DUI Charges in Illinois: What If You Were on a Golf Cart or E-Scooter?

A night out in Chicago might include hopping on a rented e-scooter or driving a golf cart in a gated neighborhood. But what many people don’t realize is that Illinois law treats these alternative modes of transportation the same way it treats traditional motor vehicles when alcohol or drugs are involved.

Whether you’re on the Lakefront Trail in Streeterville or riding an electric scooter down Belmont Avenue, you could face DUI charges just like any other driver. The Chicago Police Department, especially in areas like River North and the South Loop, has made it clear: intoxicated operation of any vehicle can land you in jail.

At The Law Offices of David L. Freidberg, I’ve defended DUI cases involving every type of vehicle imaginable. It doesn’t matter if you were in a luxury SUV or a slow-moving golf cart—once you’re stopped and suspected of impairment, you’re subject to arrest, prosecution, and life-altering consequences.

How Illinois Defines DUI and Why Golf Carts and Scooters Count

DUI laws in Illinois are outlined in 625 ILCS 5/11-501, which prohibits the operation of a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, intoxicating compounds, or drugs. Importantly, the statute is written to include any “vehicle,” not just cars or trucks.

The legal definition of “vehicle” under 625 ILCS 5/1-217 includes any device that can transport people or goods on public roads, except those powered solely by human power or that run only on rails. That means golf carts and electric scooters, even if they seem harmless or low-speed, fall under the same DUI laws as automobiles.

In some parts of Illinois, municipalities have passed ordinances allowing golf carts on local streets under specific conditions. But those local rules don’t shield operators from statewide DUI laws. If you’re impaired on a public roadway in a cart or scooter, you’re still considered a DUI suspect.

The Legal Process After a Scooter or Golf Cart DUI Arrest in Chicago

If you’re stopped on suspicion of DUI in a scooter or golf cart case, you’ll face the same arrest procedures as someone driving a traditional vehicle. Police will initiate a traffic stop, conduct field sobriety tests, and may offer a portable breath test.

If they establish probable cause, you’ll be arrested and transported to the station. There, you’ll be asked to take a chemical test—either a breathalyzer, blood, or urine test—to determine your BAC or the presence of controlled substances.

This arrest triggers two separate legal paths:

A criminal DUI case that proceeds in Cook County Circuit Court or other local courts, depending on where the arrest occurred.
An administrative license suspension handled by the Illinois Secretary of State, particularly if you refused chemical testing or failed it.

The formal criminal process begins with an arraignment, followed by several court dates that can stretch over months. Having a private attorney by your side from the very beginning can dramatically influence the outcome of both your license hearing and the criminal prosecution.

Example Case: DUI on a Golf Cart in a South Suburb

Let’s say someone attends a neighborhood barbecue in a South Side suburb where golf carts are commonly used within the gated community. They drive a golf cart on a main street to pick someone up, and on the way back, a patrol officer pulls them over for failing to signal at a turn. The officer smells alcohol, notices slurred speech, and conducts field sobriety tests. The driver blows a 0.09% BAC and is arrested for DUI.

Even though the vehicle was a golf cart, and even though it was in a residential area, the DUI case proceeds like any other:

Prosecutors argue the driver was impaired in control of a motor vehicle
The BAC reading exceeds the legal limit
Field tests show signs of intoxication

As the defense lawyer, I would:

Challenge whether the stop was justified based on the alleged infraction
Examine whether the cart was legally allowed on that roadway
Evaluate the accuracy of the breath test
Argue that the cart, under the facts of the case, does not meet the legal threshold of a “vehicle” under Illinois law

Many times, these defenses can lead to charges being reduced, dismissed, or negotiated into non-criminal outcomes like court supervision.

Criminal Penalties for DUI on Nontraditional Vehicles

The criminal penalties in Illinois for DUI do not change based on the type of vehicle you were operating. A DUI is a DUI—whether you were in a Tesla, a tractor, or a Lime scooter. Here’s what’s at stake:

First offense (Class A misdemeanor): Up to 1 year in jail, fines up to $2,500, license suspension, and mandatory alcohol education or treatment.
Second offense: Mandatory minimums including 5 days in jail or 240 hours of community service.
Third offense and up: Felony DUI with potential prison time, higher fines, and long-term license revocation.

In addition to those punishments, there are real-world consequences that can affect your life:

Your criminal record will show a DUI conviction, visible to employers, landlords, and licensing agencies.
Auto insurance premiums often skyrocket after a DUI.
Your Illinois driver’s license may be revoked, even if you weren’t in a car.
College students, nurses, government workers, and CDL holders may face disciplinary or termination actions.

What Evidence Prosecutors Use—and How It Can Be Challenged

In nontraditional DUI cases, law enforcement is often on less familiar ground. That creates opportunities for legal defense. Here’s what prosecutors typically rely on:

Statements from the defendant (“I only had a couple drinks”)
Field sobriety tests (e.g., horizontal gaze nystagmus, walk-and-turn)
Chemical testing results (breath, blood, or urine)
Dashcam or body-worn camera footage
Eyewitness accounts, including passengers or other motorists
Photographs of the vehicle and scene

As your attorney, I scrutinize every piece of evidence. I know how to expose flaws in field test administration, uncover defects in breathalyzer machines, and demonstrate when statements were taken in violation of your constitutional rights.

How I Help Clients Get DUI Charges Dismissed or Reduced

No two cases are the same, especially when the DUI involves something unusual like a scooter or golf cart. That’s why I develop a customized defense plan for every client.

My work includes:

Filing suppression motions to block tainted evidence
Challenging probable cause for the stop and arrest
Presenting evidence that the vehicle wasn’t used in a way that qualifies as DUI under state law
Negotiating with prosecutors for reductions to non-criminal charges
Preparing for trial if no resolution is acceptable

Often, I can secure outcomes like court supervision (which avoids a conviction), or a plea to a lesser offense, especially for first-time offenders. I’ve had DUI cases thrown out due to illegal stops, faulty testing, or procedural errors—outcomes that never happen without skilled legal advocacy.

Why You Need a Lawyer for a Scooter or Golf Cart DUI Case

It’s a mistake to assume a DUI on a scooter or golf cart is “no big deal.” Prosecutors treat it the same as any other DUI, and judges will sentence you accordingly. Without an experienced DUI attorney:

You may miss key defenses that could dismiss your case
You might take a plea deal that could have been avoided
You risk license suspension, jail time, and a permanent criminal record

At The Law Offices of David L. Freidberg, I’ve been defending DUI clients across Chicago and the surrounding counties for decades. I know the police, the courts, and the prosecutors—and I know how to protect your record.

FAQs: Chicago DUI Cases Involving E-Scooters and Golf Carts

Does it matter if I wasn’t on a public road?
Yes. DUI law applies to public roadways, but courts have ruled that parking lots, driveways, and certain private roads still count if they’re accessible to the public. The facts of where the vehicle was operated matter. That’s why we investigate the location closely in every case.

Are electric bikes treated the same as scooters under Illinois DUI laws?
Yes, most of the time. If the bike has a motor and can be operated on a roadway, it likely qualifies as a vehicle under DUI statutes. Pedal-only bicycles are not covered unless they have electric assistance, which then changes the classification.

Can I fight the license suspension at all?
Yes. You can request a Statutory Summary Suspension Hearing to contest the automatic suspension of your license that occurs after a DUI arrest. You must act quickly—within 90 days of your arrest, ideally far sooner. I file these petitions for every DUI client and have successfully reinstated licenses many times.

Will my driver’s license be affected even if I wasn’t driving a car?
Yes. Illinois treats any DUI as a threat to public safety, regardless of what kind of vehicle was involved. If you fail or refuse chemical testing, your driving privileges can be suspended by the Secretary of State’s office.

What’s the best outcome I can hope for?
Every case is different, but the best possible outcomes include: dismissal of all charges, reduction to a non-criminal offense (like reckless driving), or placement on court supervision that keeps a conviction off your record. I’ve helped clients achieve each of these outcomes—even in cases that seemed unwinnable.

Can I get supervision for a scooter or golf cart DUI?
Yes, in many cases, supervision is still available for a first-time DUI involving these vehicles. But it depends on how the case is charged and which judge and prosecutor are assigned. That’s why early intervention by your lawyer is so critical.

When You Need a Fighter, Call Us!

Whether you’re charged in downtown Chicago, Skokie, Maywood, Bridgeview, or Rolling Meadows, we’re ready. We appear regularly in courtrooms throughout Cook, DuPage, Will, and Lake Counties. And we don’t treat aggravated speeding as just another moving violation.

If you were arrested in Chicago, protect your future by contacting The Law Offices of David L. Freidberg. We have decades of experience handling DUI cases in Illinois. Our firm is available 24/7 to provide the legal defense you deserve.

Contact us today at (312) 560-7100 or toll-free at (800) 803-1442 for a free consultation. We’re available 24/7 to serve clients throughout Illinois, Cook County, DuPage County, Will County, and Lake County.