Rules of the Road: Tennessee Golf Carts & LSV Laws

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It’s tempting to take a golf cart wherever you go when you initially purchase one. Perhaps you want to use it to run to the nearby grocery store or visit a friend in the area. However, it’s crucial that you understand how LSV laws and golf carts go together for safety and optimal driving responsibilities. You must understand the requirements to drive and own a golf cart, especially in Tennessee.

So, let’s discuss golf carts and Tennessee LVS laws that impact their use and ownership. The last thing you want is to get a ticket when you didn’t have the proper safety flag and inspection before taking your golf cart out on the road. It’s better to be safe than sorry, especially regarding driving safety and golf cart operation.

Differences Between Golf Carts & LSVs

Before considering a golf cart, let’s review the differences between them and LSVs, also known as low-speed vehicles. Low-speed vehicles are defined as four-wheeled vehicles that have maximum speeds between 20 to 25 miles per hour when driven on paved-level surface and locations. The standard weight of an LSV—including cargo, passengers, and more—has a limit of 3,000 pounds.

There are many uses for LSVs, such as campus security, ground keeping, farming, meter maids, golfing, hunting, and more. What separates golf carts and LSVs is their speeds, where golf carts have a maximum speed of 15 miles per hour. Additionally, they’re quieter than their utility vehicle counterparts, produce low emissions, and are more cost-effective.

Should You Have Your License and Registration?

One of the first questions you should ask yourself before purchasing a golf cart is regarding your license and registration. Many soon-to-be golf cart owners must know if they need their registration and licenses to drive their golf carts on public roads. For LSVs, it’s true that you need the proper documentation, while you don’t need them for golf carts.

Unless your golf cart comes specifically designed and manufactured for on-road driving and meets street-legal modifications for statutory requirements, you do not need license and registration documentation. General Federal laws for golf carts in Tennessee include vehicles under 20 miles per hour and requiring safety equipment.

Federal Guidelines for Golf Cart Usage

What separates golf carts from Tennessee LSV laws is their speeds and modifications. If your golf cart reaches maximum speeds of 20 miles per hour, it doesn’t require registration. However, if it received safety modifications and exceeds 20 miles, it must become registered and have a title for street use. It must become registered at an LSV or MSV, also known as a medium-speed vehicle.

Those wishing to modify their vehicles to meet LSV requirements must submit a low-speed affidavit form. As such, it will help certify their vehicle with sufficient modifications meeting low-speed vehicle requirements. From there, clerks can authorize the title and registration to the modified LSV if all documentation requirements are met.

Golf Cart Laws in Tennessee

Purchasing a golf cart in Tennessee comes with specific laws and rules. Firstly, golf cart drivers must be at least 16 years of age in Tennessee, while some areas like Knoxville require drivers to be the ages of 18 years of age. Secondly, it’s crucial to clarify the requirements needed to operate golf carts on the road in different locations.

Along with being the appropriate age to operate a golf cart, drivers must also have their golf carts modified to meet specific guidelines. They must have a visible safety triangle and safety flag, and have their golf carts inspected before hitting the road. Golf cart rules vary from city to city, so drivers must know ahead of time before visiting that specific area.

LSV Laws in Tennessee

While driving an LSV can be an exciting adventure, drivers must follow specific vehicle rules and regulations. Firstly, you must have a list of safety equipment for your LSV, so your vehicle is safe and legal on open roads. Secondly, check your local city areas to see if there are specific LSV driving time limits and have the proper driver’s license to drive legally.

Like regular driving, drinking while operating an LSV follows the same penalties as anyone else on the road. Additionally, underage driving is strictly prohibited because it’s illegal, and there isn’t proper insurance coverage. So, if illegal driving took place and an accident occurred, injuries wouldn’t be adequately covered by the insurance.

LSV Safety Equipment Requirements

As previously mentioned, LSVs must have specific safety equipment modifications, so they’re street-legal and operational. Some safety equipment add-ons include:

Headlamps and stop lamps
Tail lamps
Front and rear turn signals
Parking brakes
Exterior mirror on the driver’s side and passenger side
Reflectors
Seat belts
Standard-met windshield
VIN number

Drivers operating low-speed vehicles must have a D class driver’s license on their person while driving. LSV street speeds must stay under 35 miles per hour, and street crossing is permitted to exceed 35 miles per hour.

Guidelines for MSVs

MSVs, also known as a medium-speed vehicles, are four-wheeled electric or gas-operated vehicles that exclude golf carts. It’s crucial to know about MSVs to ensure you’re following specific guidelines and rules while not getting it mixed up with LSVs or golf carts. MSVs run at speeds between 30 and 35 miles per hour and must follow Tennessee standards.

MSVs must have proper registration and titles for road use of 40 miles per hour or less. While golf carts are excluded, they can be modified and designed for on-road use and following statutory requirements and safety guidelines.

Golf Carts or LSVs?

So, which one is better for your lifestyle: golf carts or LSVs? In short, that depends on your lifestyle and the purpose of your vehicle. As a long answer, if you want a vehicle for which you don’t need registration or want more private use, then a golf cart makes an excellent choice.

However, if you want road access while following safety regulations, making modifications, and getting around town, then an LSV is a better choice. Your vehicle choice comes down to your needs.

Finding a golf cart that follows Tennessee laws shouldn’t become a hassle. At Ben Nelson Golf & Utility Vehicles, we offer a variety of golf carts and outdoor vehicles that will help get you wherever you need to go. From mowers to trailers, we provide golf carts in Memphis that abide by Tennessee LSV laws so you can enjoy the ride. If you have any questions regarding our golf carts and utility vehicles, reach out to us today, and we’ll help you find the perfect vehicle for your adventures.