RKANSA
Arkansas Golf CART Laws
& Regulations
(What You Need To Know)
With a generally warm climate and
an interesting centralized location,
Arkansas is a beautiful state that has
many unique benefits for those who
live there.
One of these benefits includes the
well-maintained streets that run
through each city and throughout the
state.
This state currently allows upgraded
golf carts to ride on these streets but
only if properly upgraded and main-
tained.
That makes it crucial for potential
cart riders and owners to take these
elements into mind when upgrading
a cart
The State of Current Federal Golf
Cart Law
Federal law on motor vehicles has a
unique loophole that makes golf cart
use possible across the country.
Currently, NHTSA rules and regula-
tions are interpreted to mean that
the federal government can con-
trol and manage any vehicle that is
designed to drive above 20 miles per
hour.
This means that they can create laws
for vehicles such as motorcycles,
semi-trucks, and most normal cars.
As a result, any vehicle that is de-
signed for speeds below 20 miles per
hour are only managed by state and
municipal governments rather than
federal rules.
As a result, vehicles such as golf carts
and other types of slow personal
vehicles don’t have the strict federal
guidelines put in place to manage
other vehicles.
This loophole allows modified carts
to fall only under state control.
For example, golf carts and other
low-speed vehicles can be upgrad-
ed to drive faster than their initial
speeds.
Some carts may even top 25-35 miles
per hour with the proper modifica-
tions.
However, that federal loophole
means that only states and local gov-
ernments manage how they operate.
That makes understanding the differ-
ences between these rules very im-
portant to grasp for any cart driver.
Most are typically quite straight and
simple in design, which ensures an
easier understanding for most people.
MAY 2020
25