Lazaro Aleman
ECB Publishing, Inc.
Under a bill that Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law recently, 14-year-olds will no longer be able to drive golf carts, and older teens will have to possess the proper identification.
House Bill 949, one of 37 bills that DeSantis signed on Thursday, May 11, goes into effect on Oct. 1. Golf cart drivers found in violation after the law takes effect will face a noncriminal traffic violation.
The new law, which will affect communities across the state, requires that golf cart operators under 18 must be at least 15 years of age and possess a learner’s permit. And if they are 16 or older, they must have a driver’s license. Individuals 18 or older must possess a valid government-issued ID.
Florida law currently allows 14-year-olds to drive golf carts.
Republican Representative Cyndi Stevenson, of St. Johns County, sponsored the bill, based on concerns raised by the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office about minors suffering injuries during the course of operating golf carts
And in fact, a study by the American Academy of Pediatric found that more than 6,500 children are injured annually in golf-cart related accidents.
In Florida, golf cart and retirement communities are almost synonymous. A 2022 estimate put the number of golf carts in The Villages alone at between 70,000 and 80,000. It’s not only senior citizens who drive golf carts anymore, however, as the small vehicles have become popular with all ages.
Florida law defines a golf cart as a motor vehicle that is designed and manufactured for operation on a golf course for sporting or recreational purposes and that is not capable of exceeding 20 mph. Many communities across the state, including Monticello, allow golf carts on designated streets.
Per Florida law, street legal golf carts are considered low-speed vehicles and thus are not permitted to operate on sidewalks or bike paths. Driving a legal golf cart on a sidewalk or a bike path can result in a hefty fine if spotted by a law enforcement officer.
Also, unless the night driving of golf cart is permitted by a local government and the golf cart is appropriately equipped with headlights, brake lights, turn signals and a windshield, doing so can also result in a fine.
Under no circumstances if anyone under age 14 allowed to drive a golf cart.