Ordinance to Prmit and Regulate Low Speed Vehicles on Certain Public Streets Passed

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Posted by: Staff
Date: Apr 19 2024 10:34 AM

HEADLAND ALA : City Council has passed an ordinance to allow community members to drive on certain city streets. Before you drive a low speed vehicle around town, please read the guidelines and map. It has vital information to ensure that you are driving legally in town.

Headland Police Department Guidelines for Low-Speed Vehicles

Any vehicle originally manufactured for off-road use cannot be registered as street legal

in the City of Headland and therefore, cannot be used on any public roadway within the

city.

Many residents are utilizing "golf carts" on roadways and there are many misconceptions

that we would like to clear up.

LSV vs Golf Cart

A golf cart has a maximum speed of 20 mph and it does not meet street legal

specifications.

What is legal are "Low-Speed Vehicles" (LSV's). A LSV differs from a golf cart in that

it:

• Has a 17 digit vehicle identification number (VIN) that conforms to the National

Highway Safety and Traffic Administration

• Has a Manufacturer's Statement of Origin (MSO) that states that the vehicle complies

with safety standards set for LSV's. LSV's are built with greater specifications than golf

carts.

Also, golf carts CANNOT be retrofitted to become LSV's as they will not have this

MSO from the manufacturer.

A Low Speed Vehicle must have the following in order to be street legal:

• Basic standard that meets safety requirements (the Manufacturer's Statement of Origin)

• A minimum threshold of 20 mph and a top speed of 25 mph

• Headlamps

• Front and rear turn signal lamps

• Tail lamps

• Stop Lamps Reflex reflectors: one red on each side as far to the rear as practicable, and

one red on the rear

• Exterior mirror mounted on the driver's side of the vehicle and either an exterior mirror

mounted on the passenger's side of the vehicle or an interior mirror

• Parking brake

• Windshield that conforms to the Federal motor vehicle safety standard (AS-1 or AS-5

composition)

• A Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

• Type 1 (lap belt) or Type 2 (shoulder belt)

• D.O.T. Approved tires

•Insurance

•Horn

It also important to point out that a LSV is a vehicle and is to be handled as one:

• If your child is not old enough or not licensed to drive a car, he/she is not old enough or

licensed to drive a LSV

• You cannot drive a LSV on the sidewalk or stand on the side and drive- all traffic laws

that apply to your personal vehicle, apply to your LSV!

• Like your vehicle, your LSV must be tagged/registered by the DMV and be driven by a

licensed and insured driver

All vehicles discussed above, if operated on streets or highways within city limits, are

subject to all of the rules ofroad and State regulations regarding the use of those

roadways, including the requirements respecting operators or drivers licenses.

Mark D. Jones

Chief of Police/Director of Public Safety

Low Speed Vehicle MUST be inspected and permitted BEFORE they are allowed on street.

1st time initial fee of $100.00 is required for permit and inspection. Then yearly permit of $25.00.

MUST BE INSPECTED AND PERMITTED BY THE HEADLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT BEFORE THE LOW SPEED VEHICLES ARE ALLOWED ON STREET. Vehicles without permits are subject to citations.

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