Tag: requirements

Loved by many, golf truly is a sport that can be practiced by all ages. However, not every aspect of golf can be enjoyed directly by all ages right away. In fact, young children cannot drive golf carts in the US, generally. With golf carts often reaching above 20 miles an hour, there is valid concern for the minimum age required to drive a golf cart. Look down below at the article to figure out if you or your child can legally drive a golf cart in the US.

How Old Do You Need to Be to Drive a Golf Cart in the US?

In the United States of America, in most states, you need to be at least 14 years old to drive a golf cart on public property, such as a golf course. In other stricter states, the minimum age to drive a golf cart on public property is raised to 16 years old. Finally, some states additionally require a driver’s license and/or insurance to drive a golf cart on public property.

Since the age requirement to drive a golf cart in the US varies from state to state, you will need to look at the table down below to know the requirement in your state. Additionally, you can ask the representatives at your local golf course what the minimum age is in your state.

Furthermore, some states have special rules regarding off course golf cart driving, and more. These special rules are indicated in the 2nd table down below.

NOTE: Regardless of the information in the tables down below, you should verify your local guidelines by getting in touch with your local authorities and lawmakers; these tables are meant only as a quick guide to help you quickly get situated.

Minimum Age, License and Insurance Requirements to Drive a Golf Cart

Special Rules for Driving a Golf Cart in the Different US States

To drive a golf cart on the road, there are certain rules you must abide by and modifications you must do on your golf cart to make it street legal. You can read our guide on golf cart modifications for street legal purposes here.

Down below is a table filled with special rules you must respect in each US State when driving a golf cart on the road.

State	Special Rules
Alabama	Driving golf carts on a public highway without a license and under 18 years old is illegal. It is illegal to drive a golf cart on a public road unless you have a low-speed vehicle upgrade.
Alaska	You need a Driver’s License. Alternatively, you can use a learner’s permit, as long as you are accompanied by an adult with a driver’s license.
Arizona	You are required to make your golf cart meet road legal requirements if you wish to ride it on public roads. There is no widespread age requirement for driving golf carts on private property. Ask your local authority.
Arkansas	No driver’s license is required. In the case of an accident, the parents of a driver under 14 years of age will be held responsible.
California	Golf carts cannot carry more than 2 people, including the operator.
Colorado	No Driver’s License is required. A slow-moving vehicle sign applied to the back of the golf cart is required.
Connecticut	You need to put a flag on your golf cart when driving on public roads.
Delaware	Driving a golf cart on public roads is illegal. Only private property golf cart driving is permitted.
Florida	The golf cart can be driven on public roads as long as the speed does not exceed 20 miles per hour.
Georgia
Hawaii	Golf carts are not road legal.
Idaho	A license plate and insurance for the golf cart are required.
Illinois	If your local authority allows it, golf carts may potentially be road legal, if the speed remains under 35 miles per hour.
Indiana	Golf carts are road legal in the localities that passed laws for that purpose.
Iowa	Golf carts are road legal if permitted by the locality. You need a slow-moving vehicle sign on your golf cart, along with a safety flag.
Kansas	Golf carts are road legal if permitted by the locality.
Kentucky	Golf carts require a government-issued sticker on the golf carts for them to be road legal, at under 35 miles per hour.
Louisiana	Golf carts are road legal if permitted by the locality.
Maine	Golf carts are road legal in low-speed areas around golf courses.
Maryland	Golf carts are not road legal. Golf carts may only be driven on private property.
Massachusetts	Your golf cart needs a registered license plate.
Michigan
Minnesota	Golf carts may or may not be road legal. Contact your relevant state government officials.
Mississippi	You cannot drive golf carts on highways.
Missouri	Golf carts are road legal if permitted by the locality.
Montana	Golf carts can only be driven on small streets; they are not road legal in most areas.
Nebraska	Golf carts are road legal if permitted by the locality.
Nevada	Golf carts are road legal if permitted by the locality; you should contact your local state government officials to figure out the legality.
New Hampshire	Golf carts are not road legal.
New Jersey
New Mexico	Golf carts are often road legal, but not allowed to be driven on bigger roads like highways. Driving a golf cart during the night is illegal.
New York	Golf carts are not road legal.
North Carolina	Golf cart speed is limited to no more than 35 miles per hour.
North Dakota	Golf carts are road legal if permitted by the locality. Golf carts cannot be driven on highways.
Ohio
Oklahoma	Golf carts are road legal if permitted by the locality. The speed limit for golf carts is 25 miles per hour.
Oregon	Golf carts are road legal if permitted by the locality.
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island	Golf carts are not road legal.
South Carolina	Golf carts are only road legal with a permit, and the speed limit is 35 miles per hour.
South Dakota	You must have headlights to drive a golf cart at night.
Tennessee	Golf carts may be driven on low speed roads, provided they are registered accordingly as a low speed vehicle. Even if you do not wish to drive a golf cart on road, you must register it.
Texas	Golf carts are road legal if permitted by the locality.
Utah	Golf carts are road legal, but need to a VIN and title. Registration is not required. Verify the requirements with your local authority.
Vermont	Certain golf carts with speeds under 35 miles per hour can be road legal.
Virginia	Golf carts are road legal with speeds no greater than 25 miles per hour. Golf carts cannot be driven at night.
Washington	Golf carts are road legal if permitted by the locality.
West Virginia	Golf carts are road legal if permitted by the locality.
Wisconsin	Golf carts are not legal unless they are viewed by the authorities as a low speed vehicle.
Wyoming	Golf carts are road legal if they meet the local safety requirements and have a VIN.

Reminder: Regardless of the information in the tables up above, you should verify your local guidelines by getting in touch with your local authorities and lawmakers; these tables are meant only as a quick guide to help you quickly get an estimate of requirements.

Conclusion

After reading this article, you now have a good estimate at the requirements for driving a golf cart in your state! Remember to verify the laws and requirements to drive a golf cart in your area before attempting anything! Happy golfing! If you still want more information, you can take a look at the 1998 federal document on golf cart regulations.

When did you drive a golf cart for the first time? Let us know down below in the comments!

Note: Nothing in this article constitutes legal advice. We recommend you do additional research before letting a minor drive a golf cart, or driving a golf cart on the road.

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