Operation Of Golf Carts On City Streets

 

At the Council Meeting on June 15, 2020 the City Council authorized the use of Golf Carts on City Streets. There are several regulations that go along with this. 

 Every golf cart operated within the city shall be equipped with all the following equipment which shall be operational at all times:

  • headlights,
  • tail lamps,
  • reflectors,
  • parking brakes,
  • rearview mirrors; and
  • a slow moving vehicle emblem as provided for in Texas Transportation Code §547.703, as it exists at the time of the adoption of this article or as it may be amended thereafter.

In September 2022 the City Council amended the ordinance to match state law and require license plates to be displayed on golf carts. 

The following regulations also apply:

  • Every operator shall be licensed to operate a motor vehicle shall carry a valid Texas drivers' license while operating the golf cart.
  • Every operator shall abide by all traffic regulations applicable to vehicular traffic when operating a golf cart on any public highway in the city.
  • No golf cart may be operated within the city at a speed exceeding twenty-five miles per hour (25 mph).
  • No person shall operate a golf cart on any sidewalk or hike and bike trail within the city. (
  • At no time shall a person operate a golf cart on a street with a posted limit of more than thirty-five miles per hour (35 mph), except for crossing a public highway with a posted limit of more than thirty-five miles per hour (35 mph) at a perpendicular intersection to immediately access a public highway with a posted speed limit of thirty-five miles per hour (35 mph) or less.
  • At no time shall a person operate a golf cart on the following streets, except to cross at a perpendicular intersection to immediately access a public highway of a posted speed limit of thirty-five miles per hour (35 mph) or less: (1) Jones Road (2) West Road (3) North Eldridge Parkway
  • A golf cart is prohibited on any public highway or public cart path while such public highway or public cart path is under construction or repair.
  • An operator shall not overtake and pass a vehicle in the same lane occupied by the vehicle being overtaken.
  • A golf cart not be operated between lanes of traffic, on medians, or between adjacent lines of rows of vehicles.
  • A golf cart shall move to the right and yield the right-of-way to faster moving vehicles.
  • The operator and every occupant of a golf cart shall be limited to the seating capacity as designed by the manufacturer and all occupants shall remain seated in a seat designed to hold passengers while the golf cart is in motion. The operator shall not transport a person on a part of the golf cart not designed or intended to transport a passenger.
  • No operator shall allow a person to ride in the lap of the operator or any other person being transported.
  • No operator of a golf cart shall transport a child under the age of five (5) years, except during posted school zone hours or when school zone lights are active.
  • No operator shall use a wireless communication device in a school zone during restricted school hours.

 

All Golf Carts must also display a license plate issued by the state, which can be obtained from the County Assessor. To apply for a license plate please submit this Application (Form 130-U) along with a photocopy of your title, and a check or money order for $15 made payable to: Ann Harris Bennett and a note stating you are requesting Off-Highway License plates.

Mail document and fee to:
Ann Harris Bennett Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector
PO Box 4089 Attn: Peggy Martinez, 1st Floor
Houston TX 77210-4089

 

You can find more information on the TX DMV requirements for golf carts here.

 

 

You can read the full ordinance with amendments adopted in July September 2022 by clicking here.