Short answer: In Washington, a golf cart (top speed 20 mph or less) may be driven on public streets only inside a golf cart zone created by a city or county, on streets posted 25 mph or less, by someone at least 16 who has completed driver education or has driven as a licensed driver; inside a zone it is exempt from registration. Washington's street-legal low-speed category is the neighborhood electric vehicle (NEV, over 20 but not over 25 mph), which may use roads posted 35 mph or less but must be registered, plated and insured and driven by a licensed driver.
Last verified against the Revised Code of Washington, WAC 308-96A-139 and Washington Department of Licensing and State Patrol 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 Washington: side-by-side
| Rule | Golf cart | Low-speed vehicle (LSV) |
|---|---|---|
| Legal definition | Gas or electric four-wheeled vehicle originally designed and built for golf course use, with a speed attainable in one mile of 20 mph or less (RCW 46.04.1945) | Washington law uses the term neighborhood electric vehicle: an electric four-wheeled motor vehicle that can reach more than 20 mph but not more than 25 mph within one mile and conforms to 49 CFR 571.500 (RCW 46.04.357) |
| Where you can drive | Only within a golf cart zone created by a city or county, on streets posted 25 mph or less (RCW 46.08.175) | Highways posted 35 mph or less (45 mph or less in counties made up of islands reached only by ferry); not on state highways posted over 30 mph (RCW 46.61.725) |
| Driver | At least 16, and has completed a driver education course or has previous experience driving as a licensed driver (RCW 46.08.175) | Valid driver's license (RCW 46.61.725) |
| Title and registration | Exempt from registration while operating in a designated golf cart zone (RCW 46.16A.080(5)); a city or county may require a decal and charge a fee | Current registration and license plates required (RCW 46.61.725) |
| Insurance | Not addressed in RCW 46.08.175; check with your local government | Motor vehicle liability policy required (RCW 46.61.725); no dollar amount is stated in that section |
| Night driving | Allowed unless the city or county prohibits it from a half hour after sunset to a half hour before sunrise (RCW 46.08.175) | No night restriction stated in RCW 46.61.725 |
Where can you drive a golf cart in Washington?
Under RCW 46.08.175, a city or county may create a golf cart zone by ordinance or resolution. Inside a zone:
- 25 mph streets. Golf carts may be operated on streets and highways with a speed limit of 25 mph or less.
- Signs. The city or county must post signs at the beginning and end of the zone.
- Bicycle lanes. The city or county may ban carts from designated bicycle lanes in the zone.
- Rules of the road. A golf cart driver has the same rights and duties as the driver of any other vehicle under chapter 46.61 RCW.
The section does not authorize golf carts on public roads outside a zone, and it does not address crossing faster roads; check the local ordinance that created the zone.
What equipment does a golf cart need in Washington?
A golf cart operated in a golf cart zone must have reflectors, seat belts and rearview mirrors (RCW 46.08.175). A city or county may also require a decal or other identifying device and charge a fee for it.
How old do you have to be to drive a golf cart in Washington?
At least 16. The driver must also have completed a driver education course or have previous experience driving as a licensed driver. A person whose license has been revoked under RCW 46.20.285 may not operate a golf cart in a zone (RCW 46.08.175).
Do you need to register or insure a golf cart in Washington?
A golf cart that meets the state definition is exempt from vehicle registration while it operates within a designated golf cart zone (RCW 46.16A.080(5)). RCW 46.08.175 does not address insurance for golf carts: not specified in state law; check with your local government.
An NEV must have current registration and plates, and the operator must have a motor vehicle liability insurance policy (RCW 46.61.725). Under WAC 308-96A-139, an NEV pays the same licensing fees as a passenger vehicle, or as a truck if it has a bed, and the owner files the Department of Licensing Neighborhood/Medium-Speed Electric Vehicle Certification form.
What makes a low-speed vehicle street legal in Washington?
The vehicle must meet the NEV definition: electric, four wheels, a top speed of more than 20 but not more than 25 mph, and conformity with the federal standard at 49 CFR 571.500 (RCW 46.04.357). A Washington State Patrol information sheet dated 2011 lists the equipment as headlamps, turn signals, tail lamps, stop lamps, red reflectors, a driver-side mirror plus one more mirror, a parking brake, a windshield, a VIN and seat belts. See our federal street-legal requirements guide for the national standard.
Under RCW 46.61.725:
- NEVs may use highways posted 35 mph or less, or 45 mph or less in counties consisting of islands connected to the mainland only by ferry.
- NEVs may not use state highways posted above 30 mph.
- An NEV may cross a faster road only at an intersection of roughly 90 degrees where the crossing starts and ends on a road within the limit; crossing an uncontrolled state highway intersection needs local authorization.
- A violation is a traffic infraction. The section does not state a fine amount.
Where sources differ: the Department of Licensing certification form says these vehicles may not be used on streets or highways that are part of the state highway system, while the text of RCW 46.61.725 bars them from state highways posted above 30 mph. The form also describes a separate medium-speed electric vehicle class (30 to 35 mph, with a roll cage or crush-proof body) under RCW 46.61.723. The definitions we read cover electric vehicles only; a gas-powered low-speed vehicle is not addressed in these sections.
Can you convert a golf cart to an NEV in Washington?
Not specified in the state sources we reviewed. WAC 308-96A-139 says a new vehicle's manufacturer's statement of origin must state that it meets 49 CFR 571.500, and that the owner of a used vehicle may submit the certification form as proof when the ownership document does not say so. Neither the rule nor the certification form mentions converted golf carts. Ask the Department of Licensing before modifying a cart for registration.
What can local governments decide?
For golf carts, cities and counties decide whether a zone exists at all, and may restrict night use, require decals and close bicycle lanes to carts (RCW 46.08.175). For NEVs, local authorities may regulate operation on their own roads, but they may not ban NEVs from roads posted 25 mph or less, may not set registration requirements, and may not allow NEVs on state highway segments posted above 30 mph (RCW 46.61.725).
Sources
- RCW 46.08.175: Golf cart zones
- RCW 46.04.1945: Golf cart (definition)
- RCW 46.04.357: Neighborhood electric vehicle (definition; 2022 text on Justia, which notes a newer version may exist)
- RCW 46.61.725: Neighborhood electric vehicles
- RCW 46.16A.080: Registration exemptions
- WAC 308-96A-139: Neighborhood and medium speed electric vehicles, requirements
- Washington Department of Licensing: Neighborhood/Medium-Speed Electric Vehicle Certification form
- Washington State Patrol: low-speed electric vehicle equipment sheet (2011)