Low-Speed Vehicles (LSVs) are recognized in all 50 states under federal standard FMVSS 500, but each state has its own specific rules for titling, registration, road use, and paperwork.

Here's the overview — for your specific state, visit the state-by-state pages.

The federal baseline

Every state, by default, recognizes LSVs on public roads with posted speed limits of 35 mph or less. LSVs must:

  • Have a 17-digit VIN
  • Carry a DOT compliance label (FMVSS 500)
  • Be titled and registered like any other motor vehicle
  • Have all required safety equipment (lights, mirrors, seat belts, etc.)

The driver must have a valid driver's license, and in most states, LSV insurance is required.

States that require MCO notarization

Eight states require the Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin to be notarized before the DMV will accept it:

GolfCartVIN.com handles notarization at no extra charge — it adds 1–2 business days to your order.

States with more permissive road-use rules

  • Texas allows LSVs on roads with posted speeds up to 45 mph (federal baseline is 35).
  • Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina have extensive communities (The Villages, Peachtree City, Hilton Head) with dedicated cart-path infrastructure.

States with stricter road-use rules

  • Maryland restricts LSVs to roads with posted speeds of 30 mph or less.
  • New Jersey limits LSVs to 25 mph-posted roads.

States with different terminology

  • New York calls LSVs "Limited Use Vehicles" (LUVs). Same federal standard, different label.
  • California often uses "Neighborhood Electric Vehicle" (NEV) for electric LSVs. Both terms refer to the same FMVSS 500 vehicle class.

States with booming LSV adoption

  • Florida — The Villages, Sun City Center, and dozens of beach towns
  • Arizona — Sun City, Green Valley, retirement communities
  • Georgia — Peachtree City and surrounding cart-friendly communities
  • Texas — The Woodlands, Sun City Texas, master-planned communities
  • South Carolina — Hilton Head, Myrtle Beach, Kiawah Island
  • Nevada — Summerlin, Henderson, parts of Las Vegas

Common elements across all states

No matter what state you live in, to title a golf cart as a street-legal LSV you need:

  1. A 17-digit VIN from a registered LSV manufacturer
  2. A Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin (MCO)
  3. A Bill of Sale
  4. An Odometer Disclosure Statement
  5. A DOT compliance label (FMVSS 500)
  6. A valid driver's license
  7. Your state's title application form

That's exactly what GolfCartVIN.com provides — for all 50 states, including the 8 that require notarization.

Where to find your state's specific rules

Each state's detailed page includes:

  • The specific DMV or titling authority
  • Whether notarization is required
  • State-specific road-use rules
  • Major cities we serve
  • FAQ tailored to that state

Find yours at golfcartvin.com/states.

The bottom line

LSV laws are federally consistent but vary in the details state by state. The paperwork is the same everywhere — VIN, MCO, Bill of Sale, compliance label. Where rules differ, it's usually in where you can drive, whether notarization is needed, and what the DMV calls it. Everything else is standard.

Get started — we handle the paperwork for all 50 states, including notarization where required.