Questions From a New Golf Cart Owner

[Mike&Silvia]

My wife and I are new residents in TV and recently bought a golf cart. Last week, while my wife was driving the cart along Marsh Bend Trail, a Wildwood police officer pulled up alongside of her and made her stop. He informed her that the expired Illinois vanity plate on the rear of the vehicle was illegal and that she was traveling at 30 mph, which is in excess of the golf cart speed limit. When she mentioned that the cart was set to not exceed 23 mph, the officer suggested that maybe she was "going downhill" (on Marsh Bend Trail?). My wife did not argue further and that was the end of the conversation.

My wife's experience has me curious to understand the laws and rules pertaining to golf carts in TV. I have read sometimes conflicting legal information regarding the registration and need for insuring carts, such as:

"Golf carts that ride on public streets and are capable of traveling more than 20 mph and carry registration are considered LSVs, which means you must have insurance on them."

"In Florida, all golf carts operated on public roads require registration with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. All valid registrations must include a vehicle identification number. Golf carts must always display an up-to-date registration decal."

Other questions that I have include:

* I see license plates adorning golf carts all over TV, are they illegal?
* Do the golf cart lanes that adjoin roadways in TV qualify as "public roads" in the quote
above?
* When insuring a golf cart, what is the recommended coverage and what should I expect
to pay?

[dewilson58]

The officer was having a bad day.............who knows what happened at h

Yes.


Get 2 or 3 quotes......start with your homeowner's agent.

[TommyT]

If I remember several years back I read in the paper that Sumter County Sheriff's Dept was going to start writing tickets for expired plates on golf carts. I never heard what happened to that because I just removed mine and stuck it on the garage wall.

I was told that was something you did when you moved into TV to show from which state you relocated.

[villagetinker]

My wife and I are new residents in TV and recently bought a golf cart. Last week, while my wife was driving the cart along Marsh Bend Trail, a Wildwood police officer pulled up alongside of her and made her stop. He informed her that the expired Illinois vanity plate on the rear of the vehicle was illegal and that she was traveling at 30 mph, which is in excess of the golf cart speed limit. When she mentioned that the cart was set to not exceed 23 mph, the officer suggested that maybe she was "going downhill" (on Marsh Bend Trail?). My wife did not argue further and that was the end of the conversation.

My wife's experience has me curious to understand the laws and rules pertaining to golf carts in TV. I have read sometimes conflicting legal information regarding the registration and need for insuring carts, such as:

"Golf carts that ride on public streets and are capable of traveling more than 20 mph and carry registration are considered LSVs, which means you must have insurance on them."

"In Florida, all golf carts operated on public roads require registration with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. All valid registrations must include a vehicle identification number. Golf carts must always display an up-to-date registration decal."

Other questions that I have include:

* I see license plates adorning golf carts all over TV, are they illegal?
* Do the golf cart lanes that adjoin roadways in TV qualify as "public roads" in the quote
above?
* When insuring a golf cart, what is the recommended coverage and what should I expect
to pay?

If he actually clocked the golf cart at 30 MPH, you dodged a bullet as this would classify the golf cart as an unregistered Low Speed Vehicle, and you could have faced several charges including going to court, various offences, and the requirement to have the speed reset to 20 mph. I have never heard of the "illegal out of state tag" as well have a out of date PA license on our cart for several years. I am guessing you caught the police attention due to the excessive speed.
IMHO, I would consider you very lucky and then get the speed reset.

[Topspinmo]

If the officer said you was going 30 mph obviously the cart juiced up even if you was on slight downhill grade. IMO even it’s goes 24 on flat and level ground IMO that’s too fast. You are pressing your luck ������. Which looks like you already used you luck up. I am surprised your village ready cart don’t have speedometer? If it does you need to check calibration if it’s readying slow? Unless you legally license the cart as LSV 23, 24 plus in violation as other suggested if caught again could be hefty fine. Just not worth it to me. But, that’s me.

[Topspinmo]

My wife and I are new residents in TV and recently bought a golf cart. Last week, while my wife was driving the cart along Marsh Bend Trail, a Wildwood police officer pulled up alongside of her and made her stop. He informed her that the expired Illinois vanity plate on the rear of the vehicle was illegal and that she was traveling at 30 mph, which is in excess of the golf cart speed limit. When she mentioned that the cart was set to not exceed 23 mph, the officer suggested that maybe she was "going downhill" (on Marsh Bend Trail?). My wife did not argue further and that was the end of the conversation.

My wife's experience has me curious to understand the laws and rules pertaining to golf carts in TV. I have read sometimes conflicting legal information regarding the registration and need for insuring carts, such as:

"Golf carts that ride on public streets and are capable of traveling more than 20 mph and carry registration are considered LSVs, which means you must have insurance on them."

"In Florida, all golf carts operated on public roads require registration with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. All valid registrations must include a vehicle identification number. Golf carts must always display an up-to-date registration decal."

Other questions that I have include:

* I see license plates adorning golf carts all over TV, are they illegal?
* Do the golf cart lanes that adjoin roadways in TV qualify as "public roads" in the quote
above?
* When insuring a golf cart, what is the recommended coverage and what should I expect
to pay?


The villages spread out over 3 counties, so you may get different officer opinions in each county. Bottom line you had license plate on cart that expired and you are driving it on public street.

[427dave]

My wife and I are new residents in TV and recently bought a golf cart. Last week, while my wife was driving the cart along Marsh Bend Trail, a Wildwood police officer pulled up alongside of her and made her stop. He informed her that the expired Illinois vanity plate on the rear of the vehicle was illegal and that she was traveling at 30 mph, which is in excess of the golf cart speed limit. When she mentioned that the cart was set to not exceed 23 mph, the officer suggested that maybe she was "going downhill" (on Marsh Bend Trail?). My wife did not argue further and that was the end of the conversation.

My wife's experience has me curious to understand the laws and rules pertaining to golf carts in TV. I have read sometimes conflicting legal information regarding the registration and need for insuring carts, such as:

"Golf carts that ride on public streets and are capable of traveling more than 20 mph and carry registration are considered LSVs, which means you must have insurance on them."

"In Florida, all golf carts operated on public roads require registration with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. All valid registrations must include a vehicle identification number. Golf carts must always display an up-to-date registration decal."

Other questions that I have include:

* I see license plates adorning golf carts all over TV, are they illegal?
* Do the golf cart lanes that adjoin roadways in TV qualify as "public roads" in the quote
above?
* When insuring a golf cart, what is the recommended coverage and what should I expect
to pay?

The problem was by traveling greater than 21 mph you are now classified as LSV and need to have a tag and other requirements. Therefore he was telling you that you have an expired tag as a LSV is required to have a tag and if he checked would also have found out it was not the correct one for your cart (another problem). You actually were lucky at one time Sumter county issued $600 tickets for these offenses and you had to go to court. A golf cart which can not exceed 21 mph can have a tag from another expired vehicle on it.

[dougjb]

There is also another 800 pound gorilla in the room.

If you have a cart that exceeds 20 mph, you may hot have insurance coverage even if you pay for cart insurance, simply because you are no longer operating a golf cart as that is defined in the law. That could mean that if you have an accident for which you are found to be liable, in whole or part, all of your assets may be attached for payment of any damages caused. I might add, that this scenario applies even if the accident occurred when you were operating it at under 20 mph.

[JMintzer]

There is also another 800 pound gorilla in the room.

If you have a cart that exceeds 20 mph, you may hot have insurance coverage even if you pay for cart insurance, simply because you are no longer operating a golf cart as that is defined in the law. That could mean that if you have an accident for which you are found to be liable, in whole or part, all of your assets may be attached for payment of any damages caused. I might add, that this scenario applies even if the accident occurred when you were operating it at under 20 mph.

And they would know your speed how?

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

So this is my perception of what you described, OP:

1. A golf cart that can go 23 MPH is no longer merely a golf cart, but an LSV - Low-Speed Vehicle.
2. LSVs must have plates, and be insured.

Your wife admitted that her cart was set to go up to 23MPH, putting her cart in the LSV category.
It had plates - from another state, expired.

So she broke the law. She was driving an LSV with expired plates.

It doesn't matter if she was speeding or not. What matters is the vehicle she is driving - is /not/ legally a golf cart. It's legally an LSV and the plates have to be current, representing actual registration, and the vehicle needs to be insured, and she has to be licensed to drive. All of these things have to be true. If any of them are not true, then she is breaking the law.

Whether the cop chose to do anything about it is another matter entirely, but it looks like he was explaining all this to your wife. This would also explain why he ordered her to stop - because the cart was going faster than 20mph. Whether 23, or 30, it's still exceeding the limit for a golf cart, and still has an illegal plate for an LSV.

Also - LSVs aren't allowed to be capable of going 30mph so even if it was legally registered, IF he clocked her at 30, then she'd be breaking the law anyway.

[JoMar]

And they would know your speed how?

Probably the same way they know how fast you are going in a car when there is an accident. Accident investigation teams and technology have come a long way. If there are injuries the big guns come out because and Dan and Morgan guys will be in the middle of it.

[Bilyclub]

FYI ... Wildwood has a traffic enforcement unit.

A Wildwood police officer who last year created a traffic enforcement unit has been selected as officer of the year.

Police Chief Randy Parmer said the officer “showed a propensity for traffic enforcement” when he created the unit last June.

Since then, he has made 381 traffic stops and issued 288 citations, including 89 for criminal violations. He has made 17 arrests and issued 113 verbal warnings. The officer who joined the department three and a half years ago, also was honored by the Wildwood American Legion post at a meeting Monday of the Wildwood City Commission.

[JMintzer]

Probably the same way they know how fast you are going in a car when there is an accident. Accident investigation teams and technology have come a long way. If there are injuries the big guns come out because and Dan and Morgan guys will be in the middle of it.

Cars have sensors to monitor such things, plus GPS info to help detect the speed. They can also use skid marks to help determine the speed. But with the advent of ABS, that doesn't help much anymore. The only time I've locked up the brakes in my golf cart was on wet grass...

You've watched too many episodes of ChiPs if you think they're doing forensic investigations on golf cart accidents...

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

FYI ... Wildwood has a traffic enforcement unit.

A Wildwood police officer who last year created a traffic enforcement unit has been selected as officer of the year.

Police Chief Randy Parmer said the officer “showed a propensity for traffic enforcement” when he created the unit last June.

Since then, he has made 381 traffic stops and issued 288 citations, including 89 for criminal violations. He has made 17 arrests and issued 113 verbal warnings. The officer who joined the department three and a half years ago, also was honored by the Wildwood American Legion post at a meeting Monday of the Wildwood City Commission.

I'd be interested to know how many of those 288 citations resulted in fines actually paid - compared to how many were contested and dismissed, or nolled.

[bowlingal]

Mike&Silvia....you must attend the golf cart safety clinic for rules and regulations of the road. The REAL answers. It is given every month ( it's free). This month it is October 18 at Colony Cottage rec center 9AM. It could save your life or avoid expensive tickets. Also, since you are new here, also go to the new resident night....given Oct 10 also at Colony ( 7:00 PM- also free)

[Joecool]

Use a gps app that will tell your acurate speed. Registration of a lsv Requires more than just insurance It requires you have the proper lighting windshield wipers there are many things. The vehicle goes a maximum of 25 M p h. Once your vehicle is registered you will get a license plate that is why you can Not put a license plate on it. A golf cart has a maximum speed of 20 miles per hour no higher.

[toeser]

My wife and I are new residents in TV and recently bought a golf cart. Last week, while my wife was driving the cart along Marsh Bend Trail, a Wildwood police officer pulled up alongside of her and made her stop. He informed her that the expired Illinois vanity plate on the rear of the vehicle was illegal and that she was traveling at 30 mph, which is in excess of the golf cart speed limit. When she mentioned that the cart was set to not exceed 23 mph, the officer suggested that maybe she was "going downhill" (on Marsh Bend Trail?). My wife did not argue further and that was the end of the conversation.

My wife's experience has me curious to understand the laws and rules pertaining to golf carts in TV. I have read sometimes conflicting legal information regarding the registration and need for insuring carts, such as:

"Golf carts that ride on public streets and are capable of traveling more than 20 mph and carry registration are considered LSVs, which means you must have insurance on them."

"In Florida, all golf carts operated on public roads require registration with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. All valid registrations must include a vehicle identification number. Golf carts must always display an up-to-date registration decal."

Other questions that I have include:

* I see license plates adorning golf carts all over TV, are they illegal?
* Do the golf cart lanes that adjoin roadways in TV qualify as "public roads" in the quote
above?
* When insuring a golf cart, what is the recommended coverage and what should I expect
to pay?

I have heard of people being fined up to $800 for going the speed your wife was driving. They don't hit you for a speeding violation, they fine you for all the missing features on a vehicle that can do 30 mph. You got real lucky.

[RRGuyNJ]

If I remember several years back I read in the paper that Sumter County Sheriff's Dept was going to start writing tickets for expired plates on golf carts. I never heard what happened to that because I just removed mine and stuck it on the garage wall.

I was told that was something you did when you moved into TV to show from which state you relocated.

In Jersey, you are required to return your old plates when they are no longer used. Not sure about other states. Of course I know a fella who shall remain nameless that has a bird house made from old NJ plates.

[Cheapbas]

I doubt she was going 30 and that was an overinflated guess. The officers should be trained to know when a license plate is decorative and not rmv related.

[MidWestIA]

In general VERY few carts are street legal and need a plate most plates and tags you see are ornamentation to show people where they came from. You can get picked up for being a unregistered motor vehicle going over 24 on a street and they can impound your cart. Many people have the cart set at 24 and just watch it on hills. Golf Cart Requirements | The Villages Florida (https://thevillagesflorida.com/golf-cart-requirements/)

[JGibson]

Maybe just stop putting decorative state plates on golf carts and stick to sports license plates.

[Rzepecki]

[QUOTE=Mike&Silvia;2263273]My wife and I are new residents in TV and recently bought a golf cart. Last week, while my wife was driving the cart along Marsh Bend Trail, a Wildwood police officer pulled up alongside of her and made her stop. He informed her that the expired Illinois vanity plate on the rear of the vehicle was illegal and that she was traveling at 30 mph, which is in excess of the golf cart speed limit. When she mentioned that the cart was set to not exceed 23 mph, the officer suggested that maybe she was "going downhill" (on Marsh Bend Trail?). My wife did not argue further and that was the end of the conversation.

My wife's experience has me curious to understand the laws and rules pertaining to golf carts in TV. I have read sometimes conflicting legal information regarding the registration and need for insuring carts, such as:

"Golf carts that ride on public streets and are capable of traveling more than 20 mph and carry registration are considered LSVs, which means you must have insurance on them."

"In Florida, all golf carts operated on public roads require registration with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. All valid registrations must include a vehicle identification number. Golf carts must always display an up-to-date registration decal."

Other questions that I have include:

* I see license plates adorning golf carts all over TV, are they illegal?
* Do the golf cart lanes that adjoin roadways in TV qualify as "public roads" in the quote
above?
* When insuring a golf cart, what is the recommended coverage and what should I expect
to pay?[/

https://www.thevha.net/event/golf-cart-safety-clinic-october-2023/edate/2023-10-18/
Best place to learn all you need to know about owning and using a golf cart.

[MandoMan]

If he actually clocked the golf cart at 30 MPH, you dodged a bullet as this would classify the golf cart as an unregistered Low Speed Vehicle, and you could have faced several charges including going to court, various offences, and the requirement to have the speed reset to 20 mph. I have never heard of the "illegal out of state tag" as well have a out of date PA license on our cart for several years. I am guessing you caught the police attention due to the excessive speed.
IMHO, I would consider you very lucky and then get the speed reset.

Last week I was driving on St. Charles and clocked a golf cart without a license plate doing 35 mph in the golf cart lane. That’s the fastest I’ve seen. I think the original poster is failing to realize that she had a real license plate on her cart from another state, expired. What some people have is, say, plates showing team or state support. Those are legal.

[Marmaduke]

Mike&Silvia....you must attend the golf cart safety clinic for rules and regulations of the road. The REAL answers. It is given every month ( it's free). This month it is October 18 at Colony Cottage rec center 9AM. It could save your life or avoid expensive tickets. Also, since you are new here, also go to the new resident night....given Oct 10 also at Colony ( 7:00 PM- also free)
Thank you for the reminder and especially for the details that you took extra time to post.
As new residents, if we learn ONLY one thing about golf cart safety, it is well worth the time.
We've been golf cart owners most of our adult lives in NC, but TV is a whole different animal.

We feel very confident with the speed debate.
We're very, very comfortable to have anyone pass us, as we're just happy to enjoy life.

We leave the house early enough to get to our destination and have always factored in the ENJOYMENT of the travel, but that's us.

[RCMill531@comcast.net]

Take most of the advice here with a grain of salt. Most people I know have carts that go above 20 mph and don’t register them, especially since they don’t have registration numbers. I don’t know about tags.

[Bilyclub]

I doubt she was going 30 and that was an overinflated guess. The officers should be trained to know when a license plate is decorative and not rmv related.


No, when it's against the law you don't make excuses you remove the plate. Sorta like the people with those plastic covers on their car license plate. Tinted or clear, it's illegal in Florida and a few other states.

[Mike&Silvia]

Thank you very much. We will try and attend both events.

[GATORBILL66]

My wife and I are new residents in TV and recently bought a golf cart. Last week, while my wife was driving the cart along Marsh Bend Trail, a Wildwood police officer pulled up alongside of her and made her stop. He informed her that the expired Illinois vanity plate on the rear of the vehicle was illegal and that she was traveling at 30 mph, which is in excess of the golf cart speed limit. When she mentioned that the cart was set to not exceed 23 mph, the officer suggested that maybe she was "going downhill" (on Marsh Bend Trail?). My wife did not argue further and that was the end of the conversation.

My wife's experience has me curious to understand the laws and rules pertaining to golf carts in TV. I have read sometimes conflicting legal information regarding the registration and need for insuring carts, such as:

"Golf carts that ride on public streets and are capable of traveling more than 20 mph and carry registration are considered LSVs, which means you must have insurance on them."

"In Florida, all golf carts operated on public roads require registration with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. All valid registrations must include a vehicle identification number. Golf carts must always display an up-to-date registration decal."

Other questions that I have include:

* I see license plates adorning golf carts all over TV, are they illegal?
* Do the golf cart lanes that adjoin roadways in TV qualify as "public roads" in the quote
above?
* When insuring a golf cart, what is the recommended coverage and what should I expect
to pay?

You have to remove the expiration date sticker off the license plate or they can ticket you.

[Papa_lecki]

I doubt she was going 30 and that was an overinflated guess. The officers should be trained to know when a license plate is decorative and not rmv related.

Yes, as if she drove her golf cart down from Wisconsin.

I don’t know any traditional looking golf cart that goes anywhere near 30 MPH

[Cindysum90]

I wish they would start cracking down on all these carts that go over 20. It’s annoying being tailgated and passed when going the speed limit.

[Dusty_Star]

Thank you for the reminder and especially for the details that you took extra time to post.
As new residents, if we learn ONLY one thing about golf cart safety, it is well worth the time.
We've been golf cart owners most of our adult lives in NC, but TV is a whole different animal.

We feel very confident with the speed debate.
We're very, very comfortable to have anyone pass us, as we're just happy to enjoy life.

We leave the house early enough to get to our destination and have always factored in the ENJOYMENT of the travel, but that's us.

Great post!

[Flamingo2]

Mike and Silvia,
There are many areas of Marsh Bend Trail where golf carts are not allowed.
Your post did not say she was in a golf cart lane on MBT, just that she was on MBT.
Being new Villagers it's very easy to wind up being on a real road, meaning that she missed a sign that said no golf carts past this point and she should have exited the road and continued on the multi-modal path.
Is that what actually happened??

[john352]

My wife and I are new residents in TV and recently bought a golf cart. Last week, while my wife was driving the cart along Marsh Bend Trail, a Wildwood police officer pulled up alongside of her and made her stop. He informed her that the expired Illinois vanity plate on the rear of the vehicle was illegal and that she was traveling at 30 mph, which is in excess of the golf cart speed limit. When she mentioned that the cart was set to not exceed 23 mph, the officer suggested that maybe she was "going downhill" (on Marsh Bend Trail?). My wife did not argue further and that was the end of the conversation.

My wife's experience has me curious to understand the laws and rules pertaining to golf carts in TV. I have read sometimes conflicting legal information regarding the registration and need for insuring carts, such as:

"Golf carts that ride on public streets and are capable of traveling more than 20 mph and carry registration are considered LSVs, which means you must have insurance on them."

"In Florida, all golf carts operated on public roads require registration with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. All valid registrations must include a vehicle identification number. Golf carts must always display an up-to-date registration decal."

Other questions that I have include:

* I see license plates adorning golf carts all over TV, are they illegal?
* Do the golf cart lanes that adjoin roadways in TV qualify as "public roads" in the quote
above?
* When insuring a golf cart, what is the recommended coverage and what should I expect
to pay?
I use the Speed Box app on my iPhone to check the max speed on my golf cart. The Speed Box app uses the GPS built into the iPhone to determine the speed.

[UpNorth]

I wish they would start cracking down on all these carts that go over 20. It’s annoying being tailgated and passed when going the speed limit.

The cops would bring in a FORTUNE with little effort around here. Courts would be very busy.

[KenLee100]

My wife and I are new residents in TV and recently bought a golf cart. Last week, while my wife was driving the cart along Marsh Bend Trail, a Wildwood police officer pulled up alongside of her and made her stop. He informed her that the expired Illinois vanity plate on the rear of the vehicle was illegal and that she was traveling at 30 mph, which is in excess of the golf cart speed limit. When she mentioned that the cart was set to not exceed 23 mph, the officer suggested that maybe she was "going downhill" (on Marsh Bend Trail?). My wife did not argue further and that was the end of the conversation.

My wife's experience has me curious to understand the laws and rules pertaining to golf carts in TV. I have read sometimes conflicting legal information regarding the registration and need for insuring carts, such as:

"Golf carts that ride on public streets and are capable of traveling more than 20 mph and carry registration are considered LSVs, which means you must have insurance on them."

"In Florida, all golf carts operated on public roads require registration with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. All valid registrations must include a vehicle identification number. Golf carts must always display an up-to-date registration decal."

Other questions that I have include:

* I see license plates adorning golf carts all over TV, are they illegal?
* Do the golf cart lanes that adjoin roadways in TV qualify as "public roads" in the quote
above?
* When insuring a golf cart, what is the recommended coverage and what should I expect
to pay?

You were fortunate to get just a warning. Anything over 20 mph can be ticketed, and I hear it isn't cheap.
-If your cart is "street legal" you are required to have a lit, current tag (just like a car)
-If "street legal" liability insurance (like a car) is required.

-regular golf carts are restricted to certain approved roads or MM paths.
-since new golf carts are costing 20k + it's a good idea to spend about a dollar a day to protect that investment.
Keep in mind that some Nimrod can unlock your parking brake and roll your cart up on a trailer and it can be "Gone in 60 seconds" There have been any number of "chop shops" that can have your cart taken apart and posted on e-bay before you finish your dessert.

[joshgun]

As far as insurance at a minimum liability coverage. Depending on the value of the cart and your risk tolerance, you should look into collision and comprehensive. This may run you around $250 - $300. Liability only $75 - $100.

[KJ1325]

My EZGO will top out at 37 with the highspeed gears. But I rarely drive over 18 or 19 as I'm not in a hurry. I get passed all the time. Yes, I'm sure it's illegal but as I said I usually drive Under 20.

[villagetinker]

My EZGO will top out at 37 with the highspeed gears. But I rarely drive over 18 or 19 as I'm not in a hurry. I get passed all the time. Yes, I'm sure it's illegal but as I said I usually drive Under 20.

You are missing the point the law says "capable of" going over 20 MPH, also I would bet your insurance company may deny coverage if they find out about the speed of your cart.

[banjobob]

My opinion the officer thought your cart was a “street legal” cart. And was confused by the home state license plate.

[huge-pigeons]

You need to insure your cart and if you have an umbrella insurance package (everybody with money should) you will need to have the higher coverages just like your cars and home. I know friends that have been in head on collisions or accidents in their golf carts and you want the protection from an insurance policy if you get sued or send somebody to the hospital. Insurance is cheap

[Rwirish]

Expired vanity plates are illegal.

[Mrmean58]

The villages spread out over 3 counties, so you may get different officer opinions in each county. Bottom line you had license plate on cart that expired and you are driving it on public street.
I concur. By having the vanity plate mounted on the cart, your are giving the impression of operating a LSV. The only way for the officer to find out if it true or the plates are decorative is to pull over the cart.

[Mike&Silvia]

Thank you, she was in the golf cart lane on Marsh Bend Trail.

[bowlingal]

banjobob....street legal golf carts must state street legal on the back of them. Also, must have windshield wipers

[Bill14564]

banjobob....street legal golf carts must state street legal on the back of them. Also, must have windshield wipers

This Florida Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles site (https://www.flhsmv.gov/safety-center/consumer-education/low-speed-vehicles/) mentions neither of those as requirements for an LSV.

[paulajr]

I have been arguing with people since moving here…telling them that it IS ILLEGAL to put expired plates from another state on golf carts! I’m glad to finally be vindicated!!
And I would add..it is also ILLEGAL to ride (In car OR cart..) with HEADPHONES on!!!

My wife and I are new residents in TV and recently bought a golf cart. Last week, while my wife was driving the cart along Marsh Bend Trail, a Wildwood police officer pulled up alongside of her and made her stop. He informed her that the expired Illinois vanity plate on the rear of the vehicle was illegal and that she was traveling at 30 mph, which is in excess of the golf cart speed limit. When she mentioned that the cart was set to not exceed 23 mph, the officer suggested that maybe she was "going downhill" (on Marsh Bend Trail?). My wife did not argue further and that was the end of the conversation.

My wife's experience has me curious to understand the laws and rules pertaining to golf carts in TV. I have read sometimes conflicting legal information regarding the registration and need for insuring carts, such as:

"Golf carts that ride on public streets and are capable of traveling more than 20 mph and carry registration are considered LSVs, which means you must have insurance on them."

"In Florida, all golf carts operated on public roads require registration with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. All valid registrations must include a vehicle identification number. Golf carts must always display an up-to-date registration decal."

Other questions that I have include:

* I see license plates adorning golf carts all over TV, are they illegal?
* Do the golf cart lanes that adjoin roadways in TV qualify as "public roads" in the quote
above?
* When insuring a golf cart, what is the recommended coverage and what should I expect
to pay?

[paulajr]

It is ILLEGAL to put plates on ..”decorative “ or not!

[Vermilion Villager]

Yes, as if she drove her golf cart down from Wisconsin.

I don’t know any traditional looking golf cart that goes anywhere near 30 MPH

Exactly!!
Most of the modern golf carts operate at 24mph.....mine does.
I seriously doubt any police officer is going to write a ticket for 4mph over the limit, because if brought to court it brings into question the accuaracy of their equipment. Think about it… The same judge that hears cases of rape, murder, child exploitation, sexual assault… Etc is now going to sit there and listen to a police officer make a case that Becky Sue's golf cart was causing chaos and anarchy on the road at 4 miles an hour over the limit?!?!?!? NO...:1rotfl:

[mikeycereal]

I'd stick to 22-23 mph max. I know others jack their gov to 25-26 but I don't need to go that fast. At 22-23 I doubt anyone would attract police attention, plus I'm on the path or in a parking lot 99% of the time. If it's jacked a bit higher than normal and you're going under 20 or stopped and someone hits you I doubt insurance would deny you no matter what anyone may say. So I just play it safe.

[suepartelo]

We got stopped on Morse Blvd at 27 mph, then the police officer asked for our registration, we have had the cart for 13 years and never had it registered, it is not even a street legal cart! We had a Rhode Island plate with the Red Sox, Patriots, Bruins and Celtics on it that we bought in the square on Market night! Well, he issued a summons and now my husband who is 79 years old has to go to court for driving an unregistered vehicle! He had a clean driving record until this, I am at my wits end, do not know what they are going to do to him in court, we were told if he didn't show up there would be a warrant issued for his arrest! it is listed as a criminal offense on the summons! Welcome to the Villages, Florida's Friendliest Home Town!"

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

We got stopped on Morse Blvd at 27 mph, then the police officer asked for our registration, we have had the cart for 13 years and never had it registered, it is not even a street legal cart! We had a Rhode Island plate with the Red Sox, Patriots, Bruins and Celtics on it that we bought in the square on Market night! Well, he issued a summons and now my husband who is 79 years old has to go to court for driving an unregistered vehicle! He had a clean driving record until this, I am at my wits end, do not know what they are going to do to him in court, we were told if he didn't show up there would be a warrant issued for his arrest! it is listed as a criminal offense on the summons! Welcome to the Villages, Florida's Friendliest Home Town!"

Has nothing to do with The Villages. It has to do with the laws of the state, county, and city. The police are county police. The Villages doesn't have a police force of its own. It's great you were able to get away with breaking the law for thirteen years. You got caught. There's no "wits end" to deal with. If your golf cart is set up to be street legal, then get it registered and insured, then go to court and pay your fine. If it's not set up to be street legal, then have a professional set the governor so it can't go faster than 20, and then go to court and pay your fine.

[TomSpasm]

Your wife was fortunate, to say the least. I got nabbed years ago on Bailey Trail going downhill, clocked by the officer at 25mph. The ticket is not for speeding, it's for "driving an unregistered vehicle". $500 plus dollars later, I had experienced a demoralizing MANDATORY court appearance, where I was one of at least 15 people in the courtroom dealing with the same exact issue, and owned a golf cart that would no longer go over 20, even downhill.

[TomSpasm]

Sorry, quoted the wrong post here.

[TomSpasm]

Originally Posted by suepartelo View Post
We got stopped on Morse Blvd at 27 mph, then the police officer asked for our registration, we have had the cart for 13 years and never had it registered, it is not even a street legal cart! We had a Rhode Island plate with the Red Sox, Patriots, Bruins and Celtics on it that we bought in the square on Market night! Well, he issued a summons and now my husband who is 79 years old has to go to court for driving an unregistered vehicle! He had a clean driving record until this, I am at my wits end, do not know what they are going to do to him in court, we were told if he didn't show up there would be a warrant issued for his arrest! it is listed as a criminal offense on the summons! Welcome to the Villages, Florida's Friendliest Home Town!"

Show up in court with a document from a golf cart repair shop saying they have restored the cart to legal status. Things will go smoother from there.

[UpNorth]

No reason to pass me when I'm going 20mph in my legal cart. Yet, it happens every day. I have no pity for those who get caught passing me.

[MX rider]

No reason to pass me when I'm going 20mph in my legal cart. Yet, it happens every day. I have no pity for those who get caught passing me.

I agree. Our Yamaha won't go over 22 mph and I'm fine with it. This coming from a lifelong adrenaline junkie, that still rides motocross, mountain bikes and I have a Polaris side by side that does 70mph plus. So I love to go fast.

But when we're at our home in TV, I enjoy the relaxing cart rides, fresh air and the beautiful scenery. No need to go any faster. I can get that fix in other ways.

The mmp isn't the place for daredevils.

[Garywt]

This is interesting. If you bought the cart from a dealer I am surprised the speed is not set to 20 mph since that is the law. When we bought our cart we were told that increasing the speed would void our warranty. I didn’t touch anything until our warranty was up but since the cart really only went 18 mph I did adjust it to go 20/21. If old license plates are illegal then 75% of the Villagers are breaking the law. I know insurance is optional we insured our carts as soon as we got them so we were protected. I would not want a street legal cart but as long as you stay on the paths or inside the painted lines along certain roads you are fine. I would double check the speed though as driving 30 mph can be dangerous.

[Marathon Man]

We got stopped on Morse Blvd at 27 mph, then the police officer asked for our registration, we have had the cart for 13 years and never had it registered, it is not even a street legal cart! We had a Rhode Island plate with the Red Sox, Patriots, Bruins and Celtics on it that we bought in the square on Market night! Well, he issued a summons and now my husband who is 79 years old has to go to court for driving an unregistered vehicle! He had a clean driving record until this, I am at my wits end, do not know what they are going to do to him in court, we were told if he didn't show up there would be a warrant issued for his arrest! it is listed as a criminal offense on the summons! Welcome to the Villages, Florida's Friendliest Home Town!"

That last statement says a lot about you. Rather than take responsibility for your actions, just claim that you are being picked on.

[JGibson]

That last statement says a lot about you. Rather than take responsibility for your actions, just claim that you are being picked on.
Your responding to someone who has a 1 post history.

[JGibson]

This is interesting. If you bought the cart from a dealer I am surprised the speed is not set to 20 mph since that is the law. When we bought our cart we were told that increasing the speed would void our warranty. I didn’t touch anything until our warranty was up but since the cart really only went 18 mph I did adjust it to go 20/21. If old license plates are illegal then 75% of the Villagers are breaking the law. I know insurance is optional we insured our carts as soon as we got them so we were protected. I would not want a street legal cart but as long as you stay on the paths or inside the painted lines along certain roads you are fine. I would double check the speed though as driving 30 mph can be dangerous.

My salesman jacked it up a little for me right on the showroom floor.

It's not so I can speed it's so I can pass someone quickly and safely who is doing 13 mph.

[Normal]

Consider the other capabilities of your cart. The breaking system usually only consists of 2 break calipers, the COG (center of gravity), weight and tire size can set you up for serious problems. What might happen if you turn when going to fast or have that incident where you have to slam on the breaks? IMHO reseting the governor arm to 20 is safer.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

This is interesting. If you bought the cart from a dealer I am surprised the speed is not set to 20 mph since that is the law. When we bought our cart we were told that increasing the speed would void our warranty. I didn’t touch anything until our warranty was up but since the cart really only went 18 mph I did adjust it to go 20/21. If old license plates are illegal then 75% of the Villagers are breaking the law. I know insurance is optional we insured our carts as soon as we got them so we were protected. I would not want a street legal cart but as long as you stay on the paths or inside the painted lines along certain roads you are fine. I would double check the speed though as driving 30 mph can be dangerous.

The old license plates are illegal IF your cart has been tweaked to go as fast as an LSV can go, and IF you are using it on a public road. Because then, you are legally driving a vehicle that requires valid plates, but your plates aren't valid. So you're committing two crimes: driving without valid plates, AND using invalid plates on a vehicle that requires valid ones. Both things are against the law, under the circumstances of "driving on a public road with a vehicle that requires valid plates."

The space inside the painted line on a public road is still on the public road. Designated MMPs that are isolated away from public roads by a physical barrier (a berm, a curb, grass, landscaping, tunnels, bridges) don't count with regards to "driving a vehicle that requires valid plates".

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

The only reason I want my cart to be set for 21, is so I don't have to strain my calf muscles holding the gas pedal down to the floor all the time. If I could just ease up a bit and still go 19-20, it'd make my enjoyment of driving the golf cart a little less physically painful.

[Topspinmo]

The only reason I want my cart to be set for 21, is so I don't have to strain my calf muscles holding the gas pedal down to the floor all the time. If I could just ease up a bit and still go 19-20, it'd make my enjoyment of driving the golf cart a little less physically painful.


How fast cart goes really don’t matter, you have to have speedometer calibrated to monitor speed within law. Makes no difference LSV or golf cart they both have limit on speed. Most crank golf cart speed up to let’s face it, speed.

LSV owners IMO don’t just through all the hoops to get it licensed for extra 5 mph. Bottom line operator responsible for carts speed. Going down hill or not. If you don’t have speedometer don’t really know.

[Bill14564]

The only reason I want my cart to be set for 21, is so I don't have to strain my calf muscles holding the gas pedal down to the floor all the time. If I could just ease up a bit and still go 19-20, it'd make my enjoyment of driving the golf cart a little less physically painful.

But then your cart will have been tweaked to go as fast as an LSV can go and if you are using it on a public road it would need to be registered.

[Garywt]

My salesman jacked it up a little for me right on the showroom floor.

It's not so I can speed it's so I can pass someone quickly and safely who is doing 13 mph.

Why are you passing anyone. To you rush through parking lots too to get by someone.

[Topspinmo]

I have been arguing with people since moving here…telling them that it IS ILLEGAL to put expired plates from another state on golf carts! I’m glad to finally be vindicated!!
And I would add..it is also ILLEGAL to ride (In car OR cart..) with HEADPHONES on!!!


It also illegal have more than 4 headlights lite on public road and off road lights has to be covered on public roads. But, you can see how they are also enforced. NOT.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

But then your cart will have been tweaked to go as fast as an LSV can go and if you are using it on a public road it would need to be registered.

What I /want/ and what I /have/ don't necessarily coincide.

I /want/ my cart to go 21. My cart only goes 19.8 on a straightaway on level ground. If I turn a little it goes a little faster. It won't go faster than 20.6 anymore, even going downhill over the golf cart bridge on the Historic side of the Villages.

So my cart is legally a cart, and it's set correctly, and does what it's legally allowed to do. But that doesn't stop me from *wanting* it to be otherwise.

Hope that clarifies things for you.

[Bilyclub]

I wish they would start cracking down on all these carts that go over 20. It’s annoying being tailgated and passed when going the speed limit.

Usually when people start complaining about one issue like speeding they will get a concentrated police effort where every infraction observed will get stopped and receive a ticket. Anyway they can't write speeders on the MMP.

[Rosethorn]

Thanks for this post. I am new to the area and our golf cart speedometer has a max of 20 mph and we get passed multiple times on our trip to Brownwood.

Driving parallel to a golf cart path, I saw someone zooming along in their cart. I caught up with him and according to my automobile’s speedometer, he was doing better than 30 mpg.

We just purchased a house and we’re neophytes but all this information is very helpful!

[cjrjck]

This is directed to those here who are retired LEOs. I don't know much about the Wildwood PD. Probably a great group. I do know that the city limits of Wildwood looks like a gerrymandered political district. Someone there obviously had the forethought to annex land that would have some very valuable real estate on it one day. That said, every police department/organization has its priorities and every one has limited resources. It is a fact of life. If Wildwood's priority is to stop speeding golf carts or those displaying certain vanity plates, then so be it. I would just say those items were not high on any list I have been privy to in the past.

[Topspinmo]

[QUOTE=cjrjck;2264615]This is directed to those here who are retired LEOs. I don't know much about the Wildwood PD. Probably a great group. I do know that the city limits of Wildwood looks like a gerrymandered political district. Someone there obviously had the forethought to annex land that would have some very valuable real estate on it one day. That said, every police department/organization has its priorities and every one has limited resources. It is a fact of life. If Wildwood's priority is to stop speeding golf carts or those displaying certain vanity plates, then so be it. I would just say those items were not high on any list I have been privy to in the past.[/QUOTE

and shouldn’t be with all the hooligans in wildwood. They have bigger fish to fry.

[Topspinmo]

Thanks for this post. I am new to the area and our golf cart speedometer has a max of 20 mph and we get passed multiple times on our trip to Brownwood.

Driving parallel to a golf cart path, I saw someone zooming along in their cart. I caught up with him and according to my automobile’s speedometer, he was doing better than 30 mpg.

We just purchased a house and we’re neophytes but all this information is very helpful!


///

[Topspinmo]

Thanks for this post. I am new to the area and our golf cart speedometer has a max of 20 mph and we get passed multiple times on our trip to Brownwood.

Driving parallel to a golf cart path, I saw someone zooming along in their cart. I caught up with him and according to my automobile’s speedometer, he was doing better than 30 mpg.

We just purchased a house and we’re neophytes but all this information is very helpful!


Nearly all golfers have their carts juiced up. And of course non golfers too. :o