Arizona Golf Cart Laws (2025)

Yes – under certain conditions. In Arizona, you can drive a golf cart on public streets only if the road’s speed limit is 35 mph or below and the cart is properly equipped. Essentially, Arizona treats street-legal golf carts as either LSVs or as vehicles allowed in specific zones (like retirement communities). If the cart can go above 25 mph, it must be registered and meet vehicle equipment standards. If it’s a typical small golf cart (max ~15-20 mph), it should stick to designated areas (for example, within a golf community). In summary: Arizona does allow golf carts/LSVs on the road in low-speed areas, but you can’t just take a cart out on any street – it’s restricted to 35-mph-or-less roads and often specific communities.

Yes. Driving a golf cart on public roads in Arizona requires a valid driver’s license, just like driving a car. The state’s traffic laws apply to golf cart operators on the road, which means you must be a licensed driver (usually at least 16 years old and holding at least a Class D license). Operating a cart without a license on public streets would be illegal. (On private property or within private gated communities, license rules may be relaxed, but on public streets, a license is required.)

If your golf cart is street-legal and registered, yes – Arizona requires that you carry liability insurance on it. Once a cart is considered a motor vehicle (which an LSV or any cart driving on public roads is), it falls under the state’s mandatory insurance laws. You’ll need at least the minimum liability coverage. Many cart owners get insurance specifically for their LSV/golf cart. (If you’re just using the cart off-road or on a golf course, insurance isn’t legally mandated, but once it’s on public streets, it must be insured.)

If the golf cart is being operated on public roads, yes, it should have seat belts. An LSV (low-speed vehicle) is required by federal standards to have seat belts, and Arizona incorporates those standards for street use. Many street-legal golf carts in Arizona are modified with seat belts, turn signals, windshields, and other safety features. So, while you might not see seat belts on a golf course cart, any cart you drive on the street should have functioning seat belts and all passengers are encouraged to wear them (and required to, if the cart is federally classified as an LSV).

Arizona’s definition of a low-speed vehicle caps the maximum speed at 25 mph (which is a common standard). So a street-legal LSV/golf cart is designed not to exceed 25 mph. Additionally, you’re only allowed to operate it on roads with speed limits of 35 mph or lower, so you won’t be driving in fast traffic. Some specialized carts (like those used by police or security) might go slightly faster, but generally if a cart goes over 25 mph, it’s no longer considered an LSV and would need to meet full vehicle standards. Most people keep their carts at 20-25 mph in Arizona when street equipped.

At least 16 years old, because you need a driver’s license to drive it on public roads. Arizona doesn’t have a special lower age for golf carts. On the street, it’s treated as a motor vehicle, so the driver must have a valid driver’s license (which in Arizona generally means 16 with a graduated license, or 18 for an unrestricted license). Of course, younger teens and kids can drive carts on private property (like around a ranch or within a private community) if allowed, but not on public streets.

To register a golf cart for street use in Arizona, it typically needs to qualify as a Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV) or LSV. The process is similar to registering a car: you’ll need to fill out a title and registration application with the Arizona MVD. Provide the cart’s Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (or title, if it’s used) which should indicate it’s an LSV/NEV. The cart should have a VIN. You’ll also need to have insurance in place. Once you pay the registration fee, you’ll receive an Arizona license plate and registration for the golf cart. Note that purely electric carts may also require an alternative fuel vehicle sticker. Keep in mind that if the cart cannot meet the equipment standards (lights, windshield, etc.), the MVD will not register it for highway use.

Arizona law requires a street-legal cart to be treated as a motor vehicle in the low-speed category. Key requirements include: it must have working headlights, tail lights, brake lights, turn signals, a windshield, rearview mirror, and reflectors. It also needs seat belts for the occupants and must not be capable of exceeding 25 mph. The cart needs a 17-digit VIN and must be able to be titled and registered. Mechanically, it should have a proper braking system and good tires. Essentially, it should conform to the federal LSV standards (49 CFR §571.500). Once those requirements are met, you can register it with Arizona MVD and then it can be operated on roads with ≤35 mph speed limits. Without these, a golf cart cannot legally be driven on public roads in AZ.