Talk Host,
To try to answer your specific question about this, here’s a link to the extensive Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for “low-speed vehicles” under 49 CFR 571
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/...s/lsv/lsv.html
But to summarize this, an LSV is one that is capable of going faster that 20mph but less than 25mph and must be equipped with the following safety equipment:
Headlamps, stop lamps, turn signal lamps, tail lamps, reflex reflectors, parking brake, windshields of either type AS-1 or type AS-5 glazing, rearview mirrors, seat belts and vehicle identification numbers (VINs), and must be registered and insured as an LSV in the state it will be operated in.
A registered LSV can operate on any road with a posted speed limit of 35mph or less, but cannot operate the vehicle in excess of 25mph. An additional provision allows the vehicle to cross a highway that intersects a 35mph or less road provided that the intersection has traffic lights.
Although that law applies to any motor vehicle, regardless of the propulsion method, a sub class of vehicles that are electric are now referred to as Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (Nev). The major cart manufacturers offering NEVs like ParCar, Gem, and Tomberlin have certified their NEV models with the Department of Transportation to simplify registration of the vehicle by the owner.
Now, can you take a standard golf cart and turn it into a qualified LSV/NEV? Yes, but the process is not simple. Not only do you have to purchase and install all the required safety equipment and juice up the motor to operate in the 20-25mph range, but you have to document all the purchases fastidiously, fill out RMV application forms and transport the vehicle to the RMV for a certification inspection.
But pay particular attention to the windshield requirement/specification because I don’t believe that a split windshield qualifies and the vehicle you describe is probably not in compliance with that requirement. None of the NEV’s from the manufacturers listed above have split windshields. After all, the purpose of the specified windshield is to provide some protection from a rock being hurled at it by a vehicle passing at 35mph.
In short, sticking a “Street Legal” sign on your souped up golf cart doesn’t make it legal.
Hope this helps.