A Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV)/Low-Speed Vehicle is...
  • Has four wheels.
  • Within one mile can reach a speed of more than 20 miles per hour (mph) but not more than 25 mph on a paved level surface.
  • Has a 17-digit conforming vehicle identification number (VIN)
  • Has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of less than 3,000 pounds.
  • Must be certified to meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) to be registered and operated on public streets, roads, or highways.
  • May look like a golf-cart to the casual observer, but is actually a motor vehicle requiring a valid California driver license, registration, and insurance.​

opperation

Registration is not required if you operate your golf cart on a highway designated for such use by ordinance or resolution within one mile of a golf course.
You may not operate on a road with a speed limit above 25 mph except by ordinance or resolution by a local authority.

​If the golf cart is gasoline-powered, it must bear a label certifying the vehicle complies with California emissions requirements.

what you need

You always need:


RESTRICTIONS

LOCAL AUTHORITIES, BY ORDINANCE OR RESOLUTION, MAY RESTRICT OR PROHIBIT THE USE OF NEIGHBORHOOD ELECTRIC VEHICLES.
  • Not be operated on any roadway with a speed limit above 35 mph.
  • Cross state highways only at controlled intersections. Crossing at uncontrolled intersections is permitted with approval of the local authority governing that intersection.
  • Cross at intersections that have a speed limit above 35 mph, if the crossing begins and ends on a road of 35 mph or less.
  • Be operated as a golf cart within a distance of one mile or less from a golf course or on roads designated for such operation by ordinance or resolution by a local authority.
 

​Requirements

If you drive your golf cart on the road it must be equipped with:
  • At least one headlamp, tail lamp, and stop lamp.
  • A rear reflector.
  • Front/rear turn signals.
  • Front/side reflectors.
  • A mirror (located in a position to allow the driver a rear view of at least 200 feet).
  • A horn.
  • Fenders.
  • A safety-glazed windshield.
  • Windshield wipers.

*Please contact your locator DMV office for more information. The list above is to give customers an idea of what is needed and is no way intended to be implied as the DMV rules and requirements.