Is It Legal to Drive Golf Carts in Texas

Motorists can also take their golf carts to private beaches and other roads and private areas without restriction. At this point, your vehicle is now considered road legal and you can take it almost anywhere. Texas` unique size means that a wide range of different laws and regulations govern how golf carts and low-speed vehicles are used. Section 551.403 of the Texas Transportation Code permits golf carts to be driven on a highway with a speed limit of 35 miles per hour or less, but only if it is during the day and not more than two miles from where it is normally parked and used for transportation to the golf course. The same section of the Texas Code also allows golf carts to operate in county or municipally approved master plan communities that have a uniform set of restrictive agreements. For example, you can typically drive golf carts in planned communities that include a uniform set of restrictive rules for their operation. This loophole allows states and cities to create various laws that dictate how carts are used on their property. Currently, Texas law classifies a golf cart as a vehicle that has no less than three wheels, a top speed of 15-25 miles per hour, and a classification for use on golf courses. For more information on federal laws regarding golf carts and low-speed vehicles, click here. A city may issue a local ordinance that allows the use of golf carts on certain roads. The road must be within the city limits and have a speed limit of 35 mph or less. The golf cart must be insured (with minimal liability insurance) and have the following equipment: Typically, you`ll find golf carts that have four wheels — while available, three-wheeled carts are rare — and shouldn`t have a hard time finding one that can travel up to 20-25 miles per hour. And all cities can allow the use of golf carts within their city limits.

All cars must be insured and must be equipped with headlights, taillights, parking brakes, mirrors, reflectors and a slow vehicle emblem. The Texas Transportation Code also states that a county or municipality may prohibit or restrict the use of a golf cart on a highway if the county or city determines that the ban is necessary in the interest of safety. As a result, the rules for driving golf carts on public roads may vary depending on where the golf cart is driven. As of May 2021, the city of Austin has no rules that further restrict the provisions of the Texas Transportation Code. But other municipalities in Central Texas have adopted specific rules for golf carts. For example, in the Town of Rollingwood, By-law 32-140 specifically prohibits the use of golf carts on Bee Caves Road (with the exception of the intersection of Bee Caves Road and Edgegrove Drive). In the City of Lakeway, section 18.04.074 of the Lakeway City Ordinances completely prohibits the operation of a golf cart on public roads within the city limits. So, if you plan to drive your golf cart around the city due to the summer heat, you should research and understand the applicable regulations of the municipality in which you want to drive. As mentioned above, all vehicles of this type require special upgrades to make them road legal. These carts are generally treated equally under Texas law, beyond the roads they can drive on. Golf carts, highways, Texas Transportation Code, Section 551.403 The material in this column is for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice or a substitute for legal advice.

For advice on your specific facts and circumstances, consult a licensed lawyer. You can contact the Lawyer Referral Service of Central Texas, a nonprofit public service of the Austin Bar Association, at 512-472-8303 or www.austinlrs.com. Texas law classifies a vehicle as a golf cart if: If you are driving on a public road under the conditions mentioned, the driver must follow all normal traffic rules. This includes having a valid driver`s license (or learner`s card) and displaying the correct license plates for the golf cart. Golf carts traveling at a maximum speed of 25 miles per hour must also display a slow vehicle sign. According to current NHTSA interpretations and regulations, golf cars and other similar vehicles, as long as they cannot exceed 20 miles per hour, are only subject to state and local safety equipment requirements.