Short answer: In Wellington, Florida, golf carts may be driven only on designated Wellington roads posted 25 mph or less, on designated multi-modal pathways at 15 mph or less, and across roads at authorized golf cart crossings. Each must be marked by the Village with signs or pavement markings. On roads, adults need government photo ID and drivers under 18 need a learner's permit or driver license; on the pathways, every driver needs a learner's permit or driver license. The Village does not require a permit or registration under this ordinance.
Last verified against the Wellington Code of Ordinances, Chapter 22: . Reviewed by Mike Burdman and Joe Magaro, Low Speed Living / Cart Life TV (20 years combined golf cart experience). General information, not legal advice.
Where can you drive a golf cart in Wellington?
| Place | Allowed? | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Designated Wellington roads | Yes | Posted 25 mph or less, listed in Table B of the ordinance, and marked by the Village; cart speed limited to the posted limit |
| Designated multi-modal pathways | Yes | Paved, at least 8 feet wide, marked by the Village; 15 mph maximum; learner's permit or driver license required; horn required |
| Authorized golf cart crossings | Yes | Only crossings the Village has marked |
| Other Wellington roads, sidewalks and canal rights-of-way | No | Prohibited unless designated |
| Gated communities and private property | Not covered | Rules are set by the association or property owner |
The designated pathways run beside these collector roads: 120th Avenue South, Aero Club Drive, Bent Creek Road, Big Blue Trace, Binks Forest Drive, Birkdale Drive, Flying Cow Ranch Road, Forest Hill Boulevard (north of Wellington Trace), Greenbriar Boulevard, Greenview Shores Boulevard, Lake Worth Road, Lyons Road, Ousley Farms Road, Paddock Drive, South Shore Boulevard, Stribling Way and Wellington Trace, plus the C-23 canal right-of-way. Where only one side of a road qualifies, carts may use only the marked side.
Who can drive a golf cart in Wellington?
- On designated roads: age 18 or older with government-issued photo ID, or under 18 with a learner's permit or driver license.
- On multi-modal pathways: only a person with a learner's permit or driver license, at any age.
What equipment does a golf cart need in Wellington?
Efficient brakes, reliable steering, safe tires, a rearview mirror, and red reflectors front and rear. On a multi-modal pathway the cart also needs a horn or other warning device. Between sunset and sunrise it needs headlights, brake lights, turn signals and a windshield; without them, carts are limited to sunrise to sunset.
Other Wellington golf cart rules
- On pathways, yield to pedestrians, bicyclists and horses at all times, pulling off the path if needed.
- Keep to the right side or shoulder, and yield to other traffic at intersections and driveways.
- No more riders than manufacturer seats, except a child under 7 may ride on the lap of an adult passenger who is not driving. Everyone stays seated while moving.
- The Village Engineer may restrict access or hours where needed for safety.
What are the fines?
A violation is a civil infraction: a warning for the first, $50 for the second, and $100 for the third and each one after. Officers may also issue a state traffic citation where it applies (Sec. 22-34).
Are LSVs treated differently?
Yes. Wellington's golf cart article defines a low-speed vehicle separately and does not open the multi-modal pathways to LSVs. A registered, insured LSV 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.