- In order to operate a golf cart the driver must be at least 16 years old with a valid driver’s license and proof of liability insurance.
- Drivers must remain within a four-mile radius of their home– or the address the vehicle is registered under.
- Golf carts can only be driven during daylight hours– between 5 a.m.- 6 p.m. during the winter + 5 a.m.- 8 p.m. during the summer.
- Golf carts can only be driven on roadways with a speed limit of 35 mph or less.
- The golf cart must remain within 4 miles of your home, where it is legal to drive.
- The golf cart may be operated on roads with posted speeds of 35 mph or less.
- The golf cart may be operated during daylight hours only.
- The driver must be at least 16 years old with a valid driver's license.
What is the legal age for driving a golf cart in SC?
Only licensed drivers 16 years of age or older. That means that it is illegal for young children or unlicensed drivers to drive a golf cart on a public road (which includes your neighborhood). It doesn't matter if you're seated next to your child; they still can't drive.
How do you register a golf cart in SC?
- full legal name, social security number, or, if the primary user does not have a social security number but has a passport, his passport number
- driver’s license number, whether the license was issued by this State or another jurisdiction
- date of birth
- bona fide principal residence address
What are the golf cart laws in South Carolina?
- You must have a valid driver’s license.
- You must also have a golf cart permit decal. ...
- When you operate the golf cart, you must carry your license, registration, and proof of liability insurance with you.
- You may operate golf carts only during daylight hours.
What are the rules for driving a golf cart?
only allowing drivers who are at least 14 to 16 years of age to operate a golf cart on a public roadway. To operate on public streets, most states also require that golf carts be equipped with a horn, adequate brakes, headlights, taillights, reflectors, rear-view mirror, a slow-moving vehicle sign, and a bicycle safety flag.
Are golf carts street legal in Charleston SC?
According to South Carolina law, golf carts can only be driven during daylight hours and within 4 miles of the address on the required registration certificate. They can't be driven on a bike path and should only be used on roadways with a speed limit of 35 mph or less.
Can you drive a golf cart on the road in South Carolina?
In South Carolina, golf carts can be driven on secondary roads, but only if the speed limit is not greater than 35 miles per hour. You are permitted to cross highways and streets that intersect the secondary roads, but it is important to be especially cautious when doing so.
Can you drive golf carts at night in Charleston?
If you have registered your vehicle as a low speed vehicle, you can drive it during day or night time hours. If your golf cart for sale is registered simply as a golf cart, it can only be driven during the day.
Can you drive a golf cart on the sidewalk in South Carolina?
In, South Carolina, it is perfectly legal to drive a golf cart on our streets and roads if you follow some simple laws. These are in no way intended to curb your sense of freedom. These rules help to keep the driver and any passengers on a cart safe so everyone will live to see another day of carting.
Do golf carts need license plates in South Carolina?
Yes. Golf carts must have a permit decal and proper registration issued from the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Is a golf cart a motor vehicle in South Carolina?
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — New laws involving golf carts and mopeds go into effect today, which require more permitting. A golf cart now has to be permitted by the State of South Carolina, with a permit decal and proper registration issued from the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Is it legal to drive a golf cart around town?
States where golf carts are legal on public roads You cannot drive golf carts legally on public roads in Delaware, Hawaii, Maryland, Missouri, or Rhode Island. New York takes it a step further by explaining that you could be arrested for operating a golf cart on public roads or sidewalks or in parking lots.
Do you need a license to drive a golf cart around?
Generally speaking, you don't need a driver's license to rent and drive a golf cart on a golf course.
Can you drive golf carts on Folly Beach?
Golf carts can be driven across, but not on, Center St. or Folly Road. The driver of a golf cart must be at least 16 years old and be in possession of a driver's license, the SCDMV registration certificate, and proof of liability insurance. Golf carts may not be operated at night.
Does SC require golf cart insurance?
To legally drive a golf cart on a public road, the golf cart must be insured, permitted, and registered with the DMV. The cost for registration and a permit is five dollars. A golf cart permit must be renewed every five years or at the time the permit holder changes his address. S.C.
Can you get a DUI on a golf cart in South Carolina?
Yes; it is illegal to drink alcohol on a golf cart. You can still be charged with DUI while operating a golf cart. And, if you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol while driving your golf cart and injure someone in a wreck, you can be arrested for felony DUI resulting in great bodily injury or death.
Can you drive a golf cart in South Carolina with a learner's permit?
Even if you obtain a permit, the permit only allows a driver to drive a golf cart during daylight hours on a secondary highway or street within four miles of the person's registered residence. Furthermore, you must stay within four miles of a point of ingress or egress to a gated community while driving.
Who Can Drive a Golf Cart in South Carolina?
Only licensed drivers 16 years of age or older. That means that it is illegal for young children or unlicensed drivers to drive a golf cart on a public road (which includes your neighborhood). It doesn’t matter if you’re seated next to your child; they still can’t drive. Also, if your child has an accident, you can be criminally liable for endangering your child and civilly liable for “negligent entrustment” for any accident caused by your child.
What happens if you violate golf cart laws in South Carolina?
As of November 19, 2018, violation of South Carolina’s golf cart laws is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $100 or 30 days in jail.
Can I Drink Alcohol on My Golf Cart?
No. You can get charged with DUI and/or for having an open container just as if you were driving a car.
How much does it cost to register a golf cart?
Registration requires proof of ownership and liability insurance for the golf cart. The registration fee is $5. Permits are valid for 5 years or until the permit holder changes their address. Validation decals are issued for a period ...
How many injuries were reported in golf cart accidents between 1990 and 2006?
Between 1990 and 2006, there were an estimated 147,696 injuries reported from golf cart accidents.
Where was the study on golf carts conducted?
A study conducted at Ohio State University looked at the frequency of injury from golf carts at a nationwide level using emergency room medical treatment recorded through the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System database. The study found:
How fast can you drive on a secondary highway?
During these hours, you can drive on secondary highways or streets with a speed limit of 35 mph or less. You can cross a highway or street at an intersection even if the highway or street being crossed has a speed limit of greater than 35 mph. However, you can’t go too far. Specifically, you must stay:
How to register a golf cart?
Before you or someone you know takes a golf cart for a drive, be sure to follow the checklist below: 1 The golf car must be insured, permitted, and registered with SCDMV using the following link, http://scdmvonline.com/Vehicle-Owners/Types-Of-Vehicles/Golf-Cart. 2 The golf cart must remain within 4 miles of your home, where it is legal to drive. 3 The golf cart may be operated on roads with posted speeds of less than 35 mph only. 4 The golf cart may be operated during daylight hours only. 5 The driver must be at least 16 years old with a valid driver’s license.
How far from home can you drive a golf cart?
The golf cart must remain within 4 miles of your home, where it is legal to drive.
Can a golf cart be operated during daylight hours?
The golf cart may be operated during daylight hours only.
How old do you have to be to drive a golf cart in South Carolina?
If you are wanting to drive a golf cart in South Carolina, there are specific laws that need to be followed. Only licensed drivers that are over the age of 16 are legally allowed to operate a cart. Even if someone under the age of 16 is accompanied by an adult, they are still not allowed to drive.
What are the safety features of a golf cart?
To be Department of Transport and Department of Motor Vehicle approved, both LSVs and carts have to be equipped with a number of safety features such as windshields constructed from automotive safety glass, turn indicators, rearview mirrors, windshield wipers, headlights, taillights, brake lights, a parking brake, and a seat belt. For golf carts or LSVs that travel only up to 20 MPH, only local and state safety requirements need to be met.
What is the difference between a Golf Cart and LSV?
At one time, the terms ‘golf carts’ and ‘LSVs’ were interchangeable, but there are currently several important distinctions between the two, established by state and federal laws and regulations.
What are the laws for LSV in South Carolina?
LSV Laws in South Carolina. Many of the laws regarding LSV are similar to golf carts, the main differences relating to the different speeds . At 20 MPH, a vehicle is only subject to local and state requirements. For vehicles reaching speeds of 20+ MPH, these are subject to regular motor vehicle laws and regulations under federal law.
How fast can a cart go?
One of the strongest differences between the designation of a cart or a LSV is determined by the vehicle’s speed. Carts have a maximum speed of 20 mph, while LSVs can go up to 25 mph.
What is the speed limit for a golf cart?
Neither golf carts nor LSVs are permitted to operate on a roadway with a speed limit of more than 35 MPH, but they are allowed to cross a highway or street with a posted speed limit of 35+ MPH.
How old do you have to be to drive a golf cart?
LSVs also must be operated by a driver that is licensed and over the age of 16 , and the same liability laws governing golf carts apply regarding under-age drivers and their guardians. No alcohol can be consumed while operating the vehicle, and the LSV has to be registered and insured with property damage liability and personal injury protection. The distance restrictions are the same for LSVs as carts.
How old do you have to be to drive a golf cart in South Carolina?
In South Carolina, there are certain laws regarding driving a golf cart. Age: To legally drive a golf cart, you need to be 16-years-old and have your driver’s license. Even if you have an adult sitting next to you, it is still illegal to drive unless you are a licensed driver. When And Where Can you Drive?
How far can you drive a golf cart?
During these hours, you can drive on secondary highways and streets. There is also a limit on the distance that you can drive your golf cart, which is four miles from the address listed on the golf cart’s registration.
What Are the Low-Speed Vehicle Laws In South Carolina?
In South Carolina, the laws for driving an LSV differ from a golf cart in a few ways.
What Do You Need For the Department Of Motor Vehicles To Register An LSV?
To register an LSV, there is certain documentation that you will need to take to the DMV.
Why are golf carts not DMV approved?
This is because low-speed vehicles have safety features that golf carts don’t including: Headlights. Brak e lights.
How fast can a golf cart go?
A golf cart can reach a maximum speed of 15 miles per hour. They can be modified to go faster; however, they aren’t built to do so. They often don’t have headlights, brake ...
What happens if an underage driver gets into an accident while driving your LSV?
If an underage driver gets into an accident while driving your LSV, you would be held criminally responsible for child endangerment. If the child causes any damage during the accident, you would be held financially responsible. Learn more at South Carolina Department of Transportation.