As “planned communities” have become increasingly popular with their lavish amenities like beaches, man-made lakes, golf courses, nearby shopping and dining areas, and community centers, the use of golf carts and personal electric vehicles has grown. Neighborhood electric vehicles are similar to golf carts but may have storage space vs seats, larger seating to shuttle people around for short distances, or more vehicle-like features. The more people who use these, the more they seem to spill out onto the roadways where motorized vehicles must often learn to share the road with them. This article will discuss when and where these vehicles are permitted by Texas Transportation Code 551—the governing law—and how to properly license them.
What is a Neighborhood Electric Vehicle?
A neighborhood electric vehicle is defined as a vehicle that does not go more than 35 mph on pavement and complies with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 500 (49 C.F.R. Section 571.500). To comply, the vehicle in question must not be able to exceed 35 mph on a paved surface and it must have:
- Four tires.
- Seat belts.
- Head and taillights.
- A windshield.
- A parking brake.
- Turn signals.
- Rear-view mirrors.
- Brake lights.
- Reflectors.
- A valid VIN.
The State of Texas regulates these vehicles as Unique Vehicles, which include Golf Carts, NEVs, ATVs, UTVs, and sand rails.
What is the Difference Between a Neighborhood Electric Vehicle and a Golf Cart?
There are many similarities and differences between a neighborhood electric vehicle and a golf cart. Golf carts are primarily designed for use on a golf course. Unlike a neighborhood electric vehicle, they are not required to have four tires, seat belts, a windshield, turn signals, or a VIN. Both golf carts and neighborhood electric vehicles cannot be able to exceed 35 mph on paved surfaces and must have head and taillights, brake lights, reflectors, and rear-view mirrors.
Are Neighborhood Electric Vehicles Street-Legal?
A neighborhood electric vehicle is legal to operate on certain roadways. The State of Texas requires that neighborhood electric vehicles that are operated on public roadways be registered and insured just as any other vehicle. If they meet the requirements and have a valid license plate and registration, then they are street legal on roads that do not have more than a 45 mph speed limit (however the neighborhood electric vehicle may not go over 35 mph even on a 45 mph road.)
In addition to the above, there are certain limited operations of neighborhood electric vehicles that are permitted by the Texas Transportation Code to do without registering the vehicle. Neighborhood electric vehicles may be operated without registration if it is done:
- In a master-planned community with a plat approved by the county or city government that has a uniform set of restrictive covenants.
- On a private beach.
- On a public highway with a speed limit of 35 mph or less, so long as it is during the daytime and within two miles of where the vehicle is kept/housed.
- Crossing intersecting roads that have speeds exceeding 35 mph.
Are Golf Carts Street Legal?
Golf cars are generally not street-legal. However, you may obtain a golf cart license plate which will allow the operator to operate the golf cart for the same limited operations that are permitted by unregistered neighborhood electric vehicles, including:
- In a master-planned community with a plat approved by the county or city government that has a uniform set of restrictive covenants. (This may be done with or without a license plate so long as the posted speed is 35 mph or less.)
- On a private beach.
- On a public highway with a speed limit of 35 mph or less, so long as it is during the daytime and within two miles of where the vehicle is kept/housed.
- Crossing intersecting roads that have speeds exceeding 35 mph.
Additionally, cities or certain counties may authorize the operation of golf carts with valid plates on roads within the boundaries of the city or within unincorporated areas of certain counties. If the golf cart cannot exceed 25 mph, it must have a slow-moving vehicle emblem on it. A city may allow golf cart operation on a street within its city limits that has a speed limit of 35 mph or less. For counties that border Red River or the Gulf of Mexico, the county commissioner may permit golf carts on roads within the county that do not exceed a 35 mph speed limit. Furthermore, county, city, and state governments may also prohibit golf carts on roads when they deem it necessary in the interest of safety.
Accidents Involving Neighborhood Electric Vehicles & Golf Carts
Anytime there is an accident involving an automobile and a neighborhood electric vehicle or a golf cart, there is a high potential for injury to the unprotected passengers of the latter two vehicles. Furthermore, these accidents can happen in many different ways. Those who are not driving are negligence-free passengers unless they do something to cause the driver to wreck. We have also seen devastating injuries in cases where a golf cart crossed a roadway on a golf course from an obscured path, resulting in a collision with a car, or where a neighborhood electric vehicle was hit by a car in a subdivision. We have also seen substantial injuries resulting from unique vehicles being operated under the influence of alcohol and causing pedestrian accidents.
If you are injured in an accident involving a neighborhood electric vehicle, golf cart, ATV, or other unique vehicle, it may be worth your while to speak to an ATV accident attorney to determine whether you may have a viable cause of action against the driver of your vehicle or the other vehicle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where Do I Get a License Plate and Registration for a Neighborhood Electric Vehicle?
Neighborhood electric vehicles can be titled and registered at the county tax assessor-collector’s office for the county in which you reside. You will need to bring the following:
- Proof of ownership or title.
- A completed Application for Texas Title and/or Registration (Form 130-U)
- Proof of insurance.
Where Do I Get a License Plate and Registration for a Golf Cart?
The Texas DMV does not title or register golf carts for highway operations. You may obtain a Golf Cart license plate from your county tax assessor-collector’s office.
A golf cart license plate does not expire for the person obtaining it but cannot be passed on from owner to owner.
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