Has anyone here gone through the process of making their golf cart street legal?

[UptownBee]

Hello,

We have a 2022 Yamaha Golf Cart that we would like to make street legal for our Florida vacation home. Through my research, the only items we would need to add are seatbelts, an orange triangle on the back, a lighted license plate holder, and a windshield wiper (our cart already has the other required items). It appears it also needs to be weighed and invoices pertaining to all the required equipment must be presented before you can get a VIN/Title. Has anyone gone through this process and could offer their insight or issues they encountered?

Thanks.

[Two Bills]

I cannot understand why anybody would you want to go on the road, causing holdups to faster moving traffic, in a plastic box, with about as much crash protection, as a Boy Scouts Soap Box! :shrug:

[Shipping up to Boston]

Hello,

We have a 2022 Yamaha Golf Cart that we would like to make street legal for our Florida vacation home. Through my research, the only items we would need to add are seatbelts, an orange triangle on the back, a lighted license plate holder, and a windshield wiper (our cart already has the other required items). It appears it also needs to be weighed and invoices pertaining to all the required equipment must be presented before you can get a VIN/Title. Has anyone gone through this process and could offer their insight or issues they encountered?

Thanks.

Can you define 'Florida home'. TV or are you in an area that is street legal friendly? Around TV, youd be better off...and safer with a Fiat or Mini Cooper over a 'project' vehicle

[JerryLBell]

And don't forget that after you've made the cart street legal, it now requires the same insurance as your car at roughly the same price. All to be able to go a few miles an hour faster and to put yourself in the way of vehicles on the roads weighing MUCH more than your cart. I can't see the appeal myself, but good luck on your project!

[villagetinker]

IMHO, contact your local police department for the exact requirements, I think you missed 4 wheel brakes, and the original plexiglass is not suitable for a windshield. My understanding is that once you have this licensed, you cannot use it on the golf courses, and there are other restrictions as to where you can use you "street legal" golf cart. Also, after you have done all of this work, you get an additional 5 MPH, regular golf cart is 20 MPH, street legal 25 MPH. Finally, I would make sure you can get suitable insurance coverage for your modified vehicle and be prepared for sticker shock.

[shut the front door]

You will be lucky to get an answer here. You asked for experiences from people who have done it. You will get dozens of "you shouldn't do it" lectures from the pearl clutchers, but reading comprehension is pretty scarce here....

[Stu from NYC]

You will be lucky to get an answer here. You asked for experiences from people who have done it. You will get dozens of "you shouldn't do it" lectures from the pearl clutchers, but reading comprehension is pretty scarce here....

Posters have been giving useful advise and info to the OP, no idea why you think others should not do this but your comment is not a way to make friends and influence people.

[Shipping up to Boston]

You will be lucky to get an answer here. You asked for experiences from people who have done it. You will get dozens of "you shouldn't do it" lectures from the pearl clutchers, but reading comprehension is pretty scarce here....

Yet you responded to the thread as well...with another sweet nothing burger.

[MsPCGenius]

We have a 2022 Yamaha Golf Cart that we would like to make street legal for our Florida vacation home.

I am curious as to reasoning for doing so.... thanks!

[UptownBee]

Well, I gave it a shot. "Florida vacation home" meaning NOT AT THE VILLAGES....I thought that would be enough but I give up guys, thanks for the input. You can now return to your regularly scheduled dog poop input.

[Topspinmo]

Hello,

We have a 2022 Yamaha Golf Cart that we would like to make street legal for our Florida vacation home. Through my research, the only items we would need to add are seatbelts, an orange triangle on the back, a lighted license plate holder, and a windshield wiper (our cart already has the other required items). It appears it also needs to be weighed and invoices pertaining to all the required equipment must be presented before you can get a VIN/Title. Has anyone gone through this process and could offer their insight or issues they encountered?

Thanks.

Why? you only gain 5 MPH_—————————legally. :)

[Gatorfan1]

Hello,

We have a 2022 Yamaha Golf Cart that we would like to make street legal for our Florida vacation home. Through my research, the only items we would need to add are seatbelts, an orange triangle on the back, a lighted license plate holder, and a windshield wiper (our cart already has the other required items). It appears it also needs to be weighed and invoices pertaining to all the required equipment must be presented before you can get a VIN/Title. Has anyone gone through this process and could offer their insight or issues they encountered

Thanks.

Not worth the cost

[Topspinmo]

Well, I gave it a shot. "Florida vacation home" meaning NOT AT THE VILLAGES....I thought that would be enough but I give up guys, thanks for the input. You can now return to your regularly scheduled dog poop input.


Well you could said where this “vacation” home was and even if that area allowed LSVs, you do understand what LSV are right? Some areas allow them and some don’t. It’s your money why even ask and how would we know your “Vacation home even allows them.

[MrChip72]

I've anecdotally heard that the insurance cost makes this idea a non-starter for most people.

I don't see the point of this if you're in The Villages where you can take your cart just about anywhere, and even some places where it's a legal gray area adjacent to TV, the local police don't appear to have any interest to enforce it.

[jswirs]

Hello,

We have a 2022 Yamaha Golf Cart that we would like to make street legal for our Florida vacation home. Through my research, the only items we would need to add are seatbelts, an orange triangle on the back, a lighted license plate holder, and a windshield wiper (our cart already has the other required items). It appears it also needs to be weighed and invoices pertaining to all the required equipment must be presented before you can get a VIN/Title. Has anyone gone through this process and could offer their insight or issues they encountered?

Thanks.
Yes, making your cart street legal requires some changes to the vehicle, but for us it was worth the effort. As tinker mentioned, you do need a Fl. DOT windshield. For us, the additional insurance cost, and registration, is not a problem. The only requirement that was a problem is, once you make it street legal it must be registered as an "ASPT", vehicle, (assembled from parts). Our insurance co. State Farm, had a problem with this, but upon further, and lengthy explaining, they were able to insure it as required. We find having a street legal cart comes in handy, many do not agree. Each to their own. Good Luck.

[bowlingal]

you still can't go on any major roadway. NOT on 466, 466A, 44, 301 etc., nor can you CROSS any major roadway. Go to the golf cart safety clinic on April 17 at Colony Plaza for further ( correct) information.

[Bill14564]

you still can't go on any major roadway. NOT on 466, 466A, 44, 301 etc., nor can you CROSS any major roadway. Go to the golf cart safety clinic on April 17 at Colony Plaza for further ( correct) information.

Yes, please find an official source for accurate information.

From Florida Statute 316.2122 Operation of a low-speed vehicle or mini truck on certain roadways:
(1) A low-speed vehicle or mini truck may be operated only on streets where the posted speed limit is 35 miles per hour or less. This does not prohibit a low-speed vehicle or mini truck from crossing a road or street at an intersection where the road or street has a posted speed limit of more than 35 miles per hour.
and
(5) A county or municipality may prohibit the operation of low-speed vehicles or mini trucks on any road under its jurisdiction if the governing body of the county or municipality determines that such prohibition is necessary in the interest of safety.
(6) The Department of Transportation may prohibit the operation of low-speed vehicles or mini trucks on any road under its jurisdiction if it determines that such prohibition is necessary in the interest of safety.

Which says the LSV *can* cross any major roadway unless the county, municipality, or DoT has specifically prohibited it.

I also do not believe a vehicle designed for use on a golf course (size, weight, tires) would be prohibited from being used on a golf course due only to its possible top speed.

[Shipping up to Boston]

Yes, making your cart street legal requires some changes to the vehicle, but for us it was worth the effort. As tinker mentioned, you do need a Fl. DOT windshield. For us, the additional insurance cost, and registration, is not a problem. The only requirement that was a problem is, once you make it street legal it must be registered as an "ASPT", vehicle, (assembled from parts). Our insurance co. State Farm, had a problem with this, but upon further, and lengthy explaining, they were able to insure it as required. We find having a street legal cart comes in handy, many do not agree. Each to their own. Good Luck.

Just wondering what benefits you enjoy, over and above the extra few mph, by the modification.....assuming you operate it on TV properties?

[Bill14564]

Well, I gave it a shot. "Florida vacation home" meaning NOT AT THE VILLAGES....I thought that would be enough but I give up guys, thanks for the input. You can now return to your regularly scheduled dog poop input.

You can't really be surprised at receiving information related to the Villages when you ask a question on a Villages forum. "Florida vacation home" is an apt description for many HOMES IN THE VILLAGES.

[BlueStarAirlines]

Well, I gave it a shot. "Florida vacation home" meaning NOT AT THE VILLAGES....I thought that would be enough but I give up guys, thanks for the input. You can now return to your regularly scheduled dog poop input.

You seem nice......:gc:

[Indydealmaker]

Hello,

We have a 2022 Yamaha Golf Cart that we would like to make street legal for our Florida vacation home. Through my research, the only items we would need to add are seatbelts, an orange triangle on the back, a lighted license plate holder, and a windshield wiper (our cart already has the other required items). It appears it also needs to be weighed and invoices pertaining to all the required equipment must be presented before you can get a VIN/Title. Has anyone gone through this process and could offer their insight or issues they encountered?

Thanks.

What are you hoping to gain from this conversion?

[defrey12]

I am curious as to reasoning for doing so.... thanks!

Me too? I drove a truck for a living for many years. Cars are hard enough to see when they’re doing stupid things…like passing on the right. You’ll likely be SQUASHED in an accident of some sort. Might want to rethink your plan.

[PaPaLarry]

Good Luck in the "Round Abouts" Cars going 40-50 MPH and carts in cart path going about 22 MPH!! No Brainer!!

[miketinawilliamson]

Hello,

We have a 2022 Yamaha Golf Cart that we would like to make street legal for our Florida vacation home. Through my research, the only items we would need to add are seatbelts, an orange triangle on the back, a lighted license plate holder, and a windshield wiper (our cart already has the other required items). It appears it also needs to be weighed and invoices pertaining to all the required equipment must be presented before you can get a VIN/Title. Has anyone gone through this process and could offer their insight or issues they encountered?

Thanks.
Most all of the responses that were sent back to you are accurate, but no one mentioned that the windshield must be DOT approved, and that alone was $349. Yes, insurance is much higher, and my cost to convert in 2021 was approx. $1200. The only reason that I converted was it allowed me to cross a road to get to the beach. You can't be on a road that has a higher than 35MPH. To get correct info, I went to the Florida DOT, and eventually went to a Fl. Highway Patrol for inspection and VIN. It will only make sense to you, not other opinions, if the positives outweigh the negatives. good Luck

[elevatorman]

Try one of these, Official Moke™ | The Only Electric Moke In America! (https://mokeamerica.com)

[scubaguy]

Hello. I did this with my cart a year or so ago. You must have a DOT approved windshield, a wiper (can be manual) and of course all necessary lights and horn. Then u must take it to a business that will weigh it for you and get the paper from them. Then you must take it to the DMV for an inspection m. But there is only 1 dmv office that can do it. Seems it's in Tampa. They will inspect and then eventually mail you a VIN sticker and title and then you can purchase plates so you can drive it on the street

[MidWestIA]

I think street legal still can't go fast enough to be worth it but slow enough to irritate cars and get them to risk you trying to get around you

[ChicagoNative]

We are also among the great unwashed who are not IN the bubble, but share a border on two sides of our community. We’re about a quarter mile from accessing a road with a golf cart lane. We used 24Hr. Cart Club to make ours street legal. 352-661-0562, Joey Faulkner. His is a family-owned company and they are fantastic to work with. They handled EVERYTHING for us, including pickup and drop off of the cart.

Yes, you will pay car insurance rates and their fee for doing whatever needs to be done to your cart. (Extra reflectors, wiper, etc). For us it was well worth it as the golf cart paths were the only thing we wanted out of the Villages. We’re not golfers and we don’t give a fig about “3000 clubs”. We figure that what we pay in insurance is worth NOT having to pay an inflated price for the house, a bond, CDD, etc.
With a street legal LSV, you are able to travel on any road with a speed limit of 35mph or less, and you can cross “the sixes” as long as you are at a light.

Only you can decide if it’s worth the cost. Good Luck!

[Bill14564]

Good Luck in the "Round Abouts" Cars going 40-50 MPH and carts in cart path going about 22 MPH!! No Brainer!!

Highly doubtful if not impossible, certainly nothing I've ever observed.

[Bill14564]

We are also among the great unwashed who are not IN the bubble, but share a border on two sides of our community. We’re about a quarter mile from accessing a road with a golf cart lane. We used 24Hr. Cart Club to make ours street legal. 352-661-0562, Joey Faulkner. His is a family-owned company and they are fantastic to work with. They handled EVERYTHING for us, including pickup and drop off of the cart.

Yes, you will pay car insurance rates and their fee for doing whatever needs to be done to your cart. (Extra reflectors, wiper, etc). For us it was well worth it as the golf cart paths were the only thing we wanted out of the Villages. We’re not golfers and we don’t give a fig about “3000 clubs”. We figure that what we pay in insurance is worth NOT having to pay an inflated price for the house, a bond, CDD, etc.
With a street legal LSV, you are able to travel on any road with a speed limit of 35mph or less, and you can cross “the sixes” as long as you are at a light.

Only you can decide if it’s worth the cost. Good Luck!

This is going to be a popular post!

[PennyAnn]

When we bought ours... golf cart insurance was $100 but Street Legal $1,000

[Shipping up to Boston]

Hello. I did this with my cart a year or so ago. You must have a DOT approved windshield, a wiper (can be manual) and of course all necessary lights and horn. Then u must take it to a business that will weigh it for you and get the paper from them. Then you must take it to the DMV for an inspection m. But there is only 1 dmv office that can do it. Seems it's in Tampa. They will inspect and then eventually mail you a VIN sticker and title and then you can purchase plates so you can drive it on the street

Ahhh yes, retirement! What to do...what to do ;)

[Topspinmo]

Just wondering what benefits you enjoy, over and above the extra few mph, by the modification.....assuming you operate it on TV properties?


IMO Able to go well over 25 MPH limit. IMO nobody has LSV to go 25 MPH maximum. Any LSV is going down MB or BV goes well over 25 MPH.

[Tyson]

I was the first so they told me in 2012 to get my 2012 Yamaha gas street legal which I still own today. You also need a safety glass windshield which you can buy on the internet. I have a different gas street legal cart for sale if your interested. Call me with any questions you might have im Bob. 5704071891.

[Shipping up to Boston]

IMO Able to go well over 25 MPH limit. IMO nobody has LSV to go 25 MPH maximum. Any LSV is going down MB or BV goes well over 25 MPH.

To me anyway, in TV, having that ability in a world of mainstream carts, seems futile. I’m sure you may have some moments. It’s like having a Dodge Hellcat with 710 HP but you live/operate it in Manhattan. To each his own...I guess

[Tyson]

Your correct on the windshield buy wrong on the brakes and driving on the golf course. Insurance is around $ 700 for the year, cut in half when we go up north for 6 months. It always amazes how people who have never done something become a expert on something they have no clue about.

[Tyson]

Its safer and sooo much faster. It takes my neighbor 45 minutes from Polo Ridge to Bonifay, I get there from 15 to 20 minutes depending on the lights.

[Tyson]

The state of Fla. allows LSV everywhere on roads 35 mph or less.Again people dont know what they dont no.

[Tyson]

You dont know what you dont know. You can absolutely cross 466, 466a 301, 441 and any major highway that's 45 mph or less.

[Tyson]

Wrong

[Bill14564]

You dont know what you dont know. You can absolutely cross 466, 466a 301, 441 and any major highway that's 45 mph or less.

Where did you find that "45 mph or less"?

[Bill14564]

Wrong

No, I'm pretty sure he's right.

[Shipping up to Boston]

Where did you find that "45 mph or less"?

From TOTV archives.....

#15 Old 06-18-2019, 11:31 PM
EdFNJ EdFNJ is offline
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Originally Posted by redwitch View Post
Suggest you call Lady Lake Police and Sumter County Sheriff. While a street legal golf cart can operate on 35 mph streets, it is up to local authorities (city, county) to decide where golf carts are legally authorized, and this includes street legal. Unless Lady Lake has changed, the Target parking lot is the end of the road for all golf carts (this includes Home Depot and Sam’s). Just because someone has done something doesn’t necessarily make it legal.
You arewrong wrong and wrong again. It is legal and it has been discussed with Sumter County and Lady Lake PD. This has been asked and discussed multiple times here and those who usually reply are answering based only on their assumption or what they "think" it to be. We had reps of Sumter County PD at our meeting as well as have spoken with Lady lake PD. I personally spoke with a cop hiding on Morse as well as a cop sitting in the Target Lot eating donuts and they agreed. While some of the lower rank patrol officers may not be fully aware of the relevant law if you contact one of the LT's or Captains they will confirm. If you get ticketed you will win in court with the proper regs in your possession. Out club which has numerous SL Golf carts (myself included) had reps at a meeting over a year ago and one of them didn't think so and checked with a SC Sheriff LT and he stated it was legal.

Here is a relevant email with confirmation by a local LT. Some member names removed for privacy as I was not given permission to print this. For those who may not know, a Low Speed Vehicle AKA LSV is a street legal golf cart.

Lt Siemer mentioned below is the Sumter County Sheriff district commander for The Villages.

YES, this can be overridden by a local ordinance but that is NOT the case here in The Villages. Even a REGULAR GC can cross a highway (if it is UNDER 45MPH) but the "catch" is there must be a golf cart permitted path at both sides where you cross so you cannot drive across Morse or BV even though it is only 35mph (but an LSV can). For those non-believers I don't know what to say other than: DO you have a street legal golf cart and if not where did you get your information?


From:
Sent: Tuesday, April 3, 2018 2:35 PM
To: undisclosed-recipients:
Subject: Crosssing highways

At the most recent meeting of the club, Mark Gallo stated that street-legal golf carts could not cross highways where the speed limit was greater than 45 MPH. We did not believe that to be true, and sent Mark what we believed were the relevant Florida statutes. We asked him to confirm with Lt. Siemer of Sumter County Sherrif's Office. I received the following e-mail today:

" xxxxxx, I finally got your answer from Lt. Siemer. Yes, it was determined that there was confusion within all Law Enforcement agencies in The Villages over LSV 45 mph crossings but it stemmed from an amendment put out several years ago. Bottom-line is LSVs can cross a major roadway at a controlled crossing point, such as an intersection."

So the answer is yes, street-legal carts can cross a highway, regardless of the posted speed limit on that highway, so long as there is a street-legal road available to you after you have crossed the highway. Carts that are not street-legal cannot cross highways unless there is an "official traffic control device" at that crossing, and even then, the maximum speed for the crossing highway cannot exceed 45 MPH.

For your information, here are the pertinent Florida statutes:
316.2126 Authorized use of golf carts, low-speed vehicles, and utility vehicles.—
(1) In addition to the powers granted by ss. 316.212 and 316.2125, municipalities are authorized to use golf carts and utility vehicles, as defined in s. 320.01, upon any state, county, or municipal roads located within the corporate limits of such municipalities, subject to the following conditions:
(a) Golf carts and utility vehicles must comply with the operational and safety requirements in ss. 316.212 and 316.2125, and with any more restrictive ordinances enacted by the local governmental entity pursuant to s. 316.212(8), and shall be operated only by municipal employees for municipal purposes, including, but not limited to, police patrol, traffic enforcement, and inspection of public facilities.
(b) In addition to the safety equipment required in s. 316.212(6) and any more restrictive safety equipment required by the local governmental entity pursuant to s. 316.212(8), such golf carts and utility vehicles must be equipped with sufficient lighting and turn signal equipment.
(c) Golf carts and utility vehicles may be operated only on state roads that have a posted speed limit of 30 miles per hour or less.
(d) Golf carts and utility vehicles may cross a portion of the State Highway System which has a posted speed limit of 45 miles per hour or less only at an intersection with an official traffic control device.
(e) Golf carts and utility vehicles may operate on sidewalks adjacent to state highways only if such golf carts and utility vehicles yield to pedestrians and if the sidewalks are at least 5 feet wide.


316.2122 Operation of a low-speed vehicle or mini truck on certain roadways.—The operation of a low-speed vehicle as defined in s. 320.01 or a mini truck as defined in s. 320.01 on any road is authorized with the following restrictions:
(1) A low-speed vehicle [LSV or street legal golf cart] or mini truck may be operated only on streets where the posted speed limit is 35 miles per hour or less. This does not prohibit a low-speed vehicle or mini truck from crossing a road or street at an intersection where the road or street has a posted speed limit of more than 35 miles per hour.
(2) A low-speed vehicle must be equipped with headlamps, stop lamps, turn signal lamps, taillamps, reflex reflectors, parking brakes, rearview mirrors, windshields, seat belts, and vehicle identification numbers.
(3) A low-speed vehicle or mini truck must be registered and insured in accordance with s. 320.02 and titled pursuant to chapter 319.
(4) Any person operating a low-speed vehicle or mini truck must have in his or her possession a valid driver license.
(5) A county or municipality may prohibit the operation of low-speed vehicles or mini trucks on any road under its jurisdiction if the governing body of the county or municipality determines that such prohibition is necessary in the interest of safety.
(6) The Department of Transportation may prohibit the operation of low-speed vehicles or mini trucks on any road under its jurisdiction if it determines that such prohibition is necessary in the interest of safety.
Last edited by EdFNJ; 06-18-2019 at 11:40 PM.

[Bill14564]

From TOTV archives.....
///Whole lot of words removed///
.


- First it was stated that LSVs could not cross if the limit was greater than 45mph.
- Then it was clarified that 45mph is not a limit, the LSVs can cross any road at a marked intersection
- Finally there is a statement about non-LSVs which I believe to be incorrect
- 316.2126, which has the only mention of 45mph, is an irrelevant statute since it clearly applies to municipalities: "...municipalities are authorized to use golf carts.."
- 316.2122, which applies to our use of LSVs, does not have a 45mph limit but states, "...This does not prohibit a low-speed vehicle or mini truck from crossing a road or street at an intersection where the road or street has a posted speed limit of more than 35 miles per hour."


So the 45mph limit applies to a municipal worker's use of a golf cart only.

[Pgcacace]

Call 24 hr. Cart Svc. They know how to get a cart made legal. It will be considered a low speed vehicle once it is registered.

[jswirs]

Hello. I did this with my cart a year or so ago. You must have a DOT approved windshield, a wiper (can be manual) and of course all necessary lights and horn. Then u must take it to a business that will weigh it for you and get the paper from them. Then you must take it to the DMV for an inspection m. But there is only 1 dmv office that can do it. Seems it's in Tampa. They will inspect and then eventually mail you a VIN sticker and title and then you can purchase plates so you can drive it on the street
Not true, there is an DMV office in Ocala.

[jswirs]

Your correct on the windshield buy wrong on the brakes and driving on the golf course. Insurance is around $ 700 for the year, cut in half when we go up north for 6 months. It always amazes how people who have never done something become a expert on something they have no clue about.
We pay about $400/ yr.

[jswirs]

Just wondering what benefits you enjoy, over and above the extra few mph, by the modification.....assuming you operate it on TV properties?

We operate our street legal cart in the villages and surrounding communities, and on any road that is 35 mph or less. We get about 50 mpg, it is easier to park, and also can be a good substitute for our regular vehicle, should that break down. As I said, each to their own.

[Tyson]

Dont listen to anyone on this site who doesn't have a good history of driving a street legal golf cart. There opinions are absolutely worthless.

[Shipping up to Boston]

We operate our street legal cart in the villages and surrounding communities, and on any road that is 35 mph or less. We get about 50 mpg, it is easier to park, and also can be a good substitute for our regular vehicle, should that break down. As I said, each to their own.

Understood

So when making dinner reservations, you may have to wait about 13 minutes for the others in your party to arrive! ;)

[Shipping up to Boston]

Understood

So when making dinner reservations, you may have to wait about 13 minutes for the others in your party to arrive! ;)

An hour away, of course!

[Bill14564]

People like you who have absolutely no experience driving a street legal golf cart should just shut up already.

Let's make this easier: You need to include the post you are replying to so the person you are trying to insult knows to feel insulted.

[JoMar]

Anyone notice that the OP bailed pages ago and the rest of the conversation has been meaningless to his question?

[Topspinmo]

Let's make this easier: You need to include the post you are replying so the person you are trying to insult knows to feel insulted.


Knows nothing about posting. :icon_wink:

[Topspinmo]

Anyone notice that the OP bailed pages ago and the rest of the conversation has been meaningless to his question?

Like nearly all others :read: