No “baby drivers”: Gov. DeSantis OKs requiring licenses or permits for minors driving golf carts

New golf cart rules come to the Free State of Florida.

In the Free State of Florida, golf carts now have statewide age limits for operation.

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation (HB 949) banning young drivers from operating the carts on “certain roadways” (namely public roads) unless they have driver’s licenses or learner’s permits that have not been suspended or revoked.

Sen. Erin Grall and Rep. Cyndi Stevenson sponsored the legislation to replace language in current law, which exempts golf cart drivers from license requirements altogether.

Golf carts can be seen in certain neighborhoods, usually upscale communities. The legislation would put guardrails on operation, but not particularly severe ones, treating illegal operation as a “noncriminal traffic infraction.”

Children are often injured in golf cart accidents, at rates significantly higher than adults, and these injuries often lead to head, neck or spine injuries.

Adding to the problem, golf carts lack safety equipment that normal cars have. That’s a problem when they’re used as alternative transportation in neighborhoods and at resorts, particularly when driven by people as young as 14 years old. Without a license requirement, there is no meaningful way to enforce an age rule.

The Florida Sheriff’s Association supported the legislation.

The new rules to ride go into effect July 1.

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7 comments

Mercury Shampoo Ed 👍
May 11, 2023 at 6:00 pm

All the culture war and the stupid laws to divert attention away from the GOP shoveling mountains of money to the rich… sabotaging and obstructing government to benefit the rich. The poor sub-apes who are victims of all the Republican political theatre should retaliate.
- Harry Talls
  May 12, 2023 at 9:05 am
  
  My daughter was thrown off a golf cart and injured her neck because the driver was also 14 and driving too fast and turned sharply…you’re an idiot divisive open border trans freak most likely.
  - Xanthippe26
    May 12, 2023 at 10:03 am
    
    I’m sorry to hear about your daughter, and hope she is ok now. How about also supporting age restrictions on buying and carrying guns?!
    - Franklin L. Prince
      May 18, 2023 at 10:13 am
      
      There are already age restrictions on gun purchases.
Richard Bruce
May 11, 2023 at 10:17 pm

This law simply stops abusing golf cart exceptions when traversing public road. By definition, golf carts are meant for golf courses. They are allowed to go on public roads near and around golf course for practical reasons. “Golf Cart” looking vehicles must comply with Slow moving vehicle regulations when using public roads outside a golf course. People are abusing this difference. SMV must be driven my licensed drivers and be made street legal.
- Sil
  May 11, 2023 at 11:33 pm
  
  I agree. Lots of people in S FLA don’t realize golf carts need a road license to drive on public roads- which, would entail young ones to hold a driver’s license…. I think these are good basic rules- no reason young kids should be let loose in neighborhoods unmatched. I’ve had a friend die from falling off the back of a moving GC. (In front of his parents, wife and young children.) 2 days ago, young ones were driving around the neighborhood too fast, paddle boards and kids falling out the back. Could have been tragic. Where’s the parents??????
Sil
May 11, 2023 at 11:34 pm

Unwatched- not unmatched