The Complete Guide to Renting a Golf Cart on Anna Maria Island

You can see all seven miles of Anna Maria Island from the seat of a golf cart, and most people who rent one for the week wish they'd booked it sooner. Roll out to Bean Point at sunrise, grab coffee on Pine Avenue, park at Coquina in the afternoon, and never once circle a lot looking for a space.

That's the appeal of an Anna Maria Island golf cart rental. Island streets are posted at 25 mph, so a slow, open-air cart isn't a compromise. It's usually the fastest way to get around.

Here's what a first-timer needs to know before booking.

What you're actually renting (it's an LSV)

Almost every "golf cart" you rent on AMI is legally a Low-Speed Vehicle, or LSV. The distinction is legal, and it decides where you can drive.

Florida defines an LSV (Statute 320.01) as a four-wheeled vehicle that does more than 20 mph but tops out at 25. To go on public roads it has to be titled, registered, and insured. Statute 316.2122 requires it to carry headlights, brake lights, turn signals, taillights, reflectors, mirrors, a windshield, seat belts, a parking brake, and a VIN.

A true golf cart, the kind built for a course, has none of that. Florida only allows those on roads a city or county has specifically designated for golf carts.

So the plated cart that shows up at your rental is an LSV, and that's good news. An LSV can legally use any street posted at 35 mph or lower, which is every road on the island.

Where a cart takes you

The island runs about seven miles end to end, and a cart reaches all of it.

Up north in the city of Anna Maria, drive out to Bean Point, where the Gulf of Mexico meets Tampa Bay, then park near Pine Avenue for the shops and restaurants. Mid-island in Holmes Beach, the Manatee Public Beach is an easy stop with food right across the road. Down south in Bradenton Beach, Bridge Street is the walkable hub, and Coquina Beach sits at the bottom with the most parking on the island.

Because you're not hunting for a car space, the cart changes how the day feels. You stop where you want, when you want. Our Anna Maria Island page compares the local operators so you can match seat count and price to your group.

The rule that trips people up: you can't take a rental off the island

This is the big one. You can't drive a rented cart across to the mainland.

The Anna Maria Island Bridge on Manatee Avenue is posted above the 35-mph ceiling for low-speed vehicles, so an LSV isn't legal on it. The Cortez Bridge (SR 684) out of Bradenton Beach is posted 35 mph per FDOT — inside the LSV limit — but it has no real shoulder, construction is ongoing, and rental operators prohibit taking carts off the island: treat it as off-limits in a rental.

Either way, the rental company settles it for you. Their contracts prohibit taking a cart off the island, full stop.

Nearly every cart carries a GPS tracker. Point one at a bridge and you can lose your deposit or have the rental shut off remotely. If you need the mainland, take your car.

Driving rules that actually get enforced

Island police do write tickets, so the basics matter.

You need a valid driver's license to operate an LSV. Most shops also set a minimum age of 21 or 25 and want a credit card on file.
Everyone wears a seat belt. Kids ride in an appropriate car seat, same as in any vehicle.
Only as many passengers as there are belts.
If you're holding up a line of traffic, pull over safely and let it pass. Riding the bike lane to wave cars around isn't allowed.
Keep your license and the cart's registration with you.

Night driving is fine because these LSVs have headlights and signals, but ease off the speed. The side streets get dark and fill with walkers and cyclists after dinner.

Do not drive on the sand

Manatee County beaches aren't drive-on beaches. There's no driving on the sand at Coquina, at Cortez, or at the Manatee Public Beach, and taking a cart out there will get you fined and possibly towed. Park in the lot and walk the last few yards like everyone else.

What it costs and how delivery works

Most island operators deliver. A four-seater dropped at your rental usually runs somewhere around $100 to $160 a day, and weekly rates bring the per-day cost down. Six-seaters cost more, and everything climbs during peak season and over holidays. The island's fleet is finite, so book early for those weeks.

Free delivery and pickup to your vacation rental is common, so you often don't have to go anywhere to collect the cart. Confirm three things when you book: the seat count, whether delivery and pickup are actually included, and the return time.

If Anna Maria is one stop on a larger Gulf Coast trip, the same street-legal setup works on the other barrier islands. Siesta Key is another strong cart town, though there you'll cross a bridge just to reach the key.

Frequently asked questions

Do you need a driver's license to rent a golf cart on Anna Maria Island?

Yes. Island rentals are LSVs, and Florida law requires a valid driver's license to operate one. Most rental companies also set a minimum age of 21 or 25 and require a credit card on file.

Can you drive a rented cart off Anna Maria Island to the mainland?

No. The Manatee Avenue bridge is posted above the 35-mph limit for low-speed vehicles, and rental companies prohibit taking a cart off the island either way. They GPS-track the carts, so plan on leaving the island in your own car.

How much does a golf cart rental on Anna Maria Island cost?

Expect roughly $100 to $160 a day for a four-seater, with a lower per-day rate on weekly bookings. Six-seaters cost more, and prices climb in peak season and over holidays.

Can you drive a golf cart on the beach on AMI?

No. Manatee County beaches don't allow vehicles on the sand, and you'll be fined or towed. Park in the beach lot and walk in.

How far in advance should I book an AMI golf cart rental?

For spring break, summer, and holiday weeks, book several weeks out. The island has a limited number of carts, and the four- and six-seaters go first.

What's the difference between a golf cart and an LSV?

A golf cart is course-built, has no plate, and can only run on roads a local government has specifically designated for golf carts. An LSV is titled, registered, insured, plated, and street-legal up to 25 mph. What you rent on the island is an LSV.

Sources

Road-use rules last reviewed August 23, 2026. Posted limits and signage control on the day you drive; rental operators may impose stricter terms.