WHY STREET LEGAL?
Choosing a personal transportation vehicle that suits your lifestyle is not as easy as it looks. That’s why it pays to know the rules of the road. If your plans include driving your EV on city streets, cruising your neighborhood, running local errands, picking up the kids from school or sports, or even visiting friends and neighbors, a regular golf cart just won’t do.
WHAT DOES STREET LEGAL MEAN?
To travel legally on public streets, roads and highways, your personal transportation vehicle must meet all applicable federal and state requirements. Any personal transportation vehicle not in full compliance with Rule 49 CFR 571.500 of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) is not street legal.
That means a street-legal vehicle is not a souped-up golf cart or a tricked-out fleet car. Although, too many owners try to play catch-up by purchasing expensive dealer modifications and aftermarket upgrades. According to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, street-legal personal transportation vehicles are distinguished from golf carts by a strict set of safety, equipment and operating standards. In addition, street-legal vehicles are allowed only on roads with speed limits of 35 mph or less, and must be operated by a licensed driver.
KEY FEDERAL SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
Type 1 or Type 2 seat belts conforming with 49 CFR § 571.209 – installed at each designated seating position.
Low-Speed Vehicles (LSV) shall comply with the rear visibility requirements specified in 49 CFR § 571.111 – Standard No. 111; Rear visibility.
An alert sound as required by 49 CFR § 571.141 – Standard No. 141; Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles.
COMPLIANCE COVERED
When you purchase a street-legal STAR EV, you can be sure it has been street legal all along – designed, built and equipped specifically for street-legal operation, with no additions or modifications required. Your street-legal STAR is 100% compliant with two important pedestrian safety features including Rear Visibility and Minimum Sound standards per the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS).
Where state and local ordinances impose additional requirements, we partner with STAR dealers and consumers to ensure complete compliance anywhere the road leads. Built from the beginning to follow the law, your STAR EV arrives road-tested and ready to hit the streets.
STREET LEGAL VEHICLES BY STAR
A windshield that conforms to the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) on glazing materials (49 CFR § 571.205).