Q: What are the laws concerning the golf carts converted for road use and the “Gem” vehicles?
— Valarie from Niles

A: Valarie, these vehicles seem to be appearing on the roadways quite frequently. I contacted the Michigan State Police Traffic Services Section for this answer. Golf carts and Gem cars are two separate issues.  The Gem cars are low-speed vehicles. MCL 257.25b defines low-speed vehicles, but the definition refers to the federal regulations.  MCL 257.660 lists where a low-speed vehicle may be driven.  Subsection (7) in particular says, “A low-speed vehicle shall be operated at a speed of not to exceed 25 miles per hour and shall not be operated on a highway or street with a speed limit of more than 35 miles per hour except for the purpose of crossing that highway or street. The state transportation department may prohibit the operation of a low-speed vehicle on any highway or street under its jurisdiction if it determines that the prohibition is necessary in the interest of public safety.”
The low-speed vehicles must be titled and registered with SOS (i.e., they will have a license plate and registration) and insured.
Golf carts are a whole other situation. They are not specifically addressed in the vehicle code so they are a default “motor vehicle.” With extensive modifications, some golf carts meet the requirements for a low-speed vehicle.  They will have to get an assembled vehicle title, registration, etc.  Then treat them just like a Gem car. Other golf carts do not meet the low-speed vehicle requirements, but they could be extensively modified to be an assembled vehicle.  Then they are treated like any other motor vehicle (plates, title, insurance, etc.). To confuse things even more, a golf cart might be an Off-Road Vehicle.  See MCL 324.81101(o).  By that definition virtually every motor vehicle is an ORV.  The entire “ORV” issue does not really impact some post areas, but ORVs are allowed to operate on the far right of the roadway in some counties. See MCL 324.81131 (eligible counties are Oceana, Newaygo, Montcalm, Gratiot, Saginaw, Tuscola or Sanilac county or a county lying north thereof, including all of the counties of the Upper Peninsula, and St. Clair County).
Some motorist may try to convince law enforcement that the golf cart is an implement of husbandry (MCL 257.21).  They aren’t.  They may also claim to be special mobile equipment (MCL 257.62).  Again, they are not.
But, for the most part, Gem cars are legal if they are titled, registered and insured.
Golf carts are not unless they are titled as an assembled vehicle, registered, and insured, or in a county that allows ORV’s on the roadway.
If there is a doubt, take all vehicle information to the Secretary of State and they should be able to advise if that vehicle needs to be registered and insured.