How to Sell a Golf Cart
Selling a golf cart mostly comes down to proving you own it and getting paid before you hand over the keys.
Selling it is simple, but the paperwork protects you
You can sell a golf cart privately or through a dealer, and most states don't require much more than a bill of sale and proof of ownership. There's usually no title involved unless the cart is registered to drive on public roads, which is only true in some states and only for certain models.
The part that protects you is the bill of sale. It should list the date, the price, the buyer's name, and a description of the cart including the serial number. Once that's signed and you've been paid, the cart and any liability for how it's used belong to the new owner.
Whether your cart is street legal changes what you need
A golf cart used only on a golf course or inside a private community is treated differently than one that's modified to drive on public streets. Street legal carts, sometimes called low-speed vehicles, usually need to be registered with the state and may carry a title, similar to a car.
If yours is registered, you'll need to sign over that title the same way you would for a car, and the buyer will need to retitle it in their name. If it was never registered, you're really just transferring personal property, and the bill of sale does most of the work.
Check with your state's motor vehicle agency if you're not sure which category your cart falls into. The rules for low-speed vehicles vary by state, and some require insurance before the cart can be driven on a public road at all.
If the buyer plans to drive it on the street, that's their responsibility to sort out, not yours. Your job ends at the sale.
What buyers often get wrong about insuring it after the sale
A lot of buyers assume a golf cart is covered automatically under their auto policy or their homeowners policy. It usually isn't, at least not without asking. Golf carts are often insured separately, sometimes through the same company that holds the buyer's home or auto policy, sometimes through a specialty insurer.
If you're the seller, it's worth mentioning this to the buyer, especially if the cart will be driven on roads or in a community that requires proof of coverage. It's not your responsibility to arrange their insurance, but a buyer who shows up without a plan for it may come back to you with questions you can't answer.
The safest thing to tell them is to call their insurer before they drive it home and ask directly whether the cart is covered and what it would take to add it.
Questions people ask about this
Do I need a bill of sale to sell a golf cart?
Yes, it's the main document that protects both sides. It should include the sale price, the date, a description of the cart with its serial number, and both parties' signatures. Keep a copy for yourself in case a question comes up later about when ownership changed hands.
Does a golf cart need a title to sell?
Only if it's registered as a street legal vehicle in your state. Most golf carts used on courses or in private communities are never titled, so the sale is handled like any other piece of personal property. Check with your state's motor vehicle agency if you're unsure whether yours was ever registered.
Can I sell a golf cart without the original paperwork?
In most cases yes, as long as you can show you're the rightful owner, such as through a prior bill of sale or registration record. A buyer may still want some proof, so it helps to have whatever documentation you received when you bought it. If the cart is titled and the title is lost, the state's motor vehicle agency can usually issue a replacement.
Should I remove insurance before selling my golf cart?
If you're currently insuring the cart separately, you can usually cancel that coverage once the sale is final and the buyer has taken possession. Ask your insurer when coverage actually ends so there's no gap where you're still responsible for a cart you no longer own.
What's the difference between a golf cart and a low-speed vehicle for insurance purposes?
A low-speed vehicle is generally one built or modified to meet standards for driving on public roads, and it's treated more like a car for registration and insurance. A standard golf cart used off public roads typically falls outside that category. Which one applies to a specific cart depends on the state and sometimes the manufacturer's specifications.
If you're the one buying a golf cart instead, it helps to know what coverage will cost before you commit to the purchase.
Pull together whatever paperwork you have, your original bill of sale, any registration or title, and the cart's serial number. Write up a new bill of sale for the buyer with the price, date, and both names, and don't hand over the cart until you've been paid in full. If the cart is registered as a low-speed vehicle, contact your state's motor vehicle agency to find out how to transfer the title. Let the buyer know insurance isn't automatic and that they should call their insurer before driving it home, especially if they plan to use it on public roads.
