Golf Carts on Florida Roads: Where You Can Drive, Who Can Drive and When It Becomes an LSV

In many Florida neighborhoods the golf cart is the second family car. Florida law starts from the opposite direction: driving a golf cart on public roads is prohibited except where the law allows it (s. 316.212). Here is what that means day to day.

Where you may drive

• On a county road or city street that the local government has designated for golf carts, after deciding carts can travel there safely, and posted with signs.
• Across a state highway only at crossings the Department of Transportation has approved.
• On some sidewalks, if the city or county passes an ordinance that allows it. Those ordinances must limit carts to 15 mph, and next to a state highway the sidewalk must be at least 8 feet wide.
• Inside a retirement community, under a separate section of the law (s. 316.2125).

When and with what equipment

Golf carts may be driven only from sunrise to sunset, unless the local government allows night driving and the cart has headlights, brake lights, turn signals and a windshield. At all times a cart needs efficient brakes, reliable steering, safe tires, a rearview mirror and red reflectors front and rear. Cities and counties can add stricter rules.

Who may drive

On public roads, a driver under 18 must have a valid learner’s license or driver license, and a driver 18 or older must carry a valid government-issued photo ID. For families with young teens, this is the rule that matters most.

What a ticket looks like

Breaking the road, crossing, hours or local-route rules is a noncriminal moving violation; equipment and driver-ID violations are nonmoving violations (s. 316.212(9)).

Turning a golf cart into an LSV

A golf cart cannot go faster than 20 mph; a low-speed vehicle goes over 20 and up to 25 mph (s. 320.01) and may use streets posted at 35 mph or less (s. 316.2122). Golf carts are not titled or registered in Florida (FLHSMV TL-63). A converted cart needs the LSV safety equipment (including seat belts and a VIN), an inspection, a Florida-assigned VIN, a title and registration, and proof of PIP and property damage liability (FLHSMV). The driver then needs a valid driver license.

Whether it is a golf cart or an LSV, tell your agent how it is used: on the course, in the community or on public streets. Coverage depends on the policy.