Golf Cart rental

**Rocco** · 09-20-2006, 06:46 PM

Does anybody rent Golf Carts around Seagrove area? I have a renter who needs help getting around 10/4 - 10/8. If anyone knows of a company or individual who would be interested in renting out a golf cart to be used for these 4 days, please let me know.

Thanks

**TNJed** · 09-20-2006, 10:56 PM

Seeing how motorized vehicles are illegal along the bike path and I doubt a cart is street legal, just curious how a golf cart would help them get around?

I've seen carts tear up the north side of 30-A so as not to break the bike path law but I doubt that's within the spirit of the law.

This isn't at all directed at you and I'm sure your renters have mobility needs, but man those golf carts really touch a nerve with me. Primarily because we need less vehicles sucking energy from the world and more people sucking wind. Just walk, peddle or drive a car if it's really that far. Golf carts are over the top IMHO.

**Smiling JOe** · 09-21-2006, 07:26 AM

Originally Posted by TNJed

Seeing how motorized vehicles are illegal along the bike path and I doubt a cart is street legal, just curious how a golf cart would help them get around?

I've seen carts tear up the north side of 30-A so as not to break the bike path law but I doubt that's within the spirit of the law.

This isn't at all directed at you and I'm sure your renters have mobility needs, but man those golf carts really touch a nerve with me. Primarily because we need less vehicles sucking energy from the world and more people sucking wind. Just walk, peddle or drive a car if it's really that far. Golf carts are over the top IMHO.

As you say, it is also illegal to operate these vehicles on the right of way.

Back to the question, there is no rental company in the area, because golf carts are illegal to operate on the road, right of way, and bike path. However, when a golf cart is properly fitted with signal lights, headlights, taillights, etc, and is properly licensed, it becomes a legal, "low speed vehicle," and may legally operate on roads with max speed of 35 mph, such as some parts of 30A. You may have seen some of the funny looking low speed vehicles around WaterColor.

I know of no one in the area who rents these, nor anyone in PCB or Destin who rents and delivers these, but maybe there is such a place.

**TNJed** · 09-21-2006, 12:01 PM

Originally Posted by Smiling JOe

However, when a golf cart is properly fitted with signal lights, headlights, taillights, etc, and is properly licensed, it becomes a legal, "low speed vehicle," and may legally operate on roads with max speed of 35 mph, such as some parts of 30A. You may have seen some of the funny looking low speed vehicles around WaterColor.

This doesn't seem to be correct. According to this thread and Walton County Sheriff's Office traffic division Sgt. Joe Preston, golf carts cannot be licensed period. Only low speed vehicles can be operated on streets unless there is a parade which allows the use of golf carts.

Let's keep the golf carts on the golf course. Are we really that lazy?

**Smiling JOe** · 09-21-2006, 12:16 PM

Originally Posted by TNJed

This doesn't seem to be correct. According to this thread and Walton County Sheriff's Office traffic division Sgt. Joe Preston, golf carts cannot be licensed period. Only low speed vehicles can be operated on streets unless there is a parade which allows the use of golf carts.

Let's keep the golf carts on the golf course. Are we really that lazy?

We don't disagree. Once the golf cart is properly equipped, it is no longer a golf cart. It becomes a "low speed vehicle."

**TNJed** · 09-21-2006, 12:26 PM

Originally Posted by Smiling JOe

We don't disagree. Once the golf cart is properly equipped, it is no longer a golf cart. It becomes a "low speed vehicle."

Hmmm, may be but I don't read the Sargent's statement to mean a golf cart can become a low speed vehicle, ever. I'm thinking he means certain landscape and maintenance vehicles can be outfitted and licensed not transformed golf carts. I don't think it's a matter of semantics as both vehicles under discussion are technically low speed vehicles, but rather the term "low-speed-vehicle" refers to a specific type maintenance vehicle.

Do you know of a specific instance in which a golf cart has been transformed and properly licensed?

**KISH7374** · 09-21-2006, 12:44 PM

What about those 4 wheel scooters that they rent in P.C.? You can find them along the strip at numerous places. They kind of look like a mini VW but with open sides.

**Rather B Paddlin** · 09-22-2006, 09:35 AM

Rocco,

OOPS. Don't poke the bear.

I believe someone in Panama City Beach rents the Gem Electric Cars.

Hope all is well. It was good talking to you via the auction.

RBP

**Smiling JOe** · 09-22-2006, 10:38 AM

Originally Posted by TNJed

Hmmm, may be but I don't read the Sargent's statement to mean a golf cart can become a low speed vehicle, ever. I'm thinking he means certain landscape and maintenance vehicles can be outfitted and licensed not transformed golf carts. I don't think it's a matter of semantics as both vehicles under discussion are technically low speed vehicles, but rather the term "low-speed-vehicle" refers to a specific type maintenance vehicle.

Do you know of a specific instance in which a golf cart has been transformed and properly licensed?

I may be incorrect regarding the license, but I am told that a golf cart can become a "low speed vehicle" when it is equipped with the required signal lights, headlights, taillights, mirrors, etc.

The Walton Sun recently had an article regarding the low speed vehicles and requirements and that is where I thought that I read that they had to be licensed and registered.

**ktschris** · 09-22-2006, 12:09 PM

Originally Posted by Smiling JOe

I may be incorrect regarding the license, but I am told that a golf cart can become a "low speed vehicle" when it is equipped with the required signal lights, headlights, taillights, mirrors, etc.

The Walton Sun recently had an article regarding the low speed vehicles and requirements and that is where I thought that I read that they had to be licensed and registered.

SJ, I think you are correct. I know this isn't on the beach but, just last week a company started up here in downtown St. Louis. They will cart you around in a golf cart from bars to the stadiums and other local attractions for $4. We took it, it was a novelty and fun. The cart was equipped with turn signals, mirrors and a license plate. I'm sure all local laws and restrictions are different, but as long as they stayed within the "downtown" area and stayed on streets that were 35 max....they said they could go anywhere.

**Smiling JOe** · 09-22-2006, 12:49 PM

Here is the skinny from the Casselberry Police Dept in FL. I am uncertain if it applies to all of FL or just Casselberry, FL. Look under "Low Speed Vehicles" for the requirements. In this brochure, it appears that the vehicles are required to be "registered," but I see nothing about them being licensed. This is the only page on the net which I can find regarding low speed vehicles in FL. I would think that the laws would be state laws, and after checking the local ordinances for WalCo, I see nothing regarding low speed vehicles.

**Bernster** · 09-22-2006, 03:14 PM

Smiling Joe,

I believe you are incorrect. LSVs have to be built from the ground up with a beefed up chassis that meets a certain level of crash resistance, impact resistant bumpers, high quality brakes, and a substantial steering system to be used on the road. They must be capable of going 25mph and no faster. They must also have a safety glass windshield, windshield wipers, headlights, turn signals, brake lights, back-up lights, and seat belts for all passengers. Based on the tough federal specs for low speed vehicles, it would be highly impractical if not impossible to try to turn a golf cart into a LSV.

I have a "Think Neighbor" LSV that was sold by Ford for only 10 months in 2002 before they left the business. The main LSV sold today is made by G.E.M., several of which you can see around Seaside and with the sales people at Alys Beach. It has a funny sort of nose in front. The police at the Oklahoosa airport even have G.E.M. LSV police vehicles.

In the year and a half since I have mine, I have put on more than 1200 miles driving between Alys Beach and Shades at the Loop and around the developments in between. Rosemary prohibits golf carts but that doesn't apply to licensed LSVs. I have a Walton County license plate on my LSV and so I can drive it on any road that has a speed limit of 35mph or less. Range is about 30 miles between charges. Auto insurance for it costs $282 per year. My family and I have thoroughly enjoyed using it and it makes it very handy to get around our communities.

Bernster

**Bernster** · 10-02-2006, 06:05 PM

There is a Federal specification for LSVs - NHTSA Standard 500. It states that LSVs include vehicles that can attain speeds greater than 20mph, but no greater than 25 mph. In addition to most of the items mentioned in the previous post, it requires a parking brake, reflective markers, and a VIN (Vehicle Identification Number in accordance with Federal specs).

Most golf carts cannot attain 15mph when tested in accordance with standard 500. Most golf courses do not allow speeds greater than 15 mph. Most LSVs have a golf course mode option where its onboard computer can limit speed to 15mph when it is driven on the golf course.

Hope this helps!

**graciecole** · 10-08-2006, 01:43 PM

you can rent a GEM electric car in PCB, it is street legal... call the dealership, there is only one in this area that I know of-- and they should be able to hook you up.