Are Golf Carts Street Legal in Florida? Rules for Golf Carts and LSVs

Florida is golf cart country, from The Villages to beach towns on both coasts. But whether you can drive a street legal golf cart in Florida depends on what kind of vehicle you have: a regular golf cart and a low-speed vehicle (LSV) follow very different rules. This guide explains both, based on Florida statutes and guidance from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV).

This is general information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities and counties add their own rules, so confirm with FLHSMV and your local government before you drive.

Golf cart vs. LSV under Florida law

Florida separates these two vehicles by top speed:

Golf cart: A vehicle designed for use on a golf course that cannot go faster than 20 mph.
Low-speed vehicle (LSV): A four-wheeled vehicle with a top speed greater than 20 mph but not greater than 25 mph.

That speed difference changes everything: where you can drive, whether you need a license plate and whether you need insurance. Our golf cart vs. LSV guide covers the differences in more detail.

Where regular golf carts can drive in Florida

Under Florida Statute 316.212, golf carts are not allowed on public roads except in specific situations. The main ones:

Designated roads. A county or city can designate roads for golf cart use after deciding carts can travel safely there. Those roads must be marked with signs. FLHSMV's guidance describes these as roads with a posted speed limit of 30 mph or less.
Crossings. Carts may cross a state highway only at crossings approved by the Florida Department of Transportation, such as where a designated road meets the highway.
Some state park roads with a posted limit of 35 mph or less, if the park system allows it.
Sidewalks, in limited cases. Local governments can allow carts on certain sidewalks, with a 15 mph top speed and other conditions.

If your street is not designated and none of the exceptions apply, a regular golf cart is not allowed on it, even for a short trip.

Hours, equipment and driver age

Golf carts on public roads are generally limited to daylight hours, sunrise to sunset. A local government can allow night driving if the cart has headlights, brake lights, turn signals and a windshield.

At minimum, a golf cart used on public roads must have:

Efficient brakes
Reliable steering
Safe tires
A rearview mirror
Red reflectorized warning devices on the front and rear

Driver rules changed on October 1, 2023. Now, anyone under 18 driving a golf cart on public roads must have a learner's license or a valid driver license. Drivers 18 and older must carry a valid government-issued photo ID.

Local governments can pass stricter rules for unlicensed drivers, so your town's ordinance may say more than state law does.

What makes a street legal golf cart in Florida: LSV rules

If you want to drive on regular public streets without depending on a local golf cart designation, you need an LSV. Under Florida Statute 316.2122, an LSV:

May be driven on streets with a posted speed limit of 35 mph or less.
May cross a road with a higher speed limit at an intersection.
Must have headlamps, stop lamps, turn signals, taillamps, reflex reflectors, a parking brake, rearview mirrors, a windshield, seat belts and a VIN.
Must be titled, registered and insured.
Must be driven by someone with a valid driver license.

A county or city can still prohibit LSVs on specific roads for safety reasons. The federal standard for LSVs (49 CFR 571.500) also sets equipment requirements that manufacturers must meet.

Insurance requirements

FLHSMV says LSV owners must carry personal injury protection (PIP) and property damage liability (PDL), with a minimum of $10,000 each. Talk to your insurer about whether additional coverage makes sense.

Converting a golf cart to an LSV in Florida

You can convert a golf cart to an LSV, but it takes more than bolting on lights. According to FLHSMV, the process generally looks like this:

Install all required safety equipment and make sure the cart can exceed 20 mph but not go over 25 mph.
Submit four photos (front, back and both sides) to an FLHSMV Motorist Services Regional Office for inspection and VIN assignment.
Gather documents such as the original certificate or bill of sale, a builder's statement, a conversion affidavit, receipts for parts, a certified weight slip, a title application, proof of insurance and ID.
Pay inspection, title, plate and registration fees. Registration is based on vehicle weight.

FLHSMV also notes that title and registration dates show when a cart was titled, not when it was built. If you are buying a converted LSV, check the model year separately. Our used golf cart buying checklist explains how.

Quick tips for Florida buyers and sellers

Ask for the title and registration on any cart advertised as "street legal."
Check your city and county website for designated golf cart roads before you buy a non-LSV cart for street use.
HOA and community rules may add requirements on top of state and local law.
When selling, state clearly whether the cart is a titled LSV or a regular golf cart.

Looking for a cart? Browse golf carts for sale on CartPiko, or list your cart free with no commission.

Frequently asked questions

Can a 14-year-old drive a golf cart in Florida?

Not on public roads under current state law. Since October 1, 2023, golf cart drivers under 18 on public roads need a learner's license or a valid driver license. Private property and some communities may have their own rules.

Do I need insurance for a golf cart in Florida?

Florida requires LSV owners to carry at least $10,000 in personal injury protection and $10,000 in property damage liability. That LSV requirement does not cover regular golf carts, but many owners still buy coverage, and some communities require it.

Can I drive my golf cart at night in Florida?

Generally golf carts may only be driven between sunrise and sunset. A local government can allow night driving if the cart has headlights, brake lights, turn signals and a windshield.

How do I make my golf cart street legal in Florida?

Equip it with the required LSV safety gear, make sure it can reach more than 20 mph but no more than 25 mph, then apply through FLHSMV for an inspection and VIN, title, registration and plate with proof of insurance.

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