Florida Golf Cart And LSV Laws
In Florida, the vehicle most people call a golf cart is often something else entirely: a Low Speed Vehicle (LSV), defined by Fla. Stat. 320.01 and 49 C.F.R. 571.500, titled, tagged and insured for public roads. Here is what Florida law requires, and how Beach Better's own rental policy applies it, for renters in Destin, Miramar Beach, Santa Rosa Beach and 30A.
A Golf Cart And An LSV Are Not The Same Vehicle
Every vehicle in the Beach Better fleet is what most people call a golf cart, and what Florida law calls a Low Speed Vehicle (LSV). The difference matters. An LSV is titled, tagged, insured and built to a federal safety standard so it can share the road. A true golf cart, the kind built only for a golf course, is none of those things and cannot legally be driven on a public street in Florida.
- Built and sold for use on a golf course
- No title, tag, VIN or registration required
- No headlights, turn signals or seat belts required
- Not legal to drive on a public Florida road
- Meets the federal Low Speed Vehicle standard, Fla. Stat. 320.01 and 49 C.F.R. 571.500
- Titled, tagged with a Florida license plate, and insured as a motor vehicle
- Equipped with headlights, taillights, turn signals, mirrors, a windshield and a seat belt at every seat
- Street legal on public roads posted 35 mph or less, under Fla. Stat. 316.2122
Every Beach Better rental is a Low Speed Vehicle, not an unregistered golf cart. That is what makes it legal to drive on public roads across Destin, Miramar Beach, Santa Rosa Beach and 30A, and it is why the same traffic laws that apply to a car apply to your rental.
Where You Can Drive An LSV On The Emerald Coast
Fla. Stat. 316.2122 permits a Low Speed Vehicle only on streets posted 35 mph or less, operated by a driver holding a valid license, registered and insured the same as any other motor vehicle.
- Scenic Gulf Drive in Destin and Miramar Beach
- Route 30A through Santa Rosa Beach, Seaside, WaterColor, Rosemary Beach and Grayton Beach
- Any public road posted 35 mph or less
- Neighborhood streets in Crystal Beach, Holiday Isle, Dune Allen, Seagrove and Inlet Beach
- Crossing Highway 98 at a signalized intersection only
- Travelling along Highway 98 (also signed as US 98) or Business 98, or on their shoulders or pedestrian paths
- Sidewalks or pedestrian paths
- The beach or the sand
- Trails or unpaved surfaces
- Any road posted above 35 mph
Highway 98
You may cross Highway 98 (Emerald Coast Parkway) only at a signalized intersection, in the marked travel lane, and only where the crossing road is posted 35 mph or less. You may never travel along Highway 98, Business 98, or their shoulders or pedestrian paths, in either direction. Driving along Highway 98 ends the rental immediately, the vehicle is recovered, and no refund is issued for unused time.
Some communities set their own limits on LSV access beyond state law. Check the Neighborhood Rules page or text us before your trip and we will confirm for your area.
Who Can Drive: State Law And Beach Better's Own Rule
- Requires a valid driver's license to operate a motor vehicle on a public road
- An LSV is a motor vehicle for this purpose
- Sets no separate LSV age above the license requirement
- Every driver must be 22 years of age or older for the entire rental period
- Must hold a valid state issued driver's license
- Must carry active auto insurance naming that driver
- Must be listed and approved on the executed rental agreement before taking the wheel
Beach Better's minimum driver age of 22 is a company policy, stricter than the state license requirement above, and it applies to every driver on every rental regardless of the age on that driver's license. Two drivers are included with every rental. Each additional driver is $15 and must be approved online first. Lockbox codes are released to approved, listed drivers only. Handing the wheel to anyone who is not a listed, approved driver is a prohibited use that voids all coverage and shifts responsibility to the renter.
Seat Belts And Child Restraints
There is a belt for every seat. Fla. Stat. 316.614 requires seat belt use in a motor vehicle, and an LSV is a motor vehicle. Fla. Stat. 316.613 sets the child restraint rule: a child aged 3 or younger must ride in a crash tested, federally approved separate child carrier or the vehicle manufacturer's integrated child seat, and a booster seat is not sufficient at that age. A child aged 4 or 5 must ride in a separate carrier, an integrated child seat, or a child booster seat. Beach Better does not supply or install child restraints. Lap riding and sharing a belt are prohibited for riders of any age.
Phone Use While Driving
Florida law prohibits operating a motor vehicle while holding a wireless communication device, and an LSV is a motor vehicle. Beach Better's policy goes further: any use of a mobile phone or other electronic device while the vehicle is in motion is prohibited, including hands free use. Headphones and earbuds are prohibited. Texting while driving is prohibited. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop in a safe, lawful location before using a phone or device.
Insurance And Your Signature
Each approved driver carries their own active auto insurance, and under Florida law that coverage comes first: "The valid and collectible liability insurance and personal injury protection insurance of any authorized rental or leasing driver is primary for the limits of liability and personal injury protection coverage required by ss. 324.021(7) and 627.736, Florida Statutes."
Many personal auto policies and credit card benefits exclude Low Speed Vehicles. Confirm with your own insurer, in advance, that your policy covers your operation of a rented Low Speed Vehicle, and keep proof of insurance with you.
Optional secondary coverage is available through Renter's Collision Protection at $39.50 per driver, per day, with a $500 deductible. Your own auto policy remains primary under Fla. Stat. 627.7263, and Renter's Collision Protection does not replace it.
Your electronic signature on the rental agreement carries the same legal weight as ink on paper under Fla. Stat. 668.004, Florida's Uniform Electronic Transaction Act (Fla. Stat. 668.50), and the federal E-SIGN Act (15 U.S.C. 7001). Signing and initialing confirms that you have read and agreed to the safety terms and operating instructions. Read them in full at signing, and see the Terms, Conditions and Policies page.
If You Are In An Accident
Call 911 for any accident
Florida law requires a driver to report a crash involving injury or significant property damage. Call 911 for any accident, including a single vehicle one, and never leave the scene.
Stay at the scene
Stay until law enforcement releases you. Do not admit fault at the scene. Handle it exactly as you would a car accident.
Get the police report number
Ask for the police report number before you go. Open a claim with your own auto insurance carrier, which is primary under Fla. Stat. 627.7263, and pass the claim number to Beach Better.
Text (850) 830-4699
Text (850) 830-4699 once the scene is secure, so we know your vehicle is involved. Review the Renter's Collision Protection terms if you purchased that coverage.
Common Questions About Florida Golf Cart And LSV Laws
Is a rental golf cart in Florida the same thing as a Low Speed Vehicle?
Not always, but every Beach Better rental is. A true golf cart is built only for a golf course, carries no title or tag, and is not legal on a public road. A Low Speed Vehicle (LSV) meets the federal standard at Fla. Stat. 320.01 and 49 C.F.R. 571.500, and is titled, tagged, insured and equipped with headlights, turn signals, mirrors and seat belts, so it can be driven street legally on roads posted 35 mph or less under Fla. Stat. 316.2122.
Where can I drive a golf cart (LSV) in Destin, Miramar Beach and 30A?
Anywhere posted 35 mph or less, including Scenic Gulf Drive in Destin and Miramar Beach, and Route 30A through Santa Rosa Beach, Seaside, WaterColor, Rosemary Beach and Grayton Beach. Sidewalks, the beach and unpaved trails are never permitted, and neither is any road posted above 35 mph.
Can I drive along Highway 98?
No. You may cross Highway 98 (Emerald Coast Parkway) only at a signalized intersection, and only where the crossing road is posted 35 mph or less. You may never travel along Highway 98 or Business 98, or on their shoulders or pedestrian paths, in either direction.
How old do I have to be to drive a Beach Better golf cart rental?
Florida state law requires only a valid driver's license to operate a Low Speed Vehicle on a public road, with no separate LSV age set above that. Beach Better's own company policy is stricter: every driver must be 22 years of age or older for the entire rental period, hold a valid license, carry active auto insurance naming that driver, and be listed and approved on the executed rental agreement.
What is Florida's child restraint rule for a golf cart (LSV)?
Fla. Stat. 316.613 sets the child restraint rule: a child aged 3 or younger must ride in a crash tested, federally approved separate child carrier or the vehicle's integrated child seat, and a booster seat is not sufficient at that age. A child aged 4 or 5 must ride in a separate carrier, an integrated child seat, or a child booster seat. Beach Better does not supply or install child restraints.
Can I use my phone while driving a golf cart (LSV)?
No. Florida law prohibits holding a wireless communication device while operating a motor vehicle, and an LSV is a motor vehicle. Beach Better's policy goes further: any use of a phone or other electronic device while the vehicle is in motion is prohibited, including hands free use, and headphones and earbuds are also prohibited. Stop in a safe, lawful location before using a phone.
Whose insurance is primary on a golf cart (LSV) rental?
The renter's own auto insurance is primary under Fla. Stat. 627.7263. Optional secondary coverage is available through Renter's Collision Protection at $39.50 per driver, per day, with a $500 deductible, but it does not replace your own policy.
What do I do if I am in an accident?
Call 911 for any accident, including a single vehicle one, and never leave the scene. Stay until law enforcement releases you and get the police report number. Text (850) 830-4699 once the scene is secure, then open a claim with your own auto insurance carrier and pass the claim number to Beach Better. Do not admit fault at the scene.
Read The Renter Guide Next
Everything it takes to run your street-legal golf cart rental, from lockbox to return day, gathered in one place.
Text (850) 830-4699 with any question before you drive.