Low Speed Vehicles are registered through the State of North Carolina and DO NOT require a special permit or authorization to operate within the Town limits. 

Many retailers sell specifically designed LSVs, or in some cases golf carts which have been redesigned to meet the requirements of an LSV. In many cases these retailers will provide the needed registration and titling services required to make a vehicle "street legal" in North Carolina.

A golf cart owner can also choose to convert their golf cart, to meet the requirements for driving on the roadway as defined by NCGS 20-4.01 (12b). Once converted and supplied with the necessary registrations, insurance, and safety equipment, the golf cart driven can be re-designated as a Low Speed Vehicle; this includes being registered, insured, and equipped with:

• Seat Belts
• Safe Tires
• Lighting (Brake, Turn, Tail, & Head lamps)
• Approved Brakes
• A Horn
• Speedometer
• Windshield
• Windshield Wipers
• Rearview Mirrors
• All other similar equipment requirements

CLICK HERE or on the above graphic to download your own SLOW RIDE: Take is Safely information card!

How to Register an LSV  

1. The golf cart must be modified with the required safety equipment listed above.  
2. If the cart does not have a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), one must be issued by an authorized Golf Cart or LSV retailer (NOTE: Local golf cart dealerships might not issue a VIN if they did not install the required safety equipment -  contact a dealership first before adding your own equipment).
3. Once a VIN has been issued, the vehicle must be inspected at an Authorized Inspection Station.
4. After inspection has been completed, insurance must be added, with proof of insurance kept in the vehicle at all times.
5. The VIN, inspection, and proof of insurance can then be submitted to the local DMV office who can then issue a NC license plate for the vehicle.

LSV Road Driving Regulations

LSVs operating within the Town of Oak Island: 

• CANNOT Drive on the sidewalks 
• MUST be operated by a licensed driver (impaired driving laws also apply)
• CANNOT be driven on streets with a posted limit higher than 35 miles per hour
• CAN cross a road or street at an intersection where the road has a 45 mph speed limit
• MUST obey all seat belt and children’s car seat laws
• CANNOT be used to tow a trailer or wagon, unless also registered

According to Town Ordinance 28-38, golf carts that are not equipped and registered as a low speed vehicle may be operated by individuals with a mobility impairment

• CLICK HERE for "mobility impairment" definition

Golf carts MUST HAVE basic equipment supplied by the manufacturer, including a VIN or serial number, and all safety devices, including:

• A low speed caution triangle 12" or greater in size mounted on the rear of the vehicle and permanently installed.
• Rearview mirror
• One reflector per side (at least 3" in width and height)
  
• Parking brake
  
• Seat belts for all seating positions
  
• A windshield
  
• Maximum of 3 rows of seats

IMPORTANT: Mobility Devices CANNOT be operated on Oak Island Drive, Beach Drive, Ocean Drive or any public street with a posted speed limit greater than 35 miles per hour. Similar to LSVs, they may cross over these streets, but not travel directly on them.

How To Register a Mobility Device 

1. Complete an Application for Permit to Operate a Mobility Device and submit it to the Oak Island Police Department; along with proof of ownership, a valid driver’s license and proof of Insurance.
2. Read and Sign the Disclaimer of Liability on page 4 of the application, regarding the use and operation of golf carts as a Mobility Device.
3. Bring the golf cart to the Police Department, so that an officer can inspect the cart, and confirm all modification requirements have been met.
4. Once application is approved, a registration fee of $5.⁰⁰ will be required before a permit decal can be issued.
5. Once a permit decal has been issued, it should be be placed in the center of the reflective triangle that is mounted to the rear of the golf cart (see illustration).

All permits expire on December 31 of the year in which they are issued, and a new application and permit is required each year. The decal CAN be used for parking in designated town resident parking places. Copies of the proof of ownership, liability insurance, and a signed Disclaimer of Liability must be in the cart at all times when in use on public property.

Drive-on Beach Access Locations 

Under Town Ordinance 28-6 (updated: June 2023),"person(s) who have been issued a state handicapped permit and / or a permanent handicapped registration plate and a permit issued by the town police department may operate an approved beach accessible vehicle on the beach in designated areas."

Designated Beach Access areas and times are limited to:

• The last beach access on West Beach Drive and west to a point as designated by signage reflecting no further vehicle traffic
• From McGlamery St to the Oak Island Pier Complex
• From SE 55th St to SE 49th St
• From 10th Pl W to 13th Pl W
• From DAWN to DUSK

PLEASE NOTE: Even if you have a handicap plate or registration, an Application for Permit to Operate a Mobility Device is still required for on-beach use!

Mobility Device Qualifications

CLICK HERE to view the FULL list of qualifications (Town Ordinance 28-38)

May only be operated within the Town by individuals with a mobility impairment, or their designated driver, and: 

1. CANNOT be operated on or alongside a public road or street with a posted speed limit greater than 35 miles per hour, as well as on Oak Island Drive, Beach Drive or Ocean Drive.
2. CAN cross a road with a posted speed limit greater than 35 miles per hour at designated intersections or in a manner that is the most direct route in order to decrease crossing distance
3. MUST be responsible for all liability associated with operation, and have liability insurance coverage.
4. MUST have a licensed driver at least 16 years of age or older.
5. MUST adhere to all applicable state and local laws, regulations and ordinances, including but not limited to those banning the possession and use of alcoholic beverages and all impairing substances, as well as open containers of alcohol.
6. MUST comply with all traffic rules and regulations adopted by the State of North Carolina and the Town of Oak Island.
7. CANNOT allow the number of passengers at any one time to exceed the maximum capacity specified by the manufacturer, or ride on any part not designed to carry passengers.
8. CANNOT be operated at a speed greater than 20 miles per hour.
9. MUST be operated at the right edge of the roadway and yield to all vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
10. MUST park in designated spaces. Parking is NOT allowed on sidewalks. Parking IS allowed in handicapped parking spaces if there is a valid handicap parking sticker or placard displayed.
11. MUST have basic equipment supplied by the manufacturer, including a vehicle identification or serial number. Such equipment must include rear view mirror and a reflective, low speed caution triangle with a minimum size of 12 inches or greater on all three sides, permanently mounted on the rear of the vehicle.
12. CAN only be operated during daylight hours from one-half hour after sunrise to one-half hour before sunset.
13. MUST use standard hand signals to signal stopping or turning, if not equipped with brake lights and/or mechanical turn signals. 
14. CANNOT be operated when fog, smog, smoke or other conditions reduce visibility so that the golf cart is not visible for a distance of 250 feet.
15. CANNOT be operated on any street, roadway, or other public vehicle area that is closed due to special events, parades, or construction, unless authorized by the Chief of Police or their designee.
16. CANNOT be operated on any sidewalk, multi-use path, or designated bicycle path, except for golf carts operated by governmental or public service agencies for official purposes.
17. CANNOT be used for the purpose of towing another cart, trailer, wagon or vehicle of any kind, including a person on roller skates, skateboard, or bicycle.

A Modified Utility Vehicle (MUV), sometimes referred to as a UTV, Side-by-Side, or SxS, is a primarily off-road utility vehicle which has been modified for street-legal use in North Carolina.

These vehicles DO NOT fall under the definition of a Low Speed Vehicle, and are independently defined in North Carolina General Statute  § 20-4.01 (27) g2. The on-road use of MUVs is governed by N.C.G.S. § 20-121.1, which allows them to be operated only on streets and highways where the posted speed limit is 55 miles per hour or less; and cannot be operated on any street or highway having four or more travel lanes unless the posted speed limit is 35 miles per hour or less.

CLICK HERE to view N.C.G.S. § 20-121.1.

MUV Road Driving Regulations

MUVs operating within the Town of Oak Island: 

• CANNOT Drive on the sidewalks 
• CANNOT Drive on the public beach areas or be used to as Mobility Device 
• MUST be operated by a licensed driver (impaired driving laws also apply)
• CANNOT be driven on streets with a posted limit higher than 55 miles per hour
• CANNOT be driven on any 4-lane roads with a posted limit higher than 35 miles per hour
• MUST obey all seat belt and children’s car seat laws
• CANNOT be used to tow a trailer or wagon, unless also registered