Ready to hop on the Golf Cart/Low Speed Vehicle (LSV) trend? Here is everything you need to know!
If you live in Fairhope you may be considering purchasing a golf cart/LSV as a means to get around town — but before you make the investment, here is some important information from the City of Fairhope:
A LSV differs from a golf cart in that it:
-Has a 17 digit vehicle identification number (VIN) that conforms to the National Highway Safety and Traffic Administration.
-Has a Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin (MSO) that states that the vehicle complies with safety standards set for LSV’s. LSV’s are built with greater specifications than golf carts. Also, golf carts CANNOT be retrofitted to become LSV’s as they will not have this MSO from the manufacturer.
It also important to point out that a LSV is a vehicle and is to be handled as one:
- If your child is not old enough or not licensed to drive a car, he/she is not old enough or licensed to drive a LSV.
- You cannot drive a LSV on the sidewalk or stand on the side and drive– all traffic laws that apply to your personal vehicle, apply to your LSV!
- Like your vehicle, your LSV must be tagged/registered by the DMV and be driven by a licensed and insured driver.
And finally, a LSV must have the following in order to be street legal:
- Basic standard that meets safety requirements (the Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin) A minimum threshold of 20 mph and a top speed of 25 mph
- Headlamps
- Front and rear turn signal lamps
- Tail lamps
- Stop Lamps
- Exterior mirror mounted on the driver’s side of the vehicle and either an exterior mirror mounted on the passenger’s side of the vehicle or an interior mirror
- Parking brake
- Windshield that conforms to the Federal motor vehicle safety standard
- A Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
- Type 1 (lap belt) or Type 2 (shoulder belt)
Fairhope is a beautiful town with ideal weather conditions year-round, so go ahead and get your LSV and enjoy everything this community has to offer!
