Florida Low Speed Vehicles (LSV) Laws and Florida Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEV) Laws
In Florida and other states, there are specific LSV, NEV and golf cart laws and regulations governing the usage and construction of street legal golf carts, or low speed vehicles (LSV). Defined by Florida Statute 320.01(42) as “any four-wheeled electric vehicles whose top speed is greater than 20 miles per hour but not greater than 25 miles per hour,” low speed vehicles include NEV or neighborhood electric vehicles. Golf carts that are not considered LSV's are prohibited from operation on roads with a few exceptions detailed in s. 316.212. As with motor vehicles, low speed vehicles are subject to a license  tax, which is the same as that prescribed in Florida Statute s. 320.08- for non-electrically powered vehicles.
There are several features required for LSV and NEV electric vehicles or street legal golf carts in Florida, including:
- Stop lamps, turn signal lamps, headlamps, taillamps, parking brakes
- Rearview mirrors, reflex reflectors, windshields, seat belts, and VIN's
- Must be registered and insured in accordance with current regulations (s. 320.02)
- The drivers of low speed vehicles must have valid driver’s licenses
Although Florida NEV and LSV electric vehicles are prohibited from operation on roads with posted speed limits above 35mph, they are allowed to cross roads that have higher speed limits. However, a county or municipality is entitled to deny/prohibit the use of street legal golf carts or low speed vehicles on any road in its jurisdiction, as is the Department of Transportation, so it’s important to check with your local laws to ensure you are aware of any specifics. For more information on low speed vehicles or street legal golf carts in Florida and the regulations governing their usage, call or e-mail Fairway Golf Carts today.
To see some Florida statutes concerning laws for street legal golf carts and low speed vehicles, click here.
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