Are golf carts street legal in Texas?

Statute definition.

"neighborhood electric vehicle" means a vehicle that can attain a maximum speed of 35 miles per hour on a paved level surface and otherwise complies with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 500 (49 C.F.R. Section 571.500).

TxDMV's manual: what a NEV is.

is originally manufactured to meet, and meets, the equipment requirements and safety standards established for "low speed vehicles" in Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 500 (49 C.F.R. §571.500);

TxDMV's manual: the speed range.

is a slow-moving vehicle, being able to attain a speed of more than 20 miles per hour but not more than 35 miles per hour; and

TxDMV's manual: a golf cart is not a NEV.

is not a golf cart (designed by the manufacturer primarily for transporting persons on a golf course).

TxDMV's public page lists the equipment.

A vehicle is classified as a Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV) if it has: A maximum speed of 35 mph Four tires Seat belts Head and tail lights A windshield A parking brake Turn signals Rear-view mirrors Brake lights Reflectors A valid 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).

A neighborhood electric vehicle may be operated only on a street or highway for which the posted speed limit is 45 miles per hour or less.

A neighborhood electric vehicle may cross a road or street at an intersection where the road or street has a posted speed limit of more than 45 miles per hour. A neighborhood electric vehicle may not be operated on a street or highway at a speed that exceeds the lesser of: (1) the posted speed limit; or (2) 35 miles per hour.

A county or municipality may prohibit the operation of a neighborhood electric vehicle on a street or highway if the governing body of the county or municipality determines that the prohibition is necessary in the interest of safety.

The Texas Department of Transportation may prohibit the operation of a neighborhood electric vehicle on a highway if that department determines that the prohibition is necessary in the interest of safety.

The limited-use track, which carries its own exemptions (see registration and insurance below).

(a) An operator may operate a neighborhood electric vehicle: (1) in a master planned community: (A) that has in place a uniform set of restrictive covenants; and (B) for which a county or municipality has approved a plat; (2) on a public or private beach; or (3) on a public highway for which the posted speed limit is not more than 35 miles per hour, if the neighborhood electric vehicle is operated: (A) during the daytime; and (B) not more than two miles from the location where the neighborhood electric vehicle is usually parked and for transportation to or from a golf course.

What the county accepts as evidence of ownership.

Acceptable documents for evidence of ownership for NEVs include Certificates of Title indicating a body style of "NV NHOOD ELEC" or a Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin with a statement that the vehicle meets Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 500 (49 C.F.R. §571.500).

When a title is required.

A NEV is required to be titled in order to be registered for operation on public roads in accordance with 551.303. A NEV is not required to be titled and registered if operated in accordance with 551.304 (same as golf cart).

The standard and the VIN.

The NEV must meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 500 (49 C.F.R. §571.500) for low-speed vehicles and have a 17-digit VIN.

What to bring.

To title and register your NEV, take the following to your county tax assessor-collector's office: Evidence of ownership, such as a Manufacturer Certificate of Origin or title A completed Application for Texas Title and/or Registration (Form 130-U) Proof of insurance

The general title rule. No title statute is written for NEVs.

The owner of a motor vehicle registered in this state: (1) except as provided by Section 501.029, shall apply for title to the vehicle;

How a NEV is registered.

The registration classification of a NEV will be determined by whether it is designed as a 4-wheel truck, or a 4-wheel passenger vehicle.

Registration exemption for the limited-use track.

A person is not required to register a neighborhood electric vehicle operated in compliance with this section.

The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles may adopt rules relating to the registration and issuance of license plates to neighborhood electric vehicles.

The additional electric vehicle fee's definition leaves out a NEV.

The term does not include: (1) an autocycle, as defined by Section 501.008; (2) a moped, as defined by Section 541.201; (3) a motorcycle, as defined by Sections 521.001 and 541.201; or (4) a neighborhood electric vehicle, as defined by Section 551.301.

A NEV requires the same financial responsibility or liability insurance as a vehicle when operated in accordance with 551.303.

General requirement.

A person may not operate a motor vehicle in this state unless financial responsibility is established for that vehicle through:

Listed among the exceptions to that requirement.

(2) a neighborhood electric vehicle that is operated only as authorized by Section 551.304;

Minimums.

(1) $30,000 for bodily injury to or death of one person in one collision; (2) $60,000 for bodily injury to or death of two or more persons in one collision, subject to the amount provided by Subdivision (1) for bodily injury to or death of one of the persons; and (3) $25,000 for damage to or destruction of property of others in one collision.

A person, other than a person expressly exempted under this chapter, may not operate a motor vehicle on a highway in this state unless the person holds a driver's license issued under this chapter.

A golf cart, neighborhood electric vehicle, or off-highway vehicle that is operated at a speed of not more than 25 miles per hour is required to display a slow-moving-vehicle emblem when it is operated on a highway.

Equipment chapter exemption.

Unless a provision is specifically made applicable, this chapter and the rules of the department adopted under this chapter do not apply to: (1) an implement of husbandry; (2) road machinery; (3) a road roller; (4) a farm tractor; (5) a bicycle, a bicyclist, or bicycle equipment; (6) an electric bicycle, an electric bicyclist, or electric bicycle equipment; (7) a golf cart; (8) a neighborhood electric vehicle; or (9) an off-highway vehicle.

NEVs are exempt from inspection verification.

Listed among the vehicles the inspection program replacement fee does not apply to.

(9) a neighborhood electric vehicle, as defined by Section 551.301;

The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles may not register a golf cart for operation on a highway regardless of whether any alteration has been made to the golf cart.

The definition turns on how the manufacturer designed the vehicle.

"golf cart" means a motor vehicle designed by the manufacturer primarily for use on a golf course.

Transportation Code, Section 551.402, prohibits registration of golf carts regardless of any alteration made to the golf cart.

TxDMV's manual: a NEV is built to the standard, not altered to it.

is originally manufactured to meet, and meets, the equipment requirements and safety standards established for "low speed vehicles" in Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 500 (49 C.F.R. §571.500);

A golf cart cannot go the assembled vehicle route.

For purposes of Subsection (a)(4), the term "assembled vehicle" does not include a golf cart, as defined by Section 551.401, or an off-highway vehicle, as defined by Section 551A.001, regardless of whether the vehicle is built or assembled by a hobbyist.

No title, no registration, a plate instead.

Golf carts cannot be titled or registered; however, they can display a golf cart license plate as set forth by Transportation Code, Section 551.402. They may be operated under restricted circumstances.

As of September 1, 2009, titles are no longer issued for golf carts. Any existing title remains valid until the vehicle is sold.

The plate rule.

A person may operate a golf cart on a highway in a manner authorized by this subchapter only if the vehicle displays a license plate issued under this section.

may charge a fee not to exceed $10 for the cost of the license plate

A golf cart license plate does not expire.

The exception to the plate rule.

Notwithstanding Section 551.402(b), a person may operate a golf cart in a master planned community described by Subsection (a) without a golf cart license plate on a highway for which the posted speed limit is not more than 35 miles per hour, including through an intersection of a highway for which the posted speed limit is more than 35 miles per hour.

Where a golf cart may run.

(1) in a master planned community: (A) that is a residential subdivision as defined by Section 209.002(9), Property Code, or has in place a uniform set of restrictive covenants; and (B) for which a county or municipality has approved one or more plats; (2) on a public or private beach that is open to vehicular traffic;

Sources disagree. The statute: five miles, not more than 35 mph.

(3) on a highway for which the posted speed limit is not more than 35 miles per hour, if the golf cart is operated: (A) during the daytime; and (B) not more than five miles from the location where the golf cart is usually parked and for transportation to or from a golf course.

TxDMV's manual: the same as the statute.

on a road with a posted speed limit not more than 35 mph if operated during the daytime and the golf cart is driven not more than five miles from the location where it is usually parked for transportation to and from a golf course.

TxDMV's public web page: two miles, and "of 35 mph".

On a highway with a posted speed limit of 35 mph, during the daytime and not more than two miles from the location where it is usually parked for transportation to and from a golf course

A golf cart may cross a highway at an intersection, including an intersection with a highway that has a posted speed limit of more than 35 miles per hour.

Cities.

In addition to the operation authorized by Section 551.403, the governing body of a municipality may allow an operator to operate a golf cart on all or part of a highway that: (1) is in the corporate boundaries of the municipality; and (2) has a posted speed limit of not more than 35 miles per hour.

The counties that may do the same in unincorporated areas.

Subsection (b) applies only to a county that: (1) borders or contains a portion of the Red River; or (2) borders the Gulf of Mexico and has a population of less than 500,000.

Sources disagree. The statute: equipment for a cart under s. 551.404.

A golf cart operated under Section 551.404 must have the following equipment: (1) headlamps; (2) taillamps; (3) reflectors; (4) parking brake; and (5) mirrors.

TxDMV's public web page: no such limit.

Golf Carts must have the following minimum equipment: Headlamps Tail lamps Reflectors Parking brake Mirrors

A county or municipality may prohibit the operation of a golf cart on a highway under Section 551.403 if the governing body of the county or municipality determines that the prohibition is necessary in the interest of safety.

Listed among the exceptions to the insurance requirement.

(2-a) a golf cart that is operated only as authorized by Section 551.403;

A nonresident owner of a privately owned passenger car that is registered in the state or country in which the person resides and that is not operated for compensation may operate the car in this state for the period in which the car's license plates are valid.