Golf Cart Rules in Bradenton Beach, Florida
Bradenton Beach sits at the southern tip of Anna Maria Island. The city has its own cart ordinance, and a few things here differ from what you’ll find in Holmes Beach or Anna Maria to the north.
The Quick Version
- LSVs can travel on city streets posted at 35 mph or under.
- Bridge Street and the Historic District are accessible by LSV.
- The Cortez Bridge is off-limits. State law prohibits LSVs on any road posted above 35 mph, and the bridge exceeds that limit.
- Driving on the beach is not allowed anywhere on the island.
- Cortez, on the other side of the bridge, is a separate community and outside the Beach Zoomies service area.
Cart delivered free to your Bradenton Beach rental before check-in. Reserve your cart.
Where You Can Drive in Bradenton Beach
Most streets in Bradenton Beach are posted at 25 or 30 mph. An LSV can travel on any of them.
That includes Gulf Drive as it runs through the city, residential side streets and the blocks around Bridge Street. The city is compact, so most of what guests need is within easy range.
Bridge Street is the center of activity in Bradenton Beach. Restaurants, shops and the public pier are all within reach by LSV. Standard vehicle parking spaces are available along Bridge Street. The city has no cart-only parking zones in this area.
Where You Cannot Drive
The Cortez Bridge (SR 684)
The road leading to and across the Cortez Bridge is posted above 35 mph. Florida law prohibits LSVs on any road posted above 35 mph (F.S. 316.2122). You cannot legally drive the cart across the bridge to Cortez or to the mainland. This is state law, not a city preference.
The Beach
LSVs are motor vehicles and are not permitted on beach sand. This rule applies in Bradenton Beach, Holmes Beach and Anna Maria.
High-Speed Road Sections Near the South End
Watch posted speed signs near the southern part of the city. Where the posted limit rises above 35 mph, an LSV cannot legally travel there.
Bridge Street and the Historic District
Bridge Street runs east from Gulf Drive toward the bay. The Historic District surrounds it and the nearby blocks.
The area is fully accessible by LSV on public streets. You can drive to Bridge Street, park in a standard space and walk to the pier or the shops. There is no separate cart parking here.
Bridge Street gets busy with foot traffic during peak season. Drive slowly and give way to pedestrians in this area.
Bradenton Beach vs. Cortez: What Is the Difference?
Cortez is a historic fishing community directly across the Cortez Bridge. It is not part of Anna Maria Island. It is unincorporated Manatee County.
Two things to understand:
- The bridge between them is posted above 35 mph, which means LSVs cannot legally travel on it.
- Beach Zoomies delivers within Anna Maria Island only, covering Anna Maria, Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach. Cortez is outside the service area.
There is no legal cart route from Bradenton Beach to Cortez. The Cortez Bridge is the hard limit.
How Bradenton Beach Compares to Holmes Beach and Anna Maria
Each city on the island has its own ordinance. Here is what sets Bradenton Beach apart:
Historic District designation. Parts of the city around Bridge Street carry a historic designation. No extra cart restrictions come with it, but it is useful context for guests staying in that part of the island.
Bridge proximity. Bradenton Beach borders the Cortez Bridge at its southern edge. Guests near the south end of the city are closest to the bridge restriction. That is the limit of LSV travel in this direction.
Bridge Street parking. Bradenton Beach’s busiest commercial area is right on Bridge Street. Standard parking spaces apply there. No cart-only zones are designated in this area.
For rules in the other cities, see the Holmes Beach rules page and the Anna Maria rules page. Or start with the overview of where you can drive on the island.
Rules That Apply Across the Whole Island
These rules apply in all three AMI cities, including Bradenton Beach:
- A valid driver’s license is required to operate an LSV. If you were born on or after July 1, 2006, Florida requires a license or learner’s permit to operate a cart on a public road.
- LSVs are limited to roads posted at 35 mph or under.
- Seat belts are required for all occupants.
- The cart must have working headlights, brake lights, turn signals, a windshield and mirrors.
- Driving on the beach is not permitted.
- The cart does not cross any bridge off the island.
The Carts Behind This Guide
Every cart in the Beach Zoomies fleet is a street-legal LSV, titled, registered and insured. That matters in Bradenton Beach because city streets are public roads, and only a properly registered LSV is legal on them.
The cart arrives at your rental home before check-in. Pickup is timed to checkout. No handoff to arrange.
Six carts. Delivered.
Last reviewed: August 2026. Bradenton Beach ordinances can change. Confirm current rules with the Bradenton Beach city clerk if you have a question about a specific street or situation before your trip.
Beach Zoomies serves Bradenton Beach, Holmes Beach and Anna Maria. See the full service area.