While golf carts can be fun and more maneuverable to ride, they now carry with them a requirement for all children under the age of 12 to wear a seat belt when riding along state-owned public roads.
The new law, introduced as a bill in the South Carolina State House in January 2025, was overwhelmingly approved in both the House by a vote count of 105-6, and in the Senate 42-1. Gov. Henry McMaster then signed the bill into law on May 22.
Part of the new law also includes the following:
- A permitted golf cart may be operated within 4 miles of the address on the registration certificate, and only on a secondary highway or street for which the posted speed limit is 25 mph or less.
- A permitted golf cart may cross a highway or street at an intersection where the highway has a posted speed limit of more than 35 mph.
- A person operating a permitted golf cart must be at least 16 years of age, hold a valid driver’s license and have in their possession a valid driver’s license, registration certificate and proof of liability insurance.
The law came after four months of discussion regarding stronger measures for vehicle safety.
It arrives just in time for the summer season in coastal areas such as the Isle of Palms, where golf carts have become a more convenient and preferred method of local travel along public roads.
“Golf carts by design were never intended for that type of use,” said Sgt. Matt Storen with Isle of Palms Police Department. “So making them have safety belts is a welcome change that will hopefully keep everyone safe.”
Storen cited incidents from 2024 that police are hoping won’t be repeated. “We had two serious wrecks involving golf carts last year,” he said. “One was a 12-year-old driver who flipped the cart over and was ejected. Another was a passenger being sent through the front windshield of the cart. Both incidents fortunately were not serious injuries and everyone recovered.”
Storen added, however, that along with golf carts, other low speed vehicles, such as utility task and squad solar electric, are becoming more popular due to their leeway to operate at night and on certain roads.
“Anytime you mix a vehicle that is made up of mostly fiberglass and aluminum with full-sized cars it can be dangerous,” Storen said. “Fortunately, the top speed on the Isle of Palms is 30 mph, so that helps. However, we need everyone to do their part to be safe when operating any type of vehicle on the island roads.”
While the new law went into effect immediately, Storen said it will take time for golf carts to become compliant and brought up to the new requirements.
“Violation of this law can lead to a citation. However, we are taking an education approach currently,” he said. “We understand that it will take some time for people to get these seatbelts installed. We urge everyone to get their carts up to standards as quickly as possible to avoid any issues.”
By L. C. Leach III
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