Okaloosa County raises minimum age to drive golf carts to comply with state law

The Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved an ordinance Tuesday updating golf cart age restrictions to comply with revised state statutes. The new rules require operators under 18 to possess a valid learner’s permit or driver’s license, while those 18 and older must have valid photo identification.

• The ordinance amendment affects four previously approved areas in the county where golf carts are permitted on public roads: Rocky Bayou Country Club Estates subdivision, Lake Lorraine subdivision, portions of unincorporated Shalimar and unincorporated Fort Walton Beach, and designated areas of unincorporated Crestview.

Public Works Director Scott Bitterman told commissioners the changes were necessary to bring existing county ordinances into compliance with state law.

“The board previously approved the operation of golf carts in four areas of the county, and state statutes have been revised,” Bitterman said during the public hearing.

Commissioner Carolyn Ketchel supported the age increase, citing safety concerns about underage drivers operating golf carts without proper supervision.

• “We have a lot of issues with those underage and without learners’ permits driving golf carts, and it’s really up to the parents to monitor this,” Ketchel said. “But the problem is many parents are not home or they don’t know their kids are out there around the neighborhood.”

Ketchel referenced a recent accident on Meigs Drive where four children under 13 were thrown from a golf cart driven by a 13-year-old, including a 5-year-old who was thrown under the cart.

“Golf carts are not just for fun – they are vehicles and that they need to yield to stop signs,” Ketchel said, noting that enforcement remains challenging because sheriff’s deputies must witness violations directly.

The ordinance revision updates language in the four previously approved county ordinances but makes no other changes to approved use locations.