Most people get glassy-eyed when they see a go kart (ie people who love go karts) and tend to forget where in the world they are going to be driving their go kart.

Sometimes the images in your mind go to race tracks and passing Ferraris, but “Seriously! Are you going to drive this on a race track?”

I got this email from a go kart reader (and sadly it’s a common question)

Hello, I was stopped by a police officer for operating my go kart on the sidewalk and said I could be charged with: Operating a vehicle without a license, driving to endanger, driving an uncertified vehicle and told me I had to be over 18 years to operate anything that runs on gas. Now I understand that I can’t drive a go kart anywhere, but where should I go?

Because the question “Where am I going to ride this Go Kart?” was not asked at first, now you have a very depressed individual, considering ditching the gokart entirely.

One problem is about “Where” and the other is about “Age”.

I am not a legal authority, but I can tell you some basics: Unlicensed motorized vehicles cannot drive on the roads.

About age, that varies from state to state.

You should refer to your state statutes and codes for verification of legal data. Consult a local attorney for that information…
But other than that, it’s a good idea to know where this go kart will be driving.

In your driveway?

At your uncle’s farm?

(Obviously not on the street because that’s against the law)

In the cornfields?

In your yard?

Do you have a yard big enough to ride a go-kart?

Are there laws against go-karts in your neighborhood?

Do you have permission to mount it in the parking lot across the street?

Driving a go kart involves more than just you in a go kart.

It affects the people around you in the following ways:

– A go kart is a driving projectile.

– An “unknown talent” is marking its course.

– The thickness is not configured, but it can change from moment to moment.

In short, a go kart attached to a driver is like running with the bulls in Spain.

Those around the go kart have no idea if it is going to hit them or not.

So before you get mad that you can’t drive it “nowhere,” realize that there’s a load to be shouldered by the people around you. A load of concern and care. Will they or you get hurt?

there are legalities

Also, the Go Kart is not road legal for a number of reasons, primarily its low profile (people can’t see it) and the lack of many other essential road handling and accident prevention components.

This set of questions is probably the most difficult to recognize, because there are so many obstacles. And I don’t mean trees and cars, I mean motor vehicle regulations. You can’t just fly down the road with your go kart. It sounds like a fun idea, but it’s actually dangerous and against the law.

If you end up buying this go kart, or even building it, you may end up with a number of very depressing conclusions:

I can’t mount it anywhere!

And even if I could, I can’t put it in the car to take it where I want to travel (it’s too big)!

So ask the question first. Get an answer.

The answer may be as simple as networking with a few people to find a place to ride: your uncles’ farm, that is! (but there’s also more than your uncle at stake…remember there are 10 questions, not six)

There are various karting clubs and you can join them. You don’t have to be a go kart racer to join these clubs, it’s just a place where you can enjoy go karting. Be sure to contact them in your area before investing in the kart and everything that goes with it (ie helmets, gloves, suits, etc.)

And finally, I did some research on my own about riding gokarts on trails. There are usually stipulations on what type of go kart you can ride on a trail. For example, in the state I live in, the trails require the go kart to have suspension and a full roll cage from a reputable manufacturer. You will also need to obtain a permit. The age of drivers is also limited.

So look around the ATV trails and see what comes to mind.