Kentucky golf cart laws explained — KRS 189.286 lets local governments permit golf carts on roads posted 35 mph or less, with permit, inspection, and insurance.
Only where a local government has authorized it. Under KRS 189.286, a local government may permit golf carts on public roadways under its jurisdiction if it adopts an ordinance designating each roadway open to carts. Operation is limited to roads posted 35 mph or less, and a cart may not cross an intersection where the road being crossed is posted above 35 mph. Related: Golf carts in Kentucky
KRS 189.286 requires a local permit and sticker, an inspection by a sheriff-certified inspector (fee up to $5), a valid operator's license, insurance under KRS 304.39-080 carried in the cart, and a slow-moving vehicle emblem. The cart must have headlamps, tail and stop lamps, turn signals, reflectors, mirrors, a parking brake, seatbelts for every seat, and a horn. Related: Shop street-legal golf carts
No. Under KRS 189.286, a golf cart operated on a locally designated roadway is not considered a motor vehicle and is exempt from title (KRS 186.020), vehicle registration (KRS 186.050), and emissions requirements — though the local permit, inspection, and insurance still apply. For a road-legal vehicle statewide, a factory FMVSS 500 low-speed vehicle like the DENAGO CITY is titled and registered; TIGON delivers across Kentucky, call 1-844-844-6638. Related: Shop Low Speed Vehicles