- 2-4 passengers, sometimes rear-facing
- Bench seating, typical
- Generally not street-legal
- No standard safety features
- Speed unable to exceed 15 mph (24 km/h)


What’s the difference between a golf cart and a street-legal cart?
Golf carts are not designed to exceed 15 mph (24 km/h) and do not have the safety features required for use on public roads. Street-legal carts, however, are equipped with safety features for on-road driving.
Golf Cart vs. Street-Legal Cart
Feature/Benefit | Golf Cart | Street-Legal Cart |
---|---|---|
Feature/Benefit
Powered By: |
Golf Cart
Gas or Electric |
Street-Legal Cart
Gas or Electric |
Feature/Benefit
Primary Purpose |
Golf Cart
For use on a golf course |
Street-Legal Cart
For street use |
Feature/Benefit
Speed |
Golf Cart
Not to exceed 15 mph (24 km/h) |
Street-Legal Cart
At least 20 mph (32 km/h) |
Feature/Benefit
Driver Requirements |
Golf Cart
License not required |
Street-Legal Cart
Must be operated by licensed driver |
Feature/Benefit
Can be driven on public road? |
Golf Cart
Not unless it's converted to be street-legal |
Street-Legal Cart
Yes, check local and state laws for any restrictions |
Feature/Benefit
Safety Feature Requirements |
Golf Cart
None |
Street-Legal Cart
Headlights, tail lights, reflectors, turn signals, speedometer, mirror, horn, fenders, windshield, seat belts |
About GEM Vehicles
GEM vehicles provide a more comfortable ride, with more standard safety features than a golf cart.

Yes. GEM is the leader in the LSV (Low-Speed Vehicle) market, and GEM vehicles are street-legal; please check with local ordinances for specifics. An LSV is a vehicle class that has a maximum speed of 40 km/h, and can legally be driven on most roads posted 50 km/h or less.
While it may seem like a golf cart, GEM has many additional features that make it so much more. GEM is equipped with safety features required to be classified as a low-speed vehicle, and some of our features go above and beyond the standard LSV requirements. For example, GEM vehicles are roof crush certified to SAE J2358 standards. It is also designed to with premium rider comfort and experience in mind.
GEM vs. Golf Carts

- Up to 6 forward-facing passengers
- High-back seats, engineered with comfort in mind
- Rules & regulations vary but street-legal; please check with local ordinances for specifics.
- Safety features come standard: 3-point seat belts, headlights, turn signals
- 25 mph (40 km/h)
- Must be operated by a licensed driver to be legal on public roads

Find Your GEM

This two-seat vehicle offers the smallest footprint and a tight turn radius for limited spaces.

Four forward-facing seats, three-point seat belts and plenty of legroom.

A spacious GEM with seating for six features enhanced suspension for a comfortable and enjoyable ride.