Important changes regarding the operation of golf carts within the State of Florida.

Last month Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law H.B. 949 (https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/949), which will take effect on October 1, 2023, that governs the operation of a golf carts by person under the age of 18.

Per H.B. 949, golf cart drivers under the age of 18 MUST be at least 15 years old with a learner’s permit, or 16 with a driver’s license. In addition, they must possess a valid form of government-issues photographic identification.

With this upcoming change, we would also like to remind residents of our own local ordinances regarding the operation of golf carts within the City of Vero Beach. Within the city limits of Vero Beach, golf carts can lawfully be operated, without title/registration/insurance, on designated roads indicated by ordinance here:https://library.municode.com/fl/vero_beach/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=SPAGEOR_CH74TRVE_ARTVIGOCA_S74-192DEST (reference attached image).

To operate a golf cart on any other roadway, it is then considered a “Low Speed Vehicle” (LSV) and it would then need to be registered, titled and insured with personal injury protection (PIP) and property damage liability (PDL) insurance, per Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (see attached info on LSV)