Texas LSV Laws 2025 — County-by-County Guide

Texas is one of the most confusing states for golf cart law because the state-level statute says one thing and individual counties and municipalities say another. Here's how to navigate it.

Texas State Law (The Starting Point)

Texas Transportation Code § 551.301–551.304 governs LSVs in Texas.

State definition: An LSV in Texas is a 4-wheeled electric vehicle with:

Top speed of more than 20 mph but not more than 25 mph
Compliance with FMVSS 500

State rule: LSVs registered in Texas may operate on roads posted at 35 mph or less, AND on roads posted 45 mph or less if the local government has authorized it by ordinance.

This is key: Texas gives local governments the power to extend LSV operation to 45 mph roads. Whether your county has done this matters significantly.

County-by-County Variation

Texas has 254 counties. Below are key markets:

Travis County (Austin)

Austin has been progressive on LSV adoption. Many Hill Country communities and Lake Travis-area neighborhoods have active golf cart cultures. Check specific city ordinances (Austin proper has some restrictions; suburban areas like Bee Cave and Lakeway are more permissive).

Harris County (Houston)

Houston's dense suburbs have pockets of active cart use, particularly in The Woodlands and Katy ISD-area neighborhoods. County roads may allow carts; city streets within Houston proper have restrictions.

Tarrant/Dallas County (DFW Metro)

North Dallas suburbs (Frisco, Allen, McKinney, Prosper) are growing golf cart markets. Each city has its own ordinance — verify locally.

Comal/Hays County (Hill Country)

New Braunfels, Wimberley, and San Marcos area communities enjoy cart-friendly environments. Hill Country resort properties actively use LSVs.

Nueces County (Corpus Christi / Port Aransas)

Port Aransas is one of the most cart-friendly beach towns in Texas — golf carts are the primary transportation on the island. Significant tourist cart rental market.

TxDOT Registration Process

To register an LSV in Texas:

Visit your local county tax assessor-collector (handles vehicle registration in Texas)
Bring: MCO, bill of sale, proof of Texas liability insurance, driver's license
Complete Form VTR-130: Application for Texas title
Pay fees: Title fee ($28–$33) + registration fee ($50.75 base) + county fees (varies)
Inspection: Texas requires a vehicle inspection — LSVs must pass at an authorized inspection station
Plates issued: Standard Texas plates; active registration sticker required

Insurance Requirements in Texas

Texas requires:

Minimum liability: $30,000 bodily injury per person / $60,000 per accident / $25,000 property damage

Golf cart-specific insurers (Progressive, Markel, Foremost) cover LSVs in Texas. Get a policy that explicitly covers public road operation.

Where Texas Golf Cart Culture Is Strongest

Port Aransas — Beach island, carts are the local culture
Marble Falls / Lake LBJ area — Hill Country resort communities
Canyon Lake / Wimberley — Vacation and retirement community use
Lago Vista (Lake Travis) — Active Lake Travis cart culture
Horseshoe Bay Resort — Full golf community with extensive cart use

→ Find Texas dealers: Golf Cart Dealers in Texas
→ All states: LSV Laws by State
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