Who can drive a golf cart?

Sunday morning, golf course. Your 15-year-old son reaches for the steering wheel of the golf cart. The club marshal stopped him immediately: «"Forbidden, you need a permit."» Yet, at your neighbor's farm, the same teenager drives the electric golf cart around the property without anyone batting an eye. So, Who is right? Both. And that's precisely what creates the confusion.

The answer can be summed up in one sentence: It all depends on where you drive.. Public roads and private property are governed by entirely different rules — and ignoring them can cost you up to €15,000 in fines. We'll break it all down together, with supporting legal texts.

Public road or private land: two worlds, two sets of regulations

It is there A distinction that everyone misses. On a road open to traffic, the Highway Code applies, with strict conditions regarding age, license, and registration. On enclosed land—golf course, campground, farm, residential park—it's the internal regulations of the venue which takes precedence, coupled with the insurance requirement. Here is a visual summary before going into detail:

On public roads: which license for which small car?

First thing to understand: the golf cart what you see on a course is not not road legal. It has no registration certificate, no headlights, and no turn signals. Mistaking it for a "license-free car" is the most frequent mistake—and the most legally dangerous. Only vehicles belonging to two legal categories, defined by the«Article R311-1 of the Highway Code, have the right to circulate on public roads.

Light quadricycle (category L6e) — from age 14

This is the vehicle commonly known as a "car without a license": limited to 45 km/h, small in size, often electric or diesel. As detailed in the technical reference documentation on golf carts, These vehicles meet specific homologation standards. In practical terms, to drive them on public roads:

• Age : Minimum age 14.
• Permit : THE AM license (ex BSR) is mandatory for every person born after January 1, 1988. If you were born before this date, no permit is required.
• Training: 8 hours at a driving school, without a theory test or on-road driving test. The full program is detailed by the CER network..
• Vehicle registration document + insurance: mandatory, as with any motorized vehicle.

This is precisely what allows some teenagers—or people whose driver's license has been revoked—to continue getting around independently. This is a much more common situation than you might think. However, be aware that if a judge has issued a driving ban, the judge may still be able to drive. any motor vehicle (and not just a cancellation of your B license), the L6e quadricycle is also prohibited. Always check the exact wording of your court order. To find all the driving license categories, visit the website of the’ANTS offers an official summary.

Heavy quadricycle (category L7e) — from age 16

More powerful, the heavy quadricycle can reach up to 90 km/h. It includes certain compact utility vehicles and road-legal off-road vehicles.’legislative history of article R311-1 This shows that this distinction from the light quadricycle has existed for over twenty years. Logically, the requirements are becoming more stringent:

• Age : Minimum age 16.
• Permit : THE B1 licence (theoretical + practical test), including the training is offered by the CER network, or the standard B licence which automatically includes it.

If you already have a car license, there's no need to retake anything: you're covered for L7e. As confirmed by the information sheet Service-Public.fr dedicated to the B1 driving licence (also available in English), the B licence covers all heavy quadricycles.

On a golf course: it's the club that decides

As soon as you cross the gate of a private property closed to traffic, the Highway Code disappears. But that doesn't mean it's the Wild West. On a golf course, the The club's internal regulations serve as law. — and in the vast majority of cases, it is stricter than one might imagine.

Why? Because the club's insurer requires it. Imagine: a 13-year-old borrows a golf cart, takes a corner too fast near the clubhouse, and hits a player. Serious injury. The insurance company checks its policy: minor not authorized to drive. Refusal to provide care. The club—and potentially the parents—end up paying tens of thousands of euros in medical expenses out of pocket. This isn't a theoretical scenario: it's precisely why clubs impose strict conditions.

In practice, most establishments require:

• THE driving licence B (car license), as a civil liability measure.
• A minimum age of 16 or 18 years according to the club.
• Sometimes, a safety briefing or the signing of a waiver.

The result: even if the law doesn't explicitly prohibit a minor from driving on private property, the club can—and will—refuse them access to the golf cart. And in the event of an accident, the insurance company will have the final say.

On private, enclosed land: no permit required, but beware of insurance issues.

This is the case that always surprises. On a strictly enclosed plot of land — farm, large garden, private estate, campsite — no permit is legally required to drive a motorized vehicle. A 14-year-old can technically drive an electric golf cart on private property without breaking the law.

This type of situation is becoming increasingly common in the sector of’outdoor accommodation, where electric golf carts are becoming the preferred mode of transport in large campsites and holiday resorts. Before you set off—whether you're a holidaymaker or a manager—consult Essential things to know before renting a golf cart. And if you're considering a purchase, this comparison of 3 models selected for campsites and this guide for choosing the right golf cart will save you time. Also consider the’Regular maintenance — batteries, brakes, tires — to avoid breakdowns and accidents.

What you actually risk

Let's put the numbers on the table, because that's often what makes us realize the seriousness of the situation: