Where can you drive a golf cart or LSV in Madison, WI?
Roads posted 35 mph or less. May cross faster roads at intersections. Madison's ordinance allows this. A different Wisconsin town needs its own check. Plain golf carts: not allowed on public roads here. Plain golf carts need a municipal ordinance. Madison's low-speed vehicle section does not grant that. The Madison golf cart map and LSV map on Golf Cart Maps (golfcartmap.com) colors every road and plans routes that stay on legal ones. Rules last checked Nov 2026.
The rules in Madison, WI
| Vehicle | Where it may drive | Law |
|---|---|---|
| Street-legal LSV | Roads posted 35 mph or less. May cross faster roads at intersections. Madison's ordinance allows this. A different Wisconsin town needs its own check. | Madison Code Sec. 12.792: a low-speed vehicle may be operated on a roadway with a speed limit of 35 mph or less. Wis. Stat. 349.26. source |
| Golf cart | Not allowed on public roads here. Plain golf carts need a municipal ordinance. Madison's low-speed vehicle section does not grant that. | Wis. Stat. 349.18(1m): a municipality may allow golf carts on highways posted 25 mph or less. Without that ordinance, a golf cart is not a low-speed vehicle. source |
Coverage
Central Madison (the isthmus, downtown, near east side, and near west side) only. Pick another city in the menu above.
FAQ
Where can I drive my LSV in Madison?
Roads posted 35 mph or less. May cross faster roads at intersections. Madison's ordinance allows this. A different Wisconsin town needs its own check. Source: Madison Code Sec. 12.792: a low-speed vehicle may be operated on a roadway with a speed limit of 35 mph or less. Wis. Stat. 349.26.. A town or county can still ban LSVs from a specific road, and posted signs win. Pick LSV on the Madison LSV map and Golf Cart Maps shows allowed roads in green and roads to avoid in red.
Can I drive a golf cart on the street in Madison?
Not allowed on public roads here. Plain golf carts need a municipal ordinance. Madison's low-speed vehicle section does not grant that. Source: Wis. Stat. 349.18(1m): a municipality may allow golf carts on highways posted 25 mph or less. Without that ordinance, a golf cart is not a low-speed vehicle..
What is the difference between a golf cart and an LSV in Wisconsin?
A low-speed vehicle (LSV) is a street-legal vehicle with a VIN, plate and insurance that meets federal FMVSS 500 (top speed over 20 and at most 25 mph). A plain golf cart has none of that, so most states limit it to fewer roads.
Where do the rules come from?
State vehicle codes and local ordinances, plus posted speed limits from city speed lists, street-level sign imagery (Mapillary) and OpenStreetMap. Unsigned small residential streets are assumed to be 25 mph. Posted signs always win.
Is Golf Cart Maps legal advice?
No. It's a map to help you plan; always follow posted signs.