California Golf Cart Questions

[gqchris]

HEy Guys,

Who has the scoop on getting golf carts street legal out here in Cali? I just moved into Belmont Shore and think a cart would be pretty cool. Anyone have one? Is it hard to buy one without a plate and get it plated? What are the laws on the street for them? 25 MPH and under streets right? Anyone selling one? I am having a hard time finding something decent on craigslist. They are all either old turds or Bling Bling Carts for 8k!


Thanks!

Chris

 

[gqchris]

I found this one, but its a little more than id like to spend. Am i dreaming to want to spend around $2500? Whats the hot ticket to look for....electric, gas?

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/for/2357852856.html


Chris

 

[djunkie]

I tried to street legal a gas cart in Ca. The guy at the DMV laughed and handed me a green sticker. Now he did say electric is possible but it kinda depends on the city and it's usually only in gated communities.

 

[gqchris]

I tried to street legal a gas cart in Ca. The guy at the DMV laughed and handed me a green sticker. Now he did say electric is possible but it kinda depends on the city and it's usually only in gated communities.

Arghhhhh, thats not the answer I was looking for SO i guess the answer is to get one with plates already? Do the cops still harass with plates I wonder?

 

[Fltplan]

Arghhhhh, thats not the answer I was looking for SO i guess the answer is to get one with plates already? Do the cops still harass with plates I wonder?

Your answer is in Arizona my friend!

 

[djunkie]

Arghhhhh, thats not the answer I was looking for SO i guess the answer is to get one with plates already? Do the cops still harass with plates I wonder?

Well here's the deal. Someone is gonna come on here shortly and tell you they've done it and there's a way to fool the DMV into doing it. Fact is though it probably still isn't legal. I'd look into it with the city to see what the laws actually are around there before you go spending your money on one. Just saying.

 

[gqchris]

Your answer is in Arizona my friend!

Yes, I love Arizonas laws also Unfortunately I live and work in the Republic of Kalifornia and occasionally want to have fun here without the 4.5 hour drive :thumbsup

I can only imagine the field day the cops would have with an arizona plated cart around here!

 

[pronstar]

I live in Belmont Shore too...off Granada. Where are you at?

Are you sure you saw a golf cart, and not a "neighborhood electric vehicle?"
I see a lot of NEV's around here, but I've never seen a golf cart.

This is an NEV:

Check out this link:
http://dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochures/fast_facts/ffvr37.htm

...NEV's are legal in Belmont Shore and many other places :thumbsup

 

[McRib]

Ive done it and there is a way to fool the DMV into doin it.
:fingers:

 

[Bobby V]

Yes, I love Arizonas laws also Unfortunately I live and work in the Republic of Kalifornia and occasionally want to have fun here without the 4.5 hour drive :thumbsup

I can only imagine the field day the cops would have with an arizona plated cart around here!

I drive my AZ cart around my neighborhood all the time.

 

[djunkie]

Ive done it and there is a way to fool the DMV into doin it.
:fingers:

Read post #6.

 

[RiverDave]

Supposedly my golf cart is street legal on anything below 45 mph streets in CA.. I'd try it out if the fuckin thing would ever get done.

RD

 

[djunkie]

Supposedly my golf cart is street legal on anything below 45 mph streets in CA.. I'd try it out if the fuckin thing would ever get done.

RD

In about 2 more........ Oh nevermind.

 

[gqchris]

I live in Belmont Shore too...off Granada. Where are you at?

Are you sure you saw a golf cart, and not a "neighborhood electric vehicle?"
I see a lot of NEV's around here, but I've never seen a golf cart.

This is an NEV:

Check out this link:
http://dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochures/fast_facts/ffvr37.htm

...NEV's are legal in Belmont Shore and many other places :thumbsup

Thanks Pornstar. Im off Bennett. I used to see your truck all the time over near near First and Nieto I think:thumbsup

Yea I have seen carts a couple times. The NEVS are cool, if I can find one at right price!

 

[RiverDave]

In about 2 more........ Oh nevermind.

You're tellin me..

RD

 

[Tank]

Gas golf carts are 100% legal on Ca streets. Most of the time DMV and the majority of LE don't know enough about the laws to deal with them properly.....We have a Gas 6 pas golf cart with a 24hp motor that is street legal, Ca plated, registered through DMV and insured through Geico.

Here's what you'll need to do:

Under CVC section 345, "golf carts" are excluded from being "low speed vehicles" due to the fact they are defined as: "designed to carry golf equipment and not more than two persons including the driver"

Under CVC section 385.5 you will find the definition of a slow speed vehicle. It specifically says NO GOLF CARTS. However, if you re-arrange your "golf cart" (remove the bag racks, put additional seats in the back) then it is now technically no longer a golf cart.

Now you will need:

blinkers
windshield
head and tail lights
brake lights
horn
DOT approved tires
Seat belts

After you have a VIN verification form completed by a law enforcement officer or DMV rep. you will need to fill an application for registration (both items easily accessed on the DMV website) Send in this paperwork with (approx) 75.00 and you'll recieve your plate and reg with-in a few days.

for the VIN verification. The VIN's on EZ-Gos are located on the frame on the drivers side (underneath) and usually on the passenger side, inside the glove box area.

On Cub carts, they are located on the frame (cross section) under the drivers seat,

Technically you'll be able to drive your cart on any surface street with a speed limit under 35 mph as any "low speed veh.". Except that the DMV released a statement a couple years ago specifically stating registered golf carts are only allowed on streets with 25mph speed limits or less. My point is if you're on a 35mph road and get a ticket, I think you'd have a good fight to win in court under the above listed cvc section, identifying your GC as a low-speed vehicle.

If your cart is gas, you'll need a certified letter stating it's smog exempt. I have the number of a company that does regestrations that can provide this form and take care of all the paper work for about 35.00.

Many times Craigslist has Ca. plated Golf Carts for sale if you want to skip all this.

Out of state plates are technically legal in Ca. just as a car plate would be. The CVC states any out of state reg. vehicle must spend at least 6 months out of Ca. (in the state of reg.) per year. So, I see this as a problem if you run into a cop with an attitude about your out of state reg'd GC.

Also, side by sides are not legal anywhere on Ca streets because the speeds are too high. Even with out of state plates. Cap on low speed vehicle is 35 mph. Anything faster than that has to meet DOT cirt's as a regular car does. I know some have seen out of state plated side by sides running around but most traffic cops will know it's not legal. Also, I've seen ONE side by side registered with a CA plate but this was absolutely a fluke. Dont think you'll ever get away with it again.

However, if you want a fast GC but still want it street legal, you may have to get the veh. registered with stock power THEN put the larger motor in...This may have been what I did

Let me know if you need anything and I'll help ya out if I can.

Tank

 

[Tank]

I found this one, but its a little more than id like to spend. Am i dreaming to want to spend around $2500? Whats the hot ticket to look for....electric, gas?

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/for/2357852856.html


Chris

A) Keep looking...If you look long enough you'll find one that looks like that for 2500.
B) Gas VS electric? Really depends on what you want to do. We like to take ours to Naciemento and on the beach. Electric wont do the job really well for wheelin. Gas is loud and you have to go get the gas compared to just plugging in an electric. The batteries on the Electrics are not cheap, make sure you load test the batteries before you buy (if you buy electric) because you'll quickly double the buying price if a few batteries are dead.

We've had both elecric and gas and liked them both for different uses. I actually thought about buying an electric one to use also.

 

[Mr Wicked]

tank not sure when you got your cart reg


the dmv laws have changed

out of state plates are only legal if your drove it to cali from that state..
so that killes the az plates for carts and side by sides....

as tank said if the side x sides had cali plates you would be able to drive them on the freeways... theres nothing D.O.T approved on a sxs that in cludes the lights seat belts...also cant do specail construction they dont weigh enough and there wheel base is to small....

if you take your cart to the dmv most dmv will send you away...

some of the gas carts and sxs that ere reg 2 or 3 years ago are now coming back needing a smog cert....
we just had a guy try to reg his LSV and he didnt do it right and now DMV has red flag his vin #

golf carts now need a 17 digit vin# installed dmv computer wont except the ez-go 7 digit serial number anymore....

also once you get a cart reg do not DO NOT none op or let it expire cause you can loose the reg....

so if you find a gas cart with plates i would question how it was done...

we have vin # with new MSO for $500.00

to have the cart verifield , dmv fees and taxes $500.00

now keep in mind a stock gas or electric cart is 18mph and driving on a 35mph street can be tuff....

we have 4 carts right now for sale with plates 3 of them are current and one is not....

1 is a 4 seater lifted with long travel and upgraded to 48 volt runs 30+ mph $6000.00 has over 12k invested

2 is a 6 seater lifted with log travel and upgraded to 48 volt runs 30+ mph
$10,000 has over 15k invested

3 4 seater gas 38HP briggs 45mph 3 link rear and long travel front 15k invested $10,000...

4 6 seater 30hp briggs 35mph 3 link rear and long travel front 15k invested $11,000

we will post all the carts with pics in the golf cart section....

feel free to call with any questions....

 

[Mr Wicked]

also remember that is is illegal to ride on the rear facing seats on carts...

if you got rear ended it would hurt the passengers... 99% of the officers dont know all the details of the golf cart or lsv or nev laws.....

one of our customers works for buena park pd and he said they only knows 7 laws they have to look up the rest....

 

[fmo24]

There is a guy that lives on Ocean that has a detailing business that has a gas cart he uses around Belmont Shore. It is down towards the basketball courts. Maybe talk to him if you see him around.

 

[Cdog]

I've got what you need right here and it's in Anaheim Hills.

http://www.riverdavesplace.com/forums/showthread.php?t=47941

 

[gqchris]

Thanks for all the info guys! Tank, that write up was GREAT!

Mr. Wicked, great info also! Carts priced out of my budget though, but I bet they are bad ass.

Chris

 

[gqchris]

I've got what you need right here and it's in Anaheim Hills.

http://www.riverdavesplace.com/forums/showthread.php?t=47941

Hey Cdog, it has plates?
Chris

 

[Mr Wicked]

no problem...

we also have 2005 ez-go electrics 2 seaters with plates $3750.00

 

[BarryMac]

There is a place down here in San Diego that helped me get California plates on mine. McKees, (619) 698-8818. Might be kind of far for you but they made it super easy.

 

[454Rocket]

Chris... screw the cart... Let's go halves on a Duffy :thumbsup

 

[gqchris]

no problem...

we also have 2005 ez-go electrics 2 seaters with plates $3750.00

Might need to save up some cash and step up.

 

[gqchris]

There is a place down here in San Diego that helped me get California plates on mine. McKees, (619) 698-8818. Might be kind of far for you but they made it super easy.

Thanks Barry! What kind of cart do you have?

 

[BarryMac]

Thanks Barry! What kind of cart do you have?

2005 EzGo gasser.

 

[gqchris]

Chris... screw the cart... Let's go halves on a Duffy :thumbsup

Dude, Duffys rock! I think we could keep it in Cerritos Bahia on the cheap too.:champagne:

 

[gqchris]

2005 EzGo gasser.

Thats bad ass, So I guess just look for one with Lights and blinkers and stuff then and get it sent thru with your guy. Without the plate, the prices are WAY more reasonable!

 

[BarryMac]

Thats bad ass, So I guess just look for one with Lights and blinkers and stuff then and get it sent thru with your guy. Without the plate, the prices are WAY more reasonable!

Mine doesn't have blinkers. I will let you in on my secret. We have a cop friend that signed off on the form. Everyone should have a cop friend...

 

[gqchris]

Mine doesn't have blinkers. I will let you in on my secret. We have a cop friend that signed off on the form. Everyone should have a cop friend...

Cop friends rock I have a few in mind!

 

[Cdog]

Hey Cdog, it has plates?
Chris

No plates but I'll make you a no BS deal that will be hard to beat. That thing is in excellent condition. It has blinkers and lights. It was up in Vegas on a golf course community.

 

[Mr Wicked]

Mine doesn't have blinkers. I will let you in on my secret. We have a cop friend that signed off on the form. Everyone should have a cop friend...

so you saved $100.00 now you better use your arm eveytime and never get in an accident....

i have lots of cop freinds too


in fact i can get plates on the cart with out any lights belts mirror horn kit... its just a pain in the ass if you get pulled over with out all the goodies...

 

[Mr Wicked]

Mine doesn't have blinkers. I will let you in on my secret. We have a cop friend that signed off on the form. Everyone should have a cop friend...

and your st sport has a factory harness to its just plug in the turn signal lever and everything works.... plug and play

 

[BarryMac]

so you saved $100.00 now you better use your arm eveytime and never get in an accident....

i have lots of cop freinds too


in fact i can get plates on the cart with out any lights belts mirror horn kit... its just a pain in the ass if you get pulled over with out all the goodies...

Not trying to be a dick, but I saved a lot more then that. The quotes that I was getting from dealers such as yourself was in excess of $300 just for the DMV fee, before lights, turn signals and all that other BS. I did the DMV for $100 myself.

My cart is primarily off road any how. I ditched the $159 a year California plates for the $5 a year Arizona plates.

 

[Mr Wicked]

Not trying to be a dick, but I saved a lot more then that. The quotes that I was getting from dealers such as yourself was in excess of $300 just for the DMV fee, before lights, turn signals and all that other BS. I did the DMV for $100 myself.

My cart is primarily off road any how. I ditched the $159 a year California plates for the $5 a year Arizona plates.

not trying to be a dick either...

yes we charge to verafy the cart but there taxes on the value and the dmv fee is $148.00 and tags are only $68.00 a year...

the $500.00 we charge includes the taxes, dmv fees and anf the verifing...

also people be aware with az plates you still need a out of state green sticker on your off road cart cart or sxs

also i have heard that the ranger and wrighting tickets in the dunes with cars and trucks with plates cuase they dont have dot seat belts, the v bar in front windsheild, and no windows.... now thats being a real dick


im just trying to give freind info we have been getting alot of calls lately about the way people have gotten the carts plated now they are haveing problems about smog and other stuff.... just beware


just like someone else posted about cheap electric carts are not so cheap if you have to spend $700.00 for batts....

 

[HolyMoly]

Well here's the deal. Someone is gonna come on here shortly and tell you they've done it and there's a way to fool the DMV into doing it. Fact is though it probably still isn't legal. I'd look into it with the city to see what the laws actually are around there before you go spending your money on one. Just saying.

Wow....you can predict the future and shit.

 

[78Southwind]

Hey Chris,
If you don't mind a NEV then check out craigslist for a used 2010 Zone. I picked up a new one last year. Our Zone is registered in Arizona for our place in Bullhead City but they are legal in California too. They're not the quality of an American made NEV but are pretty nice for the price. From time to time I see them listed for around $3,000 - $5,000. The Zone was made in China and assembled in California. If you want to check mine out before you start your search just let me know.

Here's a picture of mine.

Here's some links to craigslist sales.
http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/rvs/2344423254.html

http://austin.craigslist.org/rvs/2340960569.html

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/sat/rvs/2314780365.html

 

[Mr Wicked]

we have worked on a few zone carts.. not too bad

the one add says 25 to 50 miles on a charge i dont think its even close to that kind of miledge.. south wind how far have you taken yours????

for the $5000.00 it says street legal but nothing about being plated.... keep in mind that people got a tax credit on the new nevs so $5,000 for a used/new one is kinda high and parts not sure how quick we can get them if something goes wrong.....

 

[OCMerrill]

Dude, Duffys rock! I think we could keep it in Cerritos Bahia on the cheap too.:champagne:

Duffy - PWC of the Harbor for rich people. :smackbum:

Between those and snail botes with their floppy main up and under power to exercise their right of way...I am ready to get train horns.

 

[gqchris]

not trying to be a dick either...

yes we charge to verafy the cart but there taxes on the value and the dmv fee is $148.00 and tags are only $68.00 a year...

the $500.00 we charge includes the taxes, dmv fees and anf the verifing...

also people be aware with az plates you still need a out of state green sticker on your off road cart cart or sxs

also i have heard that the ranger and wrighting tickets in the dunes with cars and trucks with plates cuase they dont have dot seat belts, the v bar in front windsheild, and no windows.... now thats being a real dick


im just trying to give freind info we have been getting alot of calls lately about the way people have gotten the carts plated now they are haveing problems about smog and other stuff.... just beware


just like someone else posted about cheap electric carts are not so cheap if you have to spend $700.00 for batts....

I really appreciate all the info Mr. Wicked. So pretty much if I bring you any cart, (Gas or Electric) you can get me plated for $500 bucks correct? Assuming it has the proper equipment. Im looking at like CDogs cart and a few others and I want to be able to budget in that fee on top of my purchase price.

 

[djunkie]

so you saved $100.00 now you better use your arm eveytime and never get in an accident....

i have lots of cop freinds too


in fact i can get plates on the cart with out any lights belts mirror horn kit... its just a pain in the ass if you get pulled over with out all the goodies...

Exactly. This is my point. Just because you might get a plate for it doesn't necessarily mean its really legal.

 

[pronstar]

Exactly. This is my point. Just because you might get a plate for it doesn't necessarily mean its really legal.

Yup.
Lots of cops in Belmont Shore, too.

I see golf carts near the golf course, and it's legal.
But there I really don't see them cruising around Belmont Shore...only NEV's.

Here's a link to the DMV's golf cart page:
http://dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d11/vc21115.htm

 

[Mr Wicked]

I really appreciate all the info Mr. Wicked. So pretty much if I bring you any cart, (Gas or Electric) you can get me plated for $500 bucks correct? Assuming it has the proper equipment. Im looking at like CDogs cart and a few others and I want to be able to budget in that fee on top of my purchase price.

we call it $2000.00 for everything

new vin number
dmv fees and taxes
head/tail lights
turn and brake lights
horn kit
retracable seat belts
windsheild
mirror
installed


or vin # $500.00
dmv fees and paper taxes $500.00

 

[Tank]

also remember that is is illegal to ride on the rear facing seats on carts...

if you got rear ended it would hurt the passengers... 99% of the officers dont know all the details of the golf cart or lsv or nev laws.....

one of our customers works for buena park pd and he said they only knows 7 laws they have to look up the rest....

I can not find any law that states you can not ride on the rear facing seats. Only laws I can locate state just the opposite - as long as you have proper seat belts. Just as you can ride in the rear of a pick up truck as long as it has a seat and seat belts.

 

[Tank]

tank not sure when you got your cart reg


the dmv laws have changed

The "laws" have not really changed. But the way the DMV interperates them has. Thus the DMV updates regarding golf carts/cars. A year or so ago specific guidlines were put in place using existing laws in an attempt to take out some of the confusion in the subject.

out of state plates are only legal if your drove it to cali from that state..
so that killes the az plates for carts and side by sides....

Absolutely false. You can trailer any vehicle into the state and it is still usable...For example - show cars, people with multiple cars driving in from out of state, etc. There is no where in the Ca. Vehicle Code that states this. The only thing it does state is that a vehicle needs to be driven 6 months of the year out of the state or registered with in 10 days of moving full time to the state.

if you take your cart to the dmv most dmv will send you away...

Agreed, mostly because the DMV employee (as with most LE) are not up to speed on GC statutes. DMV is very strict regarding this subject, but not impossible.

some of the gas carts and sxs that ere reg 2 or 3 years ago are now coming back needing a smog cert....
we just had a guy try to reg his LSV and he didnt do it right and now DMV has red flag his vin #

As I stated in the previous post, you will need a certified letter of exemption from smog to go with your request for reg and VIN verification. This basically states that the CC and HP is under the limit required for smogging thus being considered a low emitions veh.

golf carts now need a 17 digit vin# installed dmv computer wont except the ez-go 7 digit serial number anymore....

I just had three 7 digit EZ-GO's vin verified and registered two weeks ago with out issue...And one was a gas cart. There is a major problem with Club Cart vins due to them having a number in all of their vins that is not used by DMV (I don't recall the letter/number off hand). This will get the vin kicked back and a flag/hold put on the vin. There is a way around this though.

I've also had no less than five friends that live near us on the beach that have opted to not have registration assistance (via the company I use). They opted to have the VIN completed, fill out the reg and take them to the local DMV in person. All recieved plates with out issue. This has been over the past year or so, with the most recent, four months ago (a gas EZGO TXT).

I've been registering golf carts for street use for the past five years. It can be a pain but is 100% completely doable. And I agree it depends on the city you live in. If the local LE has a hard on to not have golf carts on the road (even thoug they are legal), they can make it difficult and not worth while for the owners.

 

[78Southwind]

I would still check out the Zone NEV. They run about 25 MPH and are ready to go since they are already street legal. A lot of these carts were bought for the tax credit so they have very little hours on them. I have seen some sell for as little as $2,500.

 

[78Southwind]

we have worked on a few zone carts.. not too bad

the one add says 25 to 50 miles on a charge i dont think its even close to that kind of miledge.. south wind how far have you taken yours????

for the $5000.00 it says street legal but nothing about being plated.... keep in mind that people got a tax credit on the new nevs so $5,000 for a used/new one is kinda high and parts not sure how quick we can get them if something goes wrong.....

I have only driven mine for about 12 miles but I still had juice left. Fifty miles is hard to believe but twenty-five I would think is doable.