The Golf Cart Rental Guide
What you are renting is a street-legal Florida Low Speed Vehicle (LSV), a titled and plated motor vehicle, not a golf cart in the legal sense. This is the handbook for driving it safely across the Emerald Coast, from Miramar Beach to Destin and 30A. Read it before you drive.
Street-Legal Low Speed Vehicles, Delivered Free Across The Emerald Coast
Your Beach Better rental is a Florida-titled Low Speed Vehicle (LSV). You can drive it on any public street posted 35 mph or lower, including Scenic 30A and Scenic Gulf Drive. You may cross Highway 98 (Emerald Coast Parkway) only at a signalized intersection, and you may never travel along it. Every driver must be 22 or older, hold a valid license, carry active auto insurance in their own name, and be listed and approved before driving. An LSV sits higher and weighs less than a car, so it handles differently and it can tip or roll in a fast turn: slow well before you turn and keep everyone seated and belted. Charge electric vehicles every night. Have a question? Text us at (850) 830-4699. Texting is faster than calling.
A Golf Cart And A Low Speed Vehicle Are Not The Same Thing
Most people say golf cart out of habit. From a legal standpoint, what you are renting is something more capable, and it deserves a moment of your attention before the first ride.
A true golf cart has no VIN, no license plate, and no title, and it cannot legally travel on public streets. Your Beach Better vehicle is a Low Speed Vehicle (LSV): it carries a VIN, a Florida license plate, and a title, and it is registered and insured as a motor vehicle.
A Low Speed Vehicle is defined by Fla. Stat. 320.01 and by the federal standard at 49 C.F.R. 571.500: a four-wheeled vehicle with a top speed above 20 mph and not more than 25 mph, built with the safety equipment a road vehicle requires. That is what your Beach Better rental is, and it is why it can legally travel the coast. It also means you are held to the same traffic laws as any car, and the driver must carry a valid license.
Because it is a real motor vehicle, treat it like one. An LSV sits higher and weighs less than the car or truck you drive at home, so it responds differently to sharp turns, uneven pavement, and quick stops.
An LSV is a real motor vehicle and it carries real risk, including the risk of tipping or rolling in a turn. Slow well before you turn, take corners gently, keep every rider seated and belted, and never overload the vehicle or let anyone ride on a lap. Most incidents on a low speed vehicle come from turning too fast rather than from straight-line speed.
Find Your Vehicle's Operating Guide
Already booked? Start here. Every vehicle has its own guide with unit-specific safety instructions, lockbox location, charging details, Bluetooth pairing, and tips. Find your vehicle's code on your rental agreement, your confirmation email, or the windshield sticker, then tap it for the full guide.
Electric LSVs
Gas LSVs
Before Your Rental
A few quick steps set you up for a smooth, safe trip. The first one is the most important thing on this whole page.
Read your vehicle's operating instructions and Florida's LSV laws
This is the big one. Every Beach Better vehicle has its own guide covering how it starts, how it charges, how it handles, and where it is legal to drive. Pair it with a read of the Florida Low Speed Vehicle laws so you step aboard already knowing the rules of the road. Both documents are sent to you in writing when you book and again on the first day of your rental. Read them before you drive. Find your guide in the Fleet Directory above, or by scanning the windshield sticker.
Sign your rental agreement
You will receive a secure electronic signature link by email. Sign it, complete your driver list, and submit. A signed agreement is required before any vehicle is released, and signing confirms that you have reviewed the safety terms and instructions.
Signing electronically carries the same legal force as ink on paper. Under Florida law, an electronic signature "may be used to sign a writing and shall have the same force and effect as a written signature" (Fla. Stat. 668.004), and a record, signature, or contract "may not be denied legal effect or enforceability solely because it is in electronic form" (Fla. Stat. 668.50, Florida's Uniform Electronic Transaction Act). The federal E-SIGN Act, 15 U.S.C. 7001, gives electronic signatures that same effect nationwide.
In plain terms, the agreement you sign, the driver approvals you complete, and the safety acknowledgments you initial are all fully enforceable. Checking the box that confirms you read this guide and your vehicle's operating instructions is a binding acknowledgment that you received and understood them.
Text us your rental gate code
If your vacation community is gated, text the gate code to (850) 830-4699 at least 24 hours before delivery so our driver can get in.
Verify auto insurance for every driver
Every driver must be 22 years of age or older for the entire rental period, hold a valid state-issued driver's license, carry active auto insurance naming that driver, and be listed and approved on the executed rental agreement before taking the wheel. Two drivers are included with every rental. Each additional driver is $15 and must be added and approved online first. Bring your insurance card, or a photo of it, so you can show proof if you are ever stopped.
Under Fla. Stat. 627.7263 your own valid and collectible coverage is primary: "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. Renter's Collision Protection is optional secondary coverage at $39.50 per driver, per day, with a $500 deductible, and it does not replace your primary policy. Keep proof of insurance with you whenever you drive.
Getting Your Vehicle
Most renters choose delivery. Whichever you choose, the lockbox code is released only after every driver on the reservation has been approved and the rental agreement is executed. Your operating instructions and safety guide are sent to you in writing at booking, and again by text and email on the day your booking begins, so everything you need to drive safely is in your pocket before you take the wheel.
Brought To Your Rental
We deliver to approved vacation rentals in Miramar Beach, Destin, Santa Rosa Beach and along 30A. Delivery is completed before your rental period begins. The vehicle is secured to a stand and the lockbox code is released to approved drivers on your start date, so the vehicle is not accessible before your rental begins. If you find a Beach Better vehicle at your property before your start date, do not operate it. Text (850) 830-4699.
At The Shop On Holiday Road
Pick up at 76 N Holiday Rd, Miramar Beach, FL 32550, next to the Cumberland gas station. The vehicle is locked to a stand with a code-protected lockbox. Codes are released only to drivers who have been approved on an executed rental agreement. Your unit's written operating instructions and safety guide reach you at booking and again on your first rental day. Read them before you drive, and text (850) 830-4699 with any question before you take the wheel.
Your Lockbox Code
Your four-digit lockbox code is emailed at 7 AM on the day before your rental starts, then texted again once your vehicle is staged. Codes are issued only against a reservation on which every driver has been approved on an executed agreement. Treat the code like a key: do not share it, and do not let anyone who is not an approved, listed driver take the wheel. An unapproved driver is a prohibited use that voids coverage and shifts responsibility to the renter.
Find Your Vehicle By The Windshield Sticker
Each vehicle's specific safety instructions live in its operating guide, including how to charge it and where to use it safely. Before your reservation begins, check the windshield sticker to confirm your vehicle's code, then follow that guide straight to your lockbox. Lockboxes are always black and code-protected, and the guide shows you exactly where yours is with photos.
Where You Can Drive
Every rental is a Florida-titled, plated Low Speed Vehicle as defined by Fla. Stat. 320.01 and 49 C.F.R. 571.500. Under Fla. Stat. 316.2122, an LSV may be operated only on streets posted 35 mph or less, the driver must have a valid license in their possession, and the vehicle must be registered and insured as a motor vehicle. You are held to the same traffic laws as any car, with the same consequences for breaking them. See our complete Florida Low Speed Vehicle laws guide for the full reference.
- Scenic Highway 30A through Santa Rosa Beach
- Scenic Gulf Drive through Miramar Beach and Destin
- Public streets posted 35 mph or lower
- Across Highway 98 at a signalized intersection only, never along it
- Anyone who is not an approved, listed driver at the wheel, a prohibited use that voids coverage
- Alcohol or drugs while driving, Florida DUI laws apply
- Any phone or device use while the vehicle is in motion, handheld or hands-free, plus headphones or earbuds
- Travelling along Highway 98, Business 98, their shoulders, or their pedestrian paths
- Sidewalks, beach, sand, or trails, these are road vehicles only
- Standing passengers, lap riding, or sharing a belt
- A child aged 3 or younger without a crash-tested, federally approved child carrier or integrated child seat (a booster is not sufficient at that age), or a child aged 4 or 5 without a carrier, integrated seat, or booster seat, per Fla. Stat. 316.613
- Pets, or items on the roof such as chairs, coolers, or bags
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.
Driver Requirements
- 22 years of age or older for the entire rental period
- Valid state-issued driver's license, carried with you whenever you drive
- Active auto insurance naming that driver
- Proof of insurance carried in the vehicle, because law enforcement can stop you
- Listed and approved on the executed rental agreement before driving
Every driver must be individually approved and listed in advance. Two drivers are included, and each additional driver is $15, approved online first. Add and approve a driver online before they take the wheel. Lockbox codes are released to approved, listed drivers only. This is not just paperwork: an unapproved driver is a prohibited use that voids all coverage and shifts responsibility to the renter.
Children And Seat Belts
Every rider must be in a seat with the belt fastened. 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. Fla. Stat. 316.614 requires seat belt use in a motor vehicle, and an LSV is a motor vehicle. Every rider is belted, on every trip.
Phones
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.
As noted in step 04, your own auto insurance is primary under Fla. Stat. 627.7263, so it pays first on any claim from your use of the LSV. Renter's Collision Protection (RCP) is optional secondary coverage at $39.50 per driver, per day, with a $500 deductible. It sits behind your own auto policy and does not replace it. Keep your proof of insurance with you in case you are stopped.
Report Accidents And Damage Immediately
If an accident or any damage occurs, photograph it and text it to (850) 830-4699 right away. Do not wait until you leave town. Unreported damage discovered at return may result in additional charges.
Electric Charging
Electric LSVs come back to our shop dead more often than for any other reason, and it almost always traces to one missed overnight charge. Treat the charger like the vehicle's bedtime: plug it in whenever you park.
Charger LED Status
- Red: Error. Unplug, wait 30 seconds, try again
- Orange blinking: Actively charging
- Orange solid: Almost full
- Green blinking: Top-off mode
- Green solid: 100% charged and ready to roll
Charging Best Practices
- Use a standard dedicated outlet with nothing else plugged in
- The battery depletes faster once it dips below 50%
- Multiple vehicles need separate outlets, so do not daisy-chain
- Always carry the extension cord with you. A missing cord is a $50 replacement fee, and it is also your safety net if you ever run low on charge
If The Vehicle Will Not Move
- Check the tow switch under the seat. Set it to RUN, not TOW
- Turn the key fully right, back to center, then right again
- Press the Eco battery button if your vehicle has one
- Still stuck? Text (850) 830-4699
Run the checks above first. Most no-start situations resolve in minutes. If they do not, text (850) 830-4699 and we will work the problem with you. If the vehicle needs to be recovered, book a stranded vehicle pickup for a $200 flat fee. Recovery is scheduled as soon as we can safely reach you. If you are stopped in or near a travel lane, or if anyone is at risk, call 911 first and text us after.
On return day, charge to full and leave the vehicle plugged in. Returning under 90% charge triggers a $100 recharge fee billed to the card on file.
Each vehicle's operating guide has charging port photos and exact battery details. Find your vehicle in the Fleet Directory at the top of this page, or open the Electric Guide.
Gas Basics
Renting a gas LSV? A few key differences. Our gas fleet runs on regular 87 unleaded, the same fuel you put in most cars. No diesel, no premium needed.
Fuel Essentials
- Fuel grade: 87 octane unleaded only
- Tank location: Shown in your vehicle's operating guide
- Return condition: Full tank, or a $30 refuel fee applies
- Prepaid fuel option: $18.50. Text (850) 830-4699 to add it before pickup
Headlights Are Manual
Headlights on Beach Better LSVs are manual and do not switch on automatically. Turn them on by hand from sunset to sunrise and any time visibility is reduced by rain, fog or spray. Florida law requires lighted headlamps on a motor vehicle in those conditions. Position 1 is low beam. Position 2 is high beam. Full detail is in the Gas Guide.
Fees
No surprises at return. Here is the full breakdown if something goes sideways during your rental.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Late return | $100 / hour |
| Lost key or glow remote | $50 |
| Missing charging cord or extension cord | $50 |
| Gas refuel | $30 |
| Prepaid fuel (gas, optional) | $18.50 |
| Electric recharge if returned under 90% | $100 |
| Stranded vehicle recovery or tow | $200 |
| Traffic citation | Ticket cost + $35 admin |
Your rental agreement carries this statutory statement, which you initial when you sign: "Failure to return rental property or equipment upon expiration of the rental period and failure to pay all amounts due (including costs for damage to the property or equipment) are evidence of abandonment or refusal to redeliver the property, punishable in accordance with section 812.155, Florida Statutes."
Cancellations
- Within 10 days of your start date: No refund
- 10 or more days before your start date: $50 cancellation fee
- Weather recall by Beach Better: Unused days refunded on a prorated basis, only when we require the return for safety
- Early returns: No refund
Full policy detail at our Terms, Conditions and Policies page.
If There Is An Accident
Crashes happen, on any road and in any vehicle. If one happens to you, follow this sequence exactly. Skipping a step can affect your coverage. Florida law requires you to report any crash involving injury or significant property damage, so call 911 for any accident, including a single-vehicle one, and never leave the scene.
Call 911 immediately
Call for any accident, including a single-vehicle one. A police report is non-negotiable for insurance and rental coverage.
Stay at the scene
Leaving the scene of an accident is a crime in Florida. The same law that applies to a car applies to your LSV. Do not leave under any circumstances.
Get a sheriff's accident report
Same process as a car accident. Note the responding officer's name and badge number, and get the report number before they leave.
Move to the roadside
When safe and legally permitted, move the vehicle and passengers out of the active travel lane to prevent further incidents.
Stay calm, speak only to police
Make no settlements with other parties at the scene. Do not admit fault. Cooperate with officers and provide your license, registration, and insurance.
Collect witness info
Names, phone numbers, addresses, and where any injured parties are being treated. Witnesses help establish the truth of what happened.
Document everything
Photos and video of all damage to vehicles, the scene, license plates, and any visible injuries. The more documentation, the better.
Text Beach Better
Reach us at (850) 830-4699 as soon as the scene is secure so we can support you.
Open a claim with your auto insurance carrier
Because your own auto insurance is primary, open a claim with your carrier promptly, then give the claim number to Beach Better.
For a crash, an injury or a theft, call 911 first, then text (850) 830-4699. For anything mechanical, including a dead battery, a lost key or a vehicle that will not move, text (850) 830-4699 and we will respond and schedule recovery.
Read The Beach Flags
South Walton beaches use a five-flag warning system. The flags are posted and updated by beach safety officials, not by Beach Better, and conditions can change quickly. Check the flag at your access point before entering the water and follow the direction of on-duty lifeguards.
| Flag | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Green | Low hazard. Calm conditions. Take normal precautions |
| Yellow | Medium hazard. Moderate surf or currents. Use caution |
| Single Red | High hazard. Strong surf or currents. Swimming is not advised |
| Double Red | The water is closed to the public. Entering is unlawful |
| Purple | Dangerous marine life has been sighted, such as jellyfish, stingrays or sharks |
Caught In A Rip Current?
- Stay calm. Most drownings come from panic, not the current
- Do not fight it directly. You cannot outswim it
- Swim parallel to the shore until you are out of the channel
- Once free, swim at an angle back to the beach
- If exhausted, float and signal for help
What You Agree To When You Sign
Your rental agreement is the controlling document. This is a plain-language summary of what it asks you to confirm. It is a summary and not a substitute. The governing terms are those you sign electronically. Read them in full at signing.
- Your own auto insurance is primary for claims arising from your use of the LSV, under Fla. Stat. 627.7263.
- Only drivers approved in writing and listed on the executed agreement may operate the vehicle.
- The LSV is driven only on public roads posted 35 mph or less, and never on sidewalks, sand or beaches.
- Highway 98 (Emerald Coast Parkway) may be crossed at a signalized intersection and may never be driven along.
- Every rider is belted in a seat. A child aged 3 or younger requires a separate child carrier or integrated child seat (booster not sufficient); a child aged 4 or 5 requires a carrier, integrated seat, or booster (Fla. Stat. 316.613). Lap riding is prohibited.
- Operating an LSV carries inherent risk, including the risk of tipping or rolling in a turn, and the agreement asks you to acknowledge and assume that risk.
- Breach of the agreement ends the rental, the vehicle is recovered, and no refund is issued.
- After any accident, call 911, remain at the scene, obtain a report, and contact Beach Better.
- The agreement resolves disputes by binding individual arbitration seated in Walton County, Florida, with a class action waiver and a jury trial waiver, and Florida law and Walton County venue govern anything not arbitrated. Read Sections 23 and 24 of the agreement before you sign.
How The Fleet Is Maintained
Beach Better runs an in-house service department. Our program calls for each Low Speed Vehicle to be checked and cleaned between bookings and for scheduled preventative maintenance to follow the manufacturer's published intervals, covering brakes, steering, batteries, tires, lights and safety equipment. Maintenance and cleaning records are kept for every unit in the fleet.
Maintenance does not replace the driver's own pre-trip walkaround. Before your first drive, walk around the vehicle, check the tires and lights, confirm every seat belt latches, and text (850) 830-4699 at once if anything looks wrong. Do not operate a vehicle you believe is unsafe.
Renter Questions, Answered
Where am I allowed to drive my golf cart rental?
Your Beach Better LSV is welcome on Scenic 30A, Scenic Gulf Drive, and any public Florida street posted 35 mph or lower. You may cross Highway 98 (Emerald Coast Parkway) only at a signalized intersection, and you may never travel along it. Sidewalks, beaches, sand, grass, and walking trails are all off limits. This follows Fla. Stat. 316.2122, which allows a low speed vehicle only on roads posted 35 mph or less.
Can I take the LSV to another town along the coast?
Yes, anywhere inside our service area, provided the entire route stays on public roads posted 35 mph or less. Plan your route on Scenic Gulf Drive or Route 30A. You may cross Highway 98 only at a signalized intersection.
Who is allowed to drive?
Every driver must be 22 years of age or older for the entire rental period, hold a valid state-issued driver's license, carry active auto insurance naming that driver, and be listed and approved on the executed rental agreement before taking the wheel. Two drivers are included and each additional driver is $15, approved online first. Handing the wheel to an unapproved person is a prohibited use that voids coverage. Add and approve a driver online.
Is a golf cart the same as a Low Speed Vehicle, and does it drive like my car?
No. A true golf cart is not street legal and has no VIN, plate, or title. Your rental is a Low Speed Vehicle as defined by Fla. Stat. 320.01 and the federal standard at 49 C.F.R. 571.500, a titled and plated motor vehicle you can legally drive on roads posted 35 mph or lower. Because an LSV sits higher and weighs less than a car, it reacts differently to sharp turns, uneven pavement, and quick stops, and it can tip or roll in a fast turn. Slow well before turning, take corners gently, and keep everyone seated and belted.
How is the fleet maintained?
Beach Better runs an in-house service department. Our program calls for each Low Speed Vehicle to be checked and cleaned between bookings and for scheduled preventative maintenance to follow the manufacturer's published intervals, covering brakes, steering, batteries, tires, lights and safety equipment. Records are kept per unit. Maintenance does not replace your own pre-trip walkaround: check the tires and lights, confirm every seat belt latches, and text (850) 830-4699 at once if anything looks wrong. Do not operate a vehicle you believe is unsafe.
Is my electronic signature actually binding?
Yes. 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), an electronic signature has the same force and effect as a written one and cannot be denied legal effect solely because it is electronic. Your signed agreement, driver approvals, and safety acknowledgments are fully enforceable.
Does Beach Better deliver, and how does pickup work?
Yes. Free delivery to approved vacation rentals in Miramar Beach, Destin, Santa Rosa Beach, and along the 30A corridor, plus around-the-clock store pickup at 76 N Holiday Rd, Miramar Beach, next to the Cumberland gas station. The lockbox code is released only after every driver on the reservation has been approved and the agreement is executed. Some HOAs and resort communities do not permit rental LSVs, so check our neighborhood rules page before booking. Your operating instructions and safety guide are sent at booking and again on the day your booking begins.
How do I know which vehicle I am renting?
Once your booking is confirmed, your specific vehicle ID, a short code like HB80 or BV55L, appears on your rental agreement, your confirmation email, and the windshield sticker. Each vehicle has its own guide with photos, lockbox location, charging instructions, and operating tips. Find yours in the Fleet Directory at the top of this page.
What if I have a problem during my rental?
Text (850) 830-4699 first, it is the fastest way to reach our team. For a crash, an injury or a theft, call 911 first, then text us. If the vehicle needs to be recovered, you can book a stranded vehicle pickup online for a $200 flat fee.
What is the cancellation policy?
Cancellations made 11 or more days before your start date are refunded less a $50 cancellation fee. Cancellations made 10 or fewer days before your start date are not refundable. Early returns are not refunded. If Beach Better requires an early return for a hurricane, tropical storm or other safety event, unused days are refunded on a prorated basis. Full detail is in our Terms, Conditions and Policies.
Are the vehicles cleaned between rentals?
Yes. Our process calls for each LSV to be cleaned inside and out between rentals, then charged or fueled and checked before the next booking. If anything is not right when you receive your vehicle, text (850) 830-4699 and we will make it right. Mid-stay refreshes are available through our Mobile Wash service.
Two Things Worth Knowing
The Vehicle Carries A Tracker, And We Want You To Know It Is There
Every Beach Better vehicle carries an Apple AirTag for security and recovery. We disclose it rather than hide it. If your iPhone notifies you that an AirTag is traveling with you during your rental, that is the vehicle you rented, and the alert is expected.
To confirm, match the vehicle ID on the windshield to the ID on your rental agreement. The device reports approximate location for fleet security and recovery. Please tell your passengers it is there.
Safety Glazing: Look For The AS4 Etching
The windshield is the only thing between your face and whatever the vehicle kicks up at speed. On a street-legal LSV the windshield must meet a specific safety-glazing standard.
That standard is AS4, part of the ANSI Z26.1 motor vehicle safety glazing code. AS4-rated material is formulated to resist shattering and absorb impact. Fold-down and fixed windshields can both be AS4-rated: the style does not matter, the certification does. Beach Better specifies AS4-rated glazing for the fleet. Check the lower corner of your windshield for the AS4 etching, and text (850) 830-4699 if you do not find one.
What Renters Say
"The vehicle we rented was brand new, so awesome."
"Fancy carts and such a helpful staff. We rent there every single year."
"Every detail of our vacation went smoothly. Communication and professionalism was impressive."
Rated 4.9 on Google
Reserve Your Beach Better Golf Cart
Free delivery to approved Emerald Coast vacation rentals, from a local team on the coast since 2013. Text us anytime, we usually reply within minutes.