Do I Need a Driver’s License to Drive a Golf Cart in Florida?

For a golf cart the answer is NO, you do not need a driver’s license to drive a golf cart in Florida. But note, this is for golf carts, not golf cars. Golf cars are also known as low-speed vehicles, or “LSVs” under Florida law. For a golf car, the answer is YES, you do need a valid driver’s license to drive a golf car in Florida, and the golf car must have several additional safety features that a golf cart does not.

What Is the Difference Between a Golf Cart and a Golf Car/Lsv?

The first difference is that a golf cart in Florida can legally only have a maximum speed of 20 mph. A golf cart can only be driven on roads with a speed limit of no greater than 30 mph — but even those roads have to be designated by a city as golf cart accessible. A golf car (a LSV) can have a maximum speed of 25 mph and can be driven on roads where the speed limit is no greater than 35 mph. The roads for golf cars/LSVs also have to be designated by a city as golf car accessible. Typically, a city or municipality will have golf cart and golf car zones where they have decided it is safer for golf carts and golf cars to operate. So the fact that a local road has a 30 mph speed limit sign on it does not necessarily mean that road has been set aside as golf cart or golf car approved.

A second difference between golf carts and golf cars is the insurance that a golf car/LSV is required to carry. To begin with, Florida Statute 320.01(4) requires that a golf cart (“LSV”) has to be insured with Property Damage and Personal Injury Protection insurance. These are sold by various insurers in amounts of $10,000 for PD and $10,000 for PIP. At www.GolfCartAttorney.com we recommend that you also carry Bodily Injury insurance in case your golf car (or even your golf cart) cause physical injury to a person. We also recommend that you carry Uninsured Motorist (known as “UM”) coverage so if you are hit in your golf cart/golf car by a person with zero insurance, you will have coverage for yourself to cover you for injuries caused by a car, truck, or other golf cart. The statistics put out by the State of Florida suggests that as much as 25% of the automobile-driving public has no Bodily Injury insurance to cover you if they cause you physical injury. Protect yourself, get Uninsured Motorists coverage on your golf cart/golf car/LSV.

A third difference between golf carts and golf cars/LSVs is the extra equipment that a golf car/LSV is required to carry. By Florida statute a golf car/LSV is required to carry the following additional equipment:

• Parking Brake,
• Seat Belt for each seat,
• Windshield,
• Headlights, Stop Lights, and Tail Lights;
• Red Reflectors
• Turn Signals
• Rear view mirrors (driver side and inside, or driver and passenger side)
• A VIN Number and a valid License Plate from the Florida DHSMV.

A fourth difference between golf carts and golf cars/LSVs is that golf cars/LSVs are required to be titled and registered with the State of Florida DHSMV. Golf carts are not so required. This also means that golf cart operators are not required to have a driver’s license, but must be at least 14 years of age.

How Does Florida Law Apply to Modified Golf Carts?

When a golf cart is modified to exceed 20 mph then the golf cart is now considered a golf car/LSV. What this means is that all of the additional equipment required of a golf car/LSV would be required on a modified golf cart. This would also include the requirement to register the modified golf cart with the State of Florida DHSMV. The owner of a modified golf cart also would be required to carry the PD and PIP insurance on the modified golf cart, as well as carry a valid driver’s license to operate it.

We are specialists in handling Florida golf cart injury cases. If you have been involved in a golf cart or golf car or low-speed vehicle (LSV) accident, contact us. The laws in Florida that apply to golf carts are not the same as those that apply to automobiles. It is important that you hire an attorney who has handled many golf cart injury cases. Insurance policies for golf carts require an attorney who knows the coverages. We have recovered six- and seven-figure recoveries for our golf cart injured clients.

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