Canyon Creek Allstate Insurance
GOLF CARTS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD??? by Wilson Allen - Owner
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s a Canyon Creek resident and local business owner, I decided to speak to the City Council and the Richardson Police Department about the issue of the legality of golf carts on our neighborhood streets. The City of Richardson’s local ordinance only addresses the use of electronic scooters and “Neighborhood Electronic Vehicles.” Neighborhood Electronic Vehicles are not the same as golf carts. The City of Richardson adheres to the rules put into place by the State of Texas for golf carts.
City of Richardson states:
Along with the “motor assisted scooter,” the Legislature legalized the “Neighborhood Electric Vehicle.” The “Neighborhood Electric Vehicle” is defined as any vehicle subject to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 500. They generally resemble a golf cart but are larger, usually capable of carrying four passengers with a top speed between 20 mph and 25 mph. Vehicles such as the John Deere Gator and Kawasaki Mule are not Neighborhood Electric Vehicles, because they are primarily designed to carry cargo rather than passengers and, therefore, not subject to Federal Standard 500. Like the motorassisted scooter, Neighborhood Electric Vehicles can be driven on any street or highway with a posted speed limit of 35 mph or less and may cross streets or highways with a higher posted speed limit. However, unlike the motor assisted scooter, a Neighborhood Electric Vehicle must be registered and have a license plate. The operator must have a driver’s license, and the vehicle or operator must be covered with the required liability insurance or acceptable substitute. In addition, these vehicles meet the TRC Section 547.001 definition of a “slow moving vehicle” and must carry a low-speed vehicle emblem. Finally, as with the motor-assisted scooter, a city or county may prohibit their operation on a street or highway for safety reasons, as can TXDOT.
Do I Need Golf Cart Insurance? It may not be your primary mode of transportation, but your golf cart sure can take you places: on the green, around your neighborhood, across your property and, in some cases, even around town on city streets. So, do you need to insure it? Even if you’re not legally bound to buy insurance for your golf cart, it may make sense for you to do so. And, it can offer peace of mind: Golf carts can get stolen or damaged, and because they can weigh upwards of 1,000 pounds, they can also cause serious damage or injuries in an accident.
Limited Coverage on Homeowners, Auto Policies
So, what kind of insurance coverage is available? Some people mistakenly assume that their existing insurance will absorb the risks associated with a golf cart. But, the reality is that you may not be able to rely on your homeowners insurance or your car insurance policy for protection. Check with your agent to be sure, but most standard homeowners policies provide little coverage for golf carts — especially once you leave the borders of your property. Likewise, a standard car insurance policy typically will not offer protection for your golf cart. Depending on who your insurance carrier is, you may be able to add on an endorsement to your existing homeowners or car insurance policy to better cover your golf cart. Or, you may choose to buy a policy specifically for your golf cart. Many insurance companies offer policies that are designed for golf carts, covering you just about anywhere your cart takes you — or even off-season while it’s in storage.
Texas DMV states:
A vehicle is classified as a golf cart if it has no less than three wheels, has a maximum speed of between 15-25 mph and is manufactured primarily for operation on golf courses. 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 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, or to cross intersections, including a road or street that has a posted speed limit of no more than 35 mph. In summary, it’s ok to drive a golf cart around the neighborhood during the daytime if the golf cart is manufactured for use on the golf course. If you have a 4-seat cart or a “souped-up” cart, you are technically supposed to registered and tag that type of cart. The City of Richardson’s main concern is that everyone is safe. As long as you are operating your golf cart safely by following the rules of the road, not letting underage kids drive around the neighborhood and not driving around late at night, and if your golf cart does not exceed 25 mph, then you should expect the City to continue to allow the use of golf carts in Canyon Creek. 12
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