Golf Carts in Carolina Beach: Rules, Rentals and Parking

Cruising to the beach in a cart is part of a Carolina Beach vacation. It's the easiest way to get a family, a cooler and a pile of beach chairs down the street, and parking a cart is easier than parking an SUV in July.

But the rules have changed. The town is phasing out traditional golf carts, and what you'll rent today is a street-legal low-speed vehicle. Here's what visitors need to know, from the town's own rules.

The short version

• Golf carts are being phased out. No new permits are issued, and from January 1, 2028, golf carts won't be permitted in Carolina Beach.
• Rent an LSV. Low-speed vehicles are street legal, with a license plate, and need no town permit.
• Roads of 35 mph or less, drivers 16 or older with a license, seat belts for everyone and no open alcohol.
• Carts pay to park from March 1 to October 31, unless you buy the annual LSV parking pass.

Golf carts are being phased out

Carolina Beach no longer issues new golf cart permits. Only owners who held a permit the year before can renew it (permits expire every December 31), and starting January 1, 2028, golf carts won't be permitted in Carolina Beach at all. For visitors, that means a traditional golf cart without a license plate isn't an option, and a cart without a permit or plate can be booted on sight.

What you can rent: low-speed vehicles

A low-speed vehicle (LSV) looks like a golf cart, but it's built to be street legal. Each one is registered and insured with the state and has a license plate, plus headlights, brake lights, turn signals, tail lights, mirrors, a windshield and seat belts. No town permit is needed to drive an LSV in Carolina Beach.

Local companies rent street-legal carts by the day or week, and many deliver to your rental. Two local options are Sharky's Golf Carts (formerly SunFun Rentals) and Journey Golf Carts on Lake Park Boulevard; both are listed in our Carolina Beach Local Guide.

When you book, ask:

• Does the cart have a license plate (is it an LSV)?
• How many seats, and are there enough seat belts for everyone, including kids?
• What does the rental include for insurance, and is there a damage deposit?
• What are the driver age and license requirements?
• Is delivery and pickup included, and how does charging work?

Rules of the road

• Roads posted 35 mph or less only. Carts can cross faster roads at intersections, but can't drive along them.
• Drivers must be at least 16 with a valid driver's license.
• Seat belts for everyone. Every seated passenger needs a belt.
• No open alcohol in a cart on public roads, and drivers must follow the state's alcohol laws.
• Stay to the far right of the road, and use your lights and turn signals.

Kids in carts

The town's rules are specific about kids. Passengers older than 8 and heavier than 80 pounds wear the seat belt. A child under 8 and under 80 pounds must be properly secured, and only in the front seat or another forward-facing seat; rear-facing back seats don't work for young kids. If you're bringing little ones, ask the rental company about seating before you book.

Parking a cart

• Paid parking runs March 1 to October 31, 9 AM to 8 PM. LSVs without a pass pay the same hourly or daily rates as cars. Pay with the Text-2-Park app or by card at town lots.
• An annual LSV parking pass ($100 in 2026) is available to anyone, and works wherever annual town parking passes are valid. For a long stay, or several visits a year, it can pay for itself.
• Look for the cart spaces. The town has designated golf cart spaces; carts follow the same parking rules as cars.
• From November to February, parking is free.

Weekly visitor parking passes for cars are also sold at Town Hall, the parking office or online, if your group is bringing a car too. See the town's parking page.

Where a cart takes you

Much of Carolina Beach is a short ride from the boardwalk, the beach accesses and Lake Park, and a cart makes dinner runs and ice cream trips easy. Popular stops include:

• The boardwalk for Britt's Donuts, the arcade and Thursday fireworks in summer.
• Carolina Beach Lake Park for the playground and summer movies.
• Good Hops Brewing, with its beer garden and disc golf (designate a driver).
• Kate's Pancake House and The Southerly Biscuit & Pie for breakfast.

Heading to Kure Beach?

Kure Beach has its own street-legal cart requirements, published as a PDF on the Kure Beach FAQs. Check them before you drive south.

Plan your stay

Many of our Carolina Beach vacation rentals are a short ride from the boardwalk and beach accesses, with parking for a cart. Rules can change from year to year; see the town's golf cart and LSV rules for the latest.