Archives
: Rules for Operation of Golf Cart in "Golf Cart
Communities"
Section
316.212, Florida Statutes, generally prohibits the
operation of golf carts upon public streets or roads,
except upon those designated by a county or city for use
by golf carts.
The
Commissioners of Monroe County have voted to designate
Duck Key a "golf Cart community"
The
county is responsible for making the determination that
golf carts may safely travel on or cross the public
street or road, after considering the speed, volume, and
character of the motor vehicle traffic using the street
or road.
The
operation of a golf cart is limited to the conditions set
forth below:
Persons
operating a golf cart in accordance with section
316.212, Florida Statutes, are exempt from the
requirement of a driver's license.
State
law prohibits the operation of a golf cart on public
roads or streets by any person under the age of
fourteen.
Golf
carts may only be operated during the hours between
sunrise and sunset.
Golf
carts must be equipped with efficient brakes, reliable
steering apparatus, safe tires, a rearview mirror, and
red reflectorized warning devices in both the front
and rear.
Low-speed
vehicle
"Golf
cart" means a motor vehicle that is designed and
manufactured for operation on a golf course for sporting
or recreational purposes and that is not capable of
exceeding speeds of 20 miles per hour.
"Low-speed
vehicle" means any four-wheeled electric vehicle whose
top speed is greater than 20 miles per hour but not
greater than 25 miles per hour, including neighborhood
electric vehicles. Low-speed vehicles must comply with
the safety standards in 49 C.F.R. 571.500 and s.
316.2122.
(1)
A low-speed vehicle may be operated only on streets
where the posted speed limit is 35 miles per hour or
less. This does not prohibit a low-speed vehicle from
crossing a road or street at an intersection where the
road or street has a posted speed limit of more than
35 miles per hour.
(2) A
low-speed vehicle must be equipped with headlamps,
stop lamps, turn signal lamps, taillamps, reflex
reflectors, parking brakes, rearview mirrors,
windshields, seat belts, and vehicle identification
numbers.
(3) A
low-speed vehicle must be registered and
insured in accordance with s. 320.02.
(4)
Any person operating a low-speed vehicle must have
in his or her possession a valid driver's
license.
