Can you spot the difference between a golf cart and a low-speed vehicle (LSV)?

The Madera California Highway Patrol took it to social media to remind peopleabout the different requirements for operating the two on public roadways.

Many people often refer to LSV’s as golf carts. But they aren’t.

Paul and Tracey Spraetz,owners of Resort Life Cartlocated in Madera share their expertise about carting and the difference between the two.

They say they too, had to learn the difference between golf carts and LSV’s.

Paul said, “it was a quick, quick learn.”

Tracey chuckled and said she didn’t know the difference either.

It was a learning curve that led to a new business venture.

The start of their business is quite the story to tell.

Paul said it all started when he took out his customized golf cart for a spin around the community of Tesoro Viejo.

He says a neighbor saw the customized golf cart he was driving. The neighbor asked if he was selling it.

He wasn’t but then boom, it was sold.

“People were driving these around the neighborhood. They like to have custom seats. They have like custom wheels or whatever and that was really the start of it,” he said.

His wife Tracey says next thing you know, Paul is selling customized carts out of the garage just for fun.

A side hustle that turned into a full-time business.

They opened their shop in 2022. Back then, the store was filled with golf carts for sale.

That is, until they learned about LSV’s and the new laws governing both that came out in 2023.

According to Madera CHP, golf carts essentially stay on the golf course and could go no more than 15 mph.

They also aren’t designed for city streets.

On the other hand, LSV’s are much like driving a car and so are the requirements to ride one. You are not allowed to go more than 25 mph on a paved surface and could only have a weight of 3,000lbs.

They are designed for low-traffic areas and for short-distance cruising along city streets and within residential communities.

Ever since the new laws came into effect, the Spraetz’s say they haven’t sold a golf cart within a couple of months of opening.

“It’s changed that quickly,” they said.