Florida is implementing new golf cart laws on Oct. 1 that will amend existing legislation to allow water control districts to designate certain roads for golf cart use, place age limits on who can operate golf carts on roadways and more.
The new law, called HB 949, will go into effect on the same day as dozens of other legislation that will impact criminal justice, community affairs, banking and insurance, children and family, government oversight and operations and housing laws. Lsv Golf Cart
Among them is HB 1297, a controversial law that will judges to impose the death penalty when sentencing people convicted of the rape of a child age 12 or under.
Another, called SB 170, puts local governments on the hook for attorney fees when ordinances are deemed "arbitrary or unreasonable.”
Here’s what to know about Florida’s new laws on golf cart use.
Florida House Bill 949 is a new law that relates to who can operate golf carts and where. Here’s a quick overview:
Existing legislation already governs where golf carts and other low-speed vehicles are allowed to operate. Section 316.212 of Florida Statutes prohibited the operation of a golf cart on public roads or streets with some exceptions like in residential neighborhoods or crossing highways if it divides a subdivision, trailer park or golf course.
HB 949 amends Section 316.212 to read that golf carts can be operated on county roads that are owned and maintained by a water control district and that road has been designated by the water control district.
Approval for the designation must be granted from the county where the road is located.
Florida’s new golf cart law now prohibits people under the age of 18 from operating golf carts on public roads or streets unless they possess a valid learner’s driver license or a valid driver license.
People who are 18 years old or older must possess a valid form of government-issued photographic identification to operate a golf cart on public roads or streets.
Golf Cart 72 Anyone found violating Florida’s new golf cart law will receive a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable pursuant to chapter 318 as a moving violation for infractions stated in the bill’s subsections 1-5, a local ordinance corresponding thereto and enacted pursuant to subsection 8, punishable pursuant to chapter 318 as a nonmoving violation for infractions of subsection 6, 7 or a local ordinance corresponding thereto and enacted pursuant to subsection 8.