Before tackling up on how to make a Go Kart Street legal, we should first have an overview of what really is a Go Kart. Kart racing or Karting is a type of motor sport road racing that involves an open-wheel, four-wheeled vehicles that are famously called “Go Karts”. you can mostly watch them roll and race on scaled-down circuits although the professional kart races are commonly held on full-sized motor sport racing circuits.
Karts are different and not all have the same needs and demands. They vary when it comes to speed because super karts are famous for exceeding speeds of up to 161 kilometers per hour (100mph). on the other hand, another type which is for recreational uses are mostly driven by and for the public with limited up to lower speeds.
Go Karts are first manufactured by the American Company Go Kart Manufacturing Co. In 1957. two years later, McCulloch was able to firstly produce engine for karts where they named it, McCulloch MC-10. not long after such great milestones in the history of Go Karts, in the late 1960s, motorcycle engines were use and adapted to run these karts. Since then, manufacturers are into producing and delivering to the market engines that are built specifically for that sport.
Is driving a go-kart on the street illegal?
As described above, Go Karts are classified as for recreational use or they are called low-speed vehicles (LSV). with this having said, they are tagged to be not included with the likes of motor vehicles such as cars and motorcycles. It cannot be regarded as road worthy by some states and do not consider them as a viable mode of transportation because the legislation from different states or countries still doesn’t see go karts meeting similar vehicle classifications and standards. In the case of United States, this applies to all of its states.
Unfortunately, before you can take the Go Kart to public roads, you need to make sure that it is legally road acceptable. And for Go Karts, it will be very difficult and will unlikely that they be allowed as street legal vehicle. The reasons are: Go Karts does not the essential equipment like the horn, license plate, lights, blinkers and most importantly, side mirrors. Which leads to the most noted part–safety of drivers and the public. Without these necessary features, Go Karts can put the public welfare at risk making the roads unsafe if they be allowed to run on the streets.
Others may have tried their luck and opted to upgrade their Go Karts with the necessary features set for road worthiness standards and registered it with the DMV. Some did not pass because Go Karts are classified as recreational racing vehicles. But there are exceptions,some places where their local authorities allow Go Karts require owners to meet certain requirements or upgrades in order for it to be registered.
What makes something street legal?
A street-legal or road-legal vehicle is a vehicle that is equipped and licensed for use in public roads and considered as road worthy.the law allows vehicles that pass the specific configurations set forth by their standards such as the lighting, signal lights, and other safety equipment. Specialty vehicles are not commonly allowed to operate on the road since they are not needed to be street legal. Street legality really differs in countries.
Is it cheaper to build or buy a go-kart?
Frankly speaking, building your own Go-Kart can definitely cost you more since you have to buy parts individually and according to your own preference. Of course a Go Kart racer would opt for high-quality parts and it costs way expensive when customized. However, if you get lucky and you find yourself a great part on a cheap price then building your own shouldn’t be a problem. All you need to take note of is your budget; you have to work backwards if ever you will decide to build your own Go Kart. Researching on building your own Go Karts can be of great help especially if you are a beginner. On the other hand, buying your own Go Kart can be much easier since the price is already fixed and you can take it home as a whole. You can also have the liberty to choose which model and manufacturer to buy from. Researching and reading reviews will guide you on purchasing the best Go Kart suitable to your taste.
Are Go-Karts road legal UK?
Generally, you cannot just drive your Go Kart without complying with the requirements set forth by the local authorities in UK. Sure, Go Karts are fun and exciting to drive on the roads and out of the circuit tracks, but before doing that, there are elements and requirements need to be done.
Your Go Kart must:
– Be no longer than 12m long, 2.5m wide and 3.66m high, these specifications should be strictly followed.
– Meet the appropriate breaking distances set by the traffic authorities.
– Include the necessary features such as lights, indicators etc.
– Must have a seatbelt
– Have proper number plates, insurance and tax (if applicable)
Without a valid MOT Test, it will be illegal to drive a vehicle on public roads in the UK. To know what an MOT is, it is basically a test where authorities check a vehicle’s lights, indicators, tyres, its brakes and all other necessary body work. Without passing the MOT, Go Karts cannot be allowed on roads.
In conclusion, driving Go Karts sure are fun, but you have to be mindful of the law, regulations and prohibitions before strolling out on your neighborhood because it is for your safety as well as other’s safety. You also have to be minded that Go Karts are unlike any other vehicles because generally, they are not street legal unless they pass certain tests and requirements. You can however enjoy the luxury of driving this recreational vehicle to approved public areas, some off-road trails, or the classic Go Kart racing track.
