Are Golf Carts Street Legal in Texas?

To be classified as a golf cart in Texas, the vehicle must have at least three wheels and be specifically designed and manufactured to be operated on a golf course The typical maximum speed of the carts should range between 15 and 25 mph.

A golf cart may be legally driven on streets with a speed limit of no more than 35 miles per hour as long as it is properly registered and built to attain a maximum speed of no more than 25 miles per hour. The cart must also have a "Slow Moving" decal prominently displayed and be insured, which as of 2009 means minimum liability limits of $25,000 of bodily injury per person, $50,000 combined bodily injury limit for all occupants of a vehicle, and $25,000 to repair property damage caused by the insured.

Golf carts are permitted to be driven off-road without needing to be registered. However, they must be operated on or within two miles of a golf course and only during daylight hours. They also may be driven on some beaches and in areas approved for their use by city or county ordinances, such as a communities for senior citizens

Golf cart registration for street use can be completed at a county tax office. You will be required to furnish proof of insurance, evidence of ownership and the completed application form that can be found in the resource area below. A list of county tax offices in Texas also appears in the resource area.

As of 2009, the Texas State Legislature is considering a bill that would grant the Texas General Land Office (GLO) the authority to set rules regarding golf cart use on state beaches. If the bill is passed, it would make the GLO responsible for creating the laws, but would give municipalities the final say regarding their enforcement.This would allow local governments more leeway to permit people with disabilities to use the carts on otherwise restricted beaches.