South Carolina’s golf cart laws allow permitted golf carts on certain public roads when the cart is registered, insured, and driven by a licensed driver who is at least 16. Local rules may add restrictions or allow certain uses that state law leaves to cities and counties.
If you were hurt in a golf cart accident, a Charleston golf cart accident lawyer can review how South Carolina law applies and help determine who may be responsible.
South Carolina’s Golf Cart Laws
There are a few South Carolina golf cart laws regarding ownership, operation, and insurance:
Registration And Permit Requirements
The golf cart owner must obtain a permit decal and registration certificate from the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles. To get the permit, the owner must provide proof of ownership, proof of liability insurance, and the required fee.
Insurance Requirements
A golf cart used on public roads must be covered by liability insurance. The driver should have proof of insurance in the golf cart while operating it on a public highway.
Driver Requirements
A person operating a golf cart on a public highway must be at least 16 years old and have a valid driver’s license. The driver must also have their license, the golf cart registration certificate, and proof of liability insurance in their possession while operating the cart.
Roadway And Distance Limits
When no local ordinance changes the default rules, a permitted golf cart may generally be operated only on secondary roads with a posted speed limit of 35 miles per hour or less. The cart must also stay within four miles of the address listed on the registration certificate.
If the registered address is inside a gated community, the four-mile limit may run from a point of entry and exit for that community.
Daylight And Local Ordinance Rules
Under the default state rule, golf carts may generally be operated only during daylight hours. However, local governments may pass ordinances that change some golf cart rules, including when and where golf carts may be used.
After a crash, these details can affect how fault and insurance coverage are reviewed.
Where Can You Legally Drive A Golf Cart In South Carolina?
You can legally drive a golf cart in South Carolina only on roads allowed by state law or local ordinance. In all cases, the road must have a posted speed limit of 35 miles per hour or less.
In general, South Carolina golf cart rules may allow:
- Driving on a secondary road or street with a posted speed limit of 35 miles per hour or less.
- Driving within four miles of the address on the registration certificate, unless a valid local ordinance provides otherwise.
- Driving within four miles of a gated community entry or exit point when the registered address is inside that community.
- Crossing a highway with a speed limit over 35 miles per hour at an intersection.
- Using designated golf cart paths approved by a city or county.
Local ordinances can affect where golf carts may be used. A road that seems safe or low-traffic may still fall outside the law.
If a crash happens where golf carts are not allowed, the other side may use that fact when arguing fault. That does not automatically decide the claim, but it can become part of the liability review.
How Do South Carolina Golf Cart Rules Affect Injury Claims?
South Carolina golf cart rules can affect injury claims by shaping how fault and insurance coverage are reviewed. If a golf cart was being used outside the law, an insurer may argue that the violation contributed to the crash.
That does not mean a rule violation automatically decides the case. A passenger vehicle driver could have been speeding, a golf cart owner could have allowed unsafe use, or a rental company could have failed to maintain the cart.
To determine who is liable for the injuries, a golf cart accident claim can include looking at:
- Whether the cart was permitted and registered.
- Whether liability insurance was active.
- Whether the driver had a valid driver’s license.
- Whether the crash happened on a road where golf carts were allowed.
- Whether local ordinances applied.
- Whether the cart was being driven during lawful hours.
- Whether children under 12 were wearing safety belts on public roads.
- Whether another driver, owner, rental company, or property owner contributed to the crash.
Because South Carolina uses modified comparative negligence, fault disputes can affect compensation. If you are found partly at fault, your recovery may be reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are found more than 50% at fault, you may be barred from recovering compensation.
Are Golf Cart Laws The Same As Low-speed Vehicle Rules?
Golf cart laws are not the same as low-speed vehicle rules in South Carolina. A golf cart is generally subject to narrower rules for registration, distance, road type, driver requirements, and hours of operation.
A low-speed vehicle is treated differently under South Carolina law. It must meet separate equipment and registration requirements and may be operated on roads with posted speed limits of 35 miles per hour or less. Low-speed vehicles are not subject to the same four-mile limit that applies to golf carts under the default golf cart rules.
This distinction can affect an injury claim. A vehicle that looks like a golf cart may have been modified or classified differently. The classification may affect where it could be driven, what equipment it needed, and which insurance policies may apply.
Talk To Auger & Auger About South Carolina’s Golf Cart Laws
South Carolina’s golf cart laws limit who can drive a golf cart, where it may be driven, and what registration and insurance are required. After a crash, those rules may affect fault, coverage, and the value of an injury claim.
If you were hurt in a golf cart crash or have questions about South Carolina golf cart laws, contact Auger & Auger Accident and Injury Lawyers. We are a local, family-owned law firm that has served the Carolinas since 1995 and has recovered over $100 million for injured clients.
Call now for a FREE case review.
