During the last Texas Legislative session, Congressmen made it a requirement that all off-highway vehicles and golf carts must display an off-highway license plate to be driven on roads. The new requirement went into effect September 1, 2019, but Texas DMV delayed the enforcement until a process could be worked out.
According to Marion County Tax Assessor/Collector Karen Jones, the plates and the process to get them have now been made available by the State and are in her office.
The City of Jefferson has an ordinance allowing the operation of golf carts on city streets as long as the golf cart has:
- Lights (head and tail)
- Mirror(s)
- Reflectors
- Parking Break
- Slow moving vehicle sign
- Liability Insurance covering $100,000 per occurrence
- No one under the age of 17 can operate a Golf Cart on a City Street
The City Ordinance does not allow the operation of UTVs, or ATVs on city streets. A UTV, ATV or Golf Cart cannot be legally operated on a State or Federal Highway except to cross straight across.
According to Mayor Pro Tem Victor Perot, the Council will take up updating the ordinance at Tuesday’s regular meeting.
To receive a Golf Cart License Plate, golf cart owners must:
- Fill out Texas Title Application Form 130-U – As much information as you can (at least Make, Model, Color, Serial Number, Name, Address, Phone, Drivers License Number)
- Pay $14.75 ($10 Registration Fee and $4.75 processing fee)
- Take to the Tax Assessor/Collectors office
- Show your Drivers License.