Street-legal rules
Which Carolina coast towns allow street-legal golf carts, LSV plates, and what speed limits apply — town by town.
It depends on the town. Some towns, such as Oak Island, Holden Beach and Topsail Beach, allow only Low-Speed Vehicles (LSVs): state-registered, plated, insured, with seat belts, lights and a VIN. Others, such as Southport, Beaufort, Emerald Isle, Duck and Myrtle Beach, allow standard golf carts that are registered with the town or state and carry insurance. Always confirm with your host and the town.
Yes. Every renter on Cruise & Scoot must have a valid driver's license and complete ID verification before pickup. Passengers don't need one.
In most Carolina coast towns, carts and LSVs may use roads posted 35 mph or less and may not use highways or bypasses. Some towns also cap the cart's own speed (for example 20 mph in Southport, Beaufort, Emerald Isle and Duck) or limit carts to slower streets (Duck allows streets posted 25 mph or less; Bald Head Island is 18 mph).
Yes, and they vary by town. Examples: Myrtle Beach bars carts from Kings Highway, US 501 and Harrelson Blvd; Beaufort bars them from Highways 70 and 101; Emerald Isle and Atlantic Beach bar them from NC 58 except to cross. Carts in Oak Island are not allowed on roads posted above 35 mph. Check your listing's compliance badge and confirm with your host.
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