Can you drive a golf cart at Mexico Beach?

Yes

on city streets, with a city permit

Mexico Beach allows golf carts on every city street except US 98, and runs its own registration scheme — $15 a year, renewed by 31 January. The beach is still off limits.

City streets

Allowed

US 98

Not allowed

Permit

$15 a year

The rule

Everywhere in town except the highway.

All city streets located within the jurisdiction city, except for U.S. Highway 98 (State Route 30).

§ 71.03(A)(1), Mexico Beach Code of Ordinances

The same section bans carts from the US 98 right-of-way and from the city-maintained sidewalks alongside it, and requires a slow vehicle triangle visible from the rear on 15th Street. Streets inside approved subdivisions are covered where the association permits it and a written enforcement agreement with the city exists. The ordinance was last amended in 2016, before Florida changed its statewide driver rules in 2023 — so state law now imposes requirements the city text does not recite.

Not on the sand: § 73.01 makes it unlawful to operate a motor vehicle on the beach between the Gulf and the coastal construction control line, and § 71.01 defines a golf cart as a motor vehicle. § 73.03 treats it as a second-degree misdemeanour.

The city permit

Fifteen dollars, and a date that catches people out.

Mexico Beach registers carts itself — this is separate from anything the state requires.

$15.00 annually, with no prorated registrations

The registrant must be at least 18 years of age

Renewal deadline is 31 January each year. Let it lapse and operation is prohibited until you re-register

The sticker goes in the driver’s side rear fender area

Rules and fines

Fifty dollars a time, and a ladder for registration.

Carts can be cited for traffic violations the same way a car can.

Sunrise to sunset only. In fog, smoke, rain or low light a cart needs headlights, brake lights, turn signals and a windscreen

The driver must hold a valid driver licence, and passengers may not exceed the number of seats

$50 for the wrong street, the wrong hours, or a traffic violation. Non-payment within 30 days can mean permit revocation

Registration offences ladder: $50, then $75, then $150 with a one-year revocation, then $250 and permanent revocation

More Mexico Beach rules

The other three, in the same shape.

Staying in Mexico Beach?

Rentals booked direct with the owner. No service fee.

Browse rentals

Official

Ch. 71, Mexico Beach Code of Ordinances City of Mexico Beach — golf cart permits

Rules and regulations change. This page is intended as a general overview to help you plan your trip and is not a substitute for reading the current official rules yourself. Laws, permit requirements, and enforcement can change at any time, and this content may not reflect the most current version. It is your responsibility to verify current rules directly with the relevant city, county, or State of Florida agency. Book Direct Forgotten Coast is not responsible for citations, fines, accidents, or other consequences resulting from reliance on this page.