Since my recent column on Bluffton’s new golf cart and specialized vehicle safety ordinance, many residents have reached out with thoughtful questions. Most focus on what South Carolina law requires, what Bluffton added locally and what this ordinance does – and does not – cover.
Let’s start with the baseline.
South Carolina law establishes minimum statewide requirements for operating golf carts and other specialized vehicles on public roads. These vehicles must be registered with the S.C. Department of Motor Vehicles and display a permit decal. Drivers must be at least 16 years old and have a valid driver’s license, and proof of liability insurance is required. State law limits operation to roads with posted speed limits of 35 mph or less.
State law also authorizes cities and towns to adopt additional regulations tailored to local conditions and to decide if nighttime driving is allowed. This authority is common across South Carolina and allows communities to address safety needs specific to roads within town limits.
Bluffton’s ordinance builds on that state framework.
After months of public input, town council adopted additional safety measures specific to Bluffton. These include roadway restrictions, equipment requirements, and passenger safety provisions.
Under Bluffton’s ordinance, specialized vehicles are permitted only on two-lane roads with posted speed limits of 35 mph or less, consistent with state law, and are prohibited from operating in roundabouts. Vehicles may cross higher-speed roads only at intersections.
The ordinance allows nighttime operation only if vehicles are properly equipped. Required equipment includes headlights, taillights, and turn signals. Some existing vehicles may need to be retrofitted to meet these standards.
Passenger safety is a central focus. Seat belts are required for all passengers. Age-appropriate restraints are required for infants and small children, and drivers may not hold infants while operating a vehicle. Occupancy is limited to the manufacturer’s stated capacity.
These local requirements are intended to reduce injuries, as national data shows most golf cart injuries occur when passengers are ejected. Locally, Bluffton police have responded to multiple golf cart crashes in recent years, including incidents involving children.
It is also important to clarify where the ordinance applies.
Bluffton’s ordinance applies only to public roads within town limits. Golf courses are not roads, and traffic laws do not govern how golf carts are used on golf course property.
One area where the rule is very clear: Golf carts and specialized vehicles are not permitted on multi-use pathways or sidewalks. These paths are reserved for pedestrians and bicyclists and are not designed for motorized vehicles. Allowing carts on these pathways creates unnecessary safety risks.
Another frequent question involves electric bicycles. Electric bikes are not included in this ordinance. E-bikes are in the same category as non-motorized bicycles – the bicyclist must comply with all rules of the road, such as stopping at stop signs, following traffic patterns and so forth. Town staff and leaders are actively researching South Carolina law and best practices related to e-bikes to determine whether local guidance or future action may be appropriate. As use increases, our goal is safe coexistence for everyone using our roads and pathways.
Finally, remember that Bluffton’s ordinance applies whenever you are within town limits. Even if you live in unincorporated Beaufort County, your route might pass through Bluffton. The town’s “Am I in Bluffton?” map, available in the map gallery on the town’s website, can help clarify boundaries.
The town’s goal is not to limit mobility or change the character of our community. It is to ensure that as transportation options grow, safety grows with them. Education remains our first priority, enforcement second, and safety always.
