Talk of The Villages Florida - Questions From a New Golf Cart Owner

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- The Villages, Florida, General Discussion (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/)

- - Questions From a New Golf Cart Owner (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/questions-new-golf-cart-owner-344594/)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marmaduke (Post 2263618)

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!

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??

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike&Silvia (Post 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?

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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cindysum90 (Post 2263647)

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.

Golf cart criminals :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike&Silvia (Post 2263273)

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.

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.

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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by KJ1325 (Post 2263808)

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.

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

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

Expired vanity plates are illegal.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Topspinmo (Post 2263389)

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.

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

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by bowlingal (Post 2263895)

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 mentions neither of those as requirements for an LSV.