A Garia NEV sporting DOT approved street legal golf cart tires
If you intend to drive your cart on the public streets then it must be fitted with street legal golf cart tires. More and more used golf carts are finding their way onto city streets with an increasing number of local authorities passing legislation to allow Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEVs). There are certain items that have to be fitted to a golf cart in order to comply with highway safety regulations, one of which are street legal golf cart tires.
DOT Approved Golf Cart Tires
In order for golf cart tires to be classed as “street legal” they have to be USA Department of Transport (DOT) approved. DOT golf cart tires are the only tires that are allowed to be used on highways and are mandatory on street legal carts.
As a street legal golf cart will usually be traveling at sustained higher speeds than a cart used on the course, street legal cart tires have to built to more exacting specifications. Street legal tires also may feature improved treads that offer more grip and be better able to deal with water during rainy conditions.
A DOT Approved Street Legal Golf Cart Tire
DOT Golf Cart Tire Types and Sizes
DOT golf cart tires are usually available in both a 4 ply and 6 ply construction. The advantage of 6 ply golf cart tires is that they last longer and are more puncture resistant then 4 ply tires. Most people tend to buy 4 ply tires for a golf cart that they use on the golf course and 6 ply for a street legal golf cart.
Street legal cart tires are available in a large number of golf cart wheel sizes that are fitted to all popular models of EZ-Go, Club Car and Yamaha carts. The standard sized tire for golf cart use is around 18″ tall, 8″ to 9.5″ wide & fits on an 8″ or 10″ golf cart wheel. When replacing your tires check the side of the tire as the size is usually printed there and you will know what size of street legal tire to order.
The standard sized street legal golf cart tires should fit most carts without modification but some tires will foul on the cart’s bodywork. If this is the case then a golf cart lift kit must be fitted to the cart to provide the necessary clearance to avoid damage to both the tire, and the body.
Street legal DOT golf cart tires are
- available in sizes for all golf cart wheels
- feature longer lasting 6 ply construction
- work just as well on the cart path as the city street
- are legally required for street driving
- are a similar price to non-street legal tires
Whether you drive your cart on the street or just on the golf course, when replacing your golf cart tires you should consider DOT golf cart tires. They are legally required for a street legal cart, but also suitable for normal cart use, at a similar price to non-DOT approved tires. If you always go with DOT tires and if you decide to use your cart on the street some time in the future, you won’t have to go to the expense of buying brand new tires to be able to do so.
