[Fraugoofy]

I appreciate everyone's feedback. Rest assured, I am going to TV golf cart service center first thing in the morning to have the cart speed lowered to meet the regulations! Thanks again!!

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by Sandtrap328

Why not just say it is not legal to drive a golf cart faster than 20 mph on a public road or street?

The golf cart cannot be driven on a street that has a speed limit of higher than 30 mph. The LSV cannot be driven on streets with speed limits of more than 35 mph and the LSV has a speed limit of 25 mph. LSV must have insurance, safety check, and license plate.

Easy enough?

I am sure the guy who passed me with his golf cart will be getting his speed tuned down in his cart - and pay a hefty fine.

Only if he gets caught!

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by jflynn1

From first hand experience it is a felony.
You are ticketed for driving an unregistered motor vehicle.
You do have to appear in court before the judge.
You will be fined 500.00 Plus court costs plus you will be placed on probation, unless you visit the probation officers office and pay them a fee I believe it was $50.00 for the day you were on probation for in CASH. NO Checks, No Credit Cards etc.

If you do not have the cash you can walk down to the gas station and purchase a money order for the correct amount and pay with the probation money order.

The gas station does not take checks they do take credit cards.

If you do not Pay the fee for being on probation it is $50.00 per day until you pay it or until your probation time is up to get off probation and have the felony expunged from your record.

Plus you need to bring proof that you have had the cart adjusted so that it will not go more than 20 MPH.

I am sure many people like me were sold Golf carts and paid extra to have the high speed transmission included without knowing or being told about this law.

So, in other words, you are saying that by driving a golf cart at 21 mph you are guilty of a felony for unregistered motor vehicle. But if you INTENTIONALLY don't register your automobile, you get a ticket(infraction) for an unregistered motor vehicle? That just doesn't make any sense
There are about 40 pages in sec 320, the penalty in section 320.57 does not apply to the whole section--in fact, you only copied the first half of sec 320.57 in your post, the second half refers to a fine
I once was stopped for an expired registration (in NY, not FL). I got a ticket, but if I sent in proof of registration within 10 days the court would void it. If not, there was a $35 fine and inability to drive the vehicle until it was registered. State laws differ, but a FELONY in Florida???? I still have my doubts
Any lawyers out there that would like to clarify this???

[tuccillo]

Your other option is to drive at 20 mph or below on the roads, assuming you have a speedometer. From a pragmatic point of view, the only evidence that your cart is capable of exceeding 20 mph is if you are caught exceeding 20 mph.

Originally Posted by Fraugoofy

I appreciate everyone's feedback. Rest assured, I am going to TV golf cart service center first thing in the morning to have the cart speed lowered to meet the regulations! Thanks again!!

[Sandtrap328]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

Only if he gets caught!

Please re-read my post 7. He did get caught.

[tomwed]

Originally Posted by tuccillo

Your other option is to drive at 20 mph or below on the roads, assuming you have a speedometer. From a pragmatic point of view, the only evidence that your cart is capable of exceeding 20 mph is if you are caught exceeding 20 mph.

I heard [so this makes it suspicious already] that if your cart can go over 20 mph your insurance doesn't cover any accidents. Wouldn't your cart be tested if there was an accident?

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by tomwed

I heard [so this makes it suspicious already] that if your cart can go over 20 mph your insurance doesn't cover any accidents. Wouldn't your cart be tested if there was an accident?

My car can go over 70 mph, does that mean I'm not covered if I go faster?

[tomwed]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

My car can go over 70 mph, does that mean I'm not covered if I go faster?

All cars can go over 70 mph.

Somehow I think golf carts have different rules. I do follow your logic. I can see someone in authority saying that the reason the accident was so damaging was because the person was in a cart that was going 30 mph.
If the cart owner says that's impossible since the cart can only go 21 mph that would be the easier defense.

[outlaw]

Originally Posted by tomwed

I heard [so this makes it suspicious already] that if your cart can go over 20 mph your insurance doesn't cover any accidents. Wouldn't your cart be tested if there was an accident?

Your insurance company might try that to get out of paying a claim. But unless excessive speed over the 20 mph limit was proven to be a significant contributor to the accident or the damage, they would probably still be on the hook, imo.

[tuccillo]

I don't know the answer to that. It isn't clear to me that a claim could be denied based on a capability (being able to exceed 20 mph). Probably a question for a lawyer.

Originally Posted by tomwed

I heard [so this makes it suspicious already] that if your cart can go over 20 mph your insurance doesn't cover any accidents. Wouldn't your cart be tested if there was an accident?

[lknight33]

The easiest way to get all the correct information is to attend the Golf Cart Safety seminar the villages runs. They have all the County Sheriffs, insurance company and golf cart dealer give you all the facts. Not sure how often its offered, probably monthly.

[GaryW]

Golf Cart and LSV Questions & Answers - Golf Cart Safety

[tomwed]

Originally Posted by GaryW

Golf Cart and LSV Questions & Answers - Golf Cart Safety

"Can I modify my cart for use at a higher speed?

Although it is possible to modify a gasoline-powered golf cart through its speed governor to go faster, it is not recommended and is unlawful. By law, golf carts are only allowed to operate at a top speed of 20 mph or less. You could risk a traffic citation for operating a motor vehicle without registration. Additionally, your insurance company might decide to deny paying for damage you cause if you modify your golf cart. Manufacturers generally design golf carts for use at speeds of less than twenty (20) miles per hour. Any additional speed can increase the risk of rollover or vehicle instability, especially during a sharp turn."

Golf Cart and LSV Questions & Answers - Golf Cart Safety

[it's a minor point but can't you copy and paste an excerpt if you provide the source like i just did? that's not plagiarism is it?]

[tuccillo]

An important question (to me anyway) is whether the law is violated by possessing a golf cart that can exceed 20 MPH (a capability) or only by actually exceeding a speed of 20 MPH.

Originally Posted by tomwed

"Can I modify my cart for use at a higher speed?

Although it is possible to modify a gasoline-powered golf cart through its speed governor to go faster, it is not recommended and is unlawful. By law, golf carts are only allowed to operate at a top speed of 20 mph or less. You could risk a traffic citation for operating a motor vehicle without registration. Additionally, your insurance company might decide to deny paying for damage you cause if you modify your golf cart. Manufacturers generally design golf carts for use at speeds of less than twenty (20) miles per hour. Any additional speed can increase the risk of rollover or vehicle instability, especially during a sharp turn."

Golf Cart and LSV Questions & Answers - Golf Cart Safety

[it's a minor point but can't you copy and paste an excerpt if you provide the source like i just did? that's not plagiarism is it?]

[tomwed]

Originally Posted by tuccillo

An important question (to me anyway) is whether the law is violated by possessing a golf cart that can exceed 20 MPH (a capability) or only by actually exceeding a speed of 20 MPH.

The page quoted has a contact phone number.
The phone number is also for the Personal Injury Lawyer The Villages, Florida | Tim Babiarz ...
Personal Injury Lawyer – The Villages, Florida | Tim Babiarz Law Firm, PA
Phone: Ex:352-205-7599, Incident Date: Ex:12-20-10 .... Babiarz Law Firm, P.A. | 13710 US Hwy 441, Suite 100 | The Villages, FL 32159 | Phone 352-205-7599.

I know that doesn't answer your question. It's a great question.