CAN I GET A DUI ON A SCOOTER IN MISSOURI? OR A GOLF CART?

The answer might surprise you—and cost you.

It’s a warm weekend in Kansas City. Maybe you’ve had a couple of drinks and decide to take a Bird scooter or a golf cart instead of driving your car. Safer, right?

Not exactly.

At Speeding Ticket KC, our Kansas City traffic defense attorneys regularly get calls from people shocked to learn they were arrested for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI), not in a car, but on a scooter, golf cart, ATV, or even a lawnmower.

Is that crazy? Is that fair? Is that …legal??? Here’s what Missouri law really says about getting a DUI on alternative vehicles and how to avoid an unexpected criminal charge.

MISSOURI DUI LAW: IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT CARS

Under Missouri Revised Statutes 577.010, a person commits the offense of DWI if they operate a motor vehicle while in an intoxicated or drugged condition.

The key phrase here is “motor vehicle.”

But Missouri law defines a “motor vehicle” very broadly. It can include:

• Passenger vehicles
• Motorcycles
• Mopeds and scooters
• Golf carts (in many circumstances)
• ATVs
• Utility vehicles
• Even ride-share scooters like Bird or Lime

That means if it has a motor and you’re operating it on public roads or rights-of-way, you can be charged with a DUI.

WHAT ABOUT ELECTRIC SCOOTERS?

Yes, you can get a DWI on an e-scooter in Missouri. In fact, several Kansas City riders have been cited for impaired scooter riding over the past few years. Even though they’re small, shared, and seem informal, electric scooters meet the legal definition of a motor vehicle when ridden on city streets or sidewalks.

If you’re intoxicated and swerving through traffic or putting others in danger, police can and do stop you. And if you fail sobriety or breath tests, you may be arrested and charged with a misdemeanor DWI, just like if you were in a car.

CAN I GET A DUI/DWI ON A GOLF CART IN MISSOURI?

Golf carts exist in a legal gray area, but here’s what you need to know:

• On private property, you’re generally safe from DWI laws.
• But once you take that cart on public roads, city streets, or neighborhood paths, you’re fair game under Missouri law.
• Many municipalities (including parts of Kansas City, Lee’s Summit, and Independence) have specific ordinances governing low-speed vehicle use.

Bottom line: If you’re on public roads and impaired, yes, you can be arrested for DWI on a golf cart.

REAL WORLD CONSEQUENCES

Just like with a traditional DWI, being convicted on a scooter or cart can result in:

• Jail time
• Hefty fines
• Driver’s license suspension
• Points on your license
• Mandatory substance abuse counseling
• A permanent criminal record

Yes, even for something you thought was a “safe alternative.”

WHAT TO DO IF YOU’RE CHARGED WITH A DUI/DWI

If you’ve been cited or arrested for DWI on a scooter, golf cart, or similar vehicle, do not plead guilty without speaking to a lawyer. These cases can be fought—especially if:

• There was no clear evidence of intoxication
• The vehicle doesn’t meet the legal process threshold for “motor vehicle” under certain statutes
• Field sobriety or breath testing was flawed
• You were on private property

At Speeding Ticket KC, our experienced Missouri traffic defense attorneys know how to examine every detail of your case to build a strong defense.

HIRE THE RIGHT KANSAS CITY DUI DEFENSE LAWYER FOR YOU

We’ve helped clients beat or reduce DWI charges from scooters, golf carts, and ATVs—and we’re ready to help you too. Don’t let a questionable stop turn into a life-changing conviction.

Call Speeding Ticket KC today to speak with one of our skilled and affordable Missouri traffic defense lawyers near you who knows the law, the loopholes, and the local court system. We’ll fight to keep your record clean and your life moving.