Neighborhood Electronic Vehicles (NEV's)
An NEV is a “Neighborhood Electric Vehicle,” known by the DMV as a class of Low Speed Vehicles (LSV’s). Unlike a golf cart, NEV’s are equipped with all safety features like lights, seatbelts, windshield wipers, etc., and are thus “street legal” (as long as they can drive the posted speed). As such, NEV’s must be titled, registered and insured just like a car or truck.
Regulations for NEV’s were passed y the National Highway Transportation Safety Agency (NHTSA), under Standard Number 500. This standard also applies to golf carts which have been modified to go over 20 mph. The standard is 42 pages long and can be viewed at the NHTSA website (see Additional Sources below).
Your NEV dealer should have informed you how to title and register the NEV. If not, you may apply with the DMV, using the Application for Certificate of Title/Registration (form 400). The form will provide information about what, if any, other document he has to provide. Unfortunately, as DMV forms and regulations can be, it is confusing. For example, under “Fee Schedule,” it lists cars, trucks, trailers, etc., but not LSV/NEV’s.
Despite numerous phone calls to the DMV, staff has been unable to clarify this further, and must leave it to the NEV owner to determine with the DMV. To perhaps save you a little frustration, we suggest you be prepared to pay property taxes, a registration fee (which should be relatively low), provide proof of insurance, odometer reading, MSO and driver’s license. It may not all be required, but at least you’ll be prepared if it is. Remember that state property taxes, if applicable, are paid before a title/registration is issued, and are paid at the County Auditor’s office downtown, not at the DMV. Staff has attempted to gather as much advance information as possible, but when dealing with the DMV, one tends to get numerous replies to the same questions, so we just cannot be certain.
To register the NEV with KICA:
  1. Provide a copy of the registration. A bill of sale alone will not be adequate.
  2. As with cars and trucks, a regular member decal will be issued to members in good standing. Members are permitted three decals per property at no charge. Decals for NEV’s will count as one of the three. (Additional decals are $25 each.)
  3. NEV’s are considered low speed “vehicles” (top speed usually 25 mph) and all laws and regulations which apply to cars apply to NEV’s. They must be driven only on the street, not on leisure trails!
  4. Only licensed drivers may operate.
  5. Decals will renew with regular decal renewal.
  6. If you sell or transfer ownership of the NEV, inform KICA Member Services so the decal can be voided.
Department of Public Safety: DMV LOCATIONS: (Columbia - 1-800-442-1368)
  • 3790 Leeds Avenue, North Charleston, SC 29405 843-740-6168
  • 180 Lockwood Blvd., Charleston (downtown), SC 29403 843-727-6477
  • 1401 Sam Rittenberg Blvd.(renewals only), Charleston, SC 29407 843-852-3580
  • 1189 Iron Bridge Road, Suite 500, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464 843-884-9760
Property Taxes: Charleston County Auditor’s Office, 2 Courthouse Square at Meeting & Broad Streets, Charleston, SC 29401 843-958-4205
We are sorry; KICA cannot be responsible for erroneous information provided by the DMV/County Auditor.
ADDITIONAL SOURCES:
National Highway & Transportation Safety Administration www.nhtsa.dot.gov
Bombardier Vehicles (sales/service) www.bombardierNV.com
Global Electric Vehicles (sales/service) www.gemcars.com
Click for Nev Application
Note: to apply to register an NEV, please print out the application, fill it out, and send it
by mail, with a copy of the registration, to:
KICA Member Services
23 Beachwalker Drive
Kiwah Island, South Carolina 29455
Or, fax the application and registration to KICA Member Services at (843) 768-4019.
KICA Administration, 23 Beachwalker Drive Kiawah Island, South Carolina 29455

Toll-free: 866.226.1770 Phone: 843.768.9194 Fax: 843.768.4019

Please report inactive links to: webmaster@kiawah-owners.org