If a vehicle is capable of 15 MPH or more under the foregoing circumstances, it does not constitute a "golf car." It will be considered either a Personal Transport Vehicle, ("PTV"), or a Low Speed Vehicle, ("LSVs").
A PTV is a self propelled vehicle with a minimum of 4 wheels, capable of a maximum level ground speed of less than 20 mph (30 km/h), maximum rated pay load capacity of 1200 lbs. (545 kg), maximum gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 2,500 lbs. (1,135 kg), without a load platform and capable of transporting not more than four persons , operating on designated roadways where permitted by law, or the applicable regulatory authority within a closed community.
An LSV is a 4-wheeled motor vehicle, other than a truck, whose speed attainable in 1 mile (1.6 km) is more than 20 miles per hour (32 kilometers per hour) and not more than 25 miles per hour (40 kilometers per hour) on a paved level surface. governed under FMVSS 500, a National Highway Transportation Safety Administration regulation, (49 C.F.R. 571.500.). Also, see SAE J2358 for further Low Speed Vehicle specifications including a Personal Neighborhood Vehicle, (PNV), having the same specifications as a LSV with the exception that the maximum level ground speed does not exceed 20 MPH (32 km/h).
NGCMA was actively involved in the development stages of FMVSS 500, the NHTSA regulation pertaining to Low Speed Vehicles ("LSVs") to ensure the regulation did not purport to regulate golf cars which are not motor vehicles as defined under federal law.
Golf cars should be further distinguished from "golf carts," pull carts or "caddies" as they are called in the U.K. That is, a "cart" is not self propelling; a golf "car" is, by definition, self-propelled, either by an electric motor or an internal combustion engine. However, many persons, including those employed within the golf industry persist in erroneously referring to golf cars as "golf carts" and golf car paths as "cart" paths.
In 2004, NGCMA added the sponsorship of the ANSI sanctioned standard establishing safety and performance specifications for the design and operation of Personal Transport Vehicles, ("PTVs"), ANSI/NGCMA Z135 NGCMA perceived the need to prescribe safety specifications for vehicles that basically are built on golf car chassis but are capable of exceeding the permissible speed limitation of up to 15 MPH. Both original manufacturers of golf cars and after market vendors sell products that enhance the speed capability of vehicles that were originally designed as golf cars.
A PTV is defined under Z135 as a self propelled vehicle with a minimum of 4 wheels, capable of a maximum level ground speed of less than 20 mph (30 k/mh), maximum rated pay load capacity of 1200 lbs. (545 kg), maximum gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 2,500 lbs. (1,135 kg), without a load platform and capable of transporting not more than four persons , operating on designated roadways where permitted by law or the applicable regulatory authority within a closed community and capable of golf course use.
PTVs do not have load platforms. If a load platform is present, the vehicle is covered either under ANSI/ASME B56.8 (personnel carriers) or SAE J2258 (light utility vehicles). Vehicles capable of carrying more than four persons are covered under ASME 56.8 (1993).
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2. Vehicles capable of carrying more than four persons are covered under ASME 56.8 (1993).