Texas golf cart laws explained — Transp. Code Ch. 551 golf cart license plates, master planned communities, beaches, 35 mph roads, and NEV rules for 45 mph streets.
Yes — for public road use. Under Tex. Transp. Code § 551.402 the Texas DMV cannot register a golf cart, but it issues a special golf cart license plate (fee up to $10, never expires) that must be displayed whenever the cart is operated on a highway as authorized by Chapter 551. The one exception: inside a master planned community, a golf cart may use roads posted 35 mph or less without the plate (§ 551.403(b)). Related: Golf carts in Texas
Tex. Transp. Code § 551.403 allows golf carts in master planned communities, on public or private beaches open to vehicle traffic, and on roads posted 35 mph or less during daytime within five miles of where the cart is usually parked for golf-course transport. Under § 551.404, cities and certain counties can also authorize golf carts on roads posted 35 mph or less within their limits. Related: Shop street-legal golf carts
A Texas-registered Neighborhood Electric Vehicle — an FMVSS 500-compliant vehicle with a top speed of 35 mph (Tex. Transp. Code § 551.301) — may operate on any street posted 45 mph or less and may cross faster roads at intersections (§ 551.303). It may never be driven faster than 35 mph. Factory-certified street-legal models like the DENAGO CITY qualify; call 1-844-844-6638 for Texas delivery. Related: Shop Low Speed Vehicles