With fuel costs rising, the Levelland Police Department (LPD) has recently received calls asking if residents can use golf carts for transportation around town.
According to LPD, golf carts can be operated only on certain roadways, but specific laws and safety requirements must be followed.
In Texas, golf carts may be operated on public roads with speed limits of 35 mph or less, provided they have a golf cart license plate, liability insurance, and necessary safety features like lamps, reflectors, and mirrors. The driver is also required to have a valid driver’s license. Golf carts are permitted in, but not limited to, master-planned communities, daytime beach driving, and within two miles of a golf course. Other city ordinances may also apply.
The TxDMV also requires that ATVs, ROVs, UTVs, and Sand Rails have titles, but are not eligible for registration. Off-highway vehicles are eligible to receive an Off-Highway Vehicle license plate, which may be obtained from the county tax assessor-collector’s office.
(See “Golf Carts” continued on page 2) These vehicles may be operated on roadways if owned by a state, county, or municipality and operated on a public beach or highway to maintain public safety and welfare; operated by a farmer or a rancher during the daytime and traveling no more than 25 miles from the point of origin to the destination and used in connection with the production, cultivation, harvesting, etc., of agricultural products; operated by a public utility worker during the daytime for utility work and traveling no more than 25 miles from the point of origin to the destination; or operated by a law enforcement officer, or other person who provides firefighting, ambulance, medical, or other emergency services, and traveling no more than 10 miles from the point of origin to the destination.
Operators on public land must have a safety certificate, valid Texas Parks and Wildlife OHV decal, and riders under 14 require adult supervision. Required equipment includes working brakes, a muffler, and spark arrestor , and if allowed on a road, a triangular orange flag on an 8-foot pole. While not explicitly mandated for all ages in all situations by state law, wearing a helmet and eye protection is highly advised.