NHTSA Ruling Clears the Way for NEV Street Use

The Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV) is included in a classification of federally approved "low speed vehicles" which may now be driven on community streets if they meet certain safety criteria, according to a ruling announced in June, 1998 by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The ruling affects NEVs and other electric vehicles that have top speeds of 20 to 25 miles an hour.

Under the rule, electric vehicles, including thousands of golf carts now used for transportation in retirement communities and on golf courses, will be required to have seat belts, headlights, windshield wipers and other safety devices before they can be used for street travel.

The NHTSA ruling was intended to set up safety criteria for low speed vehicles (LSVs) and provide individual states with the uniform regulatory guidelines. The ruling does not alter the ability of states and local governments to decide for themselves whether to permit on-road use of LSVs. Please check with your local DMV for use requirements in your area.

The NHTSA ruling does NOT specifically say that you cannot modify a golf cart or LSV to go FASTER than 25 MPH. It does however say that if you do modify it to exceed 25 MPH it is subject to the same laws as regular passenger cars.

Essentially this means the manufacture would have to install “Air Bags” this was never meant to apply to individuals modifying their own NEVs . Otherwise NO performance parts would ever be legal to sell and install for any vehicle.

Low Speed Vehicles

49 CFR Part 571, [Docket No. NHTSA 98-3949], RIN 2127-AG58
PRÉCIS OF SUMMARY: (for full text of Summary, see 63 FR 33913). Responding to a growing public interest in using small 4-wheeled passenger vehicles to make short trips within retirement or other planned communities, NHTSA has issued Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 500 Low-speed vehicles (LSV) based on its January 1997 proposal. Standard No. 500 requires basic safety equipment including lights, windshields windshield wipers, and seat belts on motor vehicles, other than trucks, whose maximum speed is between 20 and 25 miles per hour. The rule is effective June 17, 1998. The principal vehicle in this class is the Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV). The rule does not apply to golf carts because their speed, as manufactured, is less than 20 mph. However, if any golf cart is modified on and after June 17, 1998, so that its maximum speed is over 20 mph, it must be conformed to Standard No. 500. This is from the NTSC's site.

If you exceed the posted speed limit and cause an accident, yes you would be at fault.

Remember modifying your vehicle, any vehicle, is not a crime. However loosing control of a vehicle, any vehicle, because of a modification, any modification, COULD be.