• Facebook
  • Youtube
|
Kingsport, TN
  • Residents
    • Explore Kingsport
      • Bays Mountain Park & Planetarium
      • Kingsport Aquatic Center
      • Kingsport Birding Trail
      • Kingsport Library
      • Kingsport Farmers Market
      • Kingsport Office of Cultural Arts
    • Resident Information
      • KATS – Kingsport Area Transit System
      • Education
      • Leisure Services
      • Parks & Recreation
      • Senior Center
    • Associations & Commisions
      • Downtown Kingsport Association
      • Your Neighborhood Commission
  • Businesses
    • Economic Information
      • Developer Tools
      • Entrepreneurship
      • Partners
    • Coming to Kingsport
      • Available Properties
      • Incentives
      • What’s Happening?
  • City Services
    • Building & Development
      • Building
      • Code Enforcement
      • Community Development
      • Economic Development
      • Engineering
      • Planning & Zoning
      • Metro Transportation Planning
    • Utilities & Services
      • For Emergencies, please Dial 9-1-1
      • Police Department
      • Fire Department
      • Sanitation
      • Public Works
      • Streets & Landscaping
      • Purchasing
      • Water Services
    • City Information
      • Customer Service
      • Records Management
      • Human Resources
      • Maps
      • Highlighting Heroes
  • News
  • Jobs
  • Government
    • Government Information
      • Agendas & Minutes
      • Board of Mayor & Aldermen
      • City Budget
      • Finance
      • Highlighting Heroes
    • Stay Connected
      • News
      • Comments or Questions
  • Search
  • Menu Menu
You are here: Home1 / City Services2 / Police Department3 / Important Links and Policies4 / Golf Carts on Roadways

Golf Carts on Roadways

LEGALITIES OF GOLF CART OPERATION ON THE ROADWAY

The Kingsport Police Department routinely receives citizen inquiries regarding the legalities of operating golf carts on the roadway.  There has been a great deal of misinformation and misunderstanding on this subject, so some education and clarification is certainly in order.

Tennessee state law recognizes three categories of vehicles related to this issue:

  • Traditional Golf Cart which is defined as a motor vehicle that is designed and manufactured for operation on a golf course for sporting or recreational purposes that is not capable of exceeding speeds of twenty miles per hour (20 mph)
  • Low Speed Vehicle which is defined as any four-wheeled electric vehicle (excluding traditional golf carts), whose top speed is greater than 20 miles per hour (20 mph) but not greater than twenty-five miles per hour (25 mph)
  • Medium Speed Vehicle which is defined as any four-wheeled electric or gasoline-powered vehicle (excluding traditional golf carts), whose top speed is greater than thirty miles per hour (30 mph) but not greater than thirty-five miles per hour (35 mph)

Per Tennessee state law, a vehicle meeting the above definition of a “traditional golf cart” IS NOT street legal and may not be titled and registered for on-road use, UNLESS it has been modified to meet all of the low or medium speed vehicle requirements in Tennessee state law and related federal safety standards.

A golf cart that has been designed and manufactured for on-road use, or is modified to meet all of the low or medium speed vehicle requirements and federal safety standards does not meet the above legal definition of a “traditional golf cart.”  Since this vehicle is legally not a “traditional golf cart,” it may be legally registered as a low or medium speed vehicle if all necessary requirements are met.

To register a low or medium speed vehicle, designed and manufactured for on-road use, applicants should provide to their local county clerk’s office a copy of the vehicle’s MSO (manufacturer’s statement of origin), as proof that the vehicle meets all statutory requirements and safety standards, along with the traditional documentation required for vehicle registration.

Individuals modifying a traditional golf cart to meet low or medium speed vehicle requirements must submit a low or medium speed vehicle affidavit (see links below) that certifies that the vehicle has been sufficiently modified to meet the necessary legal requirements.  The affidavit must be submitted with the registration application as a condition of registration.

Low Speed Vehicle Affidavit https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/revenue/documents/forms/titlereg/f1314301Fill-in.pdf

Medium Speed Vehicle Affidavit

https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/revenue/documents/forms/titlereg/f1319801Fill-in.pdf

In order to be street legal, a low or medium speed vehicle must meet the following requirements:

–        Must have headlamps

–        Must have stop lamps

–        Must have front and rear turn signals

–        Must have tail lamps

–        Must have reflex reflectors (one on each side near the rear and one on the rear)

–        Must have a parking brake

–        Must have one exterior mirror on the driver side and one additional mirror (either on the passenger side or in the interior)

–        Must have a windshield that conforms to the federal motor vehicle safety standard on glazing materials

–        Must have seat belts (type 1 or 2) located at each seating position

–        Must have a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

–        Must be registered and have license plate displayed

–        Must be insured with proof of insurance available

–        Must be operated by a licensed driver with a valid Class D driver license in their possession

A street legal low speed vehicle may be operated on streets where the posted speed limit is thirty-five miles per hour (35 mph) or less.  A street legal medium speed vehicle may be operated on streets where the posted speed limit is forty miles per hour (40 mph) or less.  While low and medium speed vehicle may not be driven on streets that exceed the respective 35 and 40 mph limits, they may cross such streets, but only at intersections.  Drivers of all street legal low and medium speed vehicles must obey all traffic laws and rules of the road.

Also, pursuant to City of Kingsport Municipal Ordinance, vehicles (to include traditional golf carts as well as low and medium speed vehicles) MAY NOT be operated on a sidewalk.

Finally, Tennessee D.U.I. laws apply to any motor vehicle to include traditional golf carts as well as low and medium speed vehicles.

It is important to note than anyone who chooses to ignore the above regulations concerning traditional golf carts and low and medium speed vehicles may be subject to significant criminal penalties and civil liabilities.

References:

–        Tennessee Code Annotated (TCA) 55-1-103, 55-1-122, 55-1-123, 55-4-111, 55-8-101, 55-8-191, 55-10-401, and 55-50-102

–        City of Kingsport Municipal Ordinance 98-81

–        Tennessee Department of Revenue www.TN.gov/Revenue

–        Federal Safety Standards 49 CFR 565, 571.205, and 571.500

To download a PDF version of this information please click here.

Building
Annual Reports
Building & Sign Permits
Contractor Information
Building Permit Fees
Electrical Permit Fees
Mechanical Permit Fees
Plumbing Permit Fees
Municipal Code
Code Enforcement
Code Enforcement FAQ
Community Development
Community Development FAQ
Kingsport Alliance for Housing Revitalization
Subrecipient Information & Applications
CDBG Program Documents
Northeast Tennessee / Virginia HOME Consortium
Continuum of Care
CDBG Advisory Committee
Customer Service
Auto Draft Authorization
Business License
Online Tax Payment
Property Tax
Water/Sewer
Economic Development
Available Properties
Developer Tools
Entrepreneurship
Partners
Incentives
Opportunity Zones Prospectus
What’s Happening?
Engineering
Contact Engineering
Drafting/Design
Current Projects
Engineering Downloads
Inspection
Surveying
Kingsport Geodetic Reference Network
Fire Department
Contact the Fire Department
About the Fire Department
Accreditation
Employment
Testing Procedures
Retirement and Benefits
Citizen’s Fire Academy
Fire Department Services
Fire Suppression
Hazardous Materials Response Team
Technical Rescue Team
Fire Department Honor Guard
Fire Marshal’s Office
Open Burning
Fire Stations
Fire Station 1
Fire Station 2
Fire Station 3
Fire Station 4
Fire Station 5
Fire Station 6
Fire Station 7
Fire Station 8
History
KFD Line of Duty Deaths
Kingsport Fire Department Historical Photos
Insurance & ISO
Public Education, Tours and Child Passenger Seats
Human Resources
Job Openings
Employee Self Service
Employee Benefits Summary
2021 Benefits Booklet
BCBS Summaries of Benefits & Coverages
Davis Vision Provider List
Title VI Statement
Maps
Contact Maps & Staff
Addressing
Map Gallery
Maps & Apps
Metro Transportation Planning
What We Do
Public Transit
Meetings & Notices
Agenda & Minutes
Plans & Documents
Long Range Plan
Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)
UPWP
Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning
Annual Listing of Obligated Projects
Public Participation Plan (PPP)
Bylaws
Road Safety Audit Reports (RSAR)
The Kingsport Regional ITS Architecture report
Contracting Opportunities
Air Quality
Civil Rights
DBE
Other Area MTPO’s
TDOT Construction Projects Updates
Projects and Studies
Main Street Rebuild Project
Kingsport MTPO Executive Board Members
Kingsport MTPO Technical Coordinating Committee
Kingsport MTPO Staff
Planning & Zoning
Zoning
Annexation
Board of Zoning Appeals
Fee Schedule
Gateway Commission
Regulations
Historic Zoning Commission
Planning Maps
Kingsport Regional Planning Commission
Police Department
Contact the Police Department
Anonymous Tip
Administrative Bureau
Professional Standards Unit
Accreditation
Training Division
A Guide for Citizen Complaints
Kingsport Central Dispatch
On the Alert 911 Registration
User’s Guide to 911 Emergencies
Text to 911 Guidelines
Kingsport City Jail
Other Administrative Units
Crash Reports Online
Kingsport City Court
Seized & Surplus Property Auctions
Records Division
Quartermaster, Evidence, and Property Unit
Career Opportunities
Chief’s Welcome
Meet the Command Staff
Kingsport Police Department History
Operations Bureau
Patrol Division
Traffic Unit
Redflex Video Examples
Red Light Traffic Enforcement System
Safe Driving Tips
Wrecker Policy
Strategic Operations Unit
Directed Patrol
School Resource Officers
Criminal Investigation Division
Investigations
Arson
Child Abuse
Vice/Drug Task Force
Victim/Witness Services
Domestic Violence
Our Fallen Officers
Programs for Citizens
Citizens Police Academy
Drug Drop Box
Police Explorer Program
Specialized Teams/Positions
Bike Patrol
Bomb Squad
Hostage and Crisis Negotiators
K-9 Unit
Police Chaplain
S.W.A.T.
Drone Team
Important Links and Policies
Crime Prevention
Golf Carts on Roadways
Handgun Carry Permit Information
Links to Other Agencies
Missing Children/Parent Resources
Sex Offender Registry
Traffic Safety
Victim Assistance
Prisoner Tracking & Victim Notification
Public Works
Contact Public Works
Public Works FAQ
Engineering
Contact Engineering
Civil Engineering
Current Projects
Drafting/Design
Engineering Downloads
Inspection
Surveying
Kingsport Geodetic Reference Network
Metro Transportation Planning
Sanitation
Contact Sanitation
Sanitation FAQ
Brush & Yard Waste Collection
Garbage Collection
Holiday Schedule Changes
Landfill
Leaf Line
Recycling
Sewer
Contact Sewers
Fats, Oils & Grease (FOG)
Household Septic Waste Haulers
Pretreatment
Sewer Maintenance
Sewer Use Ordinance
Water/Sewer Rates and Fees
Wastewater Plant
Stormwater
Public Education
Public Involvement
Stream Monitoring
Illicit Discharges
Construction Sites
Stormwater Management
Municipal Operations
Streets & Landscaping
Contact Streets & Landscaping
Streets & Landscaping FAQ
Grounds Maintenance
Landscaping
Park Maintenance
Street Maintenance
Traffic Department
Contact Traffic
Traffic FAQ
Driveway Access
Road Closures
Signals
Signs & Markings
Traffic Calming
Traffic Counts
Water Services
Drinking Water
Contact Drinking Water
Water Engineering
Quality Control
Water Filtration Plant
Water/Sewer Rates and Fees
Water Quality Report
Purchasing
Contact Purchasing
Invitations to Bid / Requests for Proposals / Requests for Qualifications
Bid/RFQ/RFP Opening Minutes & Quote Summaries
W-9 and Vendor Information Form
Protest Procedures
Records Management
Records FAQ
Beverage Board Minutes & Agendas
Beverage Board Applications & Information Forms

KINGSPORTTN.GOV

  • Accessibility Statement
  • Web Accessibility
  • ADA Compliance
  • Privacy Statement
  • Employee Portal
  • Human Resources
  • Contact Us

Quick Links

  • Information Resources
  • Fraud, Waste & Abuse
  • Job Opportunities
  • Site Map
  • Special Event Application
  • Voting & Elections

Notices

  • Notices
  • BMA Agendas & Minutes
  • Progress Edition 2025
  • Building Our Future – State of the City 2024

Partners

  • Downtown Kingsport
  • Kingsport City Schools
  • Kingsport Chamber
  • Move To Kingsport
  • Visit Kingsport
Link to: City of Kingsport
City of Kingsport, Tennessee

© 2025 The City of Kingsport, Tennessee • Privacy Policy
  • Facebook
  • Youtube
Scroll to top
Garbage routes are delayed this morning, February 20. There will be no trash/yardwaste routes run today.
Once road conditions improve, service will run. If your garbage cart does not get picked up today, please leave it at the road and it will get picked up tomorrow. Thank you for your patience.
Pay Your Bills Online

Paying your utility, miscellaneous receivables bill or building permits payment has never been easier! Click the link below to be directed to Click2Gov, the online payment system that allows users to view their account and pay with a credit or debit card through the secure website.

Pay your red light citation bill online by clicking the button below. You will be redirected to the payment page.

 

Pay Water (Utility) Bill
Pay Red Light Citation
Pay City Court Citation
Pay Other Receivables
Online Tax Payments
Building Permit Payments

Report Non-Emergency

To report a non-emergency, please use the new ConnectKingsport app.


 
ConnectKingsport is the app for everything Kingsport! From potholes and damaged street signs to other local issues that need attention, ConnectKingsport makes reporting an issue easier than ever. This app uses GPS to recognize your location and gives you a menu of common quality-of-life conditions to select from. The app also allows you to upload pictures or videos to accompany your request. Residents can track the status of reports they or other members of the community have submitted until the issue is resolved.

You can also use the app to find information about the City of Kingsport with links to the city website, animal services, ongoing events and more. Download the free app today to be a part of making Kingsport a great place to live, work and play!

To download the free app, please search for it on the Apple App Store or on Google Play. You can also use the online portal below.


Please note that the use of ConnectKingsport is intended for the reporting of non-emergency issues only. If you need immediate Police or Fire response, please call 911.

 

Download on the Apple App Store
Download on the Google Play Store
Online Portal