Golf Carts and LSV’s in the City of Gulf Breeze
Things to Know Before You Ride:
Remember, it is unlawful to be under the age of 15 and driving a golf cart inside the City of Gulf Breeze. You must register your golf cart. Contact the Community Services Department at City Hall 850-934-5100. Display the decal prominently on the windshield. Drivers with an expired registration can be ticketed!
According to Florida law, a golf cart is a motor vehicle designed for recreational purposes and not capable of exceeding 20 mph.
By contrast, a LSV (low-speed vehicle) is a motor vehicle whose top speed is greater than 20 mph but less than 25 mph.
Did you know in Florida golf carts cannot be manufactured to run over 20 mph?
The minute that golf cart exceeds speeds of 20 mph, it becomes an LSV and is subject to a totally different set of rules. LSV’s require a regular operator license to drive and need to be registered at your local DMV with a tag and by Florida law must be insured like a regular vehicle.
That insurance must carry the Florida PIP (personal injury protection) minimum policy, though Gulf Breeze highly recommends anyone with an LSV consider additional coverages for bodily injury, uninsured motorist, and medical payment coverages too.
Can my friend ride their golf cart from Pensacola Beach or Pensacola to my home in Gulf Breeze?
It is unlawful to operate golf carts on the Bob Sikes Bridge (Beach) or Pensacola Bay Bridge, because the speed limits exceed 25 mph. In the City of Gulf Breeze, regular golf carts can be driven by anyone age 15 and older with a valid learner’s permit on a designated public road or shared use pathway where the posted speed limit is under 25 mph. The golf cart must be registered with the city.
Can I cross Gulf Breeze Parkway (U.S. 98) with my golf cart?
Unfortunately, not at this time. The City has plans for a multi-modal overpass at the intersection of Shoreline Drive and the Sea Shell Shopping Center.
No golf carts ever on the sidewalks. Do so, and you will likely get a ticket!
So can I only operate my golf cart in residential neighborhoods?
Essentially the answer to this question is yes, a golf cart can be operated on local roads posted for use by golf carts. The City also has a shared-use pathway called the Loop, for golf carts and other recreational wheels. An LSV is prohibited from using the shared-use pathway. And, no golf carts or LSVs are ever allowed on sidewalks.
Remember, all of this jargon is for GOLF CARTS only. LSV’s can ride on any road where the posted speed is 35 mph or less.
If my golf cart has headlights can I ride at night?
To drive a golf cart after sunset, the minimum equipment standards must include the following: headlights, brake lights, turn signals, and a windshield. Without this equipment, it is illegal to drive after sunset.
Can I modify my golf cart to make it go faster in Florida?
To a certain extent, yes. Remember, the minute a golf cart exceeds speeds of 20 mph it is an LSV and requires a license, registration tag, and insurance. It is prohibited from traveling on shared use pathways. And, an insurance company will more than likely refuse to pay for any damages to a modified cart.
In addition to all that, a driver can put their safety at risk by modifying their cart. Manufacturers design these vehicles to only handle speeds of 20 mph — anything faster can cause the golf cart to flip to overturn. Overturning carts are by far the most common injury suffered in golf cart accidents and your case can be made very difficult if your golf cart is found to be modified past factory standards.
Can I get a ticket while driving a golf cart in Florida?
The answer to this question is an overly resounding yes! If you follow all these rules and drive responsibly, your golf cart and LSV driving experience will be a safe and enjoyable one. However, even if you drive your golf cart or LSV perfectly safe you can still be struck or hit by other negligent drivers on the road. Make sure to use caution at all times.
