If you have grandchildren, or guests with children who love to drive your golf cart, you need to be aware of this new legislation.
As of October 1st, any minor driving a golf cart on public roads in Florida must be at least 15 years of age and have at least a learner’s permit to drive. At the age of 16-17, a driver’s license is required. At 18 and over, a government issued photo ID is required but a driver’s license is not.
Violates of the new law will receive a non-criminal traffic infraction with a fine of up to $108. However, it is unclear to me whether the child driving or the owner of the golf cart would owe the fine. Also, be aware that since golf carts are not required to be registered and carry insurance, if an accident happens and there is damage or injury, you could be liable and open to lawsuits with no insurance coverage.
The new law is intended to curb the danger of children operating golf carts without knowing traffic laws, especially without an adult accompanying them. As reported, in Hillsborough County, 16 or 17 children have been injured driving golf carts, and in another county, a three-year-old child driving a golf cart killed a seven-year-old child.
Presumably, lawmakers in Tallahassee thought adults would know and follow traffic laws without a driver’s license and just need to be able to produce a valid ID, but wanted to find a way to restrict children driving them to those who at least have some evidence of the needed knowledge.
Driving on private property is not affected by the law, only public streets.
Please see the link below for a report.