New - 1 Hour Ago
Yes, if you follow South Carolina's golf cart law. The cart needs an SCDMV permit decal, registration certificate and liability insurance, and the driver must be at least 16 with a valid license. Unless a local ordinance says otherwise, you can drive only in daylight, on roads posted 35 mph or less, within four miles of your registered address.
Last updated: October 2026
What do you need to drive a golf cart on a public road in South Carolina?
The rules are in SC Code Section 56-2-90 and summarized by the SC Department of Public Safety (as of October 2026). To use a golf cart on a public road:
- Get a permit decal and registration certificate from the SCDMV. You need proof of ownership, proof of liability insurance, and a $5 fee.
- Replace the decal every five years, or sooner if your address changes.
- The driver must be at least 16, hold a valid driver's license, and carry the license, the registration certificate and proof of insurance.
- Passengers under 12 must wear a fastened seat belt.
The SCDMV golf cart page has the application and current instructions.
Where and when can you drive a golf cart in Myrtle Beach?
Without a local ordinance, state law sets three limits. A permitted golf cart may be driven only during daylight hours, only on secondary roads where the speed limit is 35 mph or less, and only within four miles of the address on the registration certificate. If you live inside a gated community, the four miles is measured from an entrance to that community. You may cross a faster road at an intersection.
Cities and counties can change some of those limits by ordinance. State law lets a municipality, or a county in its unincorporated areas, set hours and locations, allow night driving with working headlights and taillights, and create separate golf cart paths. Even with an ordinance, carts are still limited to roads posted 35 mph or less.
Search Grand Strand Homes for Sale
Do Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach have their own golf cart rules?
Local rules differ from town to town and change over time, so we do not summarize them here. Before you drive, check with the City of Myrtle Beach, the City of North Myrtle Beach, or the town or county where you live. Many HOAs also have their own cart rules for community streets and amenity parking.
Can you drive a golf cart on Highway 17 or Kings Highway?
Not under the state rules described above if the posted speed limit is above 35 mph. Major roads like US 17 have higher speed limits in most stretches, so carts can generally only cross them at intersections. Plan routes on neighborhood streets and secondary roads.
Which Grand Strand neighborhoods are golf cart friendly?
Golf cart use is a common reason buyers choose a neighborhood close to the beach, shops, or a community pool. When you look at a home, ask how far it is from places you would actually drive to and whether the route stays on roads posted 35 mph or less. Our Market Common guide and Barefoot Resort neighborhood guide are good starting points for walkable and cart-friendly areas, and we can map routes for any home you are considering.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old do you have to be to drive a golf cart in South Carolina?
At least 16, with a valid driver's license in your possession, when driving on a public road.
Do golf carts need insurance in South Carolina?
Yes. Proof of liability insurance is required to get the SCDMV permit and must be carried while driving on public roads.
How much is a golf cart permit in SC?
The state fee is $5 per SC Code 56-2-90 as of October 2026. The decal is replaced every five years or when you move.
Can you drive a golf cart at night in Myrtle Beach?
Only if a local ordinance allows it and the cart has working headlights and taillights. Otherwise state law limits carts to daylight hours.
Is a golf cart the same as a low-speed vehicle?
No. Low-speed vehicles are titled and registered separately and have their own rules. Check with the SCDMV for the type you own.
How Our Team Can Help
If driving a golf cart to the beach or the pool is on your wish list, tell us and we will focus your search on homes where that works under the rules. Call or message the Secure Home Finder Team and we will walk you through it, then send you homes that fit.
Search Grand Strand Homes for Sale What Is My Home Worth Talk to Our Team
