AUBURN, Ala.- Before you take your low-speed vehicle (LSV) out for a ride, the Auburn Police Department reminds you that there are specific regulations for operating these vehicles on City streets.

What is an LSV, and what makes it street legal?
Standard, unlicensed golf carts are prohibited on all streets within the City of Auburn. Low-speed vehicles differ from standard golf carts in that they have a 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and have a Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin (MSO).

To operate on City streets, LSVs must:

• Have a VIN and MSO.
• Be tagged or registered by the DMV and be driven by a licensed and insured driver.
• Have a minimum threshold of 20 MPH and top speed of 25 MPH.
• Have head and tail lights, front and rear turn signals, and stop lights.
• Have reflex reflectors, including one red reflector on each side as far to the rear of the vehicle as practical, and one red reflector on the rear of the vehicle.
• Have parking breaks.
• Have a windshield (AS-1 or AS-5 composition).
• Have a lap belt or shoulder belt.

Where can I drive my LSV?
According to Alabama state law, LSVs cannot be driven on roadways where they impede traffic. In Auburn, there are certain boundaries where LSV taxicabs, which are used to shuttle passengers from one location to another, can operate. Read the guidelines for LSV taxicabs in the City Code. LSVs may not be driven on sidewalks.

Who can drive an LSV?
LSVs may only be operated by those old enough and licensed to operate a standard vehicle.

Drivers are reminded that LSVs are vehicles and should be handled as such. All traffic laws that apply to a standard vehicle also apply to LSVs.