Short answer: In Missouri, a golf cart (top speed 20 mph or less) may be driven only on streets where the municipality has allowed it by ordinance or resolution; it is exempt from state registration and may never travel along a state or federal highway (RSMo 304.034). A low-speed vehicle (LSV) built to the federal standard may be driven by a licensed driver on roads posted 35 mph or less (RSMo 304.029).
Last verified against the Revised Statutes of Missouri, sections 304.034 and 304.029: . Reviewed by Mike Burdman and Joe Magaro, Low Speed Living / Cart Life TV (20 years combined golf cart experience). This page is general information, not legal advice; cities, counties and HOAs can add stricter rules.
Golf cart vs. LSV in Missouri: side-by-side
| Rule | Golf cart | Low-speed vehicle (LSV) |
|---|---|---|
| Legal definition | Motor vehicle designed and manufactured for golf course use for sport or recreation, not capable of exceeding 20 mph (304.034.3) | Defined by reference to the federal definition in 49 CFR 571.3; must be built to the federal LSV standard in 49 CFR 571.500 (304.029) |
| Where you can drive | Municipal streets where the governing body has allowed golf carts; never along state or federal highways; may cross a state highway at a municipal street intersection unless the highway is posted above 45 mph there (304.034.1) | Highways posted 35 mph or less; may cross faster roads (304.029.2) |
| Driver | Not specified in state law; check with your local government | Valid driver's license (304.029.5) |
| Title and registration | Exempt from the state registration chapter (304.034.2) | The statute exempts LSVs from safety inspection for titling and registration purposes (304.029.3); we could not confirm the Department of Revenue's titling steps |
| Insurance | Not specified in state law; check with your local government | Financial responsibility under chapter 303 required when driven on state highways (304.029.4); amounts not stated in the section |
| Night driving | Not specified in state law; check with your local government | No night-time restriction is stated in 304.029 |
Where can you drive a golf cart in Missouri?
Only on streets and highways under the jurisdiction of a municipality whose governing body has allowed golf carts by resolution or ordinance (RSMo 304.034). A golf cart may never be driven along a state or federal highway, but it may cross a state highway where it intersects a municipal street, unless the highway's posted speed limit at that intersection is more than 45 mph.
- Counties and unincorporated areas. Section 304.034 gives this power to municipalities; it does not address county roads. Not specified in the section we reviewed; check with your county.
- Penalties. Not stated in section 304.034; check your city's ordinance.
What equipment does a golf cart need in Missouri?
State law requires a golf cart driven on city streets to have adequate brakes and to meet any other safety requirements the municipality's governing body imposes (RSMo 304.034.2). Lights, mirrors, seat belts and similar items are therefore set by your city's ordinance, not by the state statute.
How old do you have to be to drive a golf cart in Missouri?
Section 304.034 does not set a minimum age or a license requirement for golf cart drivers; that is left to the municipal ordinance, so check with your local government. A low-speed vehicle driver must hold a valid driver's license (RSMo 304.029.5).
Do golf carts need to be registered or insured in Missouri?
Golf carts are exempt from the state vehicle registration chapter (RSMo 304.034.2), and section 304.034 does not mention insurance, so any registration, permit or insurance requirement comes from your city. Low-speed vehicles must carry financial responsibility under chapter 303 when driven on state highways (RSMo 304.029.4).
Section 304.029.3 exempts LSVs from the vehicle safety inspection sections (307.350 to 307.402) for titling and registration purposes. The Department of Revenue titling materials we reviewed do not discuss LSVs or golf carts, so confirm the titling and plate steps and the required insurance amounts with a license office.
What makes a golf cart street legal (an LSV) in Missouri?
To use roads posted up to 35 mph without a local golf cart ordinance, the vehicle must be a low-speed vehicle as federal rules define it and must be manufactured in compliance with the federal LSV standard, 49 CFR 571.500. The driver needs a valid driver's license and must follow all traffic laws, and the vehicle may cross, but not travel along, roads posted above 35 mph (RSMo 304.029).
See our federal street-legal requirements guide for the national LSV standard.
Counties and municipalities may adopt stricter LSV ordinances for public safety, and the Department of Transportation may bar LSVs from highways under its jurisdiction (304.029.8).
Converting a golf cart: section 304.029 speaks of vehicles manufactured to the federal standard and does not describe a conversion process. Not specified in state law; check with the Missouri Department of Revenue before converting a cart.
Sources
- RSMo 304.034: Municipalities may regulate golf cart and motorized wheelchair usage on streets and highways
- RSMo 304.029: Operation of low-speed vehicles on highways
- RSMo 307.350: Motor vehicle safety inspection (referenced by 304.029)
- Missouri Department of Revenue: Titling and Registration Dealer Manual (does not address LSVs or golf carts)