Under recently passed State Law, golf carts must be insured, and permitted and registered with SCDMV. The driver must have the registration certificate and proof of liability insurance in his or her possession while operating the golf cart on a public highway.
Drivers must be at least 16 years old with a valid driver’s license in his or her possession while operating the golf cart on a public highway.
Children under the age of 12 are required to wear a seat belt when the golf cart is being driven on public streets and highways.
The golf cart must remain within 4 miles of the address listed on the registration certificate, or within 4 miles of an entrance to a gated community if the address is within the gated community.
Golf carts may be operated only on a secondary highway or street for which the posted speed limit is 35 mph or less and may be operated during daylight hours only.
Effective May 22, 2025, South Carolina Code of Laws Section 56-2-90 allows local and county jurisdictions to stipulate the hours, methods, and locations of golf cart operations, provided that golf carts may be operated only on a highway where the speed limit is 35 mph or less.
Under Williamston’s new ordinance, a permitted golf cart may be operated any time, day or night in the town, but must be “street legal” with head lights, tail lights and seatbelts for passengers under the age of 12 and other requirements.
Williamston Town Council unanimously approved second reading on a new golf cart ordinance which follows state law and allows golf carts to be used at night in the town.
The ordinance addresses the regulation and operation of golf carts on public roads and streets within the Town in accordance with the South Carolina Code of Laws and the interest of public safety and welfare.
The ordinance states that safety and regulation of low-speed vehicles, including golf carts, is essential for maintaining public safety and ensuring the orderly use of roadways and multi use trails within the Town. It also states that the increasing use of golf carts for short-distance travel within neighborhoods and local streets requires clear and consistent rules that reflect both state law and the needs of the community.
Williamston’s Code Sec. 70-10. – Regulation of Golf Carts states the following:
A. Golf carts shall not be operated on public streets, highways, or multiuse trails within the jurisdiction of the Town of Williamston except in accordance with this section and applicable provisions of South Carolina law.
B. To operate a vehicle commonly known as a golf cart within the jurisdiction of the Town of Williamston, the owner must:
a. Obtain a permit decal and registration certificate from the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV);
b. The owner must provide proof of ownership, proof of liability insurance, and pay the required fee.
c. The SCDMV permit decal must be affixed to the golf cart and replaced every five
(5) years, or at the time the owner changes his address, whichever is sooner.
C. A person operating a golf cart on a public highway or within the jurisdiction of the Town of Williamston must be at least sixteen (16) years of age, hold a valid driver’s license, and have in his possession:
a. The registration certificate;
b. Proof of liability insurance in conformance with §38-77-140 of the South Carolina Code of Laws; and
c. His driver’s license.
D. A permitted golf cart may be operated:
a. Any time of day or night within the town limits
b. On public streets or highways with a posted speed limit of thirty-five (35) miles per hour or less;
c. On designated multiuse trails;
d. Operated only on secondary highway where the speed limit is thirty-five (35) miles per hour or less;
e. Be operated only within four ( 4) miles of the address on the registration certificate, or only within four ( 4) miles of a point of ingress and egress of a gated community if the address is within the gated community; and
f. Cross a highway at an intersection where the speed limit is more than thirty-five (35) miles an hour.
E. All golf carts must be equipped with working headlights and taillights. These lights must be illuminated if the cart is operated after dusk or before dawn.
F. Each golf cart passenger that is under the age of twelve (12) years old, when it is being operated on a public street and highways of this State, must wear a fastened safety belt.
If any section, subsection, clause, or phrase of this ordinance is for any reason held to be unconstitutional or invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this ordinance.
This ordinance shall take effect immediately.
