What if a single overlooked rule could cut your Emerald Coast vacation short — or worse, cost you your health, your safety, or the safety of someone you love?

Every season, visitors to our beautiful stretch of coastline — from Destin to 30A — climb into a Low-Speed Vehicle (LSV) and set off to explore. The sun is shining, the beaches are calling, and it all feels perfectly carefree. And for most visitors, it is — because they took the time to understand the rules before driving away from the rental lot.

But every year, some visitors don’t. They end up with steep fines, a towed vehicle, or — in the most heartbreaking cases — a serious accident that changes everything. Not because they intended harm, but simply because no one made sure they truly understood the law.

That’s why we’re writing this. The Emerald Collection is rooted in this community. We live here, we work here, and we want every person who visits to go home safely with memories that last a lifetime. Consider this your friendly, local guide to LSV laws in Walton County — straight from the source.

First: What Exactly Is a Low-Speed Vehicle?

Before you can follow the rules, you need to know what you’re driving. Under Florida law, a Low-Speed Vehicle (LSV) and a golf cart are two very different things — and only one of them is allowed on public roads.

LOW-SPEED VEHICLE (LSV)	GOLF CART
✔  Permitted on certain public roads ✔  Must reach 20–25 MPH ✔  Requires headlamps, signals, seat belts, VIN & more ✔  Requires valid registration tag	✘  NOT permitted on any public roadway — ever Golf carts do not meet Florida LSV equipment requirements. Driving one on a public road is illegal, period.

If your rental has a windshield, seat belts, headlights, turn signals, and a license plate — you’re in an LSV. But having the right vehicle is only the beginning. The rules below apply every single time you drive it.

The Rule That Can Ruin Your Vacation — or Worse

⛔  CRITICAL: LOW-SPEED VEHICLES ARE NOT ALLOWED ON US HIGHWAY 98 This is the rule most visitors are unaware of — and the one that causes the most danger. It is illegal to drive an LSV on Hwy 98, along its shoulder, or along the sidewalk that runs beside it. The ONLY exception: crossing Hwy 98 at a designated four-way intersection. Penalty: $161 fine AND your vehicle will be TOWED. Highway 98 is a high-speed, high-traffic corridor. LSVs are simply not built for it. Please, for your safety and the safety of everyone sharing that road — stay off Hwy 98.

So Where CAN You Drive an LSV?

Low-speed vehicles may only be driven on roadways with posted speed limits of 35 MPH or less. Walton County provides maps clearly marking permitted roads and roads that are off-limits (highlighted in red). Ask your rental company for this map before leaving the lot — every rental should include one.

Additional Road Rules to Know:

• LSVs may NOT be driven on any sidewalk or bike path — $161 fine.
• Crossing Hwy 98 is only permitted at a designated four-way intersection, never mid-block.
• If traffic backs up behind you, pull to the side and allow cars to pass. It’s both the law and the courteous thing to do.
• Do not park an LSV directly behind another vehicle in a designated parking space.

Rules for Every Driver and Passenger

These are not optional guidelines — they are Florida law. Each violation can result in a Florida Uniform Traffic Citation. Here is what everyone in the vehicle needs to know before you pull away:

LAW	FINE
Driver must have a valid driver’s license	$161 / Criminal
All front-seat passengers (any age) must wear a seat belt — one person per belt	$111
All passengers under age 18 must wear a seat belt — one person per belt	$111
Children age 5 and under must be in a car seat or booster seat	$161
No open alcohol containers — driver OR any passenger	Driver $161 | Passenger $111

A Special Note About Your Children The Emerald Coast is a magical place for kids — and we want to keep it that way. Florida law requires children age 5 and under to be secured in a proper car seat or booster seat inside an LSV — the same as in any vehicle on the road. Even at slow speeds, an accident can cause serious injury to an unsecured child. Please make sure your little ones are properly buckled before every single trip.

Is Your Rental LSV Properly Equipped?

Florida law requires every LSV on a public road to have specific safety equipment. Your rental should already have all of this in place — but you deserve to know what to check before you drive away:

• Headlamps
• Front and rear turn signals
• Stop lamps and tail lamps
• Reflex reflectors (red) — one on each side, one on the rear
• Driver-side exterior mirror AND either an interior rear-view mirror or a passenger-side exterior mirror
• Parking brake
• Windshield
• Seat belt for every designated seat
• Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
• Valid registration tag displayed on the vehicle
• Vehicle capable of reaching 20 MPH but not exceeding 25 MPH

Missing any of the above equipment is a $111 fine. Driving without valid registration is a criminal offense and your vehicle will be towed. Take 60 seconds to do a quick check before you go.

The Walton County Safety Information Sticker

Every LSV operated on Walton County roads is required by county ordinance to display a Safety Information Sticker. Here’s what you need to know:

• The sticker must be affixed to the interior of the windshield, centered left-to-right, in the lower portion — no higher than the top of the steering wheel.
• The QR code side must face inward (toward occupants); the logo side must be visible from outside the vehicle.
• The sticker must not obstruct the driver’s view.
• Free stickers are available at no cost at the Walton County Sheriff’s Office Santa Rosa Beach Administration Offices, 133 Sheriff Drive — Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM.

Our Coast Is Worth Protecting — And So Are You

The Emerald Coast is one of the most extraordinary places in the world. Pristine white sand, emerald waters, and a community that genuinely loves welcoming the people who visit — this is what makes people come back year after year.

Tourism is the heartbeat of this region. We thrive because you choose to come here, and we want every visit to be safe, joyful, and filled with the kind of memories that last a lifetime. LSV accidents and citations don’t just disrupt a vacation — they can cause real harm to visitors, families, and the locals who share these roads every single day.

So before you back out of that rental lot: review the permitted road map, buckle everyone in, secure the little ones properly, and stay off Highway 98. Five minutes of awareness can make all the difference.

From The Emerald Collection We are not just real estate advisors — we are your neighbors. Whether you are visiting for a week or dreaming of calling this coast home, we are here to help you experience the Emerald Coast at its very best. Stay safe. Drive smart. And enjoy every beautiful moment.

The Emerald Collection at Keller Williams Emerald Coast

theemeraldcollection.com

Lora P  |  Pat Clay  |  Phil Madden