Are Golf Carts Street Legal in South Carolina?
Yes — with a $5 SCDMV permit and clear limits. South Carolina is one of the few states with a statewide golf cart permit system. Under S.C. Code § 56-2-105, you register your cart with the SCDMV (Form GC-2, $5, proof of insurance, valid driver's license number) and may then drive during daylight hours, within four miles of your home or business, on secondary highways and streets posted 35 mph or less. The permit decal must be renewed every five years or when you move.
South Carolina Rules at a Glance
| Rule | Permitted Golf Cart | Registered LSV |
|---|---|---|
| SCDMV permit / registration | ✓ $5 permit, Form GC-2 | ✓ Titled & registered like a car |
| Insurance | ✓ Proof required for permit | ✓ Required |
| Where you can drive | Within 4 miles of home/business, roads ≤ 35 mph | Any road posted ≤ 35 mph, no 4-mile limit |
| When | Daylight only | ✓ Day or night (DOT lighting) |
| Driver's license | ✓ Required | ✓ Required |
| Permit renewal | Every 5 years or address change | Standard registration renewal |
When to Step Up to an LSV
The daylight-only and four-mile limits are the two rules that push many SC buyers to a factory-certified Low Speed Vehicle — titled and registered like a car, with DOT lighting for night driving and no distance restriction on 35-mph roads. Compare street-legal golf carts and Low Speed Vehicles at TIGON.
Official South Carolina Sources
- S.C. Code § 56-2-105 — golf cart permit, insurance, license, daylight and four-mile limits
- SCDMV — Golf Carts — Form GC-2, $5 fee, five-year renewal
TIGON in South Carolina
Shop golf carts for sale in South Carolina at TIGON Orangeburg — serving Columbia, Charleston corridor, and the Lowcountry lake communities. See the South Carolina golf cart buyer's guide or call 1-844-844-6638.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a South Carolina golf cart permit cost?
$5. Under S.C. Code § 56-2-105 you register your golf cart with the SCDMV using Form GC-2, provide proof of insurance and a valid driver's license number, and pay the $5 fee. The permit decal must be replaced every five years or whenever you change your address.
Golf carts in South CarolinaHow far from home can you drive a golf cart in South Carolina?
Within four miles of your home or business address on the permit, during daylight hours only, on secondary highways and streets where the posted speed limit is 35 mph or less. A valid driver's license and the SCDMV golf cart permit decal are required. Registered LSVs are not subject to the four-mile limit.
Visit TIGON OrangeburgCan you drive a golf cart at night in South Carolina?
Not a permitted standard golf cart — South Carolina's golf cart permit only allows daylight operation. For night driving on public roads you need a factory-certified Low Speed Vehicle that is titled, registered, and insured like a car, with DOT lighting. TIGON Orangeburg carries LSV-certified models — call 1-844-844-6638 for availability.
Shop street-legal golf cartsShop street-legal golf carts · Golf carts in South Carolina · Call 1-844-844-6638