Florida’s warm climate and abundance of golf courses make golf carts a common sight in many communities. From retirement neighborhoods to beach towns, residents and visitors use these small vehicles to get around on and off the greens.
While they may seem harmless compared to full-sized cars or trucks, golf carts are still considered vehicles under Florida law. That means you can face serious legal consequences for driving a golf cart while impaired.
So yes, you absolutely can get a DUI while in a golf cart in Florida—and it happens more often than people think.
How Florida Law Defines a DUI
Florida’s DUI laws don’t limit themselves to cars or trucks. The legal definition of driving under the influence applies to anyone operating a vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs.
A “vehicle,” under Florida Statute 316.193, includes just about anything used to transport people or goods on public roads. That definition encompasses cars, motorcycles, scooters, bicycles, and yes, golf carts. The law specifically prohibits operating any vehicle if you have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher or while your abilities have been impaired by alcohol, drugs, or a combination of the two.
Because golf carts are often used in relaxed or recreational settings, some people mistakenly assume that DUI laws don’t apply. But the truth is that the location and type of vehicle don’t matter nearly as much as whether the driver is impaired.
A golf cart may not go very fast, but in the eyes of the law, it’s still a vehicle.
Where You Drive Matters
Golf carts are commonly used in gated communities, retirement villages, and resort areas, and many of these places have designated paths or roadways just for cart traffic.
However, that doesn’t put the driver outside the law’s reach. DUI charges can apply whether you’re on a public road, a private street, or even a community path, especially if the area is accessible to the public or law enforcement. If you’re stopped for driving erratically in a golf cart on a road that connects to public property, police have every right to investigate and issue charges.
Even in places where golf carts are the primary form of transportation, such as The Villages in central Florida, police have issued DUI citations for drivers operating golf carts while intoxicated. Officers may patrol these areas specifically to ensure public safety, and many DUI stops occur after dark when impaired drivers assume they won’t be noticed.
Consequences of a Golf Cart DUI
The consequences of a DUI on a golf cart are largely the same as those of a DUI in a car. You can be arrested, taken to jail, and subjected to field sobriety tests and breathalyzer analysis. If convicted, you may face fines, community service, license suspension, mandatory DUI classes, probation, or even jail time, depending on your record and the circumstances.
First-time offenders might receive more lenient treatment, but Florida has stiff penalties even for initial DUI offenses.
Beyond the criminal penalties, there are long-term consequences as well. A DUI conviction becomes part of your permanent record and can impact your ability to find a job, receive a professional license, or get affordable auto insurance.
It’s a mistake that can follow you for years—and in Florida, it doesn’t matter whether you made it behind the wheel of a pickup truck or a golf cart.
Underage and Prescription Drug DUI Risks
Florida’s zero-tolerance policy for drivers under 21 means that younger individuals can face DUI charges for BAC levels as low as 0.02%.
In communities where teens and young adults use golf carts to get around, that’s an important point to keep in mind. It doesn’t take much alcohol to trigger a violation under Florida’s rules for underage drivers.
Also worth noting is that DUI doesn’t only apply to alcohol. Drivers impaired by prescription medications, recreational drugs, or even over-the-counter sleep aids can face the same charges. If a substance affects your ability to safely operate a golf cart, you’re at risk. Police officers are trained to identify signs of drug impairment, and they can require chemical testing even if no alcohol is involved.
Common Misconceptions About Golf Cart DUI
Many people mistakenly believe that DUI laws only apply on public highways or that slower vehicles are exempt from regulation. Others assume that golf carts are too low powered to be dangerous.
In reality, impaired golf cart drivers can—and do—cause serious injuries. Accidents involving golf carts can lead to rollovers, collisions with pedestrians, or crashes into parked cars and property.
These events can result in legal liability, civil lawsuits, and further criminal charges if someone is hurt.
The casual nature of golf cart use can lull cart drivers into a false sense of safety. But the risks—legal, financial, and physical—are very real. That’s why understanding and respecting Florida’s DUI laws is just as important behind the wheel of a cart as it is in a car.
In Florida, a golf cart is still a vehicle and driving it while impaired can land you with a DUI.
The consequences are no less serious just because the vehicle is smaller or the road is private. Whether you’re heading home from a neighborhood barbecue or cruising through a coastal resort, it pays to think twice before getting behind the wheel of a golf cart after drinking. The laws are clear, and the penalties are steep.
At Titan Law, we believe that making smart decisions protects not only your safety but also your future.
