North Dakota Golf Cart & LSV Laws (2026): What's Street Legal

Short answer: In North Dakota, a golf cart may be driven on city streets only if the city has passed an ordinance allowing it; the ordinance cannot allow night driving or travel along federal, state or county highways (carts may cross them at a right angle), and permitted carts are exempt from state title, registration and equipment rules (N.D.C.C. s. 40-05-22). A low-speed vehicle (LSV, top speed above 20 mph but not above 25 mph) must be registered with the state and may be driven on highways with a speed limit of 35 mph or less (N.D.C.C. ch. 39-29.1).

Last verified against North Dakota Century Code chapter 39-29.1 and s. 40-05-22 and the NDDOT Motor Vehicle 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 North Dakota: side-by-side

North Dakota requirements for golf carts and low-speed vehicles
Rule Golf cart Low-speed vehicle (LSV)
Legal definition No definition in s. 40-05-22 Four-wheeled vehicle able to exceed 20 mph but not 25 mph on a paved level surface, weighing no more than 3,000 lb fully loaded (s. 39-29.1-01)
Where you can drive City streets only where a city ordinance allows; not along federal, state or county highways except to cross them perpendicularly (s. 40-05-22) Highways with a speed limit of 35 mph or less; may cross a faster highway directly to continue on a qualifying road (s. 39-29.1-07)
Driver Not specified in state law; check with your local government Not addressed in ch. 39-29.1, which treats LSVs as motor vehicles under Title 39; confirm license requirements with NDDOT
Title and registration Exempt from state title and registration when allowed by city ordinance State registration required: $20 per two-year period (s. 39-29.1-03). NDDOT lists a $5 title fee
Insurance Not specified in state law; check with your local government NDDOT says liability insurance is required when the LSV is driven on a highway
Night driving A city ordinance may not allow golf carts on city streets at night No night restriction in ch. 39-29.1; headlamps and taillamps are required

Where can you drive a golf cart in North Dakota?

Section 40-05-22 of the Century Code leaves the decision to each city. A city's governing body may pass an ordinance allowing golf carts on city streets, within these state limits:

  • No highways. The ordinance cannot allow golf carts on federal, state or county highways inside the city, except to cross them perpendicularly.
  • No night driving. The ordinance cannot allow golf carts on city streets at night.
  • Exemption. Carts allowed under an ordinance are exempt from the title, registration and equipment provisions of Title 39.

The Legislature amended this section in 2025 (House Bill 1522, approved March 21, 2025; 2025 Session Laws chapter 377). The limits above reflect the text shown in 2026 copies of the code that we read; confirm local rules with your city. Rules for golf carts outside city limits are not specified in the sections we reviewed; check with your local government.

LSVs follow chapter 39-29.1: they may not be driven on a highway with a speed limit above 35 mph, though a driver may cross one directly to continue on a road posted 35 mph or less. A city may regulate, restrict or prohibit LSVs within its limits (s. 39-29.1-02).

What equipment does a golf cart or LSV need in North Dakota?

Golf carts allowed by city ordinance are exempt from the state equipment rules in Title 39, so any equipment requirement comes from the city. An LSV must have (s. 39-29.1-08):

  • Headlamps, front and rear turn signals, taillamps and stop lamps
  • A red reflex reflector on each side toward the rear, plus one on the rear
  • Brakes and a parking brake
  • Windshield
  • Vehicle identification number (VIN)
  • A seat belt at each designated seating position
  • A driver-side exterior mirror plus either a passenger-side exterior mirror or an interior mirror

How old do you have to be to drive a golf cart in North Dakota?

Not specified in state law; check with your local government. Section 40-05-22 sets no age or license rule for golf carts, and chapter 39-29.1 does not state one for LSVs. Because the chapter treats LSVs as motor vehicles under Title 39 (s. 39-29.1-02), confirm driver license requirements with NDDOT.

Do you need registration and insurance in North Dakota?

Golf carts allowed by a city ordinance need no state title or registration. Insurance for golf carts is not specified in state law.

An LSV cannot be operated unless it is registered under chapter 39-29.1. The fee is $20 for a two-year registration period ending March 31 (s. 39-29.1-03). The NDDOT registration manual also lists a $5 certificate of title fee and 5% motor vehicle excise tax, and says liability insurance is required when the vehicle is driven on a highway. The manual gives the state's motor vehicle liability minimums as $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury and $25,000 for property damage. Cities and counties may not impose their own LSV licensing or registration (s. 39-29.1-02).

What makes a golf cart street legal (an LSV) in North Dakota?

To drive beyond what a city golf cart ordinance allows, the vehicle must meet the LSV definition (over 20 mph but not over 25 mph, no more than 3,000 lb loaded), carry every item on the equipment list above, and be registered with the state. A violation of chapter 39-29.1 that has no other penalty in Title 39 is a class B misdemeanor (s. 39-29.1-09). See our federal street-legal requirements guide for the national standard.

Can you convert a golf cart to an LSV in North Dakota?

Not specified in state law. Chapter 39-29.1 and the parts of the NDDOT registration manual we reviewed describe no procedure for converting a golf cart into an LSV. Contact NDDOT Motor Vehicle before modifying a cart.

Sources

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