What are the laws for driving a golf cart in Florida?
Cruising around on vacation to and from the beach, hitting local restaurants, and grabbing a drink at the tiki bar all sounds like a great way to upgrade your beach vacation. That’s because it is! Renting a golf cart in Indian Rocks Beach Florida is awesome but before you get started, you should familiarize yourself with the rules and regulations so you can enjoy your experience without any snags.
Here are some specific rules you should know before renting a golf cart in Indian Rocks Beach Florida:
Where can I drive a golf cart? Golf carts are considered low-speed vehicles (LSVs). LSVs may be operated only on streets where the posted speed limit is 35 MPH or less
Do I need to have a “street-legal” golf cart? A street-legal golf cart can be driven on the main roads at 35 MPH or less. This means you can cruise up and down Gulf Blvd and enjoy the freedom to explore shops, restaurants, and local hot spots. A golf cart must meet certain criteria to be considered street-legal in Florida such as a rearview mirror, efficient brakes, steering wheel, tires, windshield, reflective warning devices, headlights, taillights and turn signals. All of our golf carts are street-legal. You can check out our golf carts here.
Can children ride in a golf cart? Children 3 years and younger are required to ride in a car seat while riding in the golf cart. All the normal car seat and seat belt requirements apply as well.
Can you drive a golf cart on the sidewalk? No, it is not legal in Florida unless it is specifically designated as a golf cart path.
Who can drive a golf cart? The driver carries a government-issued I.D. such as a driver’s license, even if they are 18 or older. Anyone under the age of 18 will need to have a permit or driver’s license to drive a golf cart. Previously, Florida law allowed a 14-year-old to drive a golf cart. However, with the new law, teens wishing to drive a golf cart must have a valid learner’s driver’s license.
How many people can ride on a golf cart? Per Florida law, there are occupancy limits pertaining to who can ride in a golf cart while on roadways. This depends on how many seats the golf cart has; if it has two seats, the occupancy limit is two.
As always make sure you familiarize yourself with the rules and regulations before renting a golf cart so you can have fun and enjoy exploring with no worries.
