Yes — you need a valid driver's license to rent and drive a golf cart in San Diego, and at Beach Mode Rentals every renter and driver must be at least 21. That's not just our policy: street-legal golf carts are registered low-speed vehicles under California law, so driving one on public roads legally requires a license, the same as driving a car.
Here's the complete checklist so there are zero surprises on rental day.
The requirements at a glance
- Valid driver's license — required for every person who will drive the cart, not just the person who books.
- 21 or older — for all drivers.
- Signed liability waiver — sent digitally after booking; every driver signs before the cart is released.
- A credit card — your rental and the refundable deposit are charged through our secure online checkout when you book.
That's it. No special permit, no golf-cart endorsement, no insurance paperwork to bring.
Visiting from outside the U.S.?
A valid foreign driver's license works for visitors — bring the physical license with you. If your license isn't in English, carrying an International Driving Permit alongside it is a smart move (it's essentially a translation document and makes any traffic stop simpler).
Why the license rule exists
The carts we rent aren't course carts — they're street-legal low-speed vehicles with plates, registration, seat belts, lights, and mirrors. In California's eyes, an LSV on a public road is a motor vehicle, full stop. That's exactly what makes them so useful (you can drive nearly every beach-area street legally), and it's why car rules — including license requirements and DUI laws — apply.
Can people under 21 ride along?
Absolutely — the age rule applies to drivers. Our 6-seaters are built for families and groups, and every seat has a seat belt. Two important notes for younger passengers:
- California child car-seat laws apply in an LSV just like in a car. If your child needs a car seat or booster in your car, they need it in the cart — bring it along, it straps in normally.
- Everyone, every age, buckles up. Same as a car.
How the $200 deposit works
A $200 refundable security deposit is included in your checkout total when you book. There's nothing to do at return: bring the cart back in good condition and the deposit is refunded automatically. (Pro tip: it also comes back faster than the giant hold a car-rental counter puts on your card.)
The rest of our pricing is just as simple — $140 for the first day, $120 per additional day plus tax, explained in full in our 2026 price guide and on the pricing page.
What rental day looks like
Most of our rentals are delivered — free to Campland on the Bay, or $40 covering delivery and pickup in Pacific Beach, Mission Beach, and select La Jolla zones. Here's the flow:
- Book online (takes about two minutes, instant confirmation).
- Sign the digital waiver from your phone.
- We deliver the cart to your hotel, Airbnb, or campsite — or you grab it from our Pacific Beach home base with self-checkout.
- Driver shows a valid license, everyone buckles up, and you're cruising.
Full details on the process are on our How It Works page, and the FAQ covers the long tail of questions (charging, cancellations, payment methods).
Quick answers
- Do you need a license to ride in a golf cart? No — only drivers need one.
- Does a learner's permit count? No. A full, valid license is required.
- Can I add multiple drivers? Yes — every driver just needs to be 21+, licensed, and signed onto the waiver.
- Do I need my own insurance? No paperwork needed from you to rent. Drive responsibly and treat it like a car.
Got your license and a free weekend? That's all you need. Check availability and book your cart — and we'll handle the rest.
