03/30/2026
Good to know ๐ ๐
๐๐ผ๐-๐ฆ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐ฉ๐ฒ๐ต๐ถ๐ฐ๐น๐ฒ๐ (๐๐ฆ๐ฉ๐): ๐ช๐ต๐ฎ๐ ๐ฌ๐ผ๐ ๐ก๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐๐ผ ๐๐ป๐ผ๐
Low-speed vehicles are becoming more common on our roads, but they are regulated as motor vehicles and must meet specific legal and safety requirements.
๐ช๐ต๐ฎ๐ ๐พ๐๐ฎ๐น๐ถ๐ณ๐ถ๐ฒ๐ ๐ฎ๐ ๐ฎ๐ป ๐๐ฆ๐ฉ?
A low-speed vehicle is a four-wheeled vehicle with a top speed of more than 20 mph but not more than 25 mph. This is different from a golf cart, which typically travels under 20 mph.
๐ช๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ป ๐๐ผ๐ ๐ผ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐ป ๐๐ฆ๐ฉ?
LSVs may be driven on roads with posted speed limits of 35 mph or less. They may cross roads with higher speed limits at intersections but cannot be driven on those roads. LSVs are not permitted on sidewalks or bike paths.
๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐พ๐๐ถ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐
Any person operating an LSV must have a valid driver license in their immediate possession.
๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ด๐ถ๐๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป, ๐๐ถ๐๐น๐ฒ, ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ถ๐ป๐๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ
Because LSVs are classified as motor vehicles, they must be titled and registered with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. They must display a valid license plate and carry required insurance, including Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and Property Damage Liability (PDL).
๐ฅ๐ฒ๐พ๐๐ถ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐๐ฎ๐ณ๐ฒ๐๐ ๐ฒ๐พ๐๐ถ๐ฝ๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐
To be street-legal, LSVs must be equipped with:
โข Headlamps
โข Stop lamps (brake lights)
โข Turn signals (front and rear)
โข Tail lamps
โข Red reflex reflectors
โข Exterior mirror on the driverโs side and an interior rearview mirror
โข Windshield
โข Parking brake
โข Seat belts for all seating positions
โข Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
๐๐บ๐ฝ๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ณ๐ฒ๐๐ ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐บ๐ถ๐ป๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐
LSVs provide less protection than standard vehicles, so occupants should always wear seat belts and remain alert. Drivers must obey all traffic laws, signs, and signals. Modifying an LSV to exceed 25 mph may make it illegal to operate on public roads.
๐๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ ๐๐. ๐ด๐ผ๐น๐ณ ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐๐
Golf carts operate at speeds under 20 mph and are subject to different, more limited rules. Golf carts may only be operated on roadways that are designated for golf carts with a posted speed limit of 30 mph or less.
Beginning October 1, 2023, a person operating a golf cart on public roads or streets who is under 18 years of age must possess a valid learnerโs driver license or valid driver license, and a person who is 18 years of age or older must possess a valid form of government-issued photographic identification.
๐๐ฒ๐๐ถ๐ด๐ป๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐ด๐ผ๐น๐ณ ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐๐ฎ๐๐ ๐ถ๐ป ๐๐น๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ต๐๐ฎ
The City of Alachua does not currently have any public roadways designated for golf cart use. This means golf carts are not permitted to be driven on public roadways within the city and may result in a citation.
Learn more: https://www.flhsmv.gov/low-speed-vehicles/
