Converted Golf Cart vs LSV: 5 Things Florida Buyers Should Know
For owners of used golf carts who want to inexpensively put their cart on the road, the Florida DMV outlines a conversion process. With DMV identified equipment upgrades, increased speed, and an affidavit of compliance with federal standards along with some other paperwork a tag can be obtained.
Manufacturer Certification vs. Florida’s Conversion Affidavit
Sitting side-by-side with tags on each, both will look very much alike. But they are not the same. Key differences are:
Certification
A manufacturer-certified LSV carries a permanently affixed federal certification label identifying the manufacturer responsible for compliance with applicable federal safety standards. Manufacturer recalls may be issued when safety defects or noncompliance are identified.
Conversion Affidavit
Unlike manufacturer certification, Florida’s conversion process relies on the owner’s signed affidavit declaring that the vehicle complies with federal safety standards. DMV Affidavit 86064
VIN Differences Between Manufactured and Converted LSVs
The VIN
A manufactured LSV has a 17-character VIN that NHTSA can decode and every state recognizes. A cart converted through the Florida process gets a state-assigned 9-character FLA number. Future registration in another state is unlikely. NHTSA VIN Decoder
What Does ASPT Mean on a Florida Vehicle Title?
The Make Code.
A manufactured LSV’s title and registration carry a make code identifying the certified manufacturer — E-Z-GO (EZGO), Atlas (VEXA for VEXAS Corp), Evolution (HDKP for HDK Plastic Factory – not UAMI or ASPT), etc. A conversion is assigned make code “ASPT”: Assembled from Parts. Evolution brand LSVs with make code UAMI are something very different.
How an ASPT Title Can Affect Resale
Disclosure Required
Written disclosure that the vehicle is an ASPT conversion is legally required on future sales as well. A properly disclosed conversion can be a sensible, less expensive alternative. For a buyer who didn’t realize they were buying a conversion, an unpleasant surprise could be in store on trade-in when the title is exchanged.
With full knowledge of the differences, a conversion makes sense for some, and WilDar offers the processing and conversion service.
What to Check Before Buying a Street-Legal LSV
Here is the thing to remember. The same affidavit that lets your neighbor put his ten-year-old cart on the road is now being used to put brand-new carts on the road, and registration records show it happening more every year. In a showroom, the two can look identical. So, before you sign, ask to see the title or the manufacturer’s certificate of origin and permanently affixed certification label.
Just be sure you know what you are paying for.
