In Florida, golf carts can use only the public roads that a county or city has opened to them and signed. Low-speed vehicles (LSVs) are a separate class: they’re titled, registered and insured, and can use streets posted 35 mph or less.
Do you need a driver’s license to drive a golf cart in Florida?
Not always, for golf carts. Drivers under 18 need a learner’s permit or a driver’s license; drivers 18 and over need a government-issued photo ID. Many towns are stricter and require a driver’s license. LSV drivers always need a valid driver’s license.
How old do you have to be to drive a golf cart in Florida?
Florida doesn’t set a minimum age number for golf carts. Under 18, the driver needs a learner’s permit or a driver’s license; 18 and over, a government-issued photo ID (§ 316.212(7)). A town can add its own rules.
Does a golf cart need a permit or registration in Florida?
The state doesn’t register golf carts. Many towns and counties run their own registration or decal, so check the local page. LSVs must be titled, registered and insured with the state.
Where can golf carts go in Florida?
Only on roads a county or city has designated for golf carts, after determining that golf carts can travel on or cross them (§ 316.212(1)), and where it has posted signs. Without a designation, golf carts may not be driven on public roads.
- State highways: only to cross, where a designated road meets the highway and the state Department of Transportation has approved the crossing.
- State park roads posted 35 mph or less, where the park system permits it.
- Inside a self-contained retirement community, carts may be driven reasonably unless the county, city or state has prohibited it (§ 316.2125).
Local governments can be stricter than the state, and they can open sidewalks next to designated streets to carts at 15 mph or less.
Golf cart or LSV: what’s the difference in Florida?
A golf cart is built for the golf course and can’t go faster than 20 mph. A low-speed vehicle has four wheels and a top speed over 20 mph and up to 25 (§ 320.01).
An LSV can use streets posted 35 mph or less, unless the county or city has closed a road to LSVs. An LSV can’t travel along roads posted over 35; lawful crossings are separately regulated. It must be titled, registered and insured, with a licensed driver (§ 316.2122).
The 35 mph rule is for LSVs only. It doesn’t open any road to golf carts.
Can you drive a golf cart at night in Florida? Hours and lights
Golf carts: sunrise to sunset. Night use is permitted only where the local government approves it and the cart has headlights, brake lights, turn signals and a windshield (§ 316.212(5)).
Crossing roads
Golf carts may cross a state highway only where a designated county road or city street meets it and the state has approved the crossing. A cart may also cross a road in the middle of a block between two parts of a golf course, and cross streets in a mobile home park at approved points.
Equipment
Every golf cart on a road needs efficient brakes, reliable steering, tires in good condition, a rearview mirror, and red reflectors on the front and rear (§ 316.212(6)). Night use adds headlights, brake lights, turn signals and a windshield.
Towns we’ve checked in Florida
- Apollo BeachOnly county roads the county has designated and signed; we haven’t verified public-road authorization here.
- ClermontA pilot program: city roads west of US 27 and north of SR 50. $20 registration.
- Cocoa BeachOnly the streets the city’s Golf Cart Accessible Street Map shows in green. Florida’s equipment rules.
- Cutler BayAll town streets except US-1, the Turnpike and a short list of busy stretches. One-time $60 permit.
- DestinThe city says golf carts may not use any public street. LSVs on streets posted 35 mph or less, not US 98 or SR 293.
- DunedinA cart zone of city streets posted 30 mph or less. No city sticker for 20 mph carts.
- Flagler BeachCity streets, but not A1A or SR 100. Yearly registration and inspection; driver’s license.
- Fort Walton BeachTwo golf cart zones, streets posted 30 mph or less. $25 city decal; driver’s license.
- Fruitland ParkGolf carts and LSVs where the city’s Golf Cart Map (April 2022) shows. Rules in city code Ch. 34.
- Keaton BeachGolf carts throughout the Keaton Beach area, Saw Grass Estates to J. L. Gibson Road.
- Key BiscayneVillage roads with a village permit; Crandon Blvd only to cross. Driver’s license.
- Lynn HavenCity streets in designated subdivisions, posted 25 mph or less.
- Mexico BeachCity streets, sunrise to sunset. $15 yearly sticker; driver’s license.
- Miami LakesAll town streets except NW 67th and NW 87th Avenues. Yearly inspection; driver’s license.
- Nassau CountyOnly county roads designated by resolution, in daylight. County registration.
- North PortOnly signed roads in Holiday Park, Lakeside Plantation and Plantation Blvd, posted 30 mph or less.
- OldsmarCity streets posted 25 mph or less, except the two industrial parks. Insurance required.
- Osceola CountyThe county says golf carts aren’t legal on or along county roads or sidewalks unless the county designates them after a study.
- OviedoCity roads posted 30 mph or less, minus a list of busy roads. $30 yearly registration.
- Palmetto BayAll village streets except Old Cutler Rd, US 1 and eight busy avenues and streets. Village permit.
- PinecrestThe village says golf carts can’t use public roads or sidewalks. LSVs on streets with a 35 mph limit or less.
- Pinellas CountyNine signed golf cart zones in unincorporated areas, including Crystal Beach, Ozona and Palm Harbor. Driver’s license.
- Port RicheyAll city streets except US 19 and a list of busier roads. Yearly decal, insurance; driver’s license.
- Port St. JoeCity roads posted 30 mph or less. $10 yearly decal; 16+ with a license.
- St. Augustine BeachThe city says traditional golf carts may not use public streets. LSVs on streets posted 35 mph or less.
- St. CloudA downtown zone between US 192 and Lakeshore Blvd. $25 yearly registration and inspection.
- St. Johns CountyOnly designated county roads posted 25 mph or less, and designated multi-use paths.
- St. LeoAny town street with a speed limit of 25 mph or less. Seat belts; child seats for young children.
- St. Pete BeachDesignated city streets only; no state or county roads, not even to cross. City decal; licensed drivers.
- SteinhatcheeEvery county-maintained road posted 25 mph or less.
- TequestaDesignated, signed village streets in the Country Club area. Yearly police registration.
- Walton CountyThe Sheriff says golf carts aren’t legal on any public roadway; county code limits carts on county multi-use paths to staff. LSVs on roads 35 mph or less, never on US 98.
- Winter GardenOnly golf cart communities and streets approved by resolution, including the Downtown Golf Cart District.
Follow the law and posted signs. Follow applicable law, posted restrictions and lawful directions from officers. If permission is unclear, don’t use that road or path until confirmed. Rules can change after we check them.
Using SlowGo here
SlowGo routes on roads posted 35 mph or under by default; it doesn’t establish cart access here.
Check local rules before you ride. It doesn’t know which roads each county or city has opened to golf carts yet, so a route can use a street that carts can’t use. Check the town pages above before you ride.
Where these rules come from
- Florida Statutes § 316.212 — golf carts on roads
- Florida Statutes § 316.2122 — low-speed vehicles
- Florida Statutes § 316.2125 — golf carts in retirement communities
- Florida Statutes § 320.01 — definitions (golf cart, low-speed vehicle)
Town staff: see something out of date? Email hello@slowgoapp.com and we’ll fix it quickly.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Always follow posted signs and local rules.