We have our golf cart at Martinez Lake. In years past, the cops have caused a BFD about the offroad tires on the paved streets and issued tickets. Does anyone know the actual law on this in terms of non-DOT approved tires on paved roads? Any info would be appreciated!

that's rediculous.

Obviously it's areason to stop people to check for DUI or other goings-on, I'd assume...I doubt any golf cart tires, offroad or not, are DOT rated.

sharpen up a soldering iron & put in your own DOT number.

sorry, i had time and kids are still asleep:

Here's the definition of a golf cart which I suspect will be ammended at some point as most golf carts don't fit this definition from the dealer -

Golf Cart
345. A "golf cart" is a motor vehicle having not less than three wheels in contact with the ground, having an unladen weight less than 1,300 pounds, which is designed to be and is operated at not more than 15 miles per hour and designed to carry golf equipment and not more than two persons, including the driver.


Amended Ch. 1303, Stats. 1968. Effective November 13, 1968.

If you live in a community and not more than a mile from a golf course that community may pass an ordinace allowing golf carts to share the roads providing the appropriate signs are posted, and the Golf carts are not subject to any CVC equipment regulations unless the GF is operated at night in which case you have to comply with the CVC's regs regarding lights -

Golf Carts on Local Highways
21115. (a) If a local authority finds that a highway under its jurisdiction is located adjacent to, or provides access to, a golf course and between the golf course and the place where golf carts are parked or stored or is within or bounded by a real estate development offering golf facilities and is designed and constructed, so as to safely permit the use of regular vehicular traffic and also the driving of golf carts on the highway, the local authority may, by resolution or ordinance, designate the highway or portion of the highway for combined use and prescribe rules and regulations that shall have the force of law. No highway shall be so designated for a distance of more than one mile from the golf course if the highway is not located within a development or beyond the area of a development, provided, the finding of the local authority in this respect shall be conclusive. Upon the designation becoming effective it shall be lawful to drive golf carts upon the highway in accordance with the prescribed rules and regulations. The rules and regulations may establish crossing zones and speed limits and other operating standards but shall not require that the golf carts conform to any requirements of this code with respect to registration, licensing, or equipment, except that if operated during darkness the golf cart shall be subject to the provisions of Section 24001.5 regarding equipment.

The rules and regulations shall not be effective until appropriate signs giving notice thereof are posted along the highway affected.

A "real estate development offering golf facilities", for purposes of this section, means an area of single-family or multiple-family residences, the owners or occupants of which are eligible for membership in, or the use of, one or more golf courses within the development by virtue of their ownership or occupancy of a residential dwelling unit in the development.

(b) For purposes of this section, a "golf cart" includes a low-speed vehicle.

Amended Ch. 389, Stats. 1989. Effective January 1, 1990.
Amended Sec. 4, Ch. 140, Stats. 1999. Effective January 1, 2000.

You can follow this trail if you want -

Golf Cart Operation
21716. Except as provided in Section 21115.1 and Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 1950) of Division 2.5 of the Streets and Highways Code, no person shall operate a golf cart on any highway except in a speed zone of 25 miles per hour or less.


Amended Ch. 192, Stats. 1991. Effective January 1, 1992.
Amended Ch. 44, Stats. 1992, Effective January 1, 1993.
Amended Ch.598, Stats. 1994. Effective January 1, 1995.
Repealed Ch. 598, Stats. 1994. Effective January 1, 1995. Operative January 1, 1998.
Amended Sec. 12, Ch. 334, Stats. 1995. Effective January 1, 1996.
Amended Sec. 3, Ch. 536, Stats. 1997. Effective January 1, 1998.
Amended Sec. 2, Ch. 155, Stats. 2000. Effective January 1, 2001.

The above applies as far as I can tell only to GC's used in designated areas. Outside of said areas when used on roads golf carts are subject to the same equipment requirements that apply to motorcycles except the registration part which means DOT approved tires. There are about 6 codes that explain the width to rubber ratios on approved tires and when you can and can not have pertrubances, etc....

I take this to mean that they can stop you for a bunch of things like:

after 1972 all motorcylces windshields (greater than 6 inches I think, I don't want to dive back in) must be safety glazed? So, if you live in california and youhave a half windshield and it's not glazed, you are in violation..

I don't know how plexiglass is dealt with though.....

Although if you read the fine print you may drive on the road once warned or cited to return the vehicle to storage area or garage to park it until violations are corrected.

great reading. I highly recommend to

I would think that the citation would have to do with the size of the tires and clearance of the vehicles...

too lazy to check the law on it right now - but check out what the requirements for mud flaps are... I know a bunch of my buddies from back in the days (back when they had the lifted Toyota's running 44's and what not) had to install them big ol semi truck mud flaps on the back bumpers to keep objects from flying up and hitting windshields when they drove em on the streets... could be the same thing here...

Golden State Tire n Escondido Ca. Sells DOT approved golf cart tires. 4-ply, 6-ply, 10-ply.

The tires must be DOT approved to operate on the street...