Is it legal for a 14-year-old to drive a golf cart in Utah?

✅ The short answer

No — in most cases a 14-year-old cannot legally operate a golf cart on public streets in Utah. The state’s laws leave much of the regulation to local municipalities, and many cities set a minimum age of 16 or older for operation on public roads. 

🧐 What the laws say

• Under Utah state law, standard golf carts are not automatically street-legal everywhere. They aren’t treated like regular motor vehicles unless they meet certain criteria or local ordinances permit them.

• Many cities in Utah have passed ordinances that require a person to be 16 years of age or older to operate a golf cart on public streets or “roadways, trails, public or quasi-public spaces.” For example, one local ordinance states:

  “No person under the age of sixteen (16) may operate a golf cart on any city street, roadway, trail, public or quasi-public space.” 

• Another municipal code specifies:

  “Only persons sixteen (16) years of age or older may operate a Golf cart on any public street, roadway, or highway within the City.” 

• At the same time: if the golf cart is only used on private property (not on a public street or road) then these restrictions may not apply in the same way. The state-level overview states that the “age requirement” depends on local laws if the cart is used on public roads. 

📍 What this means for a 14-year-old

• If a 14-year-old tries to drive a golf cart on a public street or roadway in a Utah city where the ordinance sets 16 as the minimum age, then no, that would not be legal.

• If the golf cart is being driven entirely on private property (for example within a private resort, home property, private roads) then the local public-road restriction might not apply; however this depends on local rules and insurance/liability issues.

• Even where golf carts are permitted on public streets, the driver may also need to meet other requirements (licensed driver age, liability insurance, safety equipment) depending on the municipality.

• Because regulations vary by city or county, it’s critical to check the specific municipality’s ordinance where the golf cart will be used.

📌 Important details & tips

• The speed of the road matters: many allowed golf cart operations limit them to streets where the posted speed limit is low (e.g., 25 mph or less).

• Even if the age requirement is met, there may be additional conditions (lighting, reflectors, seat belts, hours of operation). For example, one ordinance states no operation after sunrise or before sunrise unless equipped appropriately.

• Liability and insurance: While Utah doesn’t automatically require DMV registration for standard golf carts (in many cases) when used under a golf-cart ordinance, if it is treated as a “low speed vehicle” or motor vehicle then different rules apply. 

🎯 Conclusion

For a 14-year-old in Utah:

• On public streets: Very likely not legal, unless the specific city ordinance allows younger drivers (which is uncommon).

• On private property or private roads: Possibly allowed, but still subject to owner liability, supervision, and local property rules.

• Always check local city or county regulations where you intend to use the golf cart to be sure.