South Carolina Golf Cart Laws (2026)

Yes – with restrictions. South Carolina state law permits golf carts on public roads if you have a DMV permit decal and registration certificate and follow strict rules. If there is no local ordinance changing the operating rules, you can only drive during daylight, on secondary highways with speed limits of 35 mph or less, and within 4 miles of the address on the registration certificate (or within 4 miles of the entrance/exit point for a gated community). Local ordinances can set allowed hours, methods, and locations, including night operation when the cart has working headlights and taillights.

Yes. You must be at least 16 and have a valid driver’s license to operate a golf cart on public roads in SC. The law is clear that licensed drivers only can drive permitted carts on the street. (No learner’s permits or under-16 drivers are allowed for on-road golf cart operation.)

Yes, liability insurance is required. When you obtain a golf cart permit from the SCDMV, you must provide proof of ownership and liability insurance. You’re also required to carry the registration certificate and proof of insurance in the cart whenever you drive it on the road.

South Carolina now requires each golf cart passenger under 12 years old to wear a fastened safety belt when the golf cart is operated on public streets or highways. The state golf cart permit law does not impose a universal adult seat-belt rule for every passenger, but if you carry children under 12 on public roads, the cart needs usable safety belts for them. A separate Low-Speed Vehicle classification has its own equipment requirements.

State law restricts golf carts to secondary roads with 35 mph or lower speed limits, but the carts themselves typically top out around 20 mph. In fact, South Carolina defines carts as vehicles that can’t go faster than 20 mph. If a cart can exceed 20–25 mph and has more safety features, it may actually fall under the “Low-Speed Vehicle” category, which has a separate registration process. But the typical permitted golf cart is limited to about 20 mph, and you should not drive it on any road faster than 35 mph (and even then, only in daylight and within the 4-mile limit).

At least 16 years old with a valid driver’s license. There’s no exception for younger drivers – even if you’re just going a short distance in the neighborhood, South Carolina law requires the golf cart operator on a public road to be a licensed driver 16 or over.

South Carolina doesn’t “register” golf carts in the usual sense (you won’t get a license plate), but you must obtain a golf cart permit from the DMV. To do that, you’ll bring proof of ownership (like a bill of sale) and proof of insurance to a DMV office and pay the $5 fee. They’ll issue a permit and a small decal to stick on your cart. That decal and your golf cart registration certificate must be with you when you drive the cart on public roads. The permit is valid for 5 years and must be renewed thereafter.

The cart must have an SCDMV permit decal and registration certificate, and the owner must provide proof of ownership, proof of liability insurance, and the required fee to obtain the permit. The operator must be at least 16, have a valid driver’s license, and carry the registration certificate, proof of insurance, and driver’s license while operating. If no local ordinance provides different rules, operation is limited to daylight hours, secondary highways with speed limits of 35 mph or less, and the 4-mile radius rule. Local ordinances can allow night operation only when the cart has working headlights and taillights. Passengers under 12 must wear a fastened safety belt on public streets and highways.