Florida Golf Cart & Scooter Traffic Laws

*** UPDATE: 8/25/11 ***

For Florida Golf Cart regulations see Florida Statute 316.212

For Florida Low Speed Vehicle regulations see Florida Statute 316.2122

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I have been researching the difference between a Neighborhood Electric Vehicle and a Low Speed Vehicle. There are federal regulations for the entire country and then their are individual state regulations. Unfortunately, I have not been able to locate an "official" Florida state document that describes how these vehicles can be used and how they should be insured. (If you have more information, drop me an email). However, I did find an interesting video about Florida scooter traffic regulations. What do you think about these rules and laws? Post your comments on our blog. Thanks!

 

Comments

[Marc Cesare]

Low speed vehicles (LSVs) were originally called neighborhood electric vehicles under the standards created by NHTSA but they changed the terminology to low speed vehicles a few years ago. The difference is low speed vehicles can also be driven by gas or other non-electric fuel. However, many people still use the term neighborhood electric vehicle or NEV for LSVs. For the most part the terms are interchangeable since most LSVs are electric powered. This may be changing though since more gas powered off-road utility vehicles are now being manufactured to conform to LSV standards, thereby making them street legal. http://smallvehicles.wordpress.com

[EZGO Don]

Georgia just passed a law to become effective 1/1/12 that defines a golf cart as a "Personal Transpotation Vehicle" thereby creating a new class of street vehicle. The requirements are based around the standard production golf cart with a few safety related items such as head and tail lights, turn signals, good brakes and seat belts (no shoulder rigs). It will ultimately be up to each municipality to decide if they want to make them legal within their jurisdiction. Look for this terminology to spread. Interestingly enough, all three major golf cart manufacturers are based in Georgia.