Florida Statute 316.212 | Lawyer Caselaw & Research

The 2024 Florida Statutes

Title XXIII
MOTOR VEHICLES

Chapter 316
STATE UNIFORM TRAFFIC CONTROL

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F.S. 316.212

316.212 Operation of golf carts on certain roadways.—The operation of a golf cart upon the public roads or streets of this state is prohibited except as provided herein:

(1) A golf cart may be operated only upon a county road that has been designated by a county, a municipal street that has been designated by a municipality, a two-lane county road located within the jurisdiction of a municipality designated by that municipality, or a road that is owned and maintained by a water control district and has been designated by that water control district, for use by golf carts. Before making such a designation, the responsible local governmental entity must first determine that golf carts may safely travel on or cross the public road or street, considering factors including the speed, volume, and character of motor vehicle traffic using the road or street, and if such designation is to be made by a water control district, the district must also receive approval from the county in which the road to be designated is located. Upon a determination that golf carts may be safely operated on a designated road or street, the responsible governmental entity shall post appropriate signs to indicate that such operation is allowed.

(2) A golf cart may be operated on a part of the State Highway System only under the following conditions:

(a) To cross a portion of the State Highway System which intersects a county road or municipal street that has been designated for use by golf carts if the Department of Transportation has reviewed and approved the location and design of the crossing and any traffic control devices needed for safety purposes.

(b) To cross, at midblock, a part of the State Highway System where a golf course is constructed on both sides of the highway if the Department of Transportation has reviewed and approved the location and design of the crossing and any traffic control devices needed for safety purposes.

(c) A golf cart may be operated on a state road that has been designated for transfer to a local government unit pursuant to s. 335.0415 if the Department of Transportation determines that the operation of a golf cart within the right-of-way of the road will not impede the safe and efficient flow of motor vehicular traffic. The department may authorize the operation of golf carts on such a road if:

1. The road is the only available public road along which golf carts may travel or cross or the road provides the safest travel route among alternative routes available; and

2. The speed, volume, and character of motor vehicular traffic using the road is considered in making such a determination.

Upon its determination that golf carts may be operated on a given road, the department shall post appropriate signs on the road to indicate that such operation is allowed.

(3) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, a golf cart may be operated for the purpose of crossing a street or highway where a single mobile home park is located on both sides of the street or highway and is divided by that street or highway, provided that the governmental entity having original jurisdiction over such street or highway shall review and approve the location of the crossing and require implementation of any traffic controls needed for safety purposes. This subsection shall apply only to residents or guests of the mobile home park. If notice is posted at the entrance and exit of any mobile home park where residents of the park operate golf carts or electric vehicles within the confines of the park, it is not necessary for the park to have a gate or other device at the entrance and exit in order for such golf carts or electric vehicles to be lawfully operated in the park.

(4) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, if authorized by the Division of Recreation and Parks of the Department of Environmental Protection, a golf cart may be operated on a road that is part of the State Park Road System if the posted speed limit is 35 miles per hour or less.

(5) A golf cart may be operated only during the hours between sunrise and sunset, unless the responsible governmental entity has determined that a golf cart may be operated during the hours between sunset and sunrise and the golf cart is equipped with headlights, brake lights, turn signals, and a windshield.

(6) A golf cart must be equipped with efficient brakes, reliable steering apparatus, safe tires, a rearview mirror, and red reflectorized warning devices in both the front and rear.

(7) A golf cart may not be operated on public roads or streets by a person:

(a) Who is under 18 years of age unless he or she possesses a valid learner’s driver license or valid driver license.

(b) Who is 18 years of age or older unless he or she possesses a valid form of government-issued photographic identification.

(8) A local governmental entity may enact an ordinance relating to:

(a) Golf cart operation and equipment which is more restrictive than those enumerated in this section. Upon enactment of such ordinance, the local governmental entity shall post appropriate signs or otherwise inform the residents that such an ordinance exists and that it will be enforced within the local government’s jurisdictional territory. An ordinance referred to in this section must apply only to an unlicensed driver.

(b) Golf cart operation on sidewalks adjacent to specific segments of municipal streets, county roads, or state highways within the jurisdictional territory of the local governmental entity if:

1. The local governmental entity determines, after considering the condition and current use of the sidewalks, the character of the surrounding community, and the locations of authorized golf cart crossings, that golf carts, bicycles, and pedestrians may safely share the sidewalk;

2. The local governmental entity consults with the Department of Transportation before adopting the ordinance;

3. The ordinance restricts golf carts to a maximum speed of 15 miles per hour and permits such use on sidewalks adjacent to state highways only if the sidewalks are at least 8 feet wide;

4. The ordinance requires the golf carts to meet the equipment requirements in subsection (6). However, the ordinance may require additional equipment, including horns or other warning devices required by s. 316.271; and

5. The local governmental entity posts appropriate signs or otherwise informs residents that the ordinance exists and applies to such sidewalks.

(9) A violation of this section is a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable pursuant to chapter 318 as a moving violation for infractions of subsections (1)-(5) or a local ordinance corresponding thereto and enacted pursuant to subsection (8), or punishable pursuant to chapter 318 as a nonmoving violation for infractions of subsection (6), subsection (7), or a local ordinance corresponding thereto and enacted pursuant to subsection (8).

History.—s. 2, ch. 83-188; s. 1, ch. 84-111; s. 2, ch. 88-253; s. 322, ch. 95-148; s. 4, ch. 96-413; s. 168, ch. 99-248; s. 7, ch. 2000-313; s. 6, ch. 2005-164; s. 3, ch. 2008-98; s. 46, ch. 2010-223; s. 2, ch. 2015-163; s. 1, ch. 2023-67.

F.S. 316.212 on Google Scholar

F.S. 316.212 on Casetext

Amendments to 316.212

Arrestable Offenses / Crimes under Fla. Stat. 316.212

Level: Degree
Misdemeanor/Felony: First/Second/Third

Current data shows no reason an arrest or criminal charge should have occurred directly under Florida Statute 316.212.

Civil Citations / Citable Offenses under S316.212

R or S next to points is Mandatory Revocation or Suspension

S316.212 GOLF CARTS - Points on Drivers License:

S316.212 (1) Golf Carts - Improper operation of on certain roadways - Points on Drivers License: 3

S316.212 (2) Golf Carts - Improper operation of on certain roadways - Points on Drivers License: 3

S316.212 (3) Golf Carts - Improper operation of on certain roadways - Points on Drivers License: 3

S316.212 (4) Golf Carts - Improper operation of on certain roadways - Points on Drivers License: 3

S316.212 (5) Golf Carts - Improper/defective equipment (brakes & steering) - Points on Drivers License: 0

S316.212 (6) Golf Carts - Person under age 14 operating on public road Effective July 1, 2009, see definition of "Seasonal Delivery Personnel" per 316.2126 - Points on Drivers License: 0

Annotations, Discussions, Cases:

Cases Citing Statute 316.212

Total Results: 12

Angelotta v. Security National Insurance

Court: Fla. Dist. Ct. App. | Date Filed: 2013-07-05T00:00:00-07:00

Citation: 117 So. 3d 1214, 2013 WL 3357518, 2013 Fla. App. LEXIS 10754

Snippet: requirement for the operator of a golf cart. See § 316.212(6), Fla. Stat. (2007) (“A golf cart may not be …on public roadways is extremely limited. See § 316.212, Fla. Stat. For purposes of Florida’s Financial

Festival Fun Parks, LLC v. Gooch

Court: Fla. Dist. Ct. App. | Date Filed: 2005-06-01T00:53:00-07:00

Citation: 904 So. 2d 542

Snippet: Coincidentally, the legislature has also enacted section 316.212, Florida Statutes (1983), which prohibits the use

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Court: Fla. Att'y Gen. | Date Filed: 2004-11-22T23:53:00-08:00

Snippet: are not restrained by safety devices. Section 316.212, Florida Statutes, prohibits the operation of golf…operated in accordance with the provisions of s. 316.212."4 The Legislature has specifically exempted…operated under the conditions prescribed in section 316.212, Florida Statutes, from the licensing requirements…enforce the age restriction prescribed by section 316.212, but may not impose additional age restrictions… I cannot read such a requirement into section 316.212, Florida Statutes.10 Accordingly, it would appear

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Court: Fla. Att'y Gen. | Date Filed: 2004-05-10T00:53:00-07:00

Snippet: of golf carts within such communities? Section 316.212, Florida Statutes, prohibits the operation of golf…provides: "Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 316.212, the reasonable operation of a golf cart, equipped…equipped and operated as provided in s. 316.212(4), (5), and (6), within any self-contained retirement community…of Chapter 316, and more specifically, sections 316.212 and 316.2125, would not be applicable.11 Thus, …sporting or recreational purposes." 2 See s. 316.212(4), (5) and (6), Fla Stat., which provides: "

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Court: Fla. Att'y Gen. | Date Filed: 2003-12-14T23:53:00-08:00

Snippet: raised and the requirements set forth in section 316.212, Florida Statutes, your questions will be answered…restrictions. The city recognizes, however, that section 316.212, Florida Statutes, regulates the operation of golf…legislation on traffic control or enforcement.7 Section 316.212, Florida Statutes, in pertinent part, provides:…operation of golf carts than those imposed in section 316.212, Florida Statutes.9 The rationale of this opinion…operated in accordance with the provisions of s. 316.212." 11 Section 316.008(1)(g), (m), and (n),

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Court: Fla. Att'y Gen. | Date Filed: 2002-01-29T23:53:00-08:00

Snippet: more restrictive than that allowed by section 316.212, Florida Statutes? 2. May the city require the …legislature has expressly forbidden." Section 316.212, Florida Statutes, generally prohibits the operation…operating a golf cart in accordance with section 316.212, Florida Statutes, is exempt from the requirement…golf cart than that which is allowed by section 316.212, Florida Statutes, nor may the operator be required… 9 Section 322.04(1)(e), Fla. Stat. 10 Section 316.212(6), Fla. Stat. 11 See, Alsop v. Pierce, 19 So.2d

Herring v. Horace Mann Ins. Co.

Court: Fla. Dist. Ct. App. | Date Filed: 2001-09-26T00:53:00-07:00

Citation: 795 So. 2d 209

Snippet: other grounds by, 462 So.2d 1071 (Fla.1984); § 316.212, Fla. Stat. (2000). We note that golf carts, as

McFall v. Inverrary Country Club, Inc.

Court: Fla. Dist. Ct. App. | Date Filed: 1993-07-07T00:53:00-07:00

Citation: 622 So. 2d 41

Snippet: Transportation [DOT] regulations. At the same time, section 316.212, Florida Statutes (1989), further provides that

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Court: Fla. Att'y Gen. | Date Filed: 1991-06-10T00:53:00-07:00

Snippet: .S., nor as allowed otherwise in s. 316.212, F.S. Section 316.212, F.S., prohibits the operation of golf…restrictions in s. 316.212, F.S., it could have done so. Accordingly, it is my opinion that s. 316.212, F.S., limits…operation of golf carts equipped as prescribed in s.316.212(6), F.S., on city streets is limited to a street…street is limited to the conditions set forth in s. 316.212, F.S. The only recognized exceptions to the restriction… of a bona fide golf course are as follows: s. 316.212(3), F.S., allows the operation of golf carts on

American States Ins. Co. v. Baroletti

Court: Fla. Dist. Ct. App. | Date Filed: 1990-08-10T00:53:00-07:00

Citation: 566 So. 2d 314

Snippet: and to generally ban them from the highway. §§ 316.212, 320.105, Fla. Stat. (1987). The fact that golf

Meister v. Fisher

Court: Fla. | Date Filed: 1984-12-20T00:00:00-08:00

Citation: 462 So. 2d 1071

Snippet: Coincidentally the legislature has also enacted section 316.212, Florida Statutes (1983), which prohibits the use

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Court: Fla. Att'y Gen. | Date Filed: 1983-12-28T23:53:00-08:00

Snippet: with a road on the state highway system. Section 316.212, F.S. 1983, as adopted by s 2, Ch. 83-188, Laws…agreement with the department). Subsection (a) of s 316.212, F.S.983, expressly provides that a golf cart may…all or every," "each"). Section 316.212 generally prohibits the operation of a golf cart…foregoing and in light of the express language of s 316.212, F.S. 1983, prohibiting the operation of golf carts