--- title: "South Carolina Golf Cart Insurance: Whether You Need It, Registration and Permits, Street Rules and Whether Homeowners Insurance Covers Your Cart" description: "A South Carolina golf cart needs a $5 permit, registration and proof of liability insurance for public roads. See the street rules and homeowners limits." url: "https://riskado.com/south-carolina-golf-cart-insurance/" lang: "en" published: "2025-10-05" modified: "2026-10-13" tags: ["golf-cart-insurance","golf-cart-permit","low-speed-vehicles","homeowners-insurance"] image: "https://riskado.com/og/default.jpg" alternates: es: "https://riskado.com/es/seguro-para-carrito-de-golf-en-carolina-del-sur.md" --- # South Carolina Golf Cart Insurance: Whether You Need It, Registration and Permits, Street Rules and Whether Homeowners Insurance Covers Your Cart Riskado Oct 5, 2025 · 12 min read · Updated Oct 13, 2026 ![A golf cart parked at the edge of a quiet residential street lined with palmettos in a South Carolina coastal neighborhood](https://riskado.com/blog/south-carolina-golf-cart-insurance/featured.jpg) A South Carolina golf cart needs a permit decal, a registration certificate and proof of [liability insurance](https://riskado.com/insurance-terms/liability-insurance/) before it can be driven on a public road, under [S.C. Code § 56-2-90 (opens in a new tab)](https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t56c002.php). The driver must be at least 16, hold a valid driver's [license](https://riskado.com/insurance-terms/insurance-license/) and carry the registration certificate, proof of insurance and the license. Unless a local ordinance changes the default, a permitted cart may run only in daylight, only on secondary roads posted at 35 mph or less, and only within four miles of the address on the registration or of a gated community's entrance. Cities and counties can add restrictions and can allow night driving with working lights. A golf cart and a low-speed vehicle (LSV) follow different classification and equipment rules. ### Key takeaways - **Insurance**Proof of liability insurance is required for the state permit to drive a golf cart on a public road. - **Permit**A $5 SCDMV permit decal and registration certificate, replaced every five years or when you move. - **Default limits**Daylight only, secondary roads posted at 35 mph or less, within four miles of the registered address or a gated community's entrance. - **Local rules**Cities and counties can set hours and locations, allow night driving with lights and add stricter rules. - **Homeowners**A standard homeowners policy excludes most motor vehicle liability, with narrow golf cart exceptions that depend on the policy form. ## Do you need golf cart insurance in South Carolina? Yes, if the cart will be driven on a public road. To operate a golf cart on a public highway, the owner must get a permit decal and registration certificate from the Department of Motor Vehicles and provide proof of ownership, proof of liability insurance and a $5 fee, under [S.C. Code § 56-2-90(A) (opens in a new tab)](https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t56c002.php). The driver must carry proof of liability insurance in conformance with [§ 38-77-140 (opens in a new tab)](https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t38c077.php), the statute that sets South Carolina's 25/50/25 minimum liability [limits](https://riskado.com/insurance-terms/limit-of-liability/) for vehicles, under [§ 56-2-90(B) (opens in a new tab)](https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t56c002.php). The cart must be [insured](https://riskado.com/insurance-terms/policyholder/), permitted and registered with the SCDMV, according to the [South Carolina Department of Public Safety (opens in a new tab)](https://www.scdps.sc.gov/drivinginsc/golf-cart-law), and on the application you certify that you will keep liability insurance in force for the whole registration period, under [SCDMV Form GC-2 (opens in a new tab)](https://dmv.sc.gov/sites/scdmv/files/media/Forms/GC-2.pdf). The permit and insurance rules in [§ 56-2-90 (opens in a new tab)](https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t56c002.php) apply to driving on a public highway. A cart used only on your own land or inside a golf facility still raises an insurance question, but it's a question about your [policy](https://riskado.com/insurance-terms/policy/): who pays if someone is hurt, and who pays if the cart is damaged or stolen. Ask your agency how the cart is covered where you actually use it. ## Where and when can you drive a permitted golf cart? Without a local ordinance, state law sets the limits. Under [S.C. Code § 56-2-90(D) (opens in a new tab)](https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t56c002.php), a permitted golf cart may be driven: South Carolina's default golf cart rules on public roads Hover or tap a row to highlight it. | Rule | State default | | --- | --- | | Hours | Daylight only | | Roads | Secondary highways posted at 35 mph or less | | Distance | Within four miles of the address on the registration certificate, or of a gated community's entrance if the address is inside it | | Crossing faster roads | May cross a highway posted above 35 mph at an intersection | | Driver | At least 16, with a valid driver's license | | What the driver carries | Registration certificate, proof of liability insurance and driver's license | | Passengers under 12 | Must wear a fastened safety belt | Those rules mean a 45-mph road is off limits except to cross it at an intersection. The four-mile limit runs from the address printed on your registration certificate, not from wherever you start a trip, which is why the address on the GC-2 matters. ## Can a local ordinance change the state rules? Yes, within limits. A municipality, or a county in its unincorporated areas, may by ordinance set the hours, methods and locations of golf cart operation, and may allow golf carts at night if they have working headlights and taillights, under [S.C. Code § 56-2-90(C) (opens in a new tab)](https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t56c002.php). Either way, carts may run only on roads posted at 35 mph or less. Local governments can also designate golf cart paths on road shoulders when the path is separated from traffic by a concrete curb, parking spaces or at least four feet of distance. A local government may not require proof of property ownership or a long-term lease within its limits as a condition of getting a decal. Check the ordinance for the town or county where you'll drive before you take the cart out at night or onto a new road. ## What changed on May 22, 2025? South Carolina rewrote its golf cart law in 2025. Act 64 of 2025, effective May 22, 2025, enacted [S.C. Code § 56-2-90 (opens in a new tab)](https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t56c002.php) and repealed the former golf cart section, § 56-2-105. The new section lets local and county governments set the hours, methods and locations of golf cart operation on roads posted at 35 mph or less, according to the [SCDPS golf cart law page (opens in a new tab)](https://www.scdps.sc.gov/drivinginsc/golf-cart-law), and it added the seat belt rule for passengers under 12. ## How do you register a golf cart, and what does it cost? The [SCDMV golf cart page (opens in a new tab)](https://dmv.sc.gov/Vehicle-Owners/Types-Of-Vehicles/Golf-Cart) and [Form GC-2 (opens in a new tab)](https://dmv.sc.gov/sites/scdmv/files/media/Forms/GC-2.pdf) set out the steps. Bring or mail: 1. A completed Form GC-2. 2. Proof of ownership. 3. Proof of liability insurance. 4. A valid driver's license number. 5. The $5 permit and registration fee. SCDMV golf cart permit fees on Form GC-2 Hover or tap a row to highlight it. | Service | Fee | | --- | --- | | First-time decal and registration, or expired more than 5 years | $5 | | Decal and registration renewal, before expiration | $5 | | Replace a missing or damaged permit decal | $5 | | Replace a modified, lost or stolen permit registration | $1 | Display the decal on the cart and keep the registration certificate in it. You must replace the permit every five years or when you change your address, according to the [SCDMV (opens in a new tab)](https://dmv.sc.gov/Vehicle-Owners/Types-Of-Vehicles/Golf-Cart). ![A golf cart parked in a home driveway with a permit decal on its rear panel](https://riskado.com/blog/south-carolina-golf-cart-insurance/permit.jpg) The permit decal stays on the cart, and the registration certificate rides with it. ## What do Bluffton, Charleston, Horry County and Myrtle Beach add? Local rules sit on top of the state law, and some are stricter. These are examples; the ordinance where you drive controls. ### Bluffton The Town of Bluffton's [specialized vehicle safety law (opens in a new tab)](https://www.townofbluffton.sc.gov/826/Specialized-Vehicle-Safety-Law) requires every occupant, including adults, to wear a seat belt, drivers to be at least 16 with a valid license, a rearview mirror, and headlights, taillights and turn signals for night use. It requires SCDMV registration and a permit decal and liability insurance. Carts may run only on roads posted at 35 mph or less unless a designated lane exists, may not travel along four-lane roads, may cross four-lane roads only at intersections with traffic lights, and aren't allowed in roundabouts, traffic circles, pathways or sidewalks. Penalties reach fines of up to $500 or up to 30 days in jail, and Bluffton police began issuing citations after January 1, 2026. ### Charleston The City of Charleston enforces the state registration requirement. When it started active enforcement in 2021, the city said the cost to register a cart was $5 and that unregistered carts parked in the public right-of-way would be booted, with a $50 fine to remove the boot, according to its [February 2021 announcement (opens in a new tab)](https://www.charleston-sc.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=764). In July 2025 the Charleston Police Department reminded residents that carts on public streets must be insured, permitted and registered with the SCDMV, in its [golf cart reminder (opens in a new tab)](https://www.charleston-sc.gov/m/NewsFlash/Home/Detail/1479). ### Horry County and Myrtle Beach Golf carts are permitted on Horry County beaches from November 1 through February 28, must have a valid state permit and must be driven by a licensed driver, according to [Horry County's beach rules (opens in a new tab)](https://www.horrycountysc.gov/about-our-beaches/). That beach rule doesn't set road rules for the rest of the county. Confirm road restrictions with Horry County or the town where the cart will run, and confirm current permit, decal, parking and beach-access rules with the City of Myrtle Beach before driving there. ![An empty golf cart parked at the end of a quiet beach town street near sea oats and dunes in low winter light](https://riskado.com/blog/south-carolina-golf-cart-insurance/local-rules.jpg) Beach towns and resort areas can add their own hours, routes and equipment rules. ## Is your vehicle a golf cart or a low-speed vehicle? The answer changes which rules and which policy apply. A low-speed vehicle is a separate category in South Carolina law. It may run only on roads posted at 35 mph or less, may cross faster roads at intersections, and must meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 500 whenever it's on a highway, under [S.C. Code § 56-2-100 (opens in a new tab)](https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t56c002.php). Local governments can adopt stricter LSV rules. The driver must be at least 16, licensed and carrying the registration card and license, under [§ 56-2-110 (opens in a new tab)](https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t56c002.php). An LSV must be titled, and the manufacturer's or importer's certificate of origin must identify it as an LSV and certify that it meets the federal equipment standard, under [§ 56-2-120 (opens in a new tab)](https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t56c002.php). South Carolina won't issue vehicle identification numbers to homemade LSVs, retrofitted golf carts or similar vehicles, and those vehicles don't qualify as LSVs in the state. Adding lights, mirrors and seat belts to a golf cart doesn't turn it into an LSV. A true LSV is titled and registered like other motor vehicles, so ask the agency whether the [insurer](https://riskado.com/insurance-terms/insurer/) will write it on an auto policy. ## Does homeowners insurance cover a golf cart? Sometimes, in narrow situations. Homeowners personal liability protects you against claims from accidents to others on property you own or rent, with a few exceptions such as auto or boating accidents, according to the [South Carolina Department of Insurance (opens in a new tab)](https://www.doi.sc.gov/615/Types-of-Coverage-in-Homeowners-Insuranc). Golf carts sit close to that exception, so the policy wording decides. The Insurance Services Office sample homeowners form, [HO 00 03 (1999 edition) (opens in a new tab)](https://www.iii.org/sites/default/files/docs/pdf/HO3_sample.pdf), excludes most motor vehicle liability but carves out limited golf cart situations: a cart used on a golfing facility for play, travel to and from parking, or crossing public roads at designated points, and a cart used in a private residential community, including its public roads where a golf cart can legally travel, when you own a residence there. That's a sample form, not a promise about your policy, and insurers use different editions and endorsements. Common gaps include public-road use outside a qualifying community, business or rental use, unlisted modifications, theft, collision and damage to the cart itself. Ask for the policy form and any golf cart endorsement in writing, and ask whether the coverage meets the liability proof the SCDMV permit requires. South Carolina [homeowners insurance](https://riskado.com/south-carolina-homeowners-insurance/) and [renters insurance](https://riskado.com/south-carolina-renters-insurance/) each start from their own policy forms, so check the one you have. ![A golf cart parked beside a two-story house in a private residential community](https://riskado.com/blog/south-carolina-golf-cart-insurance/homeowners.jpg) A homeowners policy covers golf carts only in the narrow situations its form describes. ## What does golf cart insurance cover? Several kinds of coverage can apply, and each answers a different part of the question: - **Liability for a permitted cart.** Required for the public-road permit. It pays for bodily injury or property damage you're legally responsible for, subject to the policy. - **A standalone golf cart policy.** It can combine liability with optional physical damage, theft, collision, medical payments, uninsured motorist and accessory coverage. What's available and what's excluded depends on the policy. - **A homeowners endorsement.** It can broaden or clarify coverage for a cart, especially for use at home or in a private community. The endorsement wording controls. - **An auto policy for an LSV.** An LSV is a titled motor vehicle, so the agency should confirm whether the insurer's auto program accepts it. - **Business coverage.** A cart used for a business, rentals, deliveries or paid rides may need commercial coverage, and personal policies may exclude that use. The difference between [comprehensive and collision coverage](https://riskado.com/comprehensive-vs-collision-insurance/) works the same way on a cart as on a car. ## How much does golf cart insurance cost in South Carolina? Golf Cart Search puts basic liability coverage for a South Carolina cart at about $110 to $300 a year in its [2026 South Carolina estimate (opens in a new tab)](https://golfcartsearch.com/golf-cart-insurance/south-carolina). Published South Carolina golf cart insurance estimates Hover or tap a row to highlight it. | Source | Coverage | Estimate per year | | --- | --- | --- | | [Golf Cart Search, 2026 (opens in a new tab)](https://golfcartsearch.com/golf-cart-insurance/south-carolina) | Basic liability | About $110 to $300 | Those figures are context, not quotes, legal minimums or a suggested budget. The price for your cart depends on its value, where you live, the coverage you choose, how you use the cart and add-ons such as lift kits, sound systems, lithium battery upgrades and other accessories. Insurers use their own rating plans, so ask an agency to quote the coverage you need on your specific cart. ## Who is responsible after an injury or property damage? The facts decide. Responsibility for a golf cart accident can turn on who owned the cart, who was driving, whether the driver had permission, whether a business controlled its use and whether someone else contributed to what happened. A guest driver can raise policy questions about permissive use, excluded drivers and how the policy defines an insured. The SCDOI can explain policy language, but it can't determine liability or negligence, according to [SCDOI Consumer Services (opens in a new tab)](https://doi.sc.gov/consumers). For a question about legal responsibility after a serious accident, talk to a South Carolina attorney. ## Who may drive, and what passenger rules apply? On a public road, the driver must be at least 16 and hold a valid driver's license, under [S.C. Code § 56-2-90(B) (opens in a new tab)](https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t56c002.php). Every passenger under 12 must wear a fastened safety belt on public streets and highways, under [§ 56-2-90(E) (opens in a new tab)](https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t56c002.php). Bluffton goes further and requires a seat belt for every occupant, adults included, under its [specialized vehicle safety law (opens in a new tab)](https://www.townofbluffton.sc.gov/826/Specialized-Vehicle-Safety-Law). South Carolina's impaired-driving law, in [Title 56, Chapter 5 (opens in a new tab)](https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t56c005.php), applies to operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Don't drive a golf cart after drinking; the charge and penalty in any case depend on the facts. If a teenager under 16 or a guest will drive the cart on private property, ask your agency whether the policy covers that driver. ![A golf cart with seat belts fitted on both rows of seats parked on a neighborhood path](https://riskado.com/blog/south-carolina-golf-cart-insurance/passengers.jpg) Passengers under 12 must wear a fastened safety belt on public roads, and Bluffton requires belts for everyone. ## How do you check an agent or file a complaint? The [South Carolina insurance license lookup (opens in a new tab)](https://sbs.naic.org/solar-external-lookup/?jurisdiction=SC) shows whether an agent or agency holds a South Carolina license, and the SCDOI's [Insurance Locator (opens in a new tab)](https://www.doi.sc.gov/599/Insurance-Locator) searches licensed agents and companies. Confirm that the license covers the kind of insurance you're buying. If a problem comes up, contact the insurer first, give it a chance to fix the issue and keep records of every exchange. A formal complaint to [SCDOI Consumer Services (opens in a new tab)](https://doi.sc.gov/consumers) should name the insurance company, agent or adjuster, the policy or claim number, the date of loss if there is one, your concerns in detail and copies of supporting documents. By statute, insurance entities have 7 days to respond to the department, which aims to resolve issues within 7 to 10 days. The department can't determine liability, compel a claim payment or negotiate a settlement. ## What should you ask an agency? - Is this vehicle being insured as a golf cart or as an LSV? - Does the policy meet the liability insurance requirement for the SCDMV permit? - Is public-road use covered, and are there road, distance, community or nighttime limits? - Are guest drivers, household members, occasional drivers and minors covered, restricted or excluded? - Does the policy cover bodily injury and property damage to others? - Does it cover theft, fire, vandalism, collision and damage to the cart? - Are lithium batteries, lift kits, custom bodies, sound systems and other accessories covered? - Does the policy cover the cart at home, on public roads, at a golf course and in a private community? - Does my homeowners policy exclude motor vehicle liability, or would it overlap with this policy? - Is business, rental, delivery or paid passenger use excluded? - What happens if the policy is canceled, nonrenewed or lapses? - Which local ordinance requirements apply to the roads I'll use? For help choosing someone to work with, see [how to choose an insurance agent](https://riskado.com/how-to-choose-an-insurance-agent/). [Riskado's directory](https://riskado.com/agencies/south-carolina/) lists insurance agencies across the US, including South Carolina, by city and by category. ### Before your golf cart goes on a public road - **Ownership**Proof of ownership for the cart. - **Insurance**Liability coverage in place, with the insurer's name for Form GC-2. - **Application**SCDMV Form GC-2, your driver's license number and the $5 fee. - **On the cart**The permit decal displayed and the registration certificate carried in the cart. - **Local check**The ordinance for the town or county where you'll drive. - **Policy check**Written confirmation of how the policy classifies the cart and what it excludes. **Quiz: Check what you know about South Carolina golf cart rules** 1. How much is the state golf cart permit and registration? - $5 **(correct answer)** - $25 - $40 2. Without a local ordinance, what is the highest posted speed limit on a road where a permitted golf cart may run? - 25 mph - 35 mph **(correct answer)** - 45 mph 3. How old must a golf cart driver on a public road be? - 14 - 15 with a parent - At least 16, with a valid driver's license **(correct answer)** 4. What must golf cart passengers under 12 do on public roads? - Ride only in the front seat - Wear a fastened safety belt **(correct answer)** - Wear a helmet 5. Which federal standard must a low-speed vehicle meet? - FMVSS 500 **(correct answer)** - FMVSS 108 - None ## Frequently asked questions ### How do I replace a lost golf cart registration or decal? A replacement permit registration for one that's modified, lost or stolen costs $1, and a replacement for a missing or damaged decal costs $5, on [SCDMV Form GC-2 (opens in a new tab)](https://dmv.sc.gov/sites/scdmv/files/media/Forms/GC-2.pdf). A decal and registration that expired more than five years ago is treated as a first-time application. ### Can I drive my golf cart to a gated community entrance and beyond? If your registered address is inside a gated community, the four-mile limit runs from the community's point of entry and exit, under [S.C. Code § 56-2-90(D) (opens in a new tab)](https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t56c002.php). Outside that radius, a permitted cart may not run on public roads unless a local ordinance allows it. ### Can a city require me to own property there to get a decal? No. A municipality or county may not require proof of property ownership or a long-term rental agreement within its limits as a condition of receiving a decal to drive a golf cart there, under [S.C. Code § 56-2-90(C) (opens in a new tab)](https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t56c002.php). ## Before you drive Get liability insurance in place, file Form GC-2 with the $5 fee and keep the decal on the cart and the registration in it. Learn the state's daylight, 35-mph and four-mile defaults, then check the ordinance where you live. Finally, ask your agency in writing whether your policy covers the cart on public roads, in your community and for every person who will drive it. ### Key terms Tap a term to see what it means. **Permit decal.** The SCDMV sticker displayed on a golf cart that's permitted for public-road use. ## More articles - [Average Cost of Car Insurance in South Carolina: What Drivers Pay Per Month, in Charleston and Greenville, and What Moves Your Quote](https://riskado.com/average-cost-of-car-insurance-in-south-carolina/): South Carolina drivers spent $1,367 on average per insured car in 2023, about $114 a month, per the NAIC. See what averages include and what moves a quote. - [South Carolina Boat Insurance: Whether It Is Required, Registration, Marina and Lender Rules and What It Costs](https://riskado.com/south-carolina-boat-insurance/): South Carolina doesn't require insurance to register a boat, but marinas and lenders can. See SCDNR fees, what a policy covers and homeowners policy limits. - [South Carolina Car Insurance Requirements: Minimum Limits, Required Uninsured Motorist Coverage, the Grace Period Question and Windshield Rules](https://riskado.com/south-carolina-car-insurance-requirements/): South Carolina requires 25/50/25 liability plus uninsured motorist coverage. See the grace period rule, SCDMV lapse notices, windshield rules and what to ask. - [South Carolina Driving Without Insurance: The Lapse Fee, the $550 Uninsured Fee Question, Suspension, Impound and How to Reinstate](https://riskado.com/south-carolina-driving-without-insurance/): South Carolina gives you 20 working days to answer an insurance lapse notice. See the up-to-$400 lapse fee, what became of the $550 fee and how to reinstate. ## Newest guides 1. [1Additional Insured: What It Means, How It Differs From a Certificate, and What It Costs](https://riskado.com/additional-insured/) 2. [2Alabama Insurance Underwriting Association (the Beach Pool): Who Qualifies on the Coast, Wind and Hail Only Policies and How to Pair Them With Homeowners Coverage](https://riskado.com/alabama-beach-pool/) 3. [3Alabama Boat Insurance: Whether It Is Required, Marina and Lender Requirements, What a Policy Covers, Registration and Marine Patrol Rules](https://riskado.com/alabama-boat-insurance/) 4. [4Alabama Car Insurance Requirements: The 25/50/25 Minimums, Proof of Insurance, the Uninsured Motorist Offer and How Alabama Fault Rules Affect a Claim](https://riskado.com/alabama-car-insurance-requirements/) 5. [5Alabama Driving Without Insurance: The Ticket and Fine, Whether Jail Is Possible, License and Registration Suspension and What to Do After a Stop](https://riskado.com/alabama-driving-without-insurance/) ## More in Auto 1. [1Alabama Boat Insurance: Whether It Is Required, Marina and Lender Requirements, What a Policy Covers, Registration and Marine Patrol Rules](https://riskado.com/alabama-boat-insurance/) 2. [2Alabama Car Insurance Requirements: The 25/50/25 Minimums, Proof of Insurance, the Uninsured Motorist Offer and How Alabama Fault Rules Affect a Claim](https://riskado.com/alabama-car-insurance-requirements/) 3. [3Alabama Driving Without Insurance: The Ticket and Fine, Whether Jail Is Possible, License and Registration Suspension and What to Do After a Stop](https://riskado.com/alabama-driving-without-insurance/) 4. [4Alabama Insurance Lapse Fine: How the Online Insurance Verification System Finds a Lapse, the Notice, Fees and Reinstatement, Stored Vehicles and How to Pay or Appeal](https://riskado.com/alabama-insurance-lapse-fine/) 5. [5Alabama Motorcycle Insurance: Whether It Is Required, Minimum Limits, Helmet and License Rules, What It Costs and What a Policy Covers](https://riskado.com/alabama-motorcycle-insurance/)