CA Vehicle Code Section 345-3345. A "golf cart" is a motor vehicle having at least three wheels in contact with the ground, having an unladen weight of fewer than 1,300 pounds, designed to be operated at not more than 15 miles per hour, and designed to carry golf equipment and not more than two persons, including the driver.

This vehicle is defined by the CA V.C. Section 385.5 and NHTSA, DOT CFR Title 49-571.500. (a) A “low-speed vehicle” is a motor vehicle that meets all of the following requirements: Has four wheels and can attain a speed of more than 20 miles per hour, but not more than 25 miles per hour, in one mile on a flat surface. Has a gross vehicle weight rating of fewer than 3,000 pounds.

(b) (1) For this section, a “low-speed vehicle” is not a golf cart except when operated under Section 21115 or 21115. 1 (2) A “low-speed vehicle” is also known as a “neighborhood electric vehicle”

CFR Title 49-571.500 A “low-speed vehicle” is a 4-wheeled vehicle that can reach a speed of more than 20 mph but not more than 25 mph on a level track. Can carry 2-4 persons, all facing forward; has Dot-rated tires; has DOT-rated headlamps, taillamps, and stop lamps; has DOT-rated front and rear turn signals; and has two mirrors. It has a safety glass windshield of AS-1 or AS-5 material conforming to ANSI STD Z-26.1-1977 and a Type 1 or Type 2 seat belt assembly conforming to Sec. 571.209 at each designated seating position. It must also have a VIN number conforming to Section 571.565

Yes! You may drive your “low-speed vehicle/NEV” on any street with a posted speed limit of 35mph or less, and you are subject to the California Vehicle Code.

A standard golf cart, as described in CA V.C. Section 345, cannot carry more than two people. You may drive a golf cart on municipal streets for the explicit purpose of moving it from its place of storage to a golf course. The maximum distance of travel for this use is 1 mile on roads with posted speed limits of 25 mph or less, per CA V.C. 21115. You may not use it on municipal streets for general transportation purposes. You are restricted from using it on private property.

21115. (a) If a local authority finds that a highway under its jurisdiction is located adjacent to, or provides access to, a golf course and between the golf course and the place where golf carts are parked or stored or is within or bounded by a real estate development offering golf facilities and is designed and constructed, to safely permit the use of regular vehicular traffic and also the driving of golf carts on the highway, the local authority may, by resolution or ordinance, designate the highway or portion of the highway for combined use and prescribe rules and regulations that shall have the force of law.No highway shall be so designated for a distance of more than one mile from the golf course if the highway is not located within a development or beyond the area of development, provided, the finding of the local authority in this respect shall be conclusive. Upon the designation becoming effective, it shall be lawful to drive golf carts on the highway under the prescribed rules and regulations. The rules and regulations may establish crossing zones, speed limits, and other operating standards, but they shall not require that the golf carts conform to any requirements of this code concerning registration, licensing, or equipment, except that if operated during darkness, the golf cart shall be subject to the provisions of Section 24001.5 regarding equipment. The rules and regulations shall not be effective until appropriate signs giving notice thereof are posted along the affected highway. of this section, means an area of single-family or multiple-family residences, the owners or occupants of which are eligible for membership in, or the use of, one or more golf courses within the development under their ownership or occupancy of a residential dwelling unit in the development. (b) For purposes of this section, a "golf cart" includes a low-speed vehicle.

You should report this to the California Highway Patrol. CA Vehicle Section 24005 makes it illegal for somebody to sell or offer something to be used on the highway that is not highway legal.

24005. It is unlawful for any person to sell, offer for sale, lease, install, or replace, either for himself or as the agent or employee of another, or through such agent or employee, any glass, lighting equipment, signal devices, brakes, vacuum or pressure hose, muffler, exhaust, or any kind of equipment whatsoever for use, or with the knowledge that any such equipment is intended for eventual use, in any vehicle that is not in conformity with this code or regulations made thereunder.

NO! Most insurance companies will insure a NEV; however, they will not insure golf carts, mainly because they are not street-legal. You are signing these documents under penalty of perjury. If you get caught, you’re on your own. The insurance company doesn’t have to cover you. Also keep in mind, that for a dealer to sell you a street-legal vehicle they must have a Dealer’s License from the Department of Motor Vehicles. If they don’t have a Dealer’s License this should be your first sign of trouble.

(1) A licensed, reputable dealer who knows the law. (2) Be sure you get a Certificate of Compliance confirming that the vehicle conforms to the State of California Vehicle Code as required by CA V.C. Section 24007. (3) Confirm that the vehicle is insurable.

Mesa Golf Carts can be reached by phone at (949) 642-1300, by email at darrell@akdarcy.com, or by submitting one of the contact forms on our website.

When you reach out to Mesa Golf Carts, you can expect fast and friendly assistance with all your golf cart-related needs. We can't wait to assist you!