/low-speed-vehicles/.



What is a Low Speed Vehicle (LSV)?



According to the Florida Statute, the definition of a (41) “Low-speed vehicle” means any four-wheeled vehicle whose top speed is greater than 20 miles per hour but not greater than 25 miles per hour, including, but not limited to, neighborhood electric vehicles. Low-speed vehicles must comply with the safety standards in 49 C.F.R. s. 571.500 and s. 316.2122. 

Low Speed Vehicles:  

  • Must be registered, titled and insured with personal injury protection (PIP) and property damage liability (PDL) insurance.

  • Any person operating a LSV must have a valid driver license in their immediate possession. 

LSVs may be operated only on streets where the posted limit is 35 MPH or less and must be equipped with the following safety equipment:

  • Headlamps

  • Front and rear turn signals

  • Stop lamps

  • Tail lamps

  • Reflex reflectors, red - one on each side and one on the rear

  • Exterior mirror on the driver side an interior rear-view mirror or exterior mirror on passenger side 

  • Parking brake

  • Windshield

  • Seat belt for each designated

  • Vehicle identification number (VIN).


To title and register an LSV, you would need to take the following documents to a Motor Vehicle Service Center:

  1. Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin

  2. Form HSMV 82040 (Application for title);

  3. Proof of Florida insurance (minimum $10,00 PDL and $10,000 PIP);

  4. Identification - driver license, ID card or passport; and 

Application fees:

  1.           Title fee

  2.           Plate fee

  3.           Initial Registration fee, if applicable

  4.           Registration fee (varies by weight of vehicle)


Converting a Golf Cart to a Low Speed Vehicle (LSV)

Now, for the question we’ve all been waiting for, can golf carts be converted into low speed vehicles (LSVs)? Yes, according to the Florida Statute, golf carts can be converted into a low speed vehicle.

But consumers should be aware that if they wish to go through with this process, the registration and title date do not reflect the manufacture date (age of the vehicle). Instead, it indicates the year it was registered and titled. 

This means that the vehicle could be older than the date listed on the title. 

Street Legal E-Z-GO Golf Cart Rick Case


Before a cart can be converted into a low speed vehicle it would have to go through inspection and be assigned a VIN at a Motorist Service Regional Office. The converted golf cart must be street-legal before applying for title and registration. 


The following documents and fees must be presented when you trailer the converted golf cart for inspection, VIN assignment, title and registration:

  • Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin or a bill of sale for the golf cart Form HSMV 84490 (Statement of Builder) completed by customer and Compliance Examiner/Inspector;

  • Form HSMV 86064 (Affidavit for Golf Cart Modified to a Low Speed Vehicle);

  • Original bill(s) of sale or receipt(s) for all parts used to convert the golf cart to a low speed vehicle;

  • Certified weight slip for the converted golf cart;

  • Form HSMSV 82040 (Application for Title);

  • Proof of Florida insurance (minimum $10,000 PDL and $10,000 PIP);

  • Sales tax or sales tax exemption information for all parts;

  • Identification – driver license, ID card or passport; and

  • Applicable fees:

    1. Inspection fee

    2. Title fee

    3. Plate

    4. Initial registration fee, if applicable

    5. Registration fee (varies by weight of vehicle)

“Low Speed and All-Terrain Vehicles.” Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, 5 May 2022, https://www.flhsmv.gov/safety-center/consumer-education/low-speed-vehicles/."

So, when it comes to the question of whether a golf cart is a slow moving vehicle? The answer is no. In Florida, there are low speed vehicle requirements on where you can drive your golf cart and how you can convert your golf cart to become street legal. It is possible to convert your golf car into a LVS but you’d have to go through a process in order to hit the road.  

The process of converting a golf cart into a low speed vehicle is a lengthy process but it is possible! 




To summarize this in a picture, here is the different between a golf cart and a low speed vehicle:

Difference Between a Golf Cart and a Low Speed Vehicle



We strongly urge those who live in Florida and want, or own a EZGO vehicle, to check local authorities for the use of operating a golf cart on the road. There are some counties that allow more use of golf carts than others. Not all the fun ends here!

To learn more about it visit https://www.flhsmv.gov/safety-center/consumer-education/low-speed-vehicles/ 

Now that you understand the difference between a golf cart and a low speed vehicle, you can take a look at our current selection of E-Z-GO golf carts here!

Contact us to speak with one of our E-Z-GO experts today! Or click here to schedule for a test drive.

 (877) -723-0163

Rick Case E-Z-GO

15701 Rick Case Honda Way
Davie, FL 33331