Published: December 8, 2025: LSVDA Safety & Best Practices
Low Speed Vehicle Dealer Recommended Practices
Low Speed Vehicle (LSV) dealers play a critical role in ensuring customer satisfaction, vehicle reliability, and safe operation. These recommended practices support consistent standards for vehicle preparation, delivery, and education across the LSV industry.
- Conduct a Comprehensive Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI). Before delivery, verify that each LSV is properly assembled, fully charged, and in safe operating condition. Inspect tires, brakes, steering, lights, mirrors, seat belts, and all safety equipment. Record completion of the inspection and retain documentation.
- Perform a Vehicle Walk-Around with the Customer. Review the vehicle’s key features and controls. Demonstrate operation of headlights, turn signals, parking brake, seat belts, and charging port. Highlight any special equipment or accessories installed on the vehicle.
- Provide Basic Operating Instruction. Explain starting, driving, and parking procedures. Review speed limits, right-of-way expectations, and any unique handling characteristics of LSVs compared to passenger cars or golf carts.
- Review On-Vehicle Safety Labels and Warnings. Point out each factory safety label and explain its meaning. Emphasize that labels should never be removed, covered, or defaced, and replacements should be ordered if they become unreadable.
- Share and Review the LSV Safety Rules. Provide each customer with a copy of the Low Speed Vehicle Safety Rules published by the LSVDA. Encourage the customer to read and share the rules with all drivers and passengers.
- Verify Licensing, Registration, and Insurance Requirements. Confirm that the customer understands local requirements for titling, registering, and insuring an LSV, and that a valid driver’s license is required to operate it on public roads.
- Provide Local Roadway Guidance. Inform customers of local or community rules governing LSV operation, including approved roadways, crossing points, and parking areas. Provide maps or local resources if available.
- Review Charging and Battery Maintenance Procedures. Demonstrate safe use of the charger and review manufacturer guidelines for charging times, cord management, and proper storage. Discuss long-term battery care to ensure vehicle reliability and fire safety.
- Confirm Understanding of Service and Maintenance Intervals. Explain the importance of routine maintenance and how to schedule service. Provide a copy of the owner’s manual and highlight the maintenance log or warranty information.
- Document the Delivery Orientation. Have the customer acknowledge that orientation topics were reviewed, and maintain a signed record. This supports quality assurance and reinforces the dealer’s commitment to professional standards.
The Low Speed Vehicle Dealers Association promotes professional standards for LSV sales, delivery, and service.
Low Speed Vehicle Manufacturer Recommended Practices
Low Speed Vehicle (LSV) manufacturers are responsible for designing, producing, and supporting vehicles that meet applicable safety and performance standards. These recommended practices promote compliance, transparency, and safety throughout the vehicle lifecycle—from production to operation.
- Comply with All Mandatory Safety Standards. Ensure every vehicle conforms to applicable federal, state, and local laws, including Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 500. Maintain full documentation of compliance testing and certifications.
- Identify Compliance with Mandatory and Voluntary Standards. Clearly indicate on each vehicle and in related documentation compliance with applicable mandatory standards and participation in any voluntary standards programs.
- Provide On-Vehicle Safety Labels and Warnings. Affix durable, legible safety labels warning operators and passengers of key hazards such as unbelted riding, overloading, or rollover risk. Ensure labels comply with ANSI Z535 or equivalent standards and are placed in visible locations.
- Provide an Owner’s Manual with Every Vehicle. Include a comprehensive Owner’s Manual that explains vehicle operation, maintenance, charging, and storage procedures; identifies required inspections; and reiterates key safety rules and limitations on use.
- Provide a Written Warranty and Service Information. Offer a written warranty consistent with federal and state law. Include information about warranty coverage, exclusions, and the process for obtaining service or replacement parts.
- Supply Dealers with Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI) Checklists and Training Materials. Provide authorized dealers with standardized tools and training to ensure vehicles are properly assembled, inspected, and prepared prior to delivery to the customer.
- Maintain Design Records and Quality Control Procedures. Implement and document robust quality-assurance processes to verify that vehicles and critical components conform to design intent and performance specifications.
- Notify Dealers and Owners Promptly of Safety Defects or Recalls. Establish a process to identify, report, and correct any safety-related defects or noncompliance in accordance with NHTSA Part 573 requirements. Provide clear instructions for remedy or repair.
- Provide Parts Availability and Technical Support. Maintain a reliable supply of service parts and technical information for dealers and repair facilities to support continued safe operation throughout the vehicle’s service life.
- Require Dealers to Comply with Law and Safe Practices. Establish dealer agreements and policies that require compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and safety standards. Ensure dealers follow manufacturer guidance for accessory installation, pre-delivery inspection, and customer orientation consistent with.
The Low Speed Vehicle Dealers Association promotes industry-wide standards of safety, quality, and responsibility in the design, manufacture, and distribution of Low Speed Vehicles.
Low Speed Vehicle Safety Rules
Low Speed Vehicles (LSVs) are street-legal motor vehicles designed for neighborhood, community, and light-commercial transportation at speeds up to 25 mph. LSVs share the road with cars, trucks, cyclists, and pedestrians. Safe operation protects drivers, passengers, and the public.
- Drive Responsibly and Obey All Traffic Laws. LSVs are motor vehicles. They must be titled, registered, and insured, and may only be operated by licensed drivers. Follow all traffic signs, signals, lane markings, and posted speed limits. Never drive recklessly or impede the normal flow of traffic.
- Operate Only Where Permitted. LSVs may only be driven on low-speed roads. Check applicable state or local laws. Avoid highways, expressways, or roads where LSVs are prohibited.
- Always Wear a Seat Belt. All occupants must wear seat belts at all times. Proper restraint dramatically reduces the risk of injury in a collision.
- Ensure Appropriate Seating of Passengers. Never carry more passengers than the LSV was designed to accommodate. Do not allow a passenger who is too small to sit in a passenger seat to ride, or a passenger under age 16 to occupy a rear-facing seat.
- Never Drive Under the Influence. Alcohol, drugs, and certain medications impair judgment and reaction time. It is illegal and unsafe to operate any motor vehicle while impaired.
- Stay Alert and Limit Distractions. Avoid using mobile devices or engaging in distracting activities while driving. Keep your focus on the road and your surroundings.
- Yield to Vulnerable Road Users. LSVs often share paths and crossings with pedestrians, bicyclists, and scooter riders. Yield the right of way, slow down near crosswalks, and use extra caution in neighborhoods, campuses, and resort areas.
- Use Lights and Signals. Turn on headlights whenever operating on public roads. Use turn signals, brake lights, and mirrors to communicate clearly with other road users.
- Perform Regular Safety Checks. Inspect tires, brakes, steering, lights, and mirrors before each trip. Address any maintenance or safety issues promptly to ensure reliable operation.
- Drive Defensively and Respect Local Conditions. Assume that other motorists may not see or anticipate your slower-moving vehicle. Maintain safe following distances, and adjust for weather, hills, or poor visibility.
The Low Speed Vehicle Dealers Association promotes safe, responsible, and sustainable low-speed mobility.
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