Oregon Golf Cart Laws (2025)
Golf carts are generally not street-legal in Oregon. Learn about LSV requirements and local exceptions.
Key Facts
Golf Cart (≤15 mph, typically not street-legal) vs. Low-Speed Vehicle (LSV, 20–25 mph)
Oregon Golf Cart Law Map
Embed This State Map
Copy the snippet below to display the interactive Oregon golf cart laws map on your site. It resizes to fill its container automatically.
Overview
Oregon state law does not generally allow golf carts on public streets unless they are street-certified as low-speed vehicles or operate under specific local permission. Standard golf carts (designed for ≤15 mph) are not street legal and cannot be registered for road use. However, Oregon does allow low-speed vehicles (LSVs) – motorized carts that go 20–25 mph and meet federal safety standards – on public roads with speed limits of 35 mph or lower. Some municipalities may also enact ordinances permitting traditional golf carts on certain 25 mph local roads (often as part of designated cart zones or crossings), but absent such local rules, an unmodified golf cart cannot be driven on Oregon’s public highways.
County & Local Rules
- A few Oregon cities (especially private resort communities or golf course developments) have designated routes or crossings for golf carts via local ordinance. These local rules typically require golf carts to be equipped with basic safety features (lights, mirrors, horn) and confined to low-speed streets (≤25 mph) within a specified area. Outside of these special local allowances, a cart must be upgraded, registered, and plated as an LSV to be driven legally on public roads.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about golf cart laws and regulations in Oregon.
Are golf carts street legal in Oregon?
Not in their stock form. Regular golf carts (top speed ~15 mph) are generally not street legal in Oregon. They cannot be driven on public roads unless a local jurisdiction has specifically authorized it for a particular area (and even then, only on low-speed streets). On the other hand, Oregon does allow LSVs – basically golf-cart-type vehicles that go 20–25 mph and have proper safety equipment – on roads with speed limits up to 35 mph.
Do you need a Oregon driver's license to drive a golf cart?
Yes, if you’re driving it on public roads. On private property or golf courses, there’s no state license requirement. But for any street operation (whether it’s an LSV or a locally permitted cart), the driver must be a licensed driver (16 or older). The law treats an LSV like a normal vehicle, which requires a driver’s license. Local cart ordinances in Oregon also universally require a valid driver’s license.
Do you need insurance for a street legal golf cart in Oregon?
Yes. If your cart is registered as a Low-Speed Vehicle, Oregon law requires it to be insured just like any other motor vehicle. Even for carts allowed under a local ordinance, liability insurance is typically required. It’s both a legal requirement and a prudent safeguard, given that you’re sharing the road with other vehicles.
Are seat belts required in golf carts in Oregon?
For a true LSV, yes – federal standards mandate seat belts (among other safety features). A cart that’s been converted to street use as an LSV must have seat belts for all occupants. For ordinary golf carts used only in private settings or in a small town cart zone, seat belts might not be strictly required by state law, but installing them is strongly recommended for safety.
How fast can a street legal golf cart go in Oregon?
Oregon-adopted standards for Low-Speed Vehicles cap their speed at 25 mph. So a street-legal LSV (which a golf cart would have to be classified as) will go 20–25 mph by design. They are only allowed on streets with a posted speed limit of 35 mph or lower. Regular golf carts, which go ~15 mph, aren’t allowed on public streets at all unless a local rule creates an exception.
How old do you have to be to drive a golf cart in Oregon?
At least 16 years old with a valid driver’s license to drive on public roads. For an LSV, the operator must be licensed (so the standard driving age, 16). There’s no specific age restriction for driving a golf cart on private property (for example, on a golf course, policies may vary), but on any public roadway or cart zone the driver would need to be a licensed driver.
How to register a golf cart in Oregon?
You generally cannot register a standard golf cart through the Oregon DMV. To be street legal, the vehicle must meet the definition of a Low-Speed Vehicle. That means it should have a 17-digit VIN and certification from the manufacturer that it meets federal LSV safety standards. Some specialty golf cart manufacturers or converters can issue this. If you have such an LSV, you would title and register it like a car at the DMV (and then you’d get a plate). If it’s just a regular golf cart, you would only get a local permit sticker if your city offers one for limited local road use – there’s no statewide DMV registration for conventional golf carts.
What are the requirements for a street legal golf cart in Oregon?
It essentially needs to qualify as an LSV. Oregon defines an LSV as a four-wheeled vehicle with a top speed between 20 and 25 mph, weighing under 3,000 lbs, and equipped with all the safety features required by 49 CFR 571.500 (headlamps, turn signals, mirrors, windshield, wipers, seat belts, etc.). In practice, this usually means buying a purpose-built neighborhood electric vehicle or heavily modifying a cart. Once it meets those specs, it can be titled and registered. Without meeting LSV criteria, a golf cart can’t be made street-legal statewide (though it might be usable under a local ordinance in a limited area).
Stay Updated with Golf Cart News
Get the latest updates on golf cart services, tips, and exclusive offers delivered to your inbox.