Where can I have my golf cart inspected? | Ask the RI DMV

Q: Where can I have my golf cart inspected?

— John J.

A: I checked with our Chief of Safety & Emissions and he is not aware of any specific requirement by law for inspections on golf carts. Golf carts are not street legal and should only be driven on golf courses and private property. For your information, golf carts and low-speed vehicles (LSV) are two different classes of vehicles.

The following is from our website, dmv.ri.gov:

Effective July 1, 2024, in accordance with RIGL § 31-19.6 -1, low-speed vehicles as defined in RIGL § 31-1-3 (l), may be registered for use on public roads with posted speed limits up to 35 mph. These vehicles are to be registered, insured, and inspected in accordance with the Rhode Island laws and regulations established for motor vehicles. A municipality may, by ordinance, prohibit the operation of low-speed vehicles on a laned roadway or local highway or a portion of a highway within its jurisdiction and under its control. It is highly recommended that you check with your local city or town BEFORE purchasing a low-speed vehicle.

A "low-speed vehicle" (LSV) is any 4-wheeled motor vehicle that:

• Is exclusively electric powered; and
• Has been issued a certificate of origin; and
• Has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of less than 3,000 pounds; and
• Has a top speed greater than 20 mph but not greater than 25 mph (low-speed vehicles shall be prohibited from operation on limited access highways, as defined in § 31-1-23, state highways, as defined in § 31-1-23, or through highways as defined in § 31-1-23 or on any public highway or roadway with a speed limit of more than thirty-five miles per hour (35 mph): and
• Is National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)-certified to the standards established in 49 C.F.R. § 571.500, as a "low-speed vehicle,” demonstrated by:

• The certificate of origin, title, or out-of-state registration listing the body style or body type as "LSV" or " low-speed vehicle "; and/or
• The manufacturer's certification label posted on the vehicle containing the VIN and indicating the type of vehicle as a " low-speed vehicle."

Important note: Golf carts are not manufactured to low-speed vehicle standards and therefore may NOT be registered as low-speed vehicles.

To register an LSV, an application for registration and title certificate (TR-1) must be completed and signed by the owner(s) as well as a Sales Use Tax form or Tax Exemption form (gifts, moving in from out of state). A valid driver's license is required to operate a low-speed vehicle.

The completed application must be accompanied by one of the following documents:

• A manufacturer's’ certificate of origin (new vehicles only), or
• The previous owner's certificate of title listing the body style or body type as "LSV" or " low-speed vehicle," or
• The previous registration and bill of sale (for vehicles that are from states where the vehicle was exempt from titling requirements)

Effective Jan. 1, 2024 ALL VEHICLES registered or titled in another state, regardless of model year, require a VIN check from a local municipal police department prior to registration in Rhode Island. Only new vehicles NEVER titled or registered in another state are exempt from this requirement. Low-speed vehicles shall be inspected in accordance with the law and shall display a valid unexpired RI certificate of inspection (inspection sticker) or shall be required to pass such an inspection within five business days from the date of registration. New low-speed vehicles are exempt from inspection for two years or 24,000 miles from the date of purchase, whichever occurs first.

Bring the completed TR-1 application form, as well as all other required documents (as listed on the Registration Document Checklist), along with the required DMV fees to the DMV at the time of your reservation for a new title and registration transaction. In person transactions require a reservation and reservation instructions are on the homepage of our website. This transaction can also be done through the mail or dropped off at any DMV Drop Box.

Chuck Hollis is assistant administrator of the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles. Please email your questions to cars@providencejournal.com with “Ask the DMV” in the subject field.