If you’ve ever visited Mississippi’s coastal cities or traveled through its city limits, you’ve probably noticed small, four-wheeled vehicles buzzing around. This observation often leads to one question: are golf carts street legal in Mississippi? The short answer is that, in many areas, GOLF CARTS can be permitted on public streets under certain conditions. However, the laws vary depending on the city ordinance, the type of low-speed vehicle, and the public safety measures that local authorities put in place. In this article, we’ll discuss how golf cart laws work in Mississippi, what qualifies as a registered golf cart, and the specific safety equipment requirements you’ll need to meet for lawful Operation of golf carts on public roads.
Table of Contents
Understanding Golf Carts vs. Low-Speed Vehicles
First, let’s define what a “golf cart” is in the context of Mississippi regulations. Golf carts are often considered four-wheeled electric or gasoline-powered vehicles primarily designed for use on a golf course cart path or in a golf course setting. Some Mississippi municipalities treat electric golf carts, gas-powered golf carts, and other small high- and low-speed vehicles (such as a john deer gator) under broader golf-cart and low-speed vehicles categories.
A “Low-speed vehicle” differs slightly from a traditional golf cart in that it must meet certain Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and have a 17-digit conforming vehicle identification number. These approved low-speed vehicles typically include features like seat belts, Rear Turn signals (or rear turn signal lamps), Tail Lamps, and brake lights. While golf carts can also be upgraded to have this safety equipment, you should be aware that Mississippi law often applies stricter standards to low-speed vehicle operation than it does to standard golf carts.
Street Legal Requirements in Mississippi
1. Speed Limits and Multi-Lane Streets
In Mississippi, low-speed vehicles and golf carts are usually restricted to roads with an established speed limit of 25 miles per hour or less. In some areas, carts can operate on roads posted up to 35 miles per hour if the city roads permit it. However, multi-lane streets or multilane streets with higher traffic counts are often off-limits to golf carts, since those roads are designed for faster motor vehicle travel and may not accommodate the slower pace of a golf cart. This is also why you rarely see carts on city streets like Highway 90, federal highways, or interstate highways, all of which generally prohibit Operation of golf carts for public safety reasons.
2. Licensing and Driver Requirements
Drivers of golf carts on public property and public roads in Mississippi must have a valid driver license. In some municipalities, a temporary driver permit may suffice, but check your local city ordinance for specifics. Local law also typically requires that a licensed driver be at the wheel unless there’s an approved exception for a temporary driver with appropriate supervision. Moreover, some cities require golf cart operators to be at least 16 years old and have proof of a valid driver’s license, though this age limit can vary.
3. Registration and Financial Responsibility
In many Mississippi towns, you must apply for a registered golf cart permit through City Hall or a designated office, sometimes located on the 2nd Floor of a municipal building. You might need to fill out a golf cart registration form and pay a registration fee or yearly registration fee. Additionally, local authorities often demand proof of insurance—or specifically, current golf cart insurance, golf cart liability insurance, or a broader golf cart insurance policy—as part of showing financial responsibility. The Golf cart registration process can include a golf cart inspection to verify the presence of necessary safety features such as parking brakes, head lamps, rear fender, and rear turn signal lamps.
Golf cart owners in many municipalities must carry current golf cart liability coverage to protect against damages, especially if there’s a golf cart accident. Indeed, Mississippi often treats them as a type of motor vehicle, meaning you could face legal consequences for unauthorized operation without presentation of proof of coverage.
City-Specific Regulations and Areas of Operation
1. City Limits and Corporate Limits
Different towns have different policies, often depending on whether roads fall under city limit boundary or corporate limits. Some cities, like Brookhaven city, allow carts on city streets as part of a pilot program or city ordinance. Meanwhile, on the Coast, the Board of Aldermen of the City of Long Beach might adopt a unique set of rules for golf-cart-friendly towns within certain coast communities. Similar regulations exist in Ocean Springs, which has designated routes for golf carts on roads that do not exceed a certain speed limit. Each jurisdiction typically publishes a city map or guidelines so you can identify approved streets and the street design that accommodates these vehicles.
2. Exclusions on Major Thoroughfares
Highway 90—sometimes labeled as U.S. Highway 90—and other intersection at Highway corridors commonly fall outside allowable routes. You usually cannot take a golf cart onto a public highway or the U.S. Highway system. The same goes for federal highways and interstate highways, as these can be extremely hazardous for low-powered vehicles like golf carts. In fact, in places like Beverly Hills or along busy stretches of Hardy St and Oak Grove Rd in certain Mississippi areas, local law enforcement strictly prohibits golf carts street usage due to high traffic and road-based regulations.
Required Safety Equipment
1. Lights, Mirrors, and Alert Sound
To be considered street legal, most cities require golf carts to have Tail Lamps, front lamps, brake lights, and Rear Turn indicators so other drivers can anticipate their actions. A functional rearview mirror or rear-view mirror (and sometimes an exterior-mounted mirror or exterior mirror) is also necessary to monitor traffic behind the cart. In certain areas, an alert sound device (like a slow-moving vehicle emblem or alarm) may be mandated to warn pedestrians.
2. Seat Belts and Child Safety
Seat belts are increasingly common requirements, especially if the golf cart is operated beyond a golf course setting. Some municipalities enforce additional rules for child safety seats or a 5-point harness car seat if an infant or toddler is onboard. Whenever you’re a carrier of passengers, make sure you’re following local guidelines for any exterior passenger seats, collapsible seats, or extra seats that have been added to the cart. Not adhering to these rules could lead to fines or charges related to the unauthorized operation of a golf cart.
3. Brakes, Tires, and Other Features
Most regulations demand functional parking brakes or emergency brakes that can hold the cart stationary on an incline. Additionally, some local codes specify a maximum vehicle weight, imposing further restrictions if you’re carrying heavy loads or using your cart as a Commercial vehicle or carrier by motor vehicle. These details can also affect insurance requirements and the permissible use of the golf cart as a property by motor vehicle transporter.
Additional Considerations
1. Time of Day and Weather
Some Mississippi towns allow golf cart usage only during daylight hours, citing public safety concerns and the lower visibility at night. However, some coast communities with well-lit roads may extend permission into the evening, provided you meet all safety equipment guidelines.
2. University and Community Spaces
On college campuses or in enjoyable community zones, you might find more lenient policies for golf carts. Many communities see these vehicles as eco-friendly and cost-effective ways to cart around town. However, always check posted rules or speak to a golf cart specialist to ensure you meet all traffic laws and traffic and road-based laws.
3. Local Administration and Fees
Cities typically rely on costs of administration from permits and registration fees to cover signage and enforcement. At times, a portion of these fees might go toward roadway improvements, safety signage, or a dedicated Traffic Committee that oversees traffic and road-based regulations. If you have questions, you can visit the 2nd Floor of your local City Hall or consult the city’s website for a golf cart registration form.
Conclusion
So, are golf carts street legal in Mississippi? Generally, yes—under the right circumstances, in the right areas, and with the proper equipment and documentation. Mississippi’s patchwork of municipal codes often focuses on public safety, financial responsibility, and adherence to local traffic counts. To legally operate a registered golf cart or low-speed vehicle, you must typically be a valid driver (or licensed driver), carry proof of insurance, keep up with yearly registration fees, and ensure your cart has all the necessary safety equipment requirements—from seat belts and Tail Lamps to rear turn signal lamps and rear fender protections.
Remember, these rules can differ from one city limit boundary to the next. If you plan to take your cart on city streets, especially those near U.S. Highway 90 intersections or major corridors like Hardy St and Oak Grove Rd, do your homework. Check local city ordinance guidelines, confirm the maximum speed limit, and pay attention to signs prohibiting carts for golf where heavier carriers of passengers—like passenger buses—dominate the roads.