Low-Speed Vehicles (LSVs), also known as Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEVs), and golf carts are regulated by state and federal laws. Registered, titled and insured NEVs may be legally driven at a maximum speed of 35 mph on public roads with a posted speed limit of 45 mph or less, unless a city or county ordinance prohibits their operation.
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A vehicle is classified as an LSV or NEV if it has:
a normal maximum speed of 20-25 mph (LSV) or 20-35 mph (NEV), - seat belts,
- head and tail lights,
- a windshield,
- a parking brake,
- turn signals,
- rear-view mirrors
- brake lights,
- reflectors, and
- a valid 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
To title and register your LSV or NEV, take the following to your county tax office:
- evidence of ownership, such as a Manufacturer Certificate of Origin or title,
- a completed Form VTR 130-U, and
- proof of insurance.
A vehicle is classified as a golf cart if it:
- has no less than three wheels,
- has a normal maximum speed of between 15-25 mph, and
- is manufactured primarily for operation on golf courses.
TxDMV does not register or title golf carts.
Registration is not needed to operate your golf cart on a public road. State law allows for use of golf carts with a slow-moving vehicle emblem in the following situations:
- in master planned communities with a uniform set of restrictive covenants in place,
- on public or private beaches,
- during the daytime and no more than two miles from where the owner usually parks the golf cart and for transportation to or from a golf course, or
- to cross intersections, including a road or street that has a posted speed limit of more than 35 miles per hour.
A city can pass a local ordinance allowing for use of golf carts on additional roads. The road must be within the boundaries of the city and with a speed limit of 35 mph or lower.
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In these cases, the golf cart must be insured and have the following minimum equipment:
- headlamps,
- tail lamps,
- reflectors,
- parking brake,
- mirrors, and
- a slow-moving vehicle emblem.
The state, a county, or a city may prohibit golf cart operation on all or part of a public road in the interest of safety.
Note: An exception for Grayson County allows for the issuance of Golf Cart License Plates. Grayson County golf cart owners must take the following to their county tax office to purchase golf cart license plates:
- Evidence of ownership, such as a Manufacturer Certificate of Origin (MCO), title, bill of sale or invoice.
- If your golf cart does not have a valid VIN, one may be assigned from the Dallas regional VTR office.
- Completed Form VTR 130-U.