If you have a golf cart, you may wonder if it is legal to ride on the road. It is important to know that there are different rules and regulations in every state, as well as localities.
Regardless of the laws in your area, it is essential to make sure that your cart has all of the proper equipment. This will help you stay safe and prevent accidents with other vehicles, pedestrians or bicycles.
How to Drive
Driving a golf cart can be a lot of fun and a great way to explore your community. However, it’s important to know the rules of the road before you head out.
First, start your golf cart the same way you would with a car. You insert the key and turn it to the right.
Once the key is in, you’ll hear a familiar engine sound. Most golf carts are powered by electricity, but some are powered by gas.
If you need to go in reverse, locate the handle that is on the front side of the seat between your lower legs. It can be a big handle that flips left or right, or it may have a switch that you push to the opposite side.
Also, remember that golf carts are much less protective and balanced than cars, so you should always use a seat belt. This will help you avoid serious injury in case an accident occurs.
Safety
While it is true that golf carts can be used on the road, it is important to take proper safety measures when riding them. Accidents happen, and they can cause serious injury or death to both the driver and passengers in a golf cart.
Before deciding to drive a golf cart on the road, it is essential to understand the regulations involved. These include the federal laws as well as state and local laws.
You should also make sure that the golf cart is safe for your family and other passengers. For example, a cart should have a seat belt that fits all occupants and is secure at all times.
Aside from this, you should also make sure that the golf cart has a rearview mirror and side mirrors to help you see your surroundings. This can also keep you from hitting cars or other vehicles that may be in your path while driving.
In addition, you should never allow any unauthorized person to ride in the back of your golf cart. This can cause a lot of damage to your cart and may end up in an accident.
Storage
When riding a golf cart on the road, it’s important to choose a safe and secure place to store your vehicle. Using a storage unit can be the best option, as they are designed to be climate-controlled and allow you to keep your cart safe from the elements.
In some cases, you can also use a portable carport or hard port to store your golf cart. However, you will need to prepare the cart properly before storing it outside.
You need to ensure that the battery is charged, the tires are inflated and the wheels are well-covered. It’s also important to clean the interior of the cart and remove any perishable items before storing it.
A self-storage unit is the ideal way to keep your cart safe and secure during the off season. These units are typically 10’X10′ and leave room for all of your equipment and accessories. They also come with a roof so your golf cart will be protected from the elements during storage.
Insurance
You may think you don’t need insurance when riding a golf cart on the road, but that’s not necessarily true. Depending on where you live, your state may require you to have liability coverage and medical payments insurance when driving on public roads.
If you’re not sure if your policy covers riding on public roads, ask your agent. They’ll know your state’s laws and can help you tailor your policy to fit your needs.
A typical golf cart insurance policy has coverage options like collision, comprehensive, and property damage liability. These policies pay for repairs or replacement of your vehicle if it gets damaged in an accident, or if you cause damage to someone else’s car or property.
You can also choose to include bodily injury liability and medical payments coverage for yourself and your passengers. This provides a specific limit for claims from injured drivers or passengers, just like guest passenger liability does on motorcycles.
Chris is a passionate learner and writer. When he’s not working on his blog or learning something new, he’s a full-time systems administrator and father of two beautiful girls. Chris loves spending time with his family, reading, writing, and playing hockey.