Delaware Golf Cart Laws (2025)
Golf carts are generally not street-legal in Delaware. Learn about LSV requirements and local exceptions.
Key Facts
Low-Speed Vehicle (LSV)
Delaware Golf Cart Law Map
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Overview
Delaware does not allow golf carts on public roads. The only vehicles similar to golf carts that are street-legal in Delaware are those classified as Low-Speed Vehicles (LSVs). By Delaware law (21 Del. Code §2113A), an LSV is a four-wheeled vehicle with a top speed of 25 mph that meets federal safety standards, and LSVs may be operated on roads with speed limits of 35 mph or less. LSVs must be registered, plated, and insured like any other motor vehicle. In contrast, a traditional golf cart (which usually doesn’t meet those safety standards and often goes only ~15 mph) cannot be registered for road use in Delaware and thus is not street legal. There is no provision in Delaware law for municipalities to individually allow golf carts on their streets, so the state’s rule (no golf carts on public highways) is uniform everywhere. Essentially, unless your “golf cart” is actually an LSV with a tag, you cannot drive it on Delaware public roads.
County & Local Rules
- Uniform State Law: Delaware is small and does not delegate golf cart road-use decisions to cities or counties. So you won’t find any city ordinances that override the state ban. All public roads in Delaware fall under the state’s prohibition of unregistered vehicles (like golf carts). That said, you might see golf carts in use at places like campgrounds, private communities, or the beaches – but those are either private property or very limited crossings often done unofficially.
- Beach and Resort Areas: In some Delaware beach towns (e.g., Rehoboth Beach or Dewey Beach), you’ll occasionally see people using golf-cart-like vehicles on streets. Those are actually registered LSVs (often rented by tourists). They have Delaware license plates and all the required equipment. The towns strictly enforce registration – an unplated golf cart on city streets will get stopped by police. So even in resort areas, the rule is: if it’s on the road, it better be an LSV with a plate.
- Crossing Highway 1: A common question in Delaware’s coastal communities is whether you can cross Route 1 (the main highway) in a golf cart. The answer is typically no – Delaware does not allow golf carts or LSVs on roads over 35 mph, and crossing a road like Route 1 (often 45+ mph) isn’t permitted except possibly at a traffic light with an LSV, and even that can be sketchy. So practically, you’re confined to the slower neighborhood streets.
- Enforcement: Delaware law enforcement is aware that some residents try to use golf carts on back roads. They do enforce the law against it. Driving an unregistered cart on the road can result in fines and the vehicle being towed. If it’s an LSV with a plate, enforcement will simply ensure you’re not on a road you shouldn’t be (e.g., keep off highways and higher-speed roads).
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about golf cart laws and regulations in Delaware.
Are golf carts street legal in Delaware?
No – not traditional golf carts. Delaware law does not permit regular golf carts on public streets. The only way a “golf cart” can be street legal is if it’s been registered as a Low-Speed Vehicle (LSV), which requires it to meet safety standards and have a Delaware license plate. LSVs are legal on roads with speed limits of 35 mph or below, but your typical golf cart from the golf course is not street legal anywhere in Delaware. There’s no local exception or permit that can change that, since Delaware state law is the final word.
Do you need a Delaware driver's license to drive a golf cart?
If you are operating it on a public road (in the form of an LSV), yes, you need a driver’s license. Delaware requires a valid driver’s license for anyone operating a motor vehicle on public roads, and an LSV is considered a motor vehicle. Since regular golf carts shouldn’t be on the road at all, the only scenario is driving an LSV, which you must be licensed to do. On private property (like a farm or private neighborhood), a license might not be legally required to just drive a cart around, but the moment you’re on a public street, you must be a licensed driver.
Do you need insurance for a street legal golf cart in Delaware?
Yes. If your cart is registered as a Low-Speed Vehicle in Delaware, you are obligated to have it insured (liability insurance at minimum). When you register an LSV, you have to show proof of insurance just like registering a car. Operating any motor vehicle without insurance in Delaware is illegal. So any street-legal LSV/golf cart needs an active auto insurance policy. (Regular golf carts that never go on the road don’t need insurance by law, but once you’re mixing with road traffic, insurance is a must – both legally and for your own protection.)
Are seat belts required in golf carts in Delaware?
For street use, yes. Delaware adopts the federal safety requirements for LSVs, which include seat belts. So an LSV (street-legal cart) will have seat belts installed and you should wear them. If you somehow were driving a golf cart on a road without seat belts, you’d already be violating several laws (since it wouldn’t be street legal to begin with). In short, any vehicle legally on Delaware roads in this category needs to have seat belts by design, and state seat belt laws would require you to buckle up.
How fast can a street legal golf cart go in Delaware?
By definition, a Low-Speed Vehicle in Delaware can go 25 mph maximum. Delaware law limits LSVs to roads of 35 mph or less, but the vehicle itself is not supposed to exceed 25 mph. Most LSVs/golf carts are actually programmed/governed to top out at 25. Regular golf carts usually top out around 15 mph. So if you’re driving a street-legal LSV, expect your max speed to be about 25 mph. Anything faster wouldn’t qualify as an LSV and wouldn’t be legal without meeting higher vehicle standards.
How old do you have to be to drive a golf cart in Delaware?
At least 16 years old with a valid driver’s license to drive it on public roads. Delaware doesn’t allow any unlicensed driving on public streets, so there’s no special exemption for golf carts (which, in any case, aren’t allowed on roads unless as LSVs). So the practical minimum age is 16 (the age at which one can be licensed in Delaware). If you’re younger, you can operate a golf cart on private property (like a family farm or a private community, with permission), but not on public streets.
How to register a golf cart in Delaware?
You can’t register a standard golf cart in Delaware. What you can do is register a vehicle as a Low-Speed Vehicle (LSV) if it meets the requirements. To do that, you’ll need the Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (MCO) or title that explicitly indicates it’s an LSV and meets federal standards. You’d bring that to the DMV, fill out the registration forms, pay the title and registration fees, and show proof of insurance. Delaware DMV will issue a license plate and registration card for the LSV. The vehicle will then be street-legal for roads 35 mph and under. If your golf cart doesn’t meet LSV criteria (for example, it has no VIN or MCO, or lacks required equipment), Delaware DMV will not register it. In summary: only specialized street-legal carts (LSVs) can be registered – regular golf carts cannot be.
What are the requirements for a street legal golf cart in Delaware?
It has to be an LSV. Delaware’s requirements mirror the federal LSV standards: the vehicle must have headlights, tail lights, brake lights, turn signals, reflectors, a windshield, wipers, rearview mirror, seat belts, and a parking brake, and it must be capable of at least 20 mph but not more than 25 mph. It also needs a 17-digit VIN and a certification from the manufacturer that it complies with federal safety standard 571.500. Essentially, it should be built from the factory as a low-speed vehicle or converted to fully meet those specs. Only with those features can it be titled and registered in Delaware. Without meeting all those requirements, you cannot make a golf cart street-legal in the state. So, if you want to drive one on the road in DE, you’ll likely be purchasing an LSV that’s ready to go, rather than just taking a regular golf cart out.
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