OutdoorTag

How Old Do You Have To Be To Drive A Golf Cart In Florida?

By Jay Matthews · · Updated

Legal Age To Drive A Golf Cart In Florida
Contents

Golf carts are those types of vehicles that are generally not very fast. Yes, there are ways to make a golf cart go faster though. But that’s not the point.

I’m mentioning the speed factor. Because due to this people often think the regulations on driving golf carts must be quite forgiving. And partly it is true but the fact that there are rules and regulations on driving a golf cart, should not still be avoided. And one must follow them to avoid hassles later.

One confusion that many have is regarding how old do you have to be to drive a golf cart in Florida? If you don’t already know, the rulings vary from one place to another, and today I’ll cover the ones for Florida.

Florida no longer lets 14-year-olds drive golf carts on public roads without a license. Since October 1, 2023, Florida Statute 316.212 says a driver under 18 needs a valid learner's license or driver license.

Drivers 18 and older need a valid government-issued photo ID. Because a Florida learner's license requires you to be at least 15, 15 is effectively the youngest legal age on public roads.

So, can a 13 year old drive a golf cart in Florida? Not on public roads or streets. On private property or a golf course, the owner's or course's rules apply.

Not only this, but the person driving a golf cart also has to respect the vehicle's limits. Florida defines a golf cart as a vehicle that can't go faster than 20 miles per hour.

A cart that can go faster than 20 mph, up to 25 mph, is a low-speed vehicle (LSV). An LSV must be registered, titled and insured, and its driver needs a valid driver license.

Golf carts can only use roads a local government has designated for them, and only between sunrise and sunset unless local rules allow night driving and the cart has headlights, brake lights, turn signals and a windshield. That is basically the shortest summary I could give you on golf cart laws in Florida.

Things Get Complicated If It’s a Rented Golf Cart.

So now you know how old can you be to drive a golf cart in Florida. However, that information is not enough. You see, if you are staying at a place and want to rent a golf cart, then the procedures will become more confusing.

Because the rental company you will contact might have its own rules, often driven by its insurance. Those rules can be stricter than state law.

Some rental companies set a higher minimum age for drivers, and some ask for a current driver’s license. Ask about the age and license policy before you book.

So, if you get stuck in such a spot, and have teens with you, then maybe the only way will be to ask an adult for piloting the golf cart to the chosen area.

How Old Do You Have To Be To Drive A Golf Cart In Florida?

Outdoor Speak: Let’s take a break for a while from the formalities and technicalities of golf and focus on another subject. Drive toward this post: What Did Justin Say On Golf Course.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a license to drive a golf cart in Florida?

There is no special golf cart license, but on public roads a driver under 18 needs a learner's license or driver license. Drivers 18 and older need a government-issued photo ID, and anyone driving a low-speed vehicle needs a valid driver license.

Are golf carts allowed on sidewalks in Florida?

Only where a local government has passed an ordinance allowing it on specific sidewalks. State law caps golf cart speed on those sidewalks at 15 mph, and sidewalks next to state highways must be at least 8 feet wide.

It depends on your city or county. A golf cart can use a public road only if the local government has designated it for golf carts and posted signs, and local ordinances can add stricter rules.

State law also requires working brakes, reliable steering, safe tires, a rearview mirror, and red reflective warning devices on the front and rear.

Wrap Up

And that was about how old do you have to be to drive a golf cart in Florida. Make sure you are not crossing the decided ruling to play it safe. Also, if you are going to the location for a vacation, then go for golf carts that come with optimal condition batteries to drive without a problem.

If it’s your own one, make sure to timely do maintenance such as changing the battery and so on. You might want to find out about 6 volt golf cart battery cost before buying a new one.

Looks like we are done with today’s discussion, see you again on something else next time. Till then take care.

Sources

More in Golf