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.
To be permitted, vehicles must be registered with the county, insured, and inspected by the police department. Permits are $100 for the first year and $25 for renewals. Drivers of vehicles without permits will be issued a citation. All drivers must have a valid driver's license.
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 Permitted Street Map
Map Key:
Permmissable Street
Unpermissable Street