Shoppers ask us this more than anything else: can I drive my golf cart on the road? The short answer is that a standard golf cart is not a road vehicle, but a properly equipped low-speed vehicle (LSV) can be. Here is how the rules break down.
Key takeaways
- A standard golf cart is not a road vehicle.
- New York LSVs top out between 20 and 25 mph and must meet federal FMVSS 500.
- Confirm registration with the NY DMV and road access with your town.
Golf cart vs. low-speed vehicle
Federally, LSVs are covered by Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 500. Under that standard, an LSV is a four-wheeled vehicle whose top speed is capped at 25 mph, and it has to leave the factory with specific safety equipment. You can read the full rule in the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (49 CFR 571.500).
Equipment an LSV must have
- Headlights, taillights and stop lamps
- Front and rear turn signals
- Red rear and side reflectors
- Exterior driver-side mirror, plus a passenger-side or interior mirror
- Parking brake
- DOT-compliant windshield
- A 17-character VIN
- Seat belts at every seating position
- Rear-visibility and pedestrian alert-sound requirements
How New York defines an LSV
New York Vehicle and Traffic Law § 121-f defines a low-speed vehicle as a limited-use vehicle that can go faster than 20 mph but no faster than 25 mph, and it requires those vehicles to meet the federal FMVSS 500 standard. See the statute on the New York State Senate website and the U.S. Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center summary.
What this means when you shop
If you plan to drive on public roads, look for a cart sold as street legal or LSV-certified, and confirm registration, insurance and road-access rules with the New York DMV and your town before you buy. Local rules on which roads LSVs may use can vary.
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