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Electric golf cart not illegal in Utah?

jamesgeologist

jamesgeologist

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot
Location
Ogden, UT
I was having a conversation with an Ogden planning committee chairperson who tried to make a case for electric golf carts with all appropriate lighting and turn signals and whatnot was NOT illegal. More precisely, he said that there is no "specific" law against them. While It goes against my better judgment, it seems plausible. I see plenty of <49cc bikes, scooters and homemade choppers running around without plates or regard for their own safety, but this individual claims that because their is no law forbidding them, they are truly drivable on the street.

Someone show me he is wrong!! Thanks,

James
 
cruiseroutfit

cruiseroutfit

Cruizah!
Moderator
Vendor
Location
Sandy, Ut
Why would it be illegal? Just because its electric?

The laws don't specify the origin of power in most cases, rather whether or not they are motorized. Both gas motors and electric motors would likely fall under the same pretense.

In the case of a golf-cart, it could likely fall under the Low-speed vehicle (41-6a-1508) law which regulates vehicles under 35mph. Regardless it would still have to have safety equipment and be licensed for use.

If he's saying that he can drive it on the road without needing any kind of licensing, I don't beleive that to be the case. While many get away with it, it doesn't make it legal. I used to drive my go-karts and mini-bikes all over town when I was younger. I literally drove my mini-bike to work everyday, about 3 miles round trip on busy road (123rd So and 13th east in Sandy/Draper), never once got pulled over.

There are provisions for low speed scooters and transport devices (think wheelchair) that a golf cart might fall under. They are usually restricted to 25mph or less roads, etc.
 
cruiseroutfit

cruiseroutfit

Cruizah!
Moderator
Vendor
Location
Sandy, Ut
jamesgeologist said:
So, if my golf cart has lights and is registered as a vehicle that goes <35mph I can drive it around town?! Whose got one for sale?

James
Click to expand...

I don't see why not, of course you would want to confirm with the DMV. Dihatsu and some of the others have made "utility cart" type vehicles for years that had all the safety amenities needed. However the law states they can only be used on 2 lane roads of 35 mph or less, so while it would be fun to cruise around the neighborhood, I couldn't even leave as all the major roads are 4 lane wide. Of course I'm a block away from a golf course and their cart path cruises right through the neighborhood, so golf carts are a regular fixture here :D
 
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