Texas Golf Cart Laws     

A recent tragic accident in the City of Galveston involving golf carts called SPI to re-examine their ordinances. Below is a brief summary of the Texas Regulation and Legislation Transportation code regarding golf carts.

Let’s break it down

According to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TDMV), Golf carts fall under a unique vehicle category along with Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEVs), All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs), Recreational Off-Highway Vehicles (ROVs), Utility Vehicles (UTVs), and Sand Rails. 

On the TDMV website, golf carts with a Golf Cart license plate may be operated on roads.  “On a highway with a posted speed limit of 35 mph, during the daytime (i.e. sunrise to sunset) and not more than two miles from the location where it is usually parked for transportation to and from a golf course.”

Operation Authorized in Certain Areas

Texas legislation under Sec. 551.403, Operation Authorized in Certain Areas, requirements for golf carts are “(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.”

Operation on Highway Authorized by Municipality or Certain Counties

In addition, subsection (b) of 551.404 Operation on Highway Authorized by Municipality or Certain Counties may allow an operator to operate a golf cart on all or part of a highway that:

(1)  is located in the corporate area of the county; and

(2)  has a speed limit of not more than 35 miles per hour.

Subsection (c) has an exception that applies to subsection (b), which may apply to the island:

(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.

As of current legislation, golf carts can only operate during the daytime – between sunrise and sunset – and just two miles from where you usually park your cart. No evidence suggests advising nighttime driving.

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