Street-Legal Carts
What’s the Difference Between a Golf Cart and a Street-legal Cart?
Golf carts are not designed to exceed 15 mph (24 km/h) and do not have the safety features required for use on public roads. Street-legal carts, however, are equipped with safety features for on-road driving.
Street-Legal Cart vs. Golf Cart
Street-Legal Cart
Golf Cart
Primary Purpose
For street use
For use on a golf course
Speed
At least 20 mph (32 km/h)
Not to exceed 15 mph (24 km/h)
Driver Requirements
Must be operated by licensed driver
License not required
Can be driven on public road?
Yes, check local and state laws for any restrictions
Not unless it’s converted to be street-legal
Safety Feature Requirements
Headlights, tail lights, reflectors, turn signals, speedometer, mirror, horn, fenders, windshield, seat belts
None
About GEM Vehicles
GEM vehicles provide a more comfortable ride, with more standard safety features than a golf cart.
Is GEM Street-legal?
Yes. GEM is the leader in the LSV (Low-Speed Vehicle) market, and GEM vehicles are street-legal in 47 states. An LSV is a vehicle class that has a maximum speed of 25 mph (40 km/h), and can legally be driven on most roads posted 35 mph (50 km/h) or less.
Are GEM Vehicles Considered Golf Carts?
While it may seem like a golf cart, GEM has many additional features that make it so much more. GEM is equipped with safety features required to be classified as a low-speed vehicle, and some of our features go above and beyond the standard LSV requirements. For example, GEM vehicles are roof crush certified to SAE J2358 standards. It is also designed to with premium rider comfort and experience in mind.
GEM vs. Golf Carts
GEM
- Up to 6 forward-facing passengers
- High-back seats, engineered with comfort in mind
- Rules & regulations vary by state but street-legal in 47 states
- Safety features come standard: 3-point seat belts, headlights, turn signals
- 25 mph (40 km/h)
- Must be operated by a licensed driver to be legal on public roads
Golf Carts
- 2-4 passengers, sometimes rear-facing
- Bench seating, typical
- Generally not street-legal
- No standard safety features
- Speed unable to exceed 15 mph (24 km/h)
Find Your GEM
e2
Our most nimble EV and smallest footprint model.
Seats 1-2 | Starting at $13,182 US MSRP
e4
Our most popular EV lands in the sweetspot between a golf cart and full-size car.
Seats 1-4 | Starting at $15,540 US MSRP
e6
Our ideal people mover is a great alternative to SUVs or vans.
Seats 1-6 | Starting at $19,113 US MSRP
eL XD
Rival any truck or cargo van with up to 1,400 lbs of payload, 1,250 lbs of towing, and zero emissions.
Seats 1-2 | Starting at $14,049 US MSRP