CAN YOU DRIVE GOLF CARTS ON SIDEWALKS IN KEY WEST?

Answer: No, you cannot drive golf carts on the sidewalks.

One of the most common mix-ups visitors make in Key West is thinking a golf cart works like a big beach cruiser. It feels open-air and easygoing, but it’s still a motor vehicle, which means it belongs on the road, not the sidewalk. In Key West, golf carts must stay on the roadway at all times. That includes those wide promenade-style sidewalks along North Roosevelt Boulevard and the scenic paths by the Atlantic beaches. As tempting as it may look to cruise along the water on a sidewalk, it’s not allowed.

Driving a golf cart on the sidewalk is considered a moving violation and can come with a ticket starting around $150 or more. And parking rules matter too. Even if you’re just “half on,” you can’t leave your cart sitting on a sidewalk. It needs to be fully in a legal parking space. The easiest way to think about it is this: drive your golf cart exactly like you would a car. Stay in your lane, use your turn signals, follow one-way signs, and obey traffic lights. If traffic gets backed up on Duval Street or Whitehead Street, you wait it out like everyone else. No hopping the curb, no sneaking around the line. It might take a few extra minutes, but that’s island time anyway.

Key West does a great job keeping pedestrians and vehicles safely separated, especially in busy areas like the Historic Seaport and around Mallory Square. You’ll even see reminders posted in high-traffic spots letting visitors know that carts belong on the road. The good news is the island is incredibly golf cart friendly. Most streets have 35 mph speed limits or less, and everything is close together. You can cruise from the Southernmost Point to Smathers Beach or over to Fort Zachary Taylor without ever needing a sidewalk shortcut.

Stick to the streets, follow the flow and your Key West golf cart adventure will be smooth, stress-free, and ticket-free. Check out more rules and regulations for golf cart rentals here

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