When I was driving my kid to practice the other night, we passed through a neighborhood and I noticed a few golf carts out on the road. Normally, I wouldn’t think twice about seeing one, but seeing several of them stuck out to me.
My immediate thought was, What a fun neighborhood, these folks are probably just scootin’ over to a neighbor’s house to hang out. But then I started wondering: Is that actually legal? So when Sgt. Troy Christianson dropped his weekly ‘Ask a Trooper’ column covering this exact topic, I had to check it out.
Can You Legally Drive Golf Carts On Public Roads in Minnesota?
The short answer: Generally, no—but sometimes yes.
Photo by STAR EV on UnsplashGrey golf cart with brown seats on a residential street
Motorized golf carts aren’t registered or titled through the Minnesota DPS, which means they aren’t automatically street-legal. However, city councils and county boards have the power to pass local ordinances allowing them.
In Rochester, for example, they are allowed on roads with 25 miles-per-hour speed limits. St. Cloud allows them on roads with speed limits of 30mph, but Duluth doesn’t permit them on public roads.
Every city is different so make sure to check your local laws. Sgt. Christianson from the Minnesota State Patrol explained what is needed if you plan to cruise local streets on a cart:
Special Local Permit: You must get a permit issued by your city or county.
Required Safety Gear: Your cart must have a rearview mirror showing at least 200 feet behind you, along with a triangular Slow-Moving Vehicle emblem.
Insurance: Local ordinances require golf cart insurance that matches standard motorcycle coverage.
Hours & Weather Restrictions: Carts can only be driven between sunrise and sunset unless they came equipped from the factory with working headlights, taillights, and brake lights. Driving in bad weather or low visibility (under 500 feet) is strictly prohibited unless there’s an emergency.
Traffic Rules Apply: Drivers must follow all standard traffic laws. Carts can only run on designated roads, though you are allowed to cross major roadways to get across town.
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Gallery Credit: Lauren Wells