Florida Golf Cart Laws and Low-Speed Vehicle Laws: Quick Summary
This page is a reference guide to Florida statutes and official Florida agency resources related to Florida golf cart laws, low-speed vehicle laws, converted golf carts, registration, titling, insurance, equipment, and roadway operation.
Florida law treats a regular golf cart and a low-speed vehicle differently. A golf cart is generally designed for recreational or community use and is not automatically street legal statewide.
A low-speed vehicle, often called an LSV, is a motor vehicle category that may be operated on certain public roads when it meets Florida equipment, title, registration, insurance, and driver-license requirements.
In simple terms, a golf cart is not the same thing as a street-legal LSV. A Florida LSV must meet required safety equipment standards, be titled, registered, insured, and operated by a licensed driver. Florida law generally allows LSV operation on streets where the posted speed limit is 35 mph or less, subject to local rules and roadway restrictions.
This page collects the most important Florida statutes and official Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles resources related to golf carts, low-speed vehicles, converted golf carts, title, registration, insurance, required equipment, and road use.
Florida Statutes – Defines golf cart, low-speed vehicles and where legal operation on public roads
Florida Statute § 320.01 — Definitions
Legally defines “golf cart,” and “low-speed vehicle”
Florida Statute § 316.212 — Operation of Golf Carts on Certain Roadways
Florida’s primary statute for golf cart operation on designated public roads, crossings, equipment, operator requirements, local ordinances, and sidewalk-related rules.
Florida Statute § 316.2122 — Operation of Low-Speed Vehicles
Florida’s primary statute for LSV operation, including roadway speed limits, equipment requirements, title, registration, insurance, and driver license requirements.
Florida Low-Speed Vehicle Title, Licensing, and Insurance Requirments
Florida Statute § 322.03 — Driver License Required
LSV operators must possess a valid driver license.
Florida Statute Chapter 319 — Certificates of Title
Florida LSVs must be titled. Selling dealer is required to obtain title for consumer purchaser.
Florida Statute § 320.02 — Registration – When Required
All vehicles must be registered when driven on public roads.
Fla. Stat. § 320.02(1) (2025) – Registration – When Not Required
A registration is not required for a motor vehicle that is not operated on Florida roads.
Fla. Stat. § 319.23(6)(a) (2025) – Licensed Dealer Required to Obtain Title for Purchaser within 30 days.
On of a motor vehicle by a licensed dealer to a general purchaser, the certificate of title must be obtained in the name of the purchaser within 30 days.
Florida Statute § 320.0847 — Low-Speed Vehicle License Plates
Addresses license plates for registered low-speed vehicles including low-speed vehicles.
Florida Statute § 324.022 — Property Damage Liability Insurance
Liability insurance is required for registered low-speed vehicles.
Florida Statute § 627.733 — Personal Injury Protection Insurance
Florida PIP insurance is required for registered low-speed vehicles.
Specials Florida Golf Cart and Low-Speed Vehicle Uses and Exemptions
Florida Statute § 316.2125 — Operation of Golf Carts Within Retirement Communities
Addresses golf cart operation within self-contained retirement communities and the ability of local governments or FDOT to restrict operation for safety reasons.
Florida Statute § 320.105 — Golf Cart and Utility Vehicle Registration Exemption
Explains certain exceptions to registration and license plate requirements for some golf carts and utility vehicles.
Florida Statute § 316.21265 — Law Enforcement Use
Covers law enforcement use of golf carts, LSVs, ATVs, and utility vehicles.
Florida Statute § 316.2126 — Specially Authorized Use of Golf Carts, Low-Speed Vehicles, and Utility Vehicles
Covers certain municipal, state park, and seasonal delivery uses.
Florida Statute § 316.2127 — Utility Vehicles by Homeowners’ Associations
Covers certain HOA use of utility vehicles for maintenance, security, and landscaping purposes.
Florida Golf Cart to Low-Speed Vehicle Conversion Statutes and FLHSMV Requirements
Florida Statute § 320.01(22) and § 320.01(41) — Golf Cart and Low-Speed Vehicle Definitions
Defines a golf cart as a vehicle designed and manufactured for golf-course/recreational use that is not capable of exceeding 20 mph. Defines a low-speed vehicle as a four-wheeled vehicle with a top speed greater than 20 mph but not greater than 25 mph, and requires LSVs to comply with 49 C.F.R. § 571.500 and Florida Statute § 316.2122.
FLHSMV Procedure TL-63 — Low-Speed Vehicles and Mini-Trucks
Official FLHSMV title procedure for low-speed vehicles, golf carts converted to low-speed vehicles, low-speed vehicles converted to golf carts, and mini-trucks. It states that golf carts are not allowed to be titled or registered as golf carts, but NHTSA allows a golf cart to be converted to a low-speed vehicle when the vehicle is complete before applying for title.
FLHSMV Form HSMV 86064 — Affidavit for Golf Cart Modified to a Low Speed Vehicle
Required affidavit for a golf cart converted to an LSV. The applicant certifies that the converted golf cart conforms to 49 C.F.R. § 571.500 and Florida law, including required LSV equipment such as headlamps, stop lamps, tail lamps, turn signals, windshield, seat belts, mirrors, parking brake, reflectors, horn, windshield-cleaning device, SMV emblem, and top speed greater than 20 mph but not greater than 25 mph.
FLHSMV Low-Speed Vehicle Consumer Resource — Titling and Registering a Converted Golf Cart
Official FLHSMV consumer guidance for converted golf carts. Before titling and registering a converted golf cart, the applicant must present photos of the front, back, and both sides of the vehicle to a Motorist Services Regional Office, along with required forms, proof of insurance, receipts for conversion parts, title application, identification, and applicable fees.
Florida Statute § 316.271 — Horns and Warning Devices
Requires a motor vehicle operated on a highway to have a horn in good working order, audible under normal conditions from at least 200 feet. This statute is specifically referenced on FLHSMV’s converted-golf-cart affidavit.
Florida Statute § 316.2952 — Windshields; Requirements; Restrictions
Requires a fixed, upright windshield with safety glazing on motor vehicles operated on public highways, roads, and streets, and requires a windshield-cleaning device maintained in good working order. FLHSMV Form HSMV 86064 specifically references this statute for converted golf carts.
Florida Statute § 316.2225 — Additional Equipment Required on Certain Vehicles
Requires a slow-moving vehicle emblem on certain vehicles or equipment that normally travel or are used at speeds less than 25 mph when operated on a public highway. FLHSMV Form HSMV 86064 specifically references the SMV emblem requirement for a golf cart modified to an LSV.
Florida Statute § 319.14(11) — Low-Speed Vehicle Converted to Golf Cart
Addresses the reverse conversion: a titled and registered low-speed vehicle converted back to a golf cart. The owner must contact the FLHSMV regional office, surrender the plate and title, provide an affidavit, pay the verification fee, and display the required “CONVERTED VEHICLE. Max speed 20 mph.” decal after verification.
NHTSA 49 C.F.R. § 571.500 vs FLHSMV and Florida State Conversion Statutes and Process
A golf cart converted to a low-speed vehicle in Florida must satisfy more than one set of requirements. The federal low-speed vehicle standard, 49 C.F.R. § 571.500, establishes the baseline equipment standard for low-speed vehicles. Florida then adds its own title, registration, insurance, inspection, affidavit, and road-use requirements.
For a new low-speed vehicle sold by a manufacturer, federal compliance is handled through the manufacturer’s federal certification process. For a golf cart converted to an LSV in Florida, the process is different: the applicant must complete Florida’s conversion/title process and sign FLHSMV Form HSMV 86064, certifying that the modified golf cart conforms to 49 C.F.R. § 571.500 and applicable Florida law.