Do golf carts have a title?

Most states do not title golf carts the way they title cars. A golf cart is usually classified as a low-speed or off-highway vehicle, so the seller signs a bill of sale and hands over the serial number rather than a state title. A handful of states do title street-legal low-speed vehicles (LSVs) that have been upgraded for road use, so check your local DMV. In a no-title state, the bill of sale is your main proof of ownership, which makes filling it out correctly more important, not less.

Where is the serial number on a golf cart?

On most carts the serial or VIN is stamped on a plate or label under the seat, on the frame near the driver-side front, or inside the glove box. Club Car, E-Z-GO, and Yamaha each place it slightly differently, and the number often encodes the model year. Copy it exactly onto the bill of sale, because a missing or mistyped serial number is the single most common reason a transfer gets questioned later.

Does a golf cart bill of sale need to be notarized?

In most states notarization is not required for a golf cart bill of sale, because golf carts are rarely titled. A signed document with clear terms is enough. That said, notarizing or witnessing the signatures on a higher-value cart, especially a lifted or street-legal build, makes it far harder for either party to later claim the signature was forged or the sale never happened. If you do notarize, both parties should sign in front of the notary.

Can I sell a golf cart as-is?

Yes. Almost every private golf cart sale is as-is, meaning the buyer accepts the cart in its current condition with no warranties. Once the bill of sale is signed, the seller is not responsible for a worn battery pack, a tired motor, or brake problems the buyer finds later. As-is selling is legal in private transactions, but it does not protect a seller who actively hides a known defect, so state the condition honestly and put the as-is language in writing.

Do I need to register a golf cart after buying it?

It depends on where and how you plan to drive it. A cart used only on a golf course or private property usually needs no registration. A cart driven on public streets often must be registered as a low-speed vehicle, carry a slow-moving-vehicle emblem or LSV equipment, and be insured. Some retirement and resort communities also require a community permit or decal. Check your state and local rules before you ride on public roads.

Golf Cart Bill of Sale Template & Guide

A step-by-step guide to writing a golf cart bill of sale. Covers the serial number, titling rules, as-is sales, lithium vs. lead-acid batteries, and more.

Golf cart deals tend to close on a handshake. Someone sells a used cart out of their garage, a neighbor pays cash, and the cart rolls off to its new home with no paperwork. That works until it doesn't: when the buyer wants to register the cart for street use, when a tax question comes up, or when the seller gets a call about something that happened with a cart they no longer own. A golf cart bill of sale turns that handshake into a written record of who sold what, for how much, and on what date.

This guide explains what a golf cart bill of sale is, exactly what to put in it, how to handle as-is sales and the quirks of gas versus electric carts, and the mistakes that make the document worthless when you actually need it.

What is a golf cart bill of sale?

A golf cart bill of sale is a written document that records the transfer of ownership of a golf cart from a seller to a buyer. It identifies both parties, describes the cart in detail, states the price and the date, and is signed by both sides.

Golf carts sit in an unusual legal category. A standard car always has a title, the state-issued certificate of ownership. Most golf carts do not. States typically treat a golf cart as a low-speed vehicle (LSV) or off-highway vehicle, and many never issue a title for one at all. In those states there is no title to sign over, so the bill of sale becomes the primary proof that ownership changed hands.

For the seller, the bill of sale is a liability shield. It establishes the exact moment responsibility for the cart passed to the buyer. For the buyer, it is proof of purchase when registering the cart, applying for a community permit, or settling sales tax, and in a no-title state it is the foundation of their ownership claim. The logic is the same one that applies to any private vehicle sale, covered in our guide on whether you need a bill of sale when selling your vehicle.

When you need one

Create a bill of sale for every private golf cart sale. It matters most when:

Your state does not title golf carts. With no title, the bill of sale carries the full weight of proving the transfer.
The sale is as-is. A signed as-is bill of sale is the seller's main defense if the buyer later complains about a worn battery pack or a tired motor.
The cart will be driven on public roads. Registering a street-legal LSV usually requires proof of purchase.
You live in a permit community. Many retirement and resort communities require a bill of sale to issue a cart decal or permit.
The buyer is paying in installments. You need the agreed price and payment schedule in writing.
The cart is gifted or sold cheaply. Even a nominal sale deserves a paper trail for tax and liability reasons.

What to include in a golf cart bill of sale

A bill of sale only works if it is specific. Vague descriptions and missing fields are what turn a binding document into a piece of paper a clerk or a court ignores. Include all of the following.

Buyer and seller information

Full legal names of both the buyer and the seller
Current mailing addresses
Phone numbers or email addresses for follow-up paperwork

Golf cart description

This is the heart of the document. Identify the exact cart so there is no question about what was sold:

Year, make, and model (for example, a 2019 Club Car Onward or an E-Z-GO RXV)
Serial number or VIN, copied exactly. The number is usually stamped under the seat, on the frame, or in the glove box, and it often encodes the model year.
Power type: gas or electric. Note this clearly, because it changes how a buyer values and maintains the cart.
Battery details for electric carts: voltage (36V, 48V, or 72V), battery type (lead-acid or lithium), and the approximate age of the pack
Engine details for gas carts: displacement and whether it is two- or four-stroke
Color and seating capacity (two-, four-, or six-passenger)
Accessories included in the sale: lift kit, upgraded wheels, light kit, windshield, rear seat, charger, enclosure, or stereo, so there is no later dispute about what came with the cart

Sale terms

Purchase price in numbers and written out in words
Date of sale
Form of payment: cash, certified check, electronic transfer, or installment terms
If installments, the schedule, due dates, and what happens on default

As-is / warranty statement

Almost every private golf cart sale is as-is. State explicitly that the cart is sold in its current condition with no warranties and that the buyer has inspected and accepted it. More on this below.

Signatures

Signatures of both buyer and seller
The date each party signed
Space for a notary or witness, if your state requires one or you choose to use one

Gas vs. electric: what to note on the document

A golf cart's powertrain is the detail buyers care about most, and the one that causes the most after-sale arguments. Spell it out.

For an electric cart, the battery pack is the single most expensive component and the one most likely to be near the end of its life. A worn lead-acid pack can cost a four-figure sum to replace, so record the voltage, the battery type, and the pack's age or install date if the seller knows it. If the cart has been converted to lithium, say so, lithium packs last far longer and command a higher price, and a buyer will want it documented. Note whether the charger is included.

For a gas cart, record the engine displacement, the two- or four-stroke type, and the hour-meter reading if the cart has one. Gas carts are simpler to refuel but louder and subject to more maintenance, so an honest note on engine condition protects both sides.

Writing the powertrain down does two things: it sets the buyer's expectations and it backs up your as-is clause. A buyer who acknowledged in writing that the batteries were five years old cannot credibly claim later that they were sold a fresh pack.

As-is sales: protecting the seller

In a private sale, the seller rarely wants to be on the hook for problems the buyer discovers later, and used golf carts, with aging batteries, worn brakes, and tired motors, are prime candidates for hidden wear. The fix is clear as-is language.

An as-is clause states that the cart is sold in its present condition, with all faults, and that the seller makes no warranties of any kind, not about the battery, the motor, the brakes, or fitness for any particular use. It should also confirm that the buyer had the chance to inspect the cart, or have it inspected, before paying.

Without this language, a buyer who finds a dead battery cell or a failing controller a week later may argue there was an implied warranty of merchantability. With it, the buyer has acknowledged in writing that they accepted the cart as-is. As-is selling is legal in private transactions, but it does not shield a seller who actively lies, for example, hiding a cracked frame or swapping in a failing battery before the sale. Honesty plus as-is language is the combination that holds up.

Titling, registration, and street-legal carts

This is where golf carts get confusing, and where buyers get tripped up.

Most golf carts are never titled. A cart used on a course or on private property is treated as equipment, not a road vehicle, so there is no title and no registration. In that situation the bill of sale is the whole paper trail.

Street use changes everything. If the buyer plans to drive on public roads, the cart usually must meet low-speed vehicle requirements, headlights, turn signals, mirrors, seat belts, and a windshield, and be registered and insured like a vehicle. Some states then issue a title or registration for the upgraded LSV. A cart that is street-legal in one town may be barred from public roads in the next, so local rules govern.

Community permits are common. Retirement and resort communities often run their own cart-permit programs and will ask for a bill of sale before issuing a decal. Keep your copy handy for that step.

The practical upshot: in a no-title state, treat the bill of sale as the deal's most valuable document, and confirm with your DMV or community office exactly what they need to register the cart or issue a permit.

How to write a golf cart bill of sale: step-by-step

Step 1: Gather the details. Have the cart in front of you so you can copy the serial number, battery voltage, and hour-meter reading exactly. Pull any prior bill of sale, registration, or community permit you have.

Step 2: Fill in the parties. Write the full legal names and addresses of both buyer and seller, using names exactly as they appear on government ID.

Step 3: Describe the cart precisely. Record the year, make, model, serial number, power type, battery or engine details, color, seating, and any included accessories. Double-check the serial number character by character.

Step 4: State the price and payment. Write the purchase price in both numerals and words, the payment method, and the date. If the buyer is paying over time, spell out the installment schedule and default terms, much as you would in a simple loan agreement.

Step 5: Add the as-is clause. State clearly that the cart is sold as-is, with no warranties, and that the buyer has inspected and accepted it.

Step 6: Sign and date. Both parties sign and date. Add a notary or witness block if your state requires it or the value justifies it.

Step 7: Make copies. Give each party a signed original or copy and keep yours somewhere safe, especially in a no-title state, where this document is your ownership record.

Common mistakes to avoid

Leaving out the serial number, or copying it wrong. The serial number is the cart's primary identifier. A missing or mistyped number can stall a registration or community permit and undermine the whole sale.

Skipping the battery details on an electric cart. The pack is the most valuable part. Recording its type and age protects both parties and heads off a fight about whether the batteries were near the end of their life.

Forgetting the as-is clause. Without it, the seller may face implied-warranty claims. This one line of text is the seller's biggest protection on a used cart.

Using a vague price. Always state an exact dollar amount in numbers and words. Tax agencies use this figure, and ambiguity invites trouble.

Assuming the cart is automatically street-legal. It usually is not. Confirm your local LSV rules before driving on public roads, the same diligence you would apply when evaluating any used vehicle.

Signing for someone else without authority. If you are selling a relative's cart, make sure you can legally do so. Our guide on how to sign documents as a power of attorney explains how to do it correctly.

After the sale: what each party should do

Once the bill of sale is signed, a little cleanup remains.

The seller should keep a copy of the signed bill of sale, cancel or transfer any insurance on the cart, and, if the cart was registered or permitted, notify the relevant office that it has been sold so liability does not linger.

The buyer should keep the bill of sale, register the cart as an LSV and insure it if they plan to drive on public roads, apply for any community permit, and, if buying used, inspect the cart carefully before paying. The structure here closely mirrors an ATV bill of sale and a motorcycle bill of sale, the main differences are the battery details and the street-legal rules covered above.

Frequently asked questions

A golf cart bill of sale is a short document, but the details matter, and the titling rules vary more than they do for most vehicles. If you are unsure whether your state titles golf carts, whether yours needs to be notarized, or what it takes to make a cart street-legal, your state DMV is the authoritative source. The serial number, the battery details, and the as-is clause are the points buyers and sellers most often overlook.

Generate Your Golf Cart Bill of Sale with Contractable

A golf cart bill of sale is simple in theory, but leaving out the serial number, the battery details, or the as-is clause can cost you when a dispute arises, and in a no-title state it is your ownership record. Contractable generates a complete, customized golf cart bill of sale in seconds, with the right description fields, as-is language, and payment terms for your sale. No lawyers or legal templates to wrestle with.