Effective September 1, 2009, golf carts no longer can be titled or registered. If golf cart owners come in after September 1st, even if they had August renewals, they cannot register their golf carts.
NOTE: Golf carts may continue to be registered in Grayson County, but only with golf cart license plates. Golf cart license plates may not be issued in other counties, however.
Since registration renewal notices are created far in advance of the actual expiration date, customers will receive September and October registration renewal notices for golf carts. Registration should not be renewed on and after September 1, 2009 even if you have customers who present a registration renewal notice.
Renewal notices for golf carts with November 2009 or later expiration will not be mailed. We are sending letters to all golf cart owners we can identify to let them know of the change, effective September 1st. Registration for golf carts can be renewed before September 1, 2009.
We appreciate your assistance with informing golf cart customers of the following:
- Registrations issued to golf carts prior to September 1, 2009, will remain valid until expiration, but will not be renewed at expiration
- DPS will fully recognize and honor all existing golf cart registrations through their expiration date
- Tax, title and registration fees paid prior to September 1, 2009, are non-refundable
- Titles issued prior to September 1, 2009, will not be required to be returned to the department.
If municipalities allow, unregistered golf carts may continue to be operated on public roads within a municipality's boundaries, if:
- The road has a posted speed limit of 35 mph or less; and
- The golf cart is equipped with headlamps, tail lamps, reflectors, a parking brake and mirrors.
Additionally, state law allows unregistered golf carts to be operated on public roads or lands:
- To cross intersections, including a road or street that has a posted speed limit of more than 35 mph
- In a master planned community with a uniform set of restrictive covenants and a county or municipality approved plat
- On a public or private beach
- On a road with a posted speed limit not more than 35 mph, if driven to or from a golf course during the daytime and the golf cart is driven not more than two miles from the location where it is usually parked and the golf course
Golf carts should display a show-moving vehicle emblem if operated on public roads
~ Rebecca Davio, Texas Department of Transportation
