North Carolina Golf Cart Laws (2025)
Where and how golf carts are street-legal in North Carolina, including 25 mph speed limits, licensed driver (16+), and “low-speed vehicle” (electric 4-wheel 20–25 mph, federally compliant) vs. unregulated golf cart (≤20 mph):contentreference[oaicite:123]{index=123}:contentreference[oaicite:124]{index=124} classification.
Key Facts
“Low-Speed Vehicle” (electric 4-wheel 20–25 mph, federally compliant) vs. unregulated golf cart (≤20 mph)
North Carolina Golf Cart Law Map
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Overview
North Carolina distinguishes between Low-Speed Vehicles (LSVs), which are street-legal under state law, and ordinary golf carts, which are only allowed on public roads if a local ordinance authorizes it. LSVs in NC are defined as electric vehicles with top speeds between 20 and 25 mph and must be equipped with all safety features required by federal law. LSVs can be registered and driven on streets with speed limits of 35 mph or lower statewide. By contrast, standard golf carts (not meeting LSV criteria) are not generally allowed on public streets unless a city or county passes an ordinance permitting their use on specific local roads (typically those ≤35 mph). Even then, state law requires golf cart drivers to be at least 16 and licensed, and use is restricted (daytime, limited range from home or golf course, etc.).
County & Local Rules
Local Ordinances: NC General Statutes § 160A-300.6 empower municipalities to allow golf carts on city streets by ordinance, under certain conditions. Many NC towns (especially beach communities and small towns) have enacted local golf cart ordinances requiring registration decals, safety equipment (lights, reflectors), and limiting cart operation to specific areas. For example, some towns allow golf carts on 25 mph roads during daylight within a one-mile radius of a driver’s residence. Counties can also opt in via ordinance for unincorporated areas. Without a local ordinance, driving a golf cart on public roads is illegal unless it’s a registered LSV.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about golf cart laws and regulations in North Carolina.
Are golf carts street legal in North Carolina?
Not by default. A regular golf cart is not street-legal on NC public roads unless a local government has passed an ordinance allowing it on certain streets. State law allows cities/counties to authorize golf carts on roads with ≤35 mph limits under specific rules, but absent that, you can’t drive a golf cart on public streets. The exception is if the cart is registered as an LSV – then it’s treated like a vehicle and can go on roads up to 35 mph statewide.
Do you need a North Carolina driver's license to drive a golf cart?
Yes. North Carolina law requires a golf cart operator on a public road to be at least 16 and hold a valid driver’s license. This applies both to LSVs and any golf cart allowed by local ordinance. (On private property or gated communities, license requirements may differ, but on public streets a license is mandatory.)
Do you need insurance for a street legal golf cart in North Carolina?
If it’s registered as an LSV – yes, it must be insured just like a car. For locally-permitted golf carts, many towns do require owners to carry liability insurance (and some require proof of it when obtaining the local permit). It’s good practice to have insurance regardless, and if the cart is an LSV with a plate, NC’s vehicle insurance requirements definitely apply.
Are seat belts required in golf carts in North Carolina?
For LSVs, absolutely yes (federal law requires seat belts in LSVs). For regular golf carts under local ordinances, state law doesn’t explicitly mandate retrofitting seat belts, but many local rules require basic safety features like lights and reflectors; a few towns also require seat belts if operating after dark (where allowed). Generally, any cart classified as an LSV will have seat belts as part of the street-legal requirements.
How fast can a street legal golf cart go in North Carolina?
North Carolina’s LSV definition is capped at 25 mph top speed (and at least 20 mph). They can only be driven on streets with speed limits of 35 mph or less. Regular golf carts typically max out around 15–20 mph and are limited to 35 mph roads when allowed locally. So in practice ~20 mph is the max for a golf cart, and 25 mph for an LSV.
How old do you have to be to drive a golf cart in North Carolina?
At least 16 years old with a driver’s license. That’s written into state law for both LSV operation and for any municipal ordinance allowing golf carts. No one under 16 is permitted to drive a golf cart on public streets, even if a town has an ordinance.
How to register a golf cart in North Carolina?
You generally don’t register a regular golf cart through the DMV. Instead, if your city allows golf carts, they often have a local registration or permit process (e.g., you might get a sticker from the town after paying a fee and proving your cart has required equipment). Only if the vehicle qualifies as an LSV would you go through NC DMV for registration (you’d need the Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin stating it’s an LSV, then get a title, plate, etc.). So: regular golf cart – check local government for permit; LSV – DMV registration as a motor vehicle.
What are the requirements for a street legal golf cart in North Carolina?
For an LSV: it must be electric, 4-wheeled, 20–25 mph capable, with all federal safety equipment (seat belts, lights, windshield, signals, mirrors, etc.). For a local-ordinance golf cart: requirements vary by town, but commonly include headlights and taillights, reflectors, a rear “Slow Moving Vehicle” triangle, maybe turn signals, and sometimes a windshield or horn. The cart also must be insured and carry the town’s permit. And all drivers must be 16+ and licensed, operating only on designated 35 mph or lower roads and usually during daylight.
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