What Is An LSV?

Street Legal Golf Cart Requirements in Florida

As golf carts become more and more popular in Florida, it is important to make sure you know the requirements if you plan to drive it on public roads. Currently, there are places you can drive your golf cart legally and places you cannot. Many golf cart manufacturers are beginning to list their golf carts as LSV's. In this article, we will explain what an LSV is and what you need to be street legal when driving your golf cart in Florida!

Current Florida Statute On Golf Cart Operation

If you are only planning on operating your golf cart on a golf course and on your private property, the Florida Statutes, defines the rules in section 320.01(22) as "a motor vehicle that is designed and manufactured for operation on a golf course for sporting or recreational purposes and that is not capable of exceeding speeds of 20 MPH." Golf carts are allowed to be operated on roadways that are designated for golf carts with a posted speed limit of 30 MPH or less. In the state of Florida, golf carts are NOT required to be registered and titled and there are no requirements to be insured with PIP or PDL coverage. The minimum age requirement to operate a golf cart is 14 years old.

However if you are wanting to legally drive your golf cart on roadways where the posted speed limit is up to 35 MPH, you need to make sure your cart meets the standards of a low speed vehicle (LSV). An LSV is a vehicle that has a top speed that is greater than 20 MPH but less than 25 MPH. There are some basic requirements for an LSV to be street legal compliant. Low speed vehicles need to have a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), be registered and titled. LSVs must also be insured with personal injury protection (PIP) and property damage liability (PDL). Low speed vehicles are only permitted to be operated on streets where the posted speed limit is 35 MPH or less and to be driven by someone who has a driver license.

LSV Safety Equipment

All LSVs must be equipped with the following safety equipment:

How To Convert Your Golf Cart To A LSV

Now that you know what's needed, how do you go about converting your golf cart to a street legal LSV? It's really a simple process! The first thing you need to do is make sure your golf cart is equipped with all of the safety equipment listed above. The next step in the process is to take your golf cart to a Motorist Services Regional Office in your area for a vehicle inspection (you will need to trailer it) and to apply for title and registration. The following documents will need to be presented:

After providing the required documents the last thing to do is pay applicable fees (inspection fee, initial registration fee if applicable, title fee, registration fee and plate fee).

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