A golf cart is a vehicle designed to move golfers around the golf course. It can also be used to move people from one place to another in a mall, large buildings, or large areas of land like a desert that require a lot of walking. But can you drive a golf cart on the road?
You cannot drive a golf cart on the road especially on residential areas and highways because they don’t meet the safety features and requirements needed for automobiles on roads. However, if you wish to drive a golf cart on the road, ensure to check your state and local laws to avoid getting arrested or fined.
Whether or not golf carts can be driven on the road depends on the law. Some counties allow it while some countries or states don’t. they are generally mostly restricted to residential areas though.
What are Golf Carts?
Golf carts are motorized carts used for wheeling 2-6 people/golfers and or golf bags over a golf course. They can also be used outside of the golf course like the mall, large building, or area of land to conveniently and swiftly move people around.
Can You Drive a Golf Cart on the Road?
Driving a golf cart on the road largely depends on different legal judgments and decisions of different states and countries.
Although it is permissible in some states, most times golf carts will not be considered street-appropriate vehicles because they do not meet the requirements for road users such as having seatbelts, doors, break lights, and headlights.
For example, you can drive a golf cart on the road in Michigan in small communities that have allowed them and on road with less than 30 MPH speed limits.
If you are in Michigan and wish to drive a golf cart, you must be at least up to 16 years of age and have a driver’s license. Even though you don’t need any auto insurance to drive the cart, you must not go more than 15 MPH while driving it.
However, in farmlands and rural areas, it is common to see golf carts on the road especially if they are used to move farm products. Also, in areas with different golf courses, golf carts are mostly permitted to move around in such neighborhoods.
In the USA
Depending on how they are used, equipped, and built, in some states like California, Texas, and Florida, it is still quite common to see golf carts around, especially at farmer’s markets. In the sunny city of Arizona, golf carts are permitted to move around.
However, there are some heavy or not-so-heavy regulations regarding the use of golf carts on the roads in these states.
Like in California, the regulation is that the golf cart must not carry more than 2 people that includes the driver, also it must have a safety windshield, and fenders and must weigh not more than 1300 pounds.
The regulation in Florida is that you can drive a golf cart on a public road with a 25mph speed limit going at 20mph if you are at least above 14years.
To drive over 20mph, you will need a special license and the golf cart must be insured and DMV registered. It is also only permissible, in Florida, to drive a golf cart on the public road between sunrise and sunset.
In Virginia, it was recently regulated to allow golf carts to drive on roads with tags and they must have proper lighting and turn signals.
However, in Texas, you can only drive a golf cart on local roads as allowed by the local government.
In states like Rhodes Island, Maryland, Delaware, Hawaii, and Missouri, it is illegal to drive a golf cart on the road. In New York, it is a criminal offense and you will be arrested if you are caught driving a golf cart on the road.
In the UK
In the United Kingdom, for a golf cart to be allowed on the road, the following standards must be met:
- It must be insured.
- It must be registered.
- Interior and exterior mounted mirror.
- A windscreen with wiper, seatbelt, horn, and a speedometer.
- Functioning lights
- Must be licensed with a lighted plate bracket.
- A speed limit of 25mph or less.
- Slow-moving vehicle sign.
With these requirements met you can drive a golf cart on the street and on public roads in the United Kingdom. It is important to note that regulations are ever changing so it is important to be updated on current requirements.
In Australia
It can be permitted by local authorities to drive golf carts on local roads in some specific situations like short-distance movement in a close area or road-related areas with golf courses around.
However, in general, it is illegal to drive golf carts on a public road in Australia and it is classified as an arrestable offense. You can be fined as well.
All seven states and territories in Australia have restrictions to only allow golf carts to be driven on golf courses and roads between courses. Outside of this, it is illegal in all seven states and territories in Australia to drive golf carts on public roads.
In Canada
Driving a golf cart on highways in Canada is illegal and can get you heavily fined. However, for a two lanes road with a speed limit of 35mph, you can obtain a permit to allow you to drive a golf cart, this is restricted to some areas like Ontario.
Some requirements stand as regulations before it is permitted to drive a golf cart on local roads. Their requirements are:
- A driver’s license.
- A windshield
- Appropriate tires.
- Internal and external mirrors.
- Functioning lights.
- Working horn and brake.
It is important to note that these requirements vary from one province’s legal judgment to another.
How Far Can You Drive a Golf Cart on the Road?
For a fully charged electric golf cart, the range of distance it can travel before the battery completely drains and needs another charge is between 15-25miles.
However, for a gas golf cart, the range of distance it can drive after a full tank before needing a refill is 100 – 180miles on average.
Can You Drive a Golf Cart on the Road Without a License?
This largely depends on the jurisdiction, but in general, all vehicles permitted to drive on a public road should be licensed.
In most states in the US, you need a license to operate a golf cart, equally in most states too, you do not need a license to operate a golf course on the road.
In the United Kingdom and Canada, it is a requirement to have a golf cart licensed before it is allowed on the permissible road.
Where is the Legal Place to Drive a Golf Cart?
This depends on the jurisdiction of different countries;
In Australia, it is only legal to drive a golf cart on the golf course and on roads between two or more courses.
In Canada, it is illegal to drive a golf cart on highways, but it can be driven on local roads after meeting certain requirements, this is also the same for the United Kingdom.
In some states in the US, it is only permissible only on a golf course and some local roads but it is permissible on public roads in some states.
Things You Should Know if You Are to Drive a Golf Cart
If you should drive a golf car, especially on public roads, you should know the following:
- What the regulation concerning golf carts is in that jurisdiction?
- The requirements are to be met before driving a golf cart on public roads.
- Never drive the golf cart through mud or water.
- Always use a seat belt if you are driving on the road.
- Observe driving rules.
- Observe driving limits.
Final Thoughts
Golf carts are super easy and fun to drive and you might want to take them on public roads. It is important thus to check for the legal requirements needed to drive a golf cart on a public road. These regulations vary from one jurisdiction to another, so it is advisable to check your location.
