Check the tires
Check every tire against the pressure listed by the cart or tire maker. Look for low pressure, cuts, punctures, uneven wear, and wheel damage.
Florida State University includes proper inflation and freedom from cuts or punctures in its daily pre-use check.
Test the brakes and steering
Test the service brake and parking brake in a clear, controlled area. Check for unusual pedal travel, noise, pulling, or weak braking.
Turn the steering through its normal range. Report looseness, binding, vibration, or a cart that does not track as expected.
Take the cart out of service when it cannot steer or stop safely. Florida State University says to inspect each cart daily before use. Source: Florida State University golf cart checklist
Check the lights and road-use equipment
Test the headlights, taillights, brake lights, and turn signals that the cart has. Check the horn, mirrors, reflectors, and windshield too.
Equipment does not make every road legal for golf cart travel. South Carolina law limits public-highway golf cart use to roads with speed limits of 35 mph or less, subject to local rules.
The same law requires a public-highway driver to be at least 16 years old and hold a valid driver’s license.
Request a pre-season safety check
Send the address, cart make, power type, tire details, symptoms, and preferred date. State whether the cart can move safely.
If repair leaves you without a cart, review the golf cart rental guide and its road-use information.
Golf cart repair questions
- When should I check a golf cart's tires, brakes, steering, and lights?
- Florida State University recommends checking them daily before use.
- Source: Florida State University golf cart checklist
- What tire details should I share with a repair provider?
- Share the maker's pressure specification and report low pressure, cuts, punctures, uneven wear, or damaged wheels.
- Source: Florida State University golf cart checklist
- What road-use limits should I review after a safety check?
- South Carolina law limits golf cart highway use to roads at 35 mph or less, subject to local rules.
- Source: South Carolina Code Section 56-2-90
- How old must a public-highway golf cart driver be in South Carolina?
- The driver must be at least 16 and hold a valid driver's license.
- Source: South Carolina Code Section 56-2-90