Street Legal Means Built for the Road
Every STAR EV is built for more than just getting around, it’s built for confidence on every road. Our Street Legal vehicles are designed, engineered, and equipped to meet all federal safety standards for Low-Speed Vehicles (LSVs), combining precision engineering with everyday practicality.
They are road-tested, safety-certified, and proven reliable for licensed drivers on public roadways. Whether you’re cruising through your neighborhood or heading downtown, you can count on STAR EV for safety, reliability, and peace of mind.
Street Legal LSV vs. Golf Cart:
What’s the difference?
They may look similar, but a Street Legal Low-Speed Vehicle (LSV) and a golf cart are fundamentally different in design, safety, and legal use.
Street Legal LSV
Purpose-Built for Public Roads
Designed from the ground up to meet federal safety standards
speed capabilities
Typically operate at speeds of 20–25 mph
guaranteed Safety equipment
Equipped with DOT-approved components such as headlights, taillights, turn signals, seat belts, windshield, VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), a pedestrian sound alert system, and a backup camera
LEgal use
Can be driven on public roads with posted speed limits of 35 mph or less by a licensed driver
Golf Carts
designed for recreation
Primarily intended for private property or golf courses
speed capabilities
Usually limited to under 15 mph
Missing Safety Equipment
Often lacks required features like seat belts, mirrors, or turn signals.
restrictive legal use
Not street legal unless heavily modified—and even then, local laws vary widely
Why it matters
Choosing a true LSV like a STAR EV means you’re choosing safety, compliance, and confidence. Each STAR EV leaves the factory fully certified and ready for the road—no costly modifications or legal guesswork required. Just charge, drive, and enjoy the ride.
What Makes a Golf Cart Street Legal?
A street-legal golf cart is more than a standard cart with a few aftermarket add-ons. To meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS 500), a Low-Speed Vehicle (LSV) must be built with specific safety components and pass compliance testing before it can be driven on public roads.
STAR EV designs our street-legal vehicles from the start to meet FMVSS standards and additionally maintains active registration and certification with 37 U.S. states, ensuring every vehicle meets additional state-level qualifications for LSV standards so you never have to worry about whether your ride is truly road-ready.
Required Equipment for Street Legal Golf Carts (LSVs)
Headlamps
Front and rear turn signals
Taillights and brake lights
Reflex reflectors (sides and rear)
Driver-side mirror and passenger-side or interior mirror
Parking brake
DOT-approved windshield (per FMVSS 205)
Seat Belts for Every Seat (per FMVSS 209)
Required Alert Sound (per FMVSS 141)
COMPLIANCE COVERED
In short, a street legal golf cart is a federally recognized low-speed vehicle (LSV).
When you purchase a street-legal STAR EV, you can be sure it is street legal designed, built and equipped specifically for street-legal operation, with no additions or modifications required.
With STAR EV LSVs, you’re getting a vehicle made for real roads and real drivers, packaging safety, reliability, and everyday ease into one smart, road-ready ride.
