Utah Golf Cart Laws (2025)

Not under state law, unless a local city ordinance explicitly makes an exception. Utah’s state traffic code does not generally allow golf carts on public roads. The only way a golf cart can be driven legally on Utah streets is if a municipality has passed an ordinance designating specific roads for golf cart use and setting safety requirements. Without such a local ordinance, driving a golf cart on public streets is illegal throughout Utah. (Even where allowed, the roads must typically have speed limits of 25 mph or lower.)

Under state law, a driver’s license is not required to operate a golf cart on public roads if the cart is being driven pursuant to a local ordinance. Utah specifically exempts golf cart operators from driver licensing requirements in that scenario. However, cities are empowered to set “who may operate” the cart as part of their ordinance. In practice, many Utah cities (if they allow golf carts at all) require the golf cart driver to be a licensed driver or a minimum age (often 16). So while state law doesn’t mandate a license, local rules might - it’s wise to assume you should have a valid driver’s license unless your city explicitly allows younger drivers.

Utah does not require insurance for unregistered golf carts used on public roads under local ordinance. Golf carts are exempt from the state’s motor vehicle insurance requirements as long as they remain in the golf cart category (not converted to an LSV). That said, if your city requires a permit for the golf cart, you should check if they expect liability insurance - some local jurisdictions or homeowners associations might. Also, the exemption disappears if the golf cart is modified and registered as a motor vehicle; in that case it would need to be insured like any other vehicle. For safety and liability, carrying golf cart insurance is still a good idea even if not legally mandated.

On a standard golf cart, no – Utah law does not mandate seat belts for golf carts that are simply being driven under a local ordinance. Golf carts typically lack seat belts from the factory, and the state’s equipment exemptions don’t require adding them. However, if the golf cart is upgraded to a low-speed vehicle (LSV) for street use, then it must meet federal LSV safety standards, which include seat belts. In summary: regular golf carts in Utah (operated under local permission) don’t need seat belts by state law, but a fully street-legal LSV does.

If we’re talking about a golf cart under local ordinance rules, they are generally designed to go about 15–20 mph. Utah’s definition of “golf cart” caps their designed speed at 25 mph. Additionally, cities that allow golf carts only do so on roads with low speed limits (often 25 mph or less), so you’re not permitted to go faster than that on public streets. By federal law, if a cart is capable of exceeding 20 mph, it’s no longer just a “golf cart” – it’s treated as a motor vehicle and must comply with Low-Speed Vehicle regulations (max 25 mph). So practically, ~20 mph is the top speed for unmodified golf carts in Utah.

The state does not set a fixed minimum age in the statute for golf cart operation. However, since Utah leaves the specifics up to local authorities, the minimum age depends on city ordinance. Many Utah cities require golf cart drivers to be at least 16 and often licensed, but this can vary. If no local rule exists (because golf carts aren’t allowed at all), then the question is moot. So, check your local laws – if your city permits golf carts, it will state the minimum age to drive them (commonly 16).

In Utah, you typically do not register a standard golf cart with the DMV for roadway use. Golf carts are exempt from state registration and titling. Instead, if a city allows golf carts on its streets, you may need to register the cart with the city or obtain a local permit/decal showing it’s approved for neighborhood use. This usually involves a small fee. Only if you modify the golf cart to qualify as a street-legal low-speed vehicle would you go through the Utah DMV to get it titled, registered, and plated like a car. But an ordinary golf cart for local road use in Utah is not registered with the state – it’s governed by local permits.

For a golf cart to be street-legal under a local ordinance in Utah, it must at minimum have a slow-moving vehicle emblem on the back. Local authorities can impose additional safety equipment rules; commonly required are headlights, taillights, reflectors, and turn signals if you plan to drive after dark, as well as possibly a horn or rearview mirror. Operationally, the cart can only be driven on approved small roads (often 25 mph or less) and during permitted hours (many places ban night use for carts). If you want to go fully street legal in the eyes of the state (i.e., make it an LSV), the cart would need to be outfitted with all federally required equipment (headlamps, stop lamps, turn signals, windshield, seat belts, mirrors, etc.) and be capable of 20–25 mph, then you’d register it through the DMV. But for most “golf cart zone” localities in Utah, the requirements start with the slow-moving triangle and whatever the city ordinance specifies beyond that.