Golf carts can’t use public roads in Walton County, including South Walton and 30A: the Sheriff’s Office says golf carts are not legally permitted on any public roadway at any time. Street-legal low-speed vehicles (LSVs) can use roads with a speed limit of 35 mph or less, but not US Highway 98.
What we haven’t checked. This page rests on the Sheriff’s Low Speed Vehicle Laws page, the Tourist Development Council’s Timpoochee Trail listing, and Walton County Code §20-50 as read on October 15, 2026. We haven’t re-read the code since then or looked closely at the Sheriff’s LSV road map.
State law: see golf cart laws in Florida.
Do you need a driver’s license to drive a golf cart in Walton County?
Golf carts can’t use public roads here. An LSV driver needs a valid driver’s license.
How old do you have to be to drive a golf cart in Walton County?
The Sheriff’s page gives no age rule for golf carts, because they can’t use public roads here. An LSV driver needs a valid driver’s license.
Does a golf cart need a permit or registration in Walton County?
The Sheriff’s page doesn’t describe a golf cart permit. An LSV needs a valid registration (tag) on the vehicle. On streets and highways under Walton County’s jurisdiction, a county ordinance also requires the free LSV Safety Information Sticker on the inside of the windshield, low and centered. The Sheriff’s Office hands it out at 133 Sheriff Drive, Santa Rosa Beach, weekdays 8 am to 5 pm.
Where can golf carts go in Walton County?
Golf carts: not on any public roadway. The Sheriff’s page says so in capital letters.
Multi-use paths: County Code §20-50 limits golf carts on county multi-use paths to police, fire, county and utility staff. The Timpoochee Trail is the paved multi-use path along Scenic Highway 30A, according to the Walton County Tourist Development Council.
LSVs: only roads with a speed limit of 35 mph or less (the Sheriff’s map marks the roads closed to them in red). The Sheriff’s page says it is illegal to drive low-speed vehicles on any sidewalk or bike path. Not on US Highway 98 or the sidewalk along it, and across US 98 only at a four-way intersection.
Golf cart or LSV: what’s the difference in Walton County?
A low-speed vehicle (LSV) is different from a golf cart: it goes faster than 20 mph (up to 25), meets the federal LSV safety standard, and has to be titled, registered and insured, with a licensed driver. Under Florida law an LSV can use streets posted 35 mph or less, unless the local government has closed a road to them. An LSV can’t travel along roads posted over 35; lawful crossings are separately regulated.
Can you drive a golf cart at night in Walton County? Hours and lights
Golf carts can’t use public roads here at any hour. The Sheriff’s page lists the equipment an LSV must have, including headlamps, turn signals, stop lamps and tail lamps.
On board an LSV
From the Sheriff’s page: front-seat passengers of any age and everyone under 18 wear a seat belt, one person per seat belt; children 5 and under ride in a car seat or booster seat; no open alcohol containers. Don’t park an LSV behind another vehicle in the same parking space. If traffic backs up behind you, pull over to let it pass.
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 that golf carts can’t use Walton County’s public roads, so it will still plan a route for one. Don’t take that route in a golf cart. A street-legal LSV can use roads with a 35 mph limit or less, but not US 98, sidewalks or bike paths.
Where these rules come from
- Low Speed Vehicle Laws — Walton County Sheriff’s Office
- Timpoochee Trail — Walton County Tourist Development Council (Visit South Walton)
- Walton County Code §20-50, Multimodal facilities (Ord. 2025-19), read October 15, 2026
- Florida Statutes § 316.212 — golf carts on roads
- Florida Statutes § 316.2122 — low-speed vehicles
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.