The Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office issued a release on Friday to remind residents that golf carts are not allowed on beaches and about other golf cart laws. 

“The sheriff’s office receives complaints throughout the year in reference to illegal operations of golf carts on roadways, beaches and bike paths in Georgetown County,” the release says. “Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office is reminding residents and visitors that the operation of golf carts on county beaches is illegal.”

According to the release, a county ordinance states:

 “Driving or operating any motor vehicle of any kind or nature upon the public beach within the county shall be unlawful; provided, that county vehicles operated while cleaning or working on the beach, county sheriff and emergency vehicles, and any other vehicles approved by a majority of the Georgetown County Council, shall be exempt from the application of this section.”

Penalties will change for violations of golf cart laws on Nov. 19, the release also says. The following requirements are included in the laws “for the operation of golf carts in the State of South Carolina and Georgetown County:”

  • A person operating a golf cart must be at least 16 years old and hold a valid driver’s license.
  • The driver of a golf cart being operated on a highway or street must have in their possession “the registration certificate issued by the department,” “proof of liability insurance for the golf cart,” and a valid driver’s license. 
  • “A golf cart has to be permitted by the State of South Carolina. An individual or business owner of a vehicle commonly known as a golf cart may obtain a permit decal and registration from the Department of Motor Vehicles upon presenting proof of ownership and liability insurance for the golf cart and upon payment of a five dollar fee.”
  • “A golf cart can only be operated during day light hours.”
  • ” Permitted golf cart may be operated within four miles of the address on the registration certificate and only on a secondary highway or street for which the posted speed limit is 35 miles an hour or less.”
  • “A golf cart cannot be operated on a bike path.”

For more information, contact the GCSO at (843) 546-5102 or Section 56, Chapter 2 of the SC Code of Laws.