A question received often lately to the Traffic Bureau is, "Can I buy a golf cart and drive it on the road?" To address these questions with the warmer months approaching we put together a couple items to be aware of before jumping into the full text provided by the NJ Motor Vehicle Commission.
Sure. Currently, in Stafford Township there is no ordinance to restrict ‘Low Speed Vehicles (LSV)’.
However, there are State restrictions to operate a golf cart (LSV). Here are some bullet points to at least address the basic questions we have been receiving:
- You may not drive LSVs on roadways with speed limits that exceed 25 mph. Roadway does include the shoulder.
- A LSV is a four-wheeled vehicle with an attainable speed of more than 20 miles per hour, but no more than 25 miles per hour on a paved surface. It cannot be powered by gas or diesel fuel and must comply with federal safety standards as noted in 49 CFR 571.500.
- Child restraints in LSVs must meet the same standards as those used in passenger vehicles.
- You must have a valid driver’s license to operate a LSV.
- A LSV may be registered in the name of an individual, business or government entity, but may not be used as a commercial vehicle.
- You are subject to the same violations as other vehicles.
- All LSVs shall have a safety information decal provided by the manufacturer on the rear of the vehicle.
- If you have only one license plate, you must put it on the rear of the vehicle.
- LSVs must meet Federal and State requirements. (Make sure you read these.)