Golf Cart Registration

Golf Cart Rules and Regulations

The City of St. Cloud has approved a program allowing the use of golf carts on selected city streets (please see the program boundary map below for approved streets). We ask those interested in participating in the program to help it succeed by obeying all traffic laws, not allowing unauthorized individuals to operate your golf cart, respecting other motorists by traveling as far to the right on the roadway as is safely possible, and protecting pedestrians by not driving on sidewalks. REMEMBER – golf carts must yield to pedestrians. When driving on the streets, golf carts must not exceed the posted speed limit and approved golf carts shall have a maximum attainable speed of 30 miles per hour.

Registration and Inspection

 A golf cart is defined under Florida Law as “A motor vehicle designed and manufactured for operation on a golf course for sporting or recreational purposes.” To use a golf cart on city streets, the golf cart must be registered with the City of St. Cloud and have some specific equipment. There will be a $25.00 annual registration fee and you will be required to have your golf cart inspected annually by the City. Only properly equipped golf carts will be registered and permitted to be driven on City streets.

To register your golf cart for the program, follow these steps:

• Download, print, and fully complete the registration document linked below.
• Call (407) 891-6700 for an appointment with a St. Cloud Police Officer for an inspection
• Read and understand the City's Golf Cart Rules and Regulations.
• Pay the required $25.00 annual registration fee (or prorated quarterly at $6.25).
• Place registration decal in an elevated, plainly visible location on the driver's side of the cart.
• Registration is valid for one year, and is due for renewal each January.
• If you move, notify St. Cloud Police Department of your address change.

Equipment Requirements

A golf cart must be equipped with efficient brakes, reliable steering, safe tires, rearview mirror, red reflective warning devices in both the front and rear, and a horn meeting the standards of F.S. 316.271 for operating between sunrise and sunset. Additional equipment required for operating between sunset and sunrise will include headlights, brake lights, front and rear turn signals, and a windshield.

Basic Rules for Operation

Golf carts and operators are required to obey the following rules. Failure to comply with City or State law may result in the issuance of a city citation and/or the revocation of the golf cart registration and permission to drive on City streets:

• Golf cart operators must have a valid driver’s license and be the lawful owner of the golf cart.
• Golf carts must have a valid City of St. Cloud registration decal displayed in plain view on the driver side.
• Golf carts shall have liability insurance insuring against personal injury and damage to property relative to he operation of the golf cart and be presented upon request.
• Golf carts may be used on designated streets within the city limits, except where prohibited.
• Golf carts must be operated as close to the right hand shoulder of the road as is safely possible.
• The driver and passengers must be properly seated at all times when the golf cart is in motion. Do not exceed the number of passengers for which the golf cart is designed. Please understand and follow the manufacturer’s operating instructions.
• Golf cart operators are required to follow all standard motor vehicle laws and city ordinances.
• When not in use golf carts must be properly parked in driveways, garages and designated parking spaces. 
• Golf carts may only be operated on the city streets located north of US 192 (13th Street) to Lakeshore Blvd. and from Columbia Ave. on the west side to Eastern Ave. on the east side.

Penalties

City of St. Cloud Police Officers officers and Code Enforcement Officers shall have the authority to issue citations for violations of this chapter on approved citation forms. The citation shall describe the nature of the golf cart violation, the location of the incident(s), indicate the amount of the fine, that the violator has the option to contest the violation with the city’s special magistrate and give notice to the violator that the fine must be paid within ten (10) days. The fine amount shall be twenty-five dollars ($25.00) if paid within ten (10) days. If not paid within ten (10) days of issuance, a late fee of fifteen dollars ($15.00) will be added. If the violator refuses to execute the citation, fails to pay the fine within twenty (20) days of issuance or if requested by the violator, the case will be referred to the special magistrate. Further, any permit issued is subject to administrative revocation by the city for noncompliance with any local, state, or federal law or regulation germane to the operation of golf carts. The chief of police or designee shall issue a letter of revocation to the permittee and the golf cart permit shall be returned to the issuing authority of the city.