Golf Cart Rules & Inspections

Golf Cart Trophy Club 1The Town of Trophy Club understands that the use of alternatives to traditional motor vehicles has been a long-standing practice by the community. Effective August 2016, golf carts are NOT required to register with the Town of Trophy Club or have license plates for “in town” operation at this time. We offer Golf Cart inspections, please contact TCPD at 682.237.2960 to schedule. The Town of Trophy Club does follow the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles Golf Cart Regulations. 

If a resident would like to drive their TxDMV approved off-highway or golf cart vehicle into Roanoke or Westlake however, it is important to know if they are allowed and if license plates are necessary.

Roanoke Texas

  • YES - For general use of golf carts on Roanoke streets, an inspection by the Roanoke Police Department is required, and upon passing inspection, a permit sticker will be applied to the golf cart.
  • Please Note, there is an agreement from the City of Roanoke in which the TCPD can inspect and place an inspection sticker on a TC golf cart and the City of Roanoke will honor it in order to save residents the hassle of having their vehicles transported there for inspection.  If you would like to have your Golf Cart inspected and the appropriate permit sticker applied, please contact TCPD at 682.237.2960.

See the Roanoke Rules and Regulations to know what will be needed for your inspection. To schedule an inspection, please contact Sergeant Sheppard at 817.491.6052. 

Westlake, Texas

  • YES and NO - The law states that you can use a golf cart on a public road only when the posted speed limit is less than 35 miles per hour. The cart must also be operated during the daytime and not more than two miles from the golf course for the purpose of going to or coming from the golf course (Transportation Code 551.403). They are not permitted for use on other types of trips near the golf course, even if you are utilizing the cart within the two miles range of the golf course.  Additionally, you must have a driver’s license to operate a golf cart. Driving on a sidewalk or public trail is strictly prohibited. Failure to adhere to these laws is a ticketable offense. If the speed limit is more than 35 miles per hour, golf carts are not allowed.

    Golf carts that are owned by Vaquero Club, issued to residents or the golf course, can be driven within the roads of Vaquero but are NOT allowed outside of the gates of Vaquero. In our other gated communities, you may drive them on the private roads; however, the driver still has to have a license. If you have questions about golf carts and off-highway vehicles in Westlake, please contact 817.430.0941

If you have further questions about golf carts and other off-highway vehicles in Trophy Club, please contact the TC Police Department at 682-237-2960.

  1. TxDMV Golf Cart Vehicles
  2. TxDMV Off-Highway Vehicles

ClassificationPolice Officer Inspecting Golf Cart

A vehicle is classified as a golf cart if it:

  • Has no less than three wheels
  • Has a maximum speed of between 15 to 25 miles per hour (mph)
  • Is manufactured primarily for operation on golf courses

Registration & Titles

TxDMV does not register or title golf carts.

Registration is not needed to operate your golf cart on a public road. State law allows for the use of golf carts with a slow-moving vehicle emblem in the following situations:

  • In master planned communities with a uniform set of restrictive covenants in place
  • On public or private beaches
  • During the daytime and no more than two miles from where the owner usually parks the golf cart and for transportation to or from a golf course
  • To cross intersections, including a road or street that has a posted speed limit of no more than 35 mph

Local Ordinance

A city can pass a local ordinance allowing for the use of golf carts on certain roads. The road must be within the boundaries of the city and have a speed limit of 35 mph or lower.

In these cases, per the Town ordinance, the golf cart must be insured and have the following minimum equipment:

  • An exterior mirror mounted on the driver’s side of the vehicle and either an exterior mirror mounted on the passenger’s side of the vehicle or an interior mirror (capable of a clear and unobstructed view of at least 200 feet to the rear)
  • Horn (audible for a distance of 200 feet in compliance with the Texas Transportation Code, section 547501, as amended)
  • Operational headlamps
    2 required
  • Operational parking brake
  • Operational tail lamps
    2 required
  • Side reflectors
    2 front: amber in color
    2 rear: red in color
  • Stop lamps
    2 required
  • Windshield

Prohibit Golf Carts

The state, a county, or a city may prohibit golf cart operation on all or part of a public road in the interest of safety.

TC Golf Cart