Can Tiger Woods drive a golf cart after losing his licence? Florida Governor reveals all

Tiger Woods should still be able to drive a golf cart on a golf course despite losing his driving licence for the next five years, according to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

The clarification came just hours after the 15-time major champion reached a plea agreement in his Florida DUI case, which resulted in a five-year suspension of his driving licence.

The unexpected question of whether Woods could still get behind the wheel of a golf cart emerged during a press conference following Wednesday's court hearing in Stuart, Florida.

Florida State Attorney Thomas Bakkedahl was asked directly by a reporter whether Woods could legally drive his own golf cart.

"Can Tiger legally drive his own golf cart?" the reporter asked.

"Oh my god, that's a question..." Bakkedahl replied.

The State Attorney then turned to a colleague for guidance before continuing: "Actually, you... yeah, can you drive a golf cart?"

"You know what, you got me. We'll have to look into that, I'll get back to you.

"I know you cannot drive a golf cart while impaired on the roads because it is a vehicle, but I don't... my gut reaction is going to be no."

However, DeSantis later appeared to provide the answer Woods and golf fans will have been looking for.

"Tiger should be able to drive a golf cart on the golf course," DeSantis posted on X in response to comments from Bakkedahl's press conference.

The intervention means Woods should still be able to use a golf cart on the fairways while serving his five-year driving suspension, despite being unable to legally drive on public roads.

The question is particularly relevant given the 50-year-old American is now eligible to compete on the PGA Tour Champions.

Golf carts are permitted on the seniors circuit, meaning Woods could potentially still get behind the wheel during competitive rounds should he decide to make his debut on the PGA Tour Champions.

Woods' return to competitive golf remains unknown as he continues his recovery, but there is growing expectation — and plenty of hope from golf fans — that the 15-time major champion will eventually tee it up on the over 50s circuit once he is fully fit.

Should that happen, Woods could find himself in the unusual position of being banned from driving on public roads while still being able to drive a golf cart around the fairways during a professional tournament.

The update followed Woods' appearance in court on Wednesday, when he agreed not to contest a reckless driving charge as part of a plea deal with prosecutors in Martin County, Florida.

The agreement reduced the original driving under the influence charge stemming from Woods' rollover crash on 27 March.

Woods accepted a five-year suspension of his driving licence as part of the resolution. 

The judge also imposed a $1,000 fine for reckless driving and a further $500 fine for careless driving.

Both convictions carry five-year driving bans, with the suspensions set to run concurrently.

Woods was arrested following the crash after his vehicle clipped a truck and rolled over. 

No one was injured, although Woods was forced to crawl out through the passenger door.

Body camera footage released by police in April showed the aftermath of the incident. 

In video footage that was released, Woods appeared calm while kneeling on one knee and explaining to officers what had happened.

"I looked down at my phone, and all of a sudden, boom," Woods said.

He passed a breathalyser test but declined further testing for other drugs.

Woods told officers he had not consumed alcohol that day. 

When questioned about prescription medication, he said: "I take a few," before confirming he had taken medication earlier that morning.

Part of the footage in which Woods listed the medication was redacted.

Officers said they suspected Woods' "normal faculties" were impaired by an "unknown substance".

Authorities later reported finding two white pills in his pocket, identified as hydrocodone, an opioid commonly prescribed for pain treatment.

Following the incident, Woods announced he would seek treatment.

"I know and understand the seriousness of the situation I find myself in today," Woods wrote on social media.

"I am stepping away for a period of time to seek treatment and focus on my health. This is necessary in order for me to prioritise my wellbeing and work toward lasting recovery."

Speaking after Wednesday's hearing, Bakkedahl said he was satisfied with the resolution and insisted Woods had been treated like any other defendant.

"I'm completely confident and comfortable with the resolution of this case," he said.

Bakkedahl added: "Today I resolved a case involving a man who drives a golf ball for a living.

"Tomorrow, I'll resolve a case in the same manner for a man who drives a nail for a living."

The latest incident was Woods' second arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence.

He was previously arrested in Jupiter, Florida, in May 2017 after police found him asleep at the wheel of his running car. Woods later blamed an unexpected reaction to prescribed pain and sleep medication rather than alcohol and pleaded guilty to reckless driving.

Woods' driving history has also been shaped by the devastating 2021 car crash in Los Angeles that left him with severe, career-altering injuries to his right leg and ankle.

That accident was not linked to drugs or alcohol, and no criminal charges were brought.

Woods has since undergone a lengthy recovery and remains sidelined from competitive golf, with no confirmed date for his return to the PGA Tour.

Prior to his March crash, the 82-time PGA Tour winner was already recovering from the seventh back surgery of his career.

Woods has remained chairman of the PGA Tour’s Future Competition Committee ever since his DUI arrest. 

In recent years, Woods has played alongside his son, Charlie, in the parent-child PNC Championship at Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Florida.

The tournaments permits the use of golf carts, something Woods has taken advantage of in recent years.

The 2026 PNC Championship takes place from 19-20 December, and it remains to be seen whether Team Woods will take part. 

Two weeks before the PNC, Woods will host his annual Hero World Challenge at Albany in The Bahamas. 

For now, Woods faces five years without a driving licence.

But, according to the Governor of Florida, there appears to be one important exception for the 15-time major champion: he should still be able to drive a golf cart down the fairways.

And with Woods now eligible for the PGA Tour Champions, the prospect of seeing him back in competitive action — and potentially behind the wheel of a golf cart — remains one golf fans will be watching closely as he continues his recovery.