Short answer: New Jersey's motor vehicle code defines and regulates low-speed vehicles but does not define "golf cart" or provide a statewide way to drive an ordinary golf cart on public roads. A low-speed vehicle (four wheels, over 20 but not over 25 mph, not gasoline or diesel powered, built to the federal standard) may be driven on roads posted 25 mph or less, and up to 35 mph where the road's authority allows it, and it must be titled, registered, insured and driven by a licensed driver.
Last verified against the New Jersey Statutes (N.J.S.A. 39:1-1 and 39:4-31.1 to 39:4-31.3) and New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission guidance: . 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 New Jersey: side-by-side
| Rule | Golf cart | Low-speed vehicle (LSV) |
|---|---|---|
| Legal definition | Not defined in N.J.S.A. 39:1-1 | Four-wheeled vehicle with a top speed above 20 but not above 25 mph on a flat paved surface, not powered by gasoline or diesel, that meets 49 CFR 571.500 (N.J.S.A. 39:1-1) |
| Where you can drive | Not specified in state law; check with your local government | Roads posted 25 mph or less; roads posted up to 35 mph only where the Department of Transportation, county or municipality allows it (N.J.S.A. 39:4-31.1) |
| Driver | Not specified in state law | Valid driver's license, carried while driving (N.J.S.A. 39:4-31.3) |
| Title and registration | Not specified in state law | Title, registration and one rear license plate required (N.J.S.A. 39:4-31.3; NJ MVC) |
| Insurance | Not specified in state law | Required; insurance card must be carried (N.J.S.A. 39:4-31.3). Amounts are not stated in the sources we reviewed |
| Night driving | Not specified in state law | No hours restriction stated in the sources we reviewed |
Where can you drive a golf cart or LSV in New Jersey?
New Jersey state law does not define golf carts or authorize them on public roads in the sections we reviewed. A low-speed vehicle may be driven on roads posted 25 mph or less; the Department of Transportation (for state roads) or a county or municipality (for its own roads) may allow them on roads posted up to 35 mph, or prohibit them on a road where they would be a hazard (N.J.S.A. 39:4-31.1).
Crossing rules in N.J.S.A. 39:4-31.1: an LSV may cross a road posted 35 mph or less, but on a multi-lane or divided road, or a road posted above 35 mph, only at a signalized intersection or another intersection approved by the road's authority. The Motor Vehicle Commission adds that a municipality can ban LSVs from its roads and that drivers must obey signs prohibiting them.
What equipment does an LSV need in New Jersey?
A low-speed vehicle must meet federal standard 49 CFR 571.500 and also have adequate brakes, an odometer, a speedometer, the original manufacturer's VIN die-stamped on the body, frame, engine or motor, and a manufacturer's safety decal on the rear reading "25 MPH Vehicle" (N.J.S.A. 39:4-31.2).
The Motor Vehicle Commission lists the federal items as:
- Headlamps, front and rear turn signals, tail lamps and stop lamps
- Red reflex reflectors on each side toward the rear and on the rear
- A driver-side exterior mirror plus a passenger-side exterior or interior mirror
- Parking brake
- Windshield
- A seat belt at each seating position
- A vehicle identification number
Driving without the required equipment is punishable by a fine under R.S. 39:3-79; the amount is not stated in the section we read. LSVs are exempt from routine state inspection, but the owner must keep the vehicle in proper condition.
How old do you have to be to drive an LSV in New Jersey?
The LSV statute does not state an age; it requires the operator to hold and carry a valid driver's license (N.J.S.A. 39:4-31.3). Age and license rules for ordinary golf carts are not specified in the state law we reviewed.
Do golf carts and LSVs need registration or insurance in New Jersey?
Low-speed vehicles driven on New Jersey roads must be registered, insured and plated, and the driver must carry the license, registration and insurance card (N.J.S.A. 39:4-31.3). The Motor Vehicle Commission lists a $60 title fee ($85 with a lien) and a $46.50 annual registration fee ($34 for vehicles two model years or older), with one plate mounted on the rear. Registration and insurance for ordinary golf carts are not specified in the state law we reviewed.
A new LSV is titled with the Manufacturer's Statement or Certificate of Origin. The MVC says insurance is available through the New Jersey Personal Automobile Insurance Plan and voluntary insurers; required amounts are not stated on its LSV page.
What makes a golf cart street legal in New Jersey?
Under the sources we reviewed, only a vehicle that qualifies as a low-speed vehicle is street legal: four wheels, a top speed above 20 but not above 25 mph, no gasoline or diesel engine, compliance with 49 CFR 571.500, the state equipment in N.J.S.A. 39:4-31.2, plus title, registration, insurance and a licensed driver.
See our federal street-legal requirements guide for the national low-speed vehicle standard.
Can you convert a golf cart to an LSV in New Jersey?
Not specified in the state law we reviewed, and the Motor Vehicle Commission's LSV page does not describe a conversion process. The statute requires the original manufacturer's die-stamped VIN and a manufacturer-supplied "25 MPH Vehicle" decal, and the MVC titles LSVs from a manufacturer's certificate of origin, so a home-converted golf cart may not qualify. Ask the MVC before buying a converted cart.
Sources
- N.J.S.A. 39:4-31.1: Operation of low-speed vehicles on public roads (Justia copy, 2025)
- N.J.S.A. 39:4-31.2: Requirements for low-speed vehicles (Justia copy, 2025)
- N.J.S.A. 39:4-31.3: Driver's license, registration and insurance for low-speed vehicles (Justia copy)
- N.J.S.A. 39:1-1: Words and phrases defined (Onecle copy)
- New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission: Low Speed Vehicles (LSV)
- NJ Division of Highway Traffic Safety: Micromobility Operating Rules and Regulations (PDF)