Before driving a golf cart, you may want to acquaint yourself with the local laws first. Every state differs, but you may wonder, do you need a golf cart license? What are the things required anyway?
So, how old to drive a golf cart? Most states require you to be at least 16 years of age to drive a golf cart. 13 states let you legally drive a golf cart at 14. Some states, like Florida, don’t require you to have paperwork to start driving a golf cart. Most states require a driver’s license or learner’s permit, though.
You need to check your state, which you can see in our table below, including all 50 states and the ages and requirements to drive a golf cart. You must then check your county and local course for any other requirements.
Read on to learn:
- Required legal age to drive a golf cart for all 50 US states
- Golf cart state laws and regulations
- Golf courses and resort regulations
- Safety tips for golf courses
Let’s dive in!
Contents
How Old To Drive a Golf Cart?
Here’s a definitive guide to answering the question about how old you need to be to drive a golf cart in your state.
| State | Minimum Age to Operate | License or Permit Required |
| Alabama | 16 | Driver’s License |
| Alaska | 16 | Driver’s License |
| Arizona | 16 | Driver’s License |
| Arkansas | 14 | Driver’s License or Learner’s Permit |
| California | 18 | Driver’s License or Instruction Permit |
| Colorado | 14 | Driver’s License or Instruction Permit |
| Connecticut | 16 | Driver’s License or Learner’s Permit |
| Delaware | 16 | Driver’s License |
| Florida | 14 | No License Required |
| Georgia | 16 | Driver’s License or Instruction Permit |
| Hawaii | 16 | Driver’s License or Instruction Permit |
| Idaho | 14 | Driver’s License or Instruction Permit |
| Illinois | 16 | Driver’s License or Instruction Permit |
| Indiana | 16 | Driver’s License or Instruction Permit |
| Iowa | 14 | No License Required |
| Kansas | 14 | No License Required |
| Kentucky | 16 | Driver’s License or Instruction Permit |
| Louisiana | 15 | No License Required |
| Maine | 16 | Driver’s License or Instruction Permit |
| Maryland | 16 | Driver’s License |
| Massachusetts | 16 | Driver’s License or Instruction Permit |
| Michigan | 16 | Driver’s License or Instruction Permit |
| Minnesota | 15 | Driver’s License or Instruction Permit |
| Mississippi | 14 | No License Required |
| Missouri | 16 | Driver’s License or Instruction Permit |
| Montana | 14 | Driver’s License or Learner’s Permit |
| Nebraska | 14 | No License Required |
| Nevada | 16 | Driver’s License or Instruction Permit |
| New Hampshire | 14 | No License Required |
| New Jersey | 16 | Driver’s License or Instruction Permit |
| New Mexico | 15 | Driver’s License or Instruction Permit |
| New York | 16 | Driver’s License or Learner’s Permit |
| North Carolina | 16 | Driver’s License or Instruction Permit |
| North Dakota | 14 | No License Required |
| Ohio | 16 | Driver’s License or Instruction Permit |
| Oklahoma | 16 | Driver’s License or Instruction Permit |
| Oregon | 16 | Driver’s License or Instruction Permit |
| Pennsylvania | 16 | Driver’s License or Instruction Permit |
| Rhode Island | 16 | Driver’s License or Instruction Permit |
| South Carolina | 16 | Driver’s License or Instruction Permit |
| South Dakota | 14 | No License Required |
| Tennessee | 16 | Driver’s License or Instruction Permit |
| Texas | 16 | Driver’s License or Instruction Permit |
| Utah | 16 | Driver’s License or Instruction Permit |
| Vermont | 16 | Driver’s License or Instruction Permit |
| Virginia | 16 | Driver’s License or Learner’s Permit |
| Washington | 16 | Driver’s License or Instruction Permit |
| West Virginia | 16 | Driver’s License or Instruction Permit |
| Wisconsin | 16 | Driver’s License or Instruction Permit |
| Wyoming | 14 | Driver’s License or Instruction Permit |
Read more: The Best Street Legal Golf Carts
What Are the Golf Cart State Laws and Regulations?
The big question is: How old do you have to be to drive a golf cart?
The answer: You need to check your local laws and regulations because even the state laws may vary depending on a local ordinance. Some states will allow you to drive on the roads at 14 without a driver’s license, but some cities might implement a specific law where you must be 16 and carry a driver’s license or learner’s permit. It depends on many variables.
Currently, the federal government has no jurisdiction over golf carts because they aren’t considered motor vehicles. Whoever is driving a golf cart must follow their local area’s pertinent laws, rules, and regulations. Every state will also have a minimum age requirement.
Related article: The 8 Top-Selling Golf Cart Accessories
What Are the Golf Courses and Resort Regulations?
Every golf course and resort may choose their requirements. The state laws might say that you can drive a golf cart at 14 without a driver’s license, but the golf courses and resorts may require that someone this age carry a driver’s license. You want to acquaint yourself with the rules of your resort or golf course.
You might call your local golf club and ask them ahead of time. There’s also some common golf cart etiquette that you may find useful. Now, this may not apply to every golf course. Still, it’s good to follow these rules because it’s good manners when using the golf cart:
- Never drive the golf cart within 10 yards of water hazards and bunkers
- Remain at least 50 yards away from the greens (except on designated cart paths)
- Never drive a cart through mud
- Never play around in the golf cart
- Never drive through water
- Stay on the designated cart paths
- Once you finish a hole, get into the cart and head to the tee before you make the scorecard
Following these rules will keep you from becoming a nuisance at the country club. A golf course may prohibit younger drivers in the cart because more of them tend to violate these rules than adults.
Read more: Are Golf Carts Street Legal? Here’s the full answer!
Safety Tips for Golf Cart Driving
In terms of golf cart accidents, over 18,000 golf cart accidents happen yearly, which shows that you need to drive safely. Over 48 percent of golf cart accidents result in hospitalization and severe trauma. That’s why the answer, “How old do you need to be to drive a golf cart,” is usually that you need to be older.
Tip #1 Always Wear Your Seat Belt: Some golf carts don’t have seat belts, but Federal law requires that you wear your seat belts even in a golf cart if you drive on public roads.
Tip #2 Follow the Traffic Laws: Even though driving is much slower than a car, you can get into serious accidents in a golf cart. As we said, 48 percent of all golf cart accidents require hospitalization, so be careful because golf carts are more powerful than they look.
Tip #3 Avoid Distractions: Like in a car, you shouldn’t text and drive because bad things happen. Also, if you happen to be driving on a course, you might accidentally take it down a steep hill which can lead to serious injuries. Paying attention will make all the difference regarding safety in this regard.
Tip #4 Stay Aware of Your Surroundings: If golfers are ahead, don’t crowd them. Always be aware of the terrain since you don’t want a rollover in a golf cart.
Related article: How Fast Can a 48V Golf Cart Go?
Other Factors To Consider When Driving Golf Carts
Other factors will impact the age to drive a golf cart. For example, if you plan to drive on the roadways, you will likely need to be older. Otherwise, you may encounter problems with local law enforcement. A resort or course may have implemented stricter requirements than the state laws because of issues in the past with their golf carts.
You need to check back occasionally because there are new golf cart laws in Florida, and there may also be for some other states. It doesn’t stay the same.
Most courses require you to rent a golf cart at least 18 years old, but some require you to be over 25 with a valid driver’s license. It depends on the course. Depending on your location, you may need one of the golf cart permits.
FAQs
Do You Need a License to Drive a Golf Cart Around?
Most states require you to carry a license to drive a golf cart on public roads. If you drive it on private property, you shouldn’t have a problem. Some states will also let a person with a learner’s permit drive a golf cart on public roads if someone in the golf cart is 21 or older.
Can a 13-Year-Old Drive a Golf Cart in a Neighborhood?
Driving in a neighborhood would be illegal in most states since you drive on public roadways, but a 13-year-old would be allowed to drive on private property since they don’t have laws about this. However, they should be mature enough since golf carts can lead to serious injuries.
Related article: Do Golf Carts Have Titles?
Conclusion
Because local laws can influence the golf cart driving age, you may want to look more deeply into how old to drive a golf cart. For example, the answer to “How old do you have to be to drive a golf cart in Florida” will differ from Montana. Even a local ordinance may require a person to be older than the state law requires. Always act responsibly in the golf cart to ensure a fun and safe driving experience.
- Favorite club: Cobra Fly XL Set
- Favorite ball: Callaway Warbird Ball
- Favorite food at the turn: Nachos
