Are Golf Carts Street Legal in Michigan?

Even though you’re most likely to see golf carts at your local golf course, there might be some times when you could see someone using a golf course on a street. But is it legal for people to be riding their golf carts on the road? The short answer is: sometimes it is. 

What Michigan Law Says About Golf Carts on the Road

Michigan’s laws about golf carts on the road are outlined in Section 257.657a of the Michigan Vehicle Code. Under Michigan law, villages and cities with populations of 30,000 or less have the option of allowing golf carts to be driven on the streets of that city/village. If a city/village decides to allow golf carts in the streets, drivers need to be at least 16 years old and have a driver’s license. When driving a golf cart in the street, they must be ridden as close to the right side of the road as possible and comply with the signaling laws outlined in Section 257.648 of the Michigan Vehicle Code. Following other standard traffic laws, such as obeying posted traffic signs, is also required. If a golf cart is being used in the street, operators cannot pass between lanes of traffic, but can pass on the left side of traffic moving in their direction on two-way streets or pass on the right side in an unoccupied lane when on a one-way road. 

Golf carts cannot be driven on state trunk line highways or other roads with a speed limit about 30 MPH, unless they are simply crossing the state trunk line highway while in the city/village using the most direct path or if a special ordinance has been authorized. If a designated path for golf carts is available adjacent to the road, golf cart operators might be required to use it. Golf carts cannot be ridden on sidewalks or operated in the street during the time between 30 minutes before sunset and 30 minutes before sunrise. 

A golf cart operator is not required to wear a helmet when using their cart in the street. They are also not required to be registered the same way a car would be, but a village/city/township might require that carts be registered within the community. 

Golf Carts & Auto Insurance

Michigan law does not require golf carts to have no-fault auto insurance. However, if you get into an accident with a car or truck while riding a golf cart in the street, you might be able to recover no-fault benefits through the no-fault policy you have for your regular car. Or, if you don’t have a vehicle with a no-fault insurance policy, you could also be able to get benefits through a no-fault policy that belongs to a spouse or another relative who lives in the same household. 

Contact a Michigan Car Accident Lawyer

If you’ve been injured in a motor vehicle accident of any kind, whether it’s a car accident, truck accident, or motorcycle crash, it’s important to have a lawyer on your side who can help you get the justice you deserve. At Scott Goodwin Law, you’ll be able to get help from a lawyer experienced in helping the victims of auto accidents in the state of Michigan. Contact us today to schedule a free case consultation.

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