ILTVA®[1] has available a compendium of state laws respecting golf cars and PTVs compiled in July 2013 by ILTVA’s general counsel. The data was retrieved from website sources, in most cases official state government sites.
The purpose of this compendium was to ascertain the extent of variations in state laws allowing golf cars and PTVs access to the public road and highway systems. As expected, there are wide differences in the various state laws when compared with one another. Some states may be perceived as unduly conservative or discriminatory, e.g., requiring rear facing slow speed signs, while other states are more progressive in deference to the increasing public demand for their use in localities where the use may be made safe by appropriate local legislation, to include controlled operating environment guidelines and enforcement.
The laws reflected in the compendium may not all be the most recent versions as state laws are continuously in revision and retrieval is not always available on line for the most current revisions. While in most instances we have checked the various state legislative websites for information, a more recent check may reveal more current or accurate information. Neither ILTVA® nor its directors, officers or counsel make any representations, warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, currency, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained in the compendium or the information linked to it. You are encouraged to check official sources. Users of the information in the compendium who do so without their own confirmation that the source(s) cited are currently valid and accurate do so at their own, sole risk. It is for this reason, among others, we have included copious footnotes relating to the sources used so the user has a starting point for investigation and confirmation.
The compendium does not purport to be a complete exposition of each state’s laws regarding electric golf cars or gas powered golf cars as editing decisions were necessary to keep the compendium manageable and useful as a starting point for investigation not as a definitive resource. For example, state administrative regulations may come into play as well as the cited statutes.
The compendium does not include state laws respecting low speed vehicles (“LSVs”) as defined in 49 C.F.R. 351.500. A list of states providing for operation of LSVs on public roads is available from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and other on line sources.
This compendium is designed for general information only. The information presented in the compendium should not be construed to be formal legal advice.
The reader is encouraged to report to us any perceived changes or errors in the cited legislation by email to . Timely responses to this request will enable us to maintain the list in a reasonably current status.
If you are interested in obtaining a copy of the compendium, please indicate by completing the requester tab below. Following receipt of the completed requester
ILTVA will send you a copy of the compendium. Simply complete the form on the right side of this page
[1] ILTVA® is the official registered trademark of International Light Transportation Vehicle Association, Inc.
Numerous local governments have been adopting or considering adopting local ordinances allowing for the use of golf cars or PTVs.
To assist local governments in this endeavor, ILTVA ®has created model legislation for their guidance.
In some instances, enabling legislation has yet to be enacted at the state level to allow local governments to adopt ordinances allowing the use of PTVs on local streets. To assist local communities desirous of adopting local legislation, a template for an enabling act is included. The template authorizes local governments to enact ordinances allowing PTVs to operate on or across public roads under defined circumstances and on private roads where local government jurisdiction applies.
By supporting enabling act legislation and adopting a model PTV ordinance, local government officials will help generate payroll and sales tax revenue through the creation of jobs.
