Golf Carts vs. Low-Speed Vehicles 

First things, first — Is it a golf cart or a low-speed vehicle?

To legally use the type of small, four-wheeled motorized vehicles generally referred to as ‘golf carts’ in Horizon West, it must be a street-legal, registered, low-speed vehicle.

Why? Horizon West is not a government-designated golf cart community like The Villages or other places in Florida. While the cities of Windermere and Winter Garden have established Golf Cart Districts in which carts are allowed on certain public streets, unincorporated Orange County —where Horizon West resides—has not. And since motorized vehicles like golf carts cannot be driven on the sidewalks and trails, the only way to legally drive your vehicle in Horizon West is on the road and by converting it to (or directly purchasing) a low-speed vehicle. 

What’s Required for Road Use

Please Note: This article is provided for general informational purposes only. Please check with local authorities, Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles and your insurer to verify you have satisfied all requirements to legally operate your low-speed vehicle in Horizon West.

To use the public roads in Horizon West, your vehicle must be classified as a low-speed vehicle (LSV). It can only be driven on roads where the posted speed limit is 35mph or less and it must be equipped with the safety equipment shown in the image below from Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

When shopping for a vehicle, you can purchase one that is already manufactured, or has been modified, to meet LSV requirements. If you already have a golf cart and you’d like to convert it to an LSV, you can make the needed modifications yourself or use the services of a company that specializes in golf cart upgrades.

In either case, LSVs must be registered, titled and insured with personal injury protection (PIP) and property damage liability (PDL) insurance.

There are companies that offer services to help you through every step of the LSV process, including transporting your vehicle to a Motor Vehicle Service Center to be inspected, registered and titled.

Don’t forget, to operate a low-speed vehicle (LSV), the driver must have in their possession a valid driver license. 

Learn more Florida Statutes at Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Consumer Education Site.

Ready to Connect with Other LSV Owners?

Horizon West Golf Cart Club is a social club founded in 2021 by a small group of residents who shared an interest in enjoying the golf cart lifestyle. These enthusiasts support each other online in the Horizon West Golf Cart Club Facebook group, where long-time owners often answer questions about things like the requirements noted above. Resident and group admin Vinny Santo is often referred to as “the go-to guy” for explaining LSV requirements to new owners and group members.

The club also gets together for various club events throughout the year. The First Annual HW Golf Cart Club Halloween and Christmas parades were held in 2021 and have grown with great success. They have also organized a “Poker Run,” community meet-ups, group rides to local events and more! 

Be Part of Fun With or Without a Cart

Cart owners and anyone interested in learning more are invited to connect with Horizon West Golf Cart Club by joining their Facebook group.

The entire Horizon West community is welcomed to participate in parades and events with their LSV or by coming out to watch and support the events as spectators! Holiday parades are especially fun for families to attend and catch candy and gifts as they are tossed out from the parade!

Be safe and have fun out there!