Short answer: In the Village of Key Biscayne, a golf cart may be driven on every Village street except Crandon Boulevard, as long as it carries a current permit from the Village Police Department and the driver holds a learner's permit or driver license. The permit requires an annual inspection, proof of insurance and a $15 application fee. On Crandon Boulevard, carts may only cross at marked or signalized intersections or travel as far as the very next intersection.
Last verified against the Village of Key Biscayne Code of Ordinances, Chapter 26, Article II: . Reviewed by Mike Burdman and Joe Magaro, Low Speed Living / Cart Life TV (20 years combined golf cart experience). General information, not legal advice.
Key Biscayne golf cart rules at a glance
| Rule | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Where carts may drive | All Village streets except Crandon Boulevard (Sec. 26-22) |
| Crandon Boulevard | Cross only at marked or signalized intersections, or travel only to the immediate next intersection (Sec. 26-24(5)) |
| Permit | Required; issued by the Village Police Department and displayed on the cart |
| Inspection | Annual, by the Village |
| Application fee | $15, with a completed application and proof of insurance |
| Driver | Valid learner's permit or driver license |
| Night driving | Only with headlights, brake lights, turn signals and a windshield |
Do you need a license to drive a golf cart in Key Biscayne?
Yes. The Village code prohibits operating a golf cart without a valid learner's permit or driver license, and separately states that operators 18 and older must hold one. That is stricter than Florida's statewide rule, which lets adults drive a golf cart with only a government photo ID.
What equipment does a golf cart need in Key Biscayne?
- Efficient brakes
- Reliable steering
- Safe tires
- Rear view mirrors
- Red reflectors on the front and rear
- Rear stop lamps
- Turn signals
- Safety belts
Drivers and passengers must follow state seat belt and child restraint law, and owners must meet state insurance requirements (Sec. 26-29).
Where are golf carts not allowed in Key Biscayne?
- On the roadway of Crandon Boulevard, other than the crossing and next-intersection exceptions
- On beaches, parks, bicycle paths, sidewalks or swales
- Parked against posted regulations, or blocking normal traffic flow
- With more passengers than the cart was designed for
Carts kept for rent or sale may be stored only at a hotel or motel or at a golf cart retailer in the C-1 district.
What are the fines?
| Violation | First offense | Second and later |
|---|---|---|
| No valid Village permit on the cart | $75 | $175 |
| Driving on beaches or parks, breaking Village traffic rules, or carrying too many passengers | $250 | $500 |
| No learner's permit or driver license | Under Florida Statutes chapters 316 or 318 | |
| Parking, blocking traffic, or driving on a bike path or sidewalk | Under Chapter 30 of the Miami-Dade County Code | |
What about LSVs in Key Biscayne?
This article of the Village code covers golf carts only; its former section on slow-moving vehicles was repealed in 2022. A registered, insured low-speed vehicle with a licensed driver follows Florida law, which allows streets posted 35 mph or less.
Florida's statewide baseline
Florida allows standard golf carts only on roads a local government has designated, and allows registered, insured LSVs with a licensed driver on streets posted 35 mph or less. See Florida golf cart and LSV laws for the full state rules.