When I am here at Prime Golf Cars, one of the most frequently asked questions that we get is what is involved in “Making a golf cart street legal?” When you are ready to get your golf cart suited up for driving on the street, Prime Golf Cars has all the parts you need along with some super helpful tips to get you started in the right direction!
GOLF CART LIGHTS:
Installing golf cart lights is one of the key components in making your golf cart street legal. There are so many different options available for golf cart lighting out there. Generally, you’ll see 3 types of golf cart lighting:
- Basic Lighting
- Street Legal Lighting
- Deluxe Lighting.
You’ll of course need to opt for one of the street legal packages that contain the parts listed below:
- Headlights
- Taillights/Brake Lights
- Turn Signals
- Horn
If you’re in need of a Street Legal light kit, we carry street legal light kits for all Club Car, EZ-GO & Yamaha golf carts! You can also purchase these parts individually thru us or on the internet. If you need help picking out the right light kit for your golf cart, see us here at Prime Golf Cars and we will help you to find the right light kit for your application. If you have any other questions about light kits in general, contact us for more information.
GOLF CART WINDSHIELDS:
Because you’ll be driving on the local streets along with full-size vehicles, you’ll want to install a durable, shatter resistant windshield that will provide a buffer between you and anything that may get kicked up (stones, dust, etc.) by a passing car, truck or SUV. Golf cart windshields generally come in clear and tinted options:
- Clear Shatter Resistant Acrylic Windshield
- Tinted Shatter Resistant Acrylic Windshield
GOLF CART MIRRORS:
Once you’ve selected a street legal light kit and have the proper lighting/indicators and a windshield, the next thing you’ll need is rear view / driver/passenger side mirrors. You will always want to make sure you have clear view of your surroundings while driving on the street. The most popular and required mirrors for on-street driving are:
- Rear View Mirror
- Driver/Passenger-Side Mirrors
GOLF CART SAFETY:
Safety first! Now that you’ve got all of the necessary lights, mirrors and windshields, you’ll need just a few more things and you’ll be ready to hit the road!
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Seat Belts For ALL Drivers And Passengers: This is a given. You definitely need to make sure that everyone is buckled up!
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Speedometer: Sometimes those beautiful, sunny days get us itchin’ to go…. Go a little too fast sometimes! It’s so important to always obey the posted speed limits, in addition to all of the rules of the road.
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Slow Moving Vehicle Sign: Many local ordinances require you to to have a “Slow Moving Vehicle” sign while out on the road. While it’s not ALWAYS required, we always recommend it.
These are some of the things which are making a golf cart street legal.
LOCAL GOLF CART LAWS:
CHECK YOUR LOCAL LAWS. The laws on this topic vary not only from state to state, but also by municipality/city. For example, in some cities in Florida, Georgia, Texas and California there are entire communities that drive their golf carts on the street. ALWAYS check with your local municipality to make sure it’s okay to drive a golf cart on the street. Even with the proper lighting/indicators and accessories, the laws and rules are constantly changing, so the Cardinal Rule is to always CHECK FIRST before driving your golf cart on the street. Better to be safe than sorry!
Once you’re equipped with all of the parts and pieces listed above, you’ll be ready to roll! If you have any other questions about making a golf cart street legal, we are here to help.