To make a golf cart street legal in Florida, you need to follow these steps:
- Register the golf cart with the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) by completing an application and paying a registration fee.
- Obtain a vehicle identification number (VIN) for the golf cart from the DHSMV. If your golf cart does not have a VIN, you can get it inspected by the DHSMV to obtain a unique identification number.
- Install the required safety equipment, which includes headlights, taillights, brake lights, turn signals, mirrors, and seat belts. The lights must be approved by the DHSMV and meet the requirements for street legal vehicles.
- Obtain insurance coverage for the golf cart. The minimum liability insurance required by law in Florida is $10,000 for personal injury protection (PIP) and $10,000 for property damage liability (PDL).
- Apply for a street legal permit from your local government. Each city and county in Florida may have different regulations and requirements for street legal golf carts. You should check with your local government to ensure you meet all the requirements.
- Display the street legal permit on the golf cart, and make sure to follow all traffic rules and regulations when driving on the road.
In addition to the steps I mentioned earlier, there are a few more things you should consider to make your golf cart street legal in Florida:
- Make sure the golf cart meets the state’s minimum requirements for speed and weight. In Florida, golf carts cannot exceed 20 miles per hour on flat ground and must weigh less than 1,800 pounds.
- Install a windshield, as it is required by law for street legal golf carts in Florida.
- Make sure the golf cart is equipped with a horn, as it is also required by law.
- Ensure that the golf cart has a slow-moving vehicle (SMV) emblem on the back. The SMV emblem alerts drivers of other vehicles that your golf cart is a slow-moving vehicle and should be approached with caution.
- Consider installing a GPS tracking device on your golf cart for security purposes, especially if you plan on using it on the street or leaving it parked in public areas.
Remember to always check with your local government to ensure that you are meeting all of the requirements to make your golf cart street legal in Florida.
Here is a table that compares Florida with other states on How to Make a Golf Cart Street Legal in Florida:
| Requirement | Florida | Arizona | California | Texas | North Carolina | Georgia | Ohio | New York | South Carolina |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registration | Required | Required | Required | Required | Required | Required | Required | Required | Required |
| Insurance | Required (Minimum $10,000 PIP and $10,000 PDL) | Required (Minimum Liability Coverage) | Required (Minimum Liability Coverage) | Required (Minimum Liability Coverage) | Required (Minimum Liability Coverage) | Required (Minimum Liability Coverage) | Required (Minimum Liability Coverage) | Required (Minimum Liability Coverage) | Required (Minimum Liability Coverage) |
| Safety Equipment | Headlights, Taillights, Turn Signals, Mirrors, Seat Belts, Windshield, Horn, SMV Emblem | Headlights, Taillights, Turn Signals, Mirrors, Seat Belts, Windshield, Horn, SMV Emblem | Headlights, Taillights, Turn Signals, Mirrors, Seat Belts, Windshield, Horn, SMV Emblem | Headlights, Taillights, Turn Signals, Mirrors, Seat Belts, Windshield, Horn, SMV Emblem | Headlights, Taillights, Turn Signals, Mirrors, Seat Belts, Windshield, Horn, SMV Emblem | Headlights, Taillights, Turn Signals, Mirrors, Seat Belts, Windshield, Horn, SMV Emblem | Headlights, Taillights, Turn Signals, Mirrors, Seat Belts, Windshield, Horn, SMV Emblem | Headlights, Taillights, Turn Signals, Mirrors, Seat Belts, Windshield, Horn, SMV Emblem | Headlights, Taillights, Turn Signals, Mirrors, Seat Belts, Windshield, Horn, SMV Emblem |
| Speed Limit | 20 mph | 25 mph | 25 mph | 35 mph | 20 mph | 35 mph | 25 mph | 25 mph | 35 mph |
| Weight Limit | Less than 1,800 lbs | Less than 1,800 lbs | Less than 1,300 lbs | Less than 2,000 lbs | Less than 1,800 lbs | Less than 1,300 lbs | Less than 3,000 lbs | Less than 3,000 lbs | Less than 2,500 lbs |
| Driver’s License | Not Required | Required (Class D License) | Required (Class C or M1/M2 License) | Required (Class C or higher) | Required (Regular Driver’s License) | Required (Regular Driver’s License) | Required (Regular Driver’s License) | Required (Regular Driver’s License) | Required (Regular Driver’s License) |
| Local Regulations | Varies by City/County. Golf carts cannot operate on roads with a speed limit over 25 mph unless allowed by local ordinance. | Varies by City/County. Golf carts may not operate on roads with a speed limit over 35 mph unless allowed by local ordinance. | Varies by City/County. Golf carts may not operate on roads with a speed limit over 35 mph unless allowed by local ordinance. | Varies by City/County. Golf carts may not operate on roads with a speed limit over 45 mph unless allowed by local ordinance. | Varies by City/County. Golf carts may not operate on roads with a speed limit over 35 mph unless allowed by local ordinance. | Varies by City/County. Golf carts may not operate on roads with a speed limit over 35 mph unless allowed by local ordinance. | Varies by City/County. Golf carts are permitted on roads with a speed limit of 35 mph or less unless a local ordinance prohibits it. | Varies by City/County. Golf carts may not operate on roads with a speed limit over 30 mph unless allowed by local ordinance. | Varies by City/County. Golf carts may not operate on roads with a speed limit over 35 mph unless allowed by local ordinance. |
| More Info | Golf carts must yield to pedestrians and bicyclists. Golf carts cannot be driven on sidewalks or bike paths. | Golf carts must yield to other vehicles on the road. Golf carts cannot be driven on sidewalks or bike paths. | Golf carts must yield to other vehicles on the road. Golf carts cannot be driven on sidewalks or bike paths. | Golf carts must yield to other vehicles on the road. Golf carts cannot be driven on sidewalks or bike paths. | Golf carts cannot be driven on sidewalks or bike paths. | Golf carts must yield to other vehicles on the road. Golf carts cannot be driven on sidewalks or bike paths. | Golf carts are not allowed on interstate highways or limited access roads. Golf carts cannot be driven on sidewalks or bike paths. | Golf carts must be registered as low speed vehicles (LSVs) with the DMV. Golf carts cannot be driven on sidewalks or bike paths. | Golf carts must yield to other vehicles on the road. Golf carts cannot be driven on sidewalks or bike paths. |
| Age Restrictions | Drivers must be at least 14 years old. | 16+ and driver’s license | 16+ and driver’s license | 16+ and driver’s license | 16+ and driver’s license | 16+ and driver’s license | 16+ and driver’s license | 16+ and driver’s license | 16+ and driver’s license |
