Vehicles You Can’t Drive on Texas Roads Anymore

Before you hop on that golf cart or ATV for a quick trip down the street, there’s something you should know: just because it’s got wheels doesn’t mean it’s road-legal in Texas.

We use all types of vehicles to get around in Texas. That's especially true in smaller cities where basically, if it's got wheels, it's gonna be driven. However, there are a surprising number of vehicles that are not allowed on Texas highways.

Just Because It Moves Doesn’t Mean It’s Legal

That’s why the state of Texas has to lay it out in black and white, exactly which vehicles are allowed on the road, and which ones better stay off the highway.

Golf Carts

You've probably seen this rolling around small downtown areas in Texas, which is fine because Texas lets you drive golf carts on certain streets—but there’s a whole list of strings attached.

If the speed limit is over 35 mph, a golf cart cannot be used, so no highway joy rides. You also have to have a special golf cart license plate, and all the necessary safety attachments like

• headlights
• tail lights
• mirrors
• reflectors
• parking brake

Although ultimately, cities and counties can ban their use altogether

ATVs, UTVs, and Side-by-Sides

This one's a hard no, the Texas Department of Transportation code explicitly states: “the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles may not register an off‑highway vehicle for operation on a highway regardless of whether any alteration has been made…”

That means, even if you try to modify your ATV or UTV, the state DMV won’t title or register it as a highway-capable vehicle.

Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEVs)

NEVs are like golf carts’ cooler cousin: more power, but still not free-range. They basically have all the same rules and regulations as a golf cart.

Mopeds

Riding a moped in Texas is like having all the responsibilities of a car but none of the perks. You must follow

But you're pretty much not allowed to do anything that's required to go over 35 mph, which includes driving on a highway.

E-Scooter

E-scooters would be entirely too dangerous to ever legally be allowed on a highway. You also don't technically need a license to drive an e-scooter, but you're also not allowed to ride on any Texas road that has a speed limit over 35 mph, much like a moped.