What's the Purpose of Street Legal and Non-Street Legal Golfcarts??

[Michael G.]

I know the difference and how each can be used legally.

Street legal golfcarts on the same roads/streets with cars/trucks are an accident waiting to happen, and their expensive in price.

What's the Purpose?

[JMintzer]

I know the difference and how each can be used legally.

Street legal golfcarts on the same roads/streets with cars/trucks are an accident waiting to happen, and their expensive in price.

What's the Purpose?

Maybe to have only 1 vehicle that you can take almost anywhere in TV and close surrounding areas?

[Keefelane66]

I know the difference and how each can be used legally.

Street legal golfcarts on the same roads/streets with cars/trucks are an accident waiting to happen, and their expensive in price.

What's the Purpose?
I’m still trying to concentrate about your computer software issue, can we worry about one problem at a time.
Another Villager died in an golf cart crash into a light fixture front of Sea Breeze Rec Center no seat belt on a cart path.

[Bill14564]

I know the difference and how each can be used legally.

Street legal golfcarts on the same roads/streets with cars/trucks are an accident waiting to happen, and their expensive in price.

What's the Purpose?

If you know the differences between the two and how each can be used legally then you already know the purpose. Not everyone is fortunate enough to live in a golf-cart-friendly development, some have to travel local roads to get where they need to be.

As far as I know, "street legal" of course means legal for the same roads/streets with cars and trucks. While I am sure we don't read about all the accidents that happen around here I don't believe I have seen a single article about an accident with a street legal cart. Apparently the waiting for a street legal accident goes on and on.

[Toymeister]

If you peel back the layers the only reason a difference exists is purely regulatory.

What is and is not a motor vehicle is established by the feds. In the case of golf carts the Department of Transportation established the 19.9 mph maximum speed limit and the safety equipment requirements for the carts that exceed 19.9.

If not for this some carts would have more safety equipment at 19.9 mph simply because it would fulfill a safety conscious consumer's needs. With this standard manufacturers can simply revert back to "This vehicle meets all standards for a 19.9 mph vehicle".

[EdFNJ]

If you peel back the layers the only reason a difference exists is purely regulatory.

What is and is not a motor vehicle is established by the feds. In the case of golf carts the Department of Transportation established the 19.9 mph maximum speed limit and the safety equipment requirements for the carts that exceed 19.9.

If not for this some carts would have more safety equipment at 19.9 mph simply because it would fulfill a safety conscious consumer's needs. With this standard manufacturers can simply revert back to "This vehicle meets all standards for a 19.9 mph vehicle".

Just to clarify, there is no 19.9 speed limit or any actual speed limit. Just about everyone says that. It's maximum speed that can the cart was manufactured to obtain which is 20MPH. :) The actual law states: Golf carts are defined in section 320.01(22), Florida Statutes, as “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.”


That being said, in FLORIDA a "street legal golf cart" now requires additional safety equipment such as a DOT Approved Windshield like in a car and not those plastic split things "standard" golf carts come with as well as seatbelts for every seat etc. You no longer can just buy a stock Yamamamahah any more and get it plated as street legal (in the past you could).

Then of course you need actual $$insurance$$ which (depending on coverage) will cost you close to what you pay for your car if you want full liability, collision etc. (been there done that).

https://www.flhsmv.gov/pdf/mv/lowspeedvehicles.pdf

For those considering LSV AKA street legal here is a pretty good article: Florida LSV & NEV Laws | Santa Rosa Beach (https://www.electriccartcompany.com/check-out-our--florida-lsv)

[dewilson58]

I know the difference and how each can be used legally.

Street legal golfcarts on the same roads/streets with cars/trucks are an accident waiting to happen, and their expensive in price.

What's the Purpose?

Speed.

[Laker14]

I’m still trying to concentrate about your computer software issue, can we worry about one problem at a time.
Another Villager died in an golf cart crash into a light fixture front of Sea Breeze Rec Center no seat belt on a cart path.

I did not hear about this. I live a stone throw's distance from Sea Breeze. Sorry to hear about this. When did this happen? Was it on the MM along Buena Vista?

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Just to clarify, there is no 19.9 speed limit or any actual speed limit. Just about everyone says that. It's maximum speed that can the cart was manufactured to obtain which is 20MPH. :) The actual law states: Golf carts are defined in section 320.01(22), Florida Statutes, as “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.”


That being said, in FLORIDA a "street legal golf cart" now requires additional safety equipment such as a DOT Approved Windshield like in a car and not those plastic split things "standard" golf carts come with as well as seatbelts for every seat etc. You no longer can just buy a stock Yamamamahah any more and get it plated as street legal (in the past you could).

Then of course you need actual $$insurance$$ which (depending on coverage) will cost you close to what you pay for your car if you want full liability, collision etc. (been there done that).

https://www.flhsmv.gov/pdf/mv/lowspeedvehicles.pdf

For those considering LSV AKA street legal here is a pretty good article: Florida LSV & NEV Laws | Santa Rosa Beach (https://www.electriccartcompany.com/check-out-our--florida-lsv)

You also have to be a legally licensed driver in order to legally drive a street legal golf cart on any public road.

[Keefelane66]

The Florida Highway Patrol has released a report with information about a Friday morning golf cart crash which claimed the life of a Villager.

The 78-year-old Villager had been traveling south at 8:51 a.m. on the multi-modal path which runs parallel to Buena Vista Boulevard in front of the SeaBreeze Recreation Center. He “failed to negotiate a slight right curve and traveled onto the east shoulder of the path, crossed over the entrance drive for the SeaBreeze Recreation Center,” the report said. He continued on the east shoulder of the path “before colliding with a ground light fixture” and the recreation center sign.

A Florida Highway Patrol trooper was at the scene of the accident Friday morning at SeaBreeze Recreaetion Center

He was transported to a local hospital where he later died from injuries suffered in the crash.

The report indicated that the golf cart did not have seat belts.

The identity of the Villager was not revealed as FHP no longer releases names in accident reports.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

I did not hear about this. I live a stone throw's distance from Sea Breeze. Sorry to hear about this. When did this happen? Was it on the MM along Buena Vista?

The driver was driving on the golf cart path and failed to negotiate the curve in the road, and drove into the Sea Breeze sign.

[EdFNJ]

You also have to be a legally licensed driver in order to legally drive a street legal golf cart on any public road. That goes without saying ... but wait! You said it! Since it has to be registered and plated through FL DMV a license would make sense. ;) Actually, in many cases some (mine did) also have to be trucked up to Ocala for inspection to see if it meets all requirements. They did ask me for proof of age since I'm so young looking. :D

[Professor]

If you live in a community close to The Villages, like Lakeside Landing, for example, you can take your street legal cart down the road less than a mile to The Villages property, spend all day zooming around The Villages using the facilities (restaurants, squares for music, Ednas, other shopping) then get back home on that same road, legally, and not have to pay any amenity fees or other fees assessed to the members and feel smug about being a freeloader...just a thought.

[MSchad]

If you live in a community close to The Villages, like Lakeside Landing, for example, you can take your street legal cart down the road less than a mile to The Villages property, spend all day zooming around The Villages using the facilities (restaurants, squares for music, Ednas, other shopping) then get back home on that same road, legally, and not have to pay any amenity fees or other fees assessed to the members and feel smug about being a freeloader...just a thought.
Anyone can do that in a car also. Your amenities fee doesn’t go to support any of what you stated. Those are all private enterprises or supported by private enterprise. Those “freeloaders” spend their dollars and help support these businesses that you so cherish. Do you go out of the Villages to shop or eat and then return feeling smug about your freeloading in another community? When someone uses an amenity supported activity, they usually have to produce their Villager or Guest ID.

[thevillages2013]

Pretty sure the main reason Morse (south of 466) and Buena Vista are 35mph roads is to allow street legal carts. They are four lane divided roads with limited access and reduced speeds at the traffic circles and bypasses. No reason not to be 45mph road other than keeping them LSV accessible

[bowlingal]

I did not hear about this. I live a stone throw's distance from Sea Breeze. Sorry to hear about this. When did this happen? Was it on the MM along Buena Vista?

yes, on Friday morning at the BV entrance to Seabreeze on the cart path. It was on the villages news.com also, in the daily sun

[DaleDivine]

If you live in a community close to The Villages, like Lakeside Landing, for example, you can take your street legal cart down the road less than a mile to The Villages property, spend all day zooming around The Villages using the facilities (restaurants, squares for music, Ednas, other shopping) then get back home on that same road, legally, and not have to pay any amenity fees or other fees assessed to the members and feel smug about being a freeloader...just a thought.

You're not really using any of TV amenities by just going to the squares, Restaurants, Ednas, or shopping. Anybody can do that. They CANNOT use the golf courses, pools or rec centers. It's a win win for The Villagers by having them do this and spend their money in TV.
:bigbow::bigbow:

[banjobob]

I would guess those with “street legal” carts don’t own an automobile , but can access anything in a “legal “cart by roads otherwise prohibited by regular cart.

[Dantes]

Street legal can not travel on the cart paths

[Bill14564]

Street legal can not travel on the cart paths

And where did you get that information?

[ThirdOfFive]

yes, on Friday morning at the BV entrance to Seabreeze on the cart path. It was on the villages news.com also, in the daily sun
Didn't the article mention that the driver may have had a "medical incident" that caused the crash. I know something that I read mentioned that possibility.

[Professor]

Anyone can do that in a car also. Your amenities fee doesn’t go to support any of what you stated. Those are all private enterprises or supported by private enterprise. Those “freeloaders” spend their dollars and help support these businesses that you so cherish. Do you go out of the Villages to shop or eat and then return feeling smug about your freeloading in another community? When someone uses an amenity supported activity, they usually have to produce their Villager or Guest ID.

I, like you, pay taxes which support the road maintenance in this state. Outsiders do not pay taxes to support the maintenance of the golf cart paths...thus freeloading. Too bad you feel it necessary to add comments about someone feeling "smug", which was not mentioned anywhere in my post. Guess you are feeling "smug" about your reply...eh?

[Villages Kahuna]

A couple miles per hour in speed… and MUCH larger bills for a license and insurance.

[dougawhite]

If you live in a community close to The Villages, like Lakeside Landing, for example, you can take your street legal cart down the road less than a mile to The Villages property, spend all day zooming around The Villages using the facilities (restaurants, squares for music, Ednas, other shopping) then get back home on that same road, legally, and not have to pay any amenity fees or other fees assessed to the members and feel smug about being a freeloader...just a thought.

Professor, you said they would "feel smug"...

[TNLAKEPANDA]

It’s strictly a matter of Choice! Some people want the take away your Choice.

[Michael G.]

If you know the differences between the two and how each can be used legally then you already know the purpose.


Apparently Not reading two pages of reply's here.......:boom:

[Bill14564]

If you know the differences between the two and how each can be used legally then you already know the purpose.

Apparently Not reading two pages of reply's here.......:boom:

Your comment makes no sense. Every reply that refers to the purpose of the two mentions the same things: to go faster and to drive on certain roads - exactly what is described by the legal use.

Stick around for a while - only two pages of replies indicates pretty good agreement. If there is disagreement on a topic it will fill much more than two pages (think dog poop or roundabouts)

[Byte1]

What a street legal golf cart means to me is the ability to drive 5mph more than a non-street legal cart, after paying for registration and insurance for the cart.

[Scorpyo]

Maybe to have only 1 vehicle that you can take almost anywhere in TV and close surrounding areas?
There are many reasons to have a street legal cart in TV. Ego, impatience, etc. but your response is, in my opinion, probably the best and perfectly logical reason to have one. Great answer!

[Topspinmo]

I know the difference and how each can be used legally.

Street legal golfcarts on the same roads/streets with cars/trucks are an accident waiting to happen, and their expensive in price.

What's the Purpose?

So they can speed down BV and MB well above the 25 MPH limit for LSVs.

[Topspinmo]

What a street legal golf cart means to me is the ability to diver 5mph more than a non-street legal cart, after paying for registration and insurance for the cart.

Only 5 MPH:) sure that’s reason.

[Topspinmo]

Street legal can not travel on the cart paths


Wrong.

[Topspinmo]

Maybe to have only 1 vehicle that you can take almost anywhere in TV and close surrounding areas?

Can’t take golf cart anywhere in villages?

[DonH57]

Just to clarify, there is no 19.9 speed limit or any actual speed limit. Just about everyone says that. It's maximum speed that can the cart was manufactured to obtain which is 20MPH. :) The actual law states: Golf carts are defined in section 320.01(22), Florida Statutes, as “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.”


That being said, in FLORIDA a "street legal golf cart" now requires additional safety equipment such as a DOT Approved Windshield like in a car and not those plastic split things "standard" golf carts come with as well as seatbelts for every seat etc. You no longer can just buy a stock Yamamamahah any more and get it plated as street legal (in the past you could).

Then of course you need actual $$insurance$$ which (depending on coverage) will cost you close to what you pay for your car if you want full liability, collision etc. (been there done that).

https://www.flhsmv.gov/pdf/mv/lowspeedvehicles.pdf

For those considering LSV AKA street legal here is a pretty good article: Florida LSV & NEV Laws | Santa Rosa Beach (https://www.electriccartcompany.com/check-out-our--florida-lsv)

Florida is also not the only state to allow golf carts on particular roads and streets.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

It’s strictly a matter of Choice! Some people want the take away your Choice.

My choice is to raid your fridge and camp out in your back yard. Be grateful that with "choice" comes "responsibility" and "accountability" in this country.

[DAVES]

I know the difference and how each can be used legally.

Street legal golfcarts on the same roads/streets with cars/trucks are an accident waiting to happen, and their expensive in price.

What's the Purpose?

Yes, what is the point? We've decided we do not want a street legal golf cart. Truly simple we did not buy one.

[Indydealmaker]

If you live in a community close to The Villages, like Lakeside Landing, for example, you can take your street legal cart down the road less than a mile to The Villages property, spend all day zooming around The Villages using the facilities (restaurants, squares for music, Ednas, other shopping) then get back home on that same road, legally, and not have to pay any amenity fees or other fees assessed to the members and feel smug about being a freeloader...just a thought.

What you describe as amenities are free for anyone. They are not paid by our amenity fees.

[thevillages2013]

You're not really using any of TV amenities by just going to the squares, Restaurants, Ednas, or shopping. Anybody can do that. They CANNOT use the golf courses, pools or rec centers. It's a win win for The Villagers by having them do this and spend their money in TV.
:bigbow::bigbow:
They can use the championship courses . Non resident fee for golf assuming their street legal cart has tires that are allowed on the courses

[BigSteph]

I read street-legal pooping in the roundabouts, cool.


Your comment makes no sense. Every reply that refers to the purpose of the two mentions the same things: to go faster and to drive on certain roads - exactly what is described by the legal use.

Stick around for a while - only two pages of replies indicates pretty good agreement. If there is disagreement on a topic it will fill much more than two pages (think dog poop or roundabouts)

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Low Speed Vehicles or what you're referring as "Street Legal" to are allowed on roads that have a maximum speed limit of 35 mph. They cannot be manufactured to achieve speeds over 25 mph. ( I assume that is on level ground with no wind)

Basically, in The Villages you can go on Morse, Buena Vista, El Camino Real, some sections of 466, 466A, and Warm Springs. You cannot take them on 27/441 or 44.

They must be equipped with the same safety equipment as a car. Dimmable headlights, solid windshield, windshield wipers, four wheel brakes etc. They also must be registered and insured just like a car. They can only be driven by licensed drivers as opposed to golf carts which can be driven by any person over the age of 14.

I guess that some people just want to get where they're going a bit faster.

Are they more dangerous than a car on the roads? I guess, but I don't see them as any more dangerous that bicycles or motorcycles on those same roads.

Each to their own.

[EdFNJ]

/// duplicate again. :(

[EdFNJ]

Low Speed Vehicles or what you're referring as "Street Legal" to are allowed on roads that have a maximum speed limit of 35 mph. They cannot be manufactured to achieve speeds over 25 mph. ( I assume that is on level ground with no wind)

Basically, in The Villages you can go on Morse, Buena Vista, El Camino Real, some sections of 466, 466A, and Warm Springs. You cannot take them on 27/441 or 44.

They must be equipped with the same safety equipment as a car. Dimmable headlights, solid windshield, windshield wipers, four wheel brakes etc. They also must be registered and insured just like a car. They can only be driven by licensed drivers as opposed to golf carts which can be driven by any person over the age of 14.

I guess that some people just want to get where they're going a bit faster.

Are they more dangerous than a car on the roads? I guess, but I don't see them as any more dangerous that bicycles or motorcycles on those same roads.

Each to their own. Mostly correct. Windshield wipers, 4 wheel brakes and dimmable headlights are not required. Requirements are listed here:

https://www.flhsmv.gov/pdf/mv/lowspeedvehicles.pdf

You can also drive on 466A past Powell Dr (which you can drive on) where speed limit drops to 35 and you can also drive on 301 left off of 466A.

[EdFNJ]

Street legal can not travel on the cart paths
LOL, 100% wrong.

[Fredman]

Street legal carts should be illegal. Their max speed is allowed to be 25mph. They create a traffic hazard on a road that has a speed limit of 35mph. It is nothing more than an ego trip.

[EdFNJ]

Street legal carts should be illegal. Their max speed is allowed to be 25mph. They create a traffic hazard on a road that has a speed limit of 35mph. It is nothing more than an ego trip. [/snark on] Yea, and bicycles should be illegal too! They create a traffic hazard on a road that has a speed limit of 35mph. [/snark off] :1rotfl: There are probably 200x more bicycles driving on your "35mph roads" than there are street legal carts. As far as an "ego trip" that too is crap in most cases. Rather than buying a 2nd car it's a lot cheaper option and gets you probably 90% of the places you need or want to go locally off campus (except Trailwinds dammit but there is even an inefficient way to accomplish that).

[EdFNJ]

Florida is also not the only state to allow golf carts on particular roads and streets. OK, but that's where we are living and what we are discussing here on "The Villages Florida, General Discussion.". Guess I missed the point you were making. ;)