Who can drive a golf cart in Florida? New law changes legal age

Ana Goñi-Lessan, Tallahassee Democrat
Updated ·2 min read
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Florida teens now won't be able to drive golf carts without a permit or driver's license.

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed HB 949 Thursday, a bill sponsored by Rep. Cyndi Stevenson, R- St. Johns, that officially bans young drivers from public streets. The law takes effect July 1, 2023.

Here's what you need to know:

What did the new law change?

Before, Florida law allowed a 14-year-old to drive a golf cart. But this didn't stop children younger than 14 from cruising, said Sen. Erin Grall, R- Ft. Pierce, the sponsor of the Senate version of the bill. The state law also made it difficult for local governments to enact their own laws that would raise the age.

"There's a level of training that we expect when people operate a vehicle on our public roadways," Grall said.

Previous coverage: The golf cart driving age in Florida is currently 14 years old. That may soon change

Heads up, teen golf cart drivers: A new Florida law goes into effect July 1. What we know

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Who can drive a golf cart in Florida?

If you're under 18, you have to be at least 15 with a learner's permit or 16 with a driver's license. If you're 18 and older, you have to have valid government-issued identification.

What is considered a golf cart?

According to Florida statute, a golf cart is “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 speeds of 20 miles per hour.”

Golf carts do not require insurance.

What happens if you break the law?

Drivers could face a noncriminal traffic violation, like a moving violation. State law enforcement agencies back the bill, citing the the increase of golf cart communities in the state.

"We don't need 14-year-olds operating a golf cart on a highway," said St. John's County Sheriff's Office Director of Patrol Scott Beaver.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Golf carts in Florida: What to know about new teen driving law