Street Legal Means Built for the Road
At STAR EV, every vehicle we manufacture—regardless of make or model—is built with one rule in mind: you get what you pay for. When you purchase a Street Legal STAR Vehicle, you're investing in a product that’s designed, engineered, and equipped to meet all federal motor vehicle safety and emissions standards for low-speed vehicles.
They are road-tested, safety-certified, and proven reliable, ensuring peace of mind for every licensed driver on public roadways. Trust STAR EV to keep you compliant, confident, and always on the right side of the law.
Street Legal LSV vs. Golf Cart: What’s the difference?
While they may look similar at a glance, Street Legal Low-Speed Vehicles (LSVs) and golf carts 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 and emissions standards
speed capabilities
Typically operate at speeds of 20–25 mph
Required features
Equipped with DOT-approved components such as, headlights, taillights, turn signals, Mirrors, seat belts, windshield, VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), 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 lack required features like seat belts, mirrors, or turn signals.
legally restrictive
Not street legal unless heavily modified—and even then, local laws vary widely
Why it matters
Choosing a true LSV like a STAR EV ensures you're compliant with the law, protected by safety standards, and ready for the road—no costly conversions or legal gray areas.
What Makes a Golf Cart Street Legal?
A street legal golf cart isn’t just a standard cart with aftermarket add-ons. According to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), these vehicles fall under the “Low Speed Vehicle (LSV)” category. That means they must meet strict safety and equipment rules before they can be driven on public roads.
That means a street-legal vehicle is not a souped-up golf cart or a tricked-out fleet car. Although, too many owners try to play catch-up by purchasing expensive dealer modifications and aftermarket upgrades.
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 either passenger-side or interior mirror
Parking brake
DOT-approved windshield
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
Seat belts for every seat
Rear visibility compliance
Required alert sound (per FMVSS 141)
COMPLIANCE COVERED
In short, a street legal golf cart is really a federally recognized low-speed vehicle (LSV). It must be factory-built or converted to meet these standards—not just modified with cosmetic upgrades from a dealer.
When you purchase a street-legal STAR EV, you can be sure it has been street legal all along – designed, built and equipped specifically for street-legal operation, with no additions or modifications required.
