Short answer: In Nebraska, a golf car vehicle (top speed under 20 mph) may be driven on public streets only where a city, village or county has passed an ordinance allowing it, and the driver needs a Class O license and liability insurance; under a general ordinance, use is limited to sunrise to sunset on streets posted 35 mph or less at no more than 20 mph. A low-speed vehicle (over 20 but not over 25 mph) may be driven on any highway with a speed limit of 35 mph or less by a Class O licensed driver with liability insurance, and the Nebraska DMV registration manual treats it as a titled and plated vehicle.
Last verified against the Nebraska Revised Statutes (sections 60-116.01, 60-119.01, 60-501, 60-6,380 and 60-6,381, 2023 edition as published by Justia) and the Nebraska DMV county registration manual: . 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 Nebraska: side-by-side
| Rule | Golf cart | Low-speed vehicle (LSV) |
|---|---|---|
| Legal definition | "Golf car vehicle": at least four wheels, top speed under 20 mph on level ground, payload up to 1,200 lb, gross weight up to 2,500 lb, up to four passengers, built for golf course use (s. 60-116.01) | Four-wheeled motor vehicle that reaches more than 20 but not more than 25 mph, has a gross vehicle weight rating under 3,000 lb and complies with 49 CFR part 571; or a three-wheeled motor vehicle limited to 25 mph, under 3,000 lb, with a windshield and occupant protection system (s. 60-119.01) |
| Where you can drive | Only streets or roads opened to golf car vehicles by city, village or county ordinance. General ordinances: streets posted 35 mph or less, driven at no more than 20 mph, never on state or federal highways except to cross (s. 60-6,381) | Any highway with a speed limit of 35 mph or less; may cross a faster highway (s. 60-6,380) |
| Driver | Valid Class O operator's license (s. 60-6,381) | Valid Class O operator's license (s. 60-6,380) |
| Title and registration | The DMV registration manual lists golf car vehicles as exempt from registration | The DMV registration manual says an LSV to be driven on public roads must be titled, and it is registered with low-speed vehicle plates |
| Insurance | Liability insurance required. Under a general ordinance the minimum is $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident for injury or death, and $25,000 property damage (s. 60-6,381) | Liability insurance required (s. 60-6,380); the DMV manual requires proof of insurance at registration. The amount is not stated in s. 60-6,380 |
| Night driving | Sunrise to sunset only under a general ordinance; that limit does not apply to an ordinance for streets next to a golf course (s. 60-6,381) | No hours restriction stated in s. 60-6,380 |
Where can you drive a golf cart in Nebraska?
Only where a city, village or county has adopted an ordinance allowing golf car vehicles (section 60-6,381, Nebraska Revised Statutes). A general ordinance may allow them between sunrise and sunset on streets posted 35 mph or less, driven at no more than 20 mph, and never on a state or federal highway except to cross it. A separate type of ordinance may open streets that are adjacent and contiguous to a golf course without those limits.
Highway crossing rules in s. 60-6,381(3):
- Cross at roughly a right angle, at a spot with no obstruction
- Come to a complete stop before entering the shoulder or roadway
- Yield to oncoming traffic that is an immediate hazard
- On a divided highway, cross only at an intersection with a street or road
Cities, villages and counties may set stricter safety standards than the state minimums.
What equipment does a golf cart need in Nebraska?
Section 60-6,381 does not list required equipment for golf car vehicles; it leaves stricter safety standards to the city, village or county that adopts the ordinance. Check your local ordinance for lights, mirrors, flags or other equipment.
The vehicle itself must fit the state definition: at least four wheels, a top speed under 20 mph, and built for golf course use (s. 60-116.01).
How old do you have to be to drive a golf cart in Nebraska?
Nebraska's golf car statute does not set an age; it requires the operator to hold a valid Class O operator's license (section 60-6,381). Low-speed vehicle drivers also need a valid Class O operator's license (section 60-6,380).
Do golf carts need registration or insurance in Nebraska?
The Nebraska DMV registration manual lists golf car vehicles as exempt from registration, but section 60-6,381 requires the owner to carry liability insurance and the driver to show proof to a peace officer within five days of a request. Under a general ordinance the minimum coverage is $25,000 for one person and $50,000 for two or more people for bodily injury or death in one accident, and $25,000 for property damage.
Low-speed vehicles are different. Section 60-6,380 requires liability insurance, and the DMV manual says an LSV that will be driven on public roads must be titled and is registered with low-speed vehicle (LV) plates, with proof of insurance shown at registration. The Nebraska DMV's low-speed vehicle page lists a $10 titling fee and does not give registration fees or taxes for LSVs; confirm those amounts with the Nebraska DMV or your county treasurer. Penalties are not stated in the sections we reviewed.
What makes a golf cart street legal in Nebraska?
A golf car vehicle is legal only on streets covered by a local ordinance. To drive on any highway with a speed limit of 35 mph or less, the vehicle must be a low-speed vehicle: four wheels, a top speed above 20 but not above 25 mph, a gross vehicle weight rating under 3,000 pounds and compliance with federal standard 49 CFR part 571, driven by a Class O licensed driver with liability insurance (sections 60-119.01 and 60-6,380).
A county, city or village may adopt stricter low-speed vehicle rules, and the Nebraska Department of Transportation may bar LSVs from highways it controls (s. 60-6,380). The DMV manual adds that an LSV may not tow a trailer.
See our federal street-legal requirements guide for the national low-speed vehicle standard.
Can you convert a golf cart to an LSV in Nebraska?
Not specified in the state law we reviewed. Sections 60-119.01 and 60-6,380 and the DMV manual pages we read do not describe a conversion or inspection process; the LSV definition requires compliance with the federal safety standard. Ask the Nebraska DMV or your county treasurer before converting a cart.
Sources
- Neb. Rev. Stat. s. 60-6,381: Golf car vehicles (Justia copy)
- Neb. Rev. Stat. s. 60-6,380: Low-speed vehicle; restrictions on use (Justia copy)
- Neb. Rev. Stat. s. 60-116.01: Golf car vehicle, defined (Justia copy)
- Neb. Rev. Stat. s. 60-119.01: Low-speed vehicle, defined (Justia copy)
- Neb. Rev. Stat. s. 60-501: Motor Vehicle Safety Responsibility Act definitions (Justia copy)
- Nebraska DMV: County registration manual (PDF)
- Nebraska DMV: Low Speed Vehicles (titling)