Title TN, Transportation Code

Sec. 551.304. LIMITED OPERATION. (a) An operator may operate a neighborhood electric vehicle: (1) in a master planned community: (A) that has in place a uniform set of restrictive covenants; and (B) for which a county or municipality has approved a plat; (2) on a public or privat…

Sec. 551.351. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter: (1) "Motor-assisted scooter": (A) means a self-propelled device with: (i) at least two wheels in contact with the ground during operation; (ii) a braking system capable of stopping the device under typical operating conditions; (iii)…

Sec. 551.352. OPERATION ON ROADWAYS OR SIDEWALKS. (a) A motor-assisted scooter may be operated only on a street or highway for which the posted speed limit is 35 miles per hour or less. The motor-assisted scooter may cross a road or street at an intersection where the road or str…

Sec. 551.353. APPLICATION OF SUBCHAPTER TO POCKET BIKE OR MINIMOTORBIKE. This subchapter may not be construed to authorize the operation of a pocket bike or minimotorbike on any: (1) highway, road, or street; (2) path set aside for the exclusive operation of bicycles; or (3) side…

Sec. 551.401. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "golf cart" means a motor vehicle designed by the manufacturer primarily for use on a golf course. Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 1136 (H.B. 2553), Sec. 10, eff. September 1, 2009. Amended by: Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch.…

Sec. 551.402. REGISTRATION NOT AUTHORIZED; LICENSE PLATES. (a) The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles may not register a golf cart for operation on a highway regardless of whether any alteration has been made to the golf cart. (b) A person may operate a golf cart on a highway in …

Sec. 551.403. OPERATION AUTHORIZED IN CERTAIN AREAS. (a) An operator may operate a golf cart: (1) in a master planned community: (A) that is a residential subdivision as defined by Section 209.002(9), Property Code, or has in place a uniform set of restrictive covenants; and (B) …

Sec. 551.4031. PROHIBITION OF OPERATION ON HIGHWAY BY MUNICIPALITY, COUNTY, OR DEPARTMENT. (a) A county or municipality may prohibit the operation of a golf cart on a highway under Section 551.403 if the governing body of the county or municipality determines that the prohibition…

Sec. 551.404. OPERATION ON HIGHWAY AUTHORIZED BY MUNICIPALITY OR CERTAIN COUNTIES. (a) In addition to the operation authorized by Section 551.403, the governing body of a municipality may allow an operator to operate a golf cart on all or part of a highway that: (1) is in the cor…

Sec. 551.4041. EQUIPMENT. A golf cart operated under Section 551.404 must have the following equipment: (1) headlamps; (2) taillamps; (3) reflectors; (4) parking brake; and (5) mirrors. Added by Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1233 (H.B. 1548), Sec. 19, eff. June 14, 2019.

Sec. 551.405. CROSSING INTERSECTIONS. A golf cart may cross a highway at an intersection, including an intersection with a highway that has a posted speed limit of more than 35 miles per hour. Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 1136 (H.B. 2553), Sec. 10, eff. September 1, 2…

Sec. 551.451. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter: (1) Repealed by Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1233 (H.B. 1548), Sec. 41(3), eff. June 14, 2019. (2) "Golf cart" has the meaning assigned by Section 551.401. (3) "Motor carrier" has the meaning assigned by Section 643.001. (4) "Neig…

Sec. 551.452. LICENSE PLATES FOR PACKAGE DELIVERY VEHICLES. (a) The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles may issue distinguishing license plates for a vehicle operated by a motor carrier for the purpose of picking up and delivering mail, parcels, and packages if the vehicle: (1) is…

Sec. 551.453. LIMITED OPERATION. (a) A motor carrier may operate, for the purpose of picking up or delivering mail, parcels, or packages, a vehicle bearing license plates issued under Section 551.452 on a public highway that is not an interstate or a limited-access or controlled-…

Sec. 551.454. OPERATION ON PROPERTY OF SUBDIVISION OR CONDOMINIUM. (a) In this section: (1) "Condominium" has the meaning assigned by Section 82.003, Property Code. (2) "Declaration" has the meaning assigned by Section 82.003, Property Code. (3) "Property owners' association" has…

Sec. 551.455. OPERATION IN MUNICIPALITIES AND COUNTIES. (a) In addition to the operation authorized by Sections 551.453 and 551.454, the governing body of a municipality may allow a motor carrier to operate, for the purpose of picking up or delivering mail, parcels, or packages, …

Sec. 551.456. CROSSING CERTAIN ROADWAYS. A vehicle bearing license plates issued under Section 551.452 may cross intersections, including on or through a road or street that has a speed limit of more than 35 miles per hour. Added by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 119 (H.B. 561),…

Sec. 551.457. CONFLICTS. In the case of a conflict between this subchapter and other law, including Chapters 502 and 551A, this subchapter controls. Added by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 119 (H.B. 561), Sec. 1, eff. May 26, 2017. Amended by: Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 123…

Sec. 551A.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter: (1) "All-terrain vehicle" means a motor vehicle that is: (A) equipped with a seat or seats for the use of: (i) the rider; and (ii) a passenger, if the motor vehicle is designed by the manufacturer to transport a passenger; (B) designed…

Sec. 551A.002. NONAPPLICABILITY OF CERTAIN OTHER LAWS. (a) Chapter 521 does not apply to the operation or ownership of an off-highway vehicle on public off-highway vehicle land. (b) Chapter 1001, Education Code, does not apply to instruction in the operation of an off-highway veh…

Sec. 551A.011. ADMINISTRATION OF PROGRAM. The department shall administer an off-highway vehicle operator education and certification program and enforce the laws governing the program. Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. Amended by: Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R…

Sec. 551A.012. PURPOSE OF PROGRAM. The purpose of the off-highway vehicle operator education and certification program is to make available courses in basic training and safety skills relating to the operation of off-highway vehicles and to issue safety certificates to operators …

Sec. 551A.013. PROGRAM STANDARDS. (a) The department shall supervise the off-highway vehicle operator education and certification program and shall determine: (1) locations at which courses will be offered; (2) fees for the courses; (3) qualifications of instructors; (4) course c…

Sec. 551A.014. CONTRACTS. To administer the education program and certify off-highway vehicle operators, the department may contract with nonprofit safety organizations, nonprofit educational organizations, institutions of higher education, or agencies of local governments. Acts …

Sec. 551A.015. TEACHING AND TESTING METHODS. (a) If the department determines that vehicle operation is not feasible in a program component or at a particular program location, the operator education and certification program for persons who are at least 14 years of age may use t…

Sec. 551A.016. FEE FOR COURSE. A person may charge, for a course under the off-highway vehicle operator education and certification program, a fee that is reasonably related to the costs of administering the course. Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. Amend…

Sec. 551A.017. DENIAL, SUSPENSION, OR CANCELLATION OF APPROVAL. (a) The executive director or commission may deny, suspend, or cancel its approval for a program sponsor to conduct or for an instructor to teach a course offered under this chapter if the applicant, sponsor, or inst…

Sec. 551A.018. RULES. The commission may adopt rules to administer this chapter. Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. Amended by: Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 595 (S.B. 616), Sec. 8.021, eff. September 1, 2020. Transferred, redesignated and amended by Act…

Sec. 551A.019. EXEMPTIONS. The commission by rule may temporarily exempt the residents of any county from Section 551A.015 or from Section 551A.031(b)(1) until the appropriate education and certification program is established at a location that is reasonably accessible to the re…

Sec. 551A.031. OPERATION ON PUBLIC LAND OR BEACH; SAFETY CERTIFICATE REQUIRED. (a) A person may not operate an off-highway vehicle on land owned or leased by the state or a political subdivision of the state that is not open to vehicular traffic unless: (1) the land is public off…

Sec. 551A.032. OPERATION ON PUBLIC OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE LAND BY PERSON YOUNGER THAN 14. A person younger than 14 years of age who is operating an off-highway vehicle on public off-highway vehicle land must be accompanied by and be under the direct supervision of: (1) the person's …

Sec. 551A.033. OPERATION ON BEACH. (a) A person may operate an off-highway vehicle on a beach only as provided by this section. (b) A person operating an off-highway vehicle on a beach must hold and have in the person's possession a driver's license. (c) Except as provided by Cha…

Sec. 551A.034. CROSSING HIGHWAY AT POINT OTHER THAN INTERSECTION. (a) The operator of an off-highway vehicle may drive the vehicle across a highway that is not an interstate or limited-access highway at a point other than an intersection if the operator: (1) brings the vehicle to…

Sec. 551A.051. APPLICABILITY. (a) A person may operate an off-highway vehicle on a highway only as provided by this chapter. (b) This subchapter does not apply to the operation of an off-highway vehicle that is owned and registered as authorized by Section 502.140(c) by the state…

Sec. 551A.052. REGISTRATION; LICENSE PLATES. (a) Except as provided by Section 502.140(c), 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 to the vehicle. (b) An operator …

Sec. 551A.053. OPERATION ON HIGHWAY AUTHORIZED BY MUNICIPALITY OR CERTAIN COUNTIES. (a) In addition to the operation authorized by Section 551A.055, the governing body of a municipality may allow an operator to operate an unregistered off-highway vehicle on all or part of a highw…

Sec. 551A.054. PROHIBITION OF OPERATION IN CERTAIN AREAS BY MUNICIPALITY, COUNTY, OR DEPARTMENT. (a) A county or municipality may prohibit the operation of an unregistered off-highway vehicle on a highway under Section 551A.055 if the governing body of the county or municipality …

Sec. 551A.055. OPERATION AUTHORIZED IN CERTAIN AREAS. An operator may operate an unregistered off-highway vehicle: (1) in a master planned community: (A) that has in place a uniform set of restrictive covenants; and (B) for which a county or municipality has approved a plat; or (…

Sec. 551A.056. CROSSING INTERSECTIONS. An unregistered off-highway vehicle may cross a highway at an intersection, including an intersection with a highway that has a posted speed limit of more than 35 miles per hour. Added by Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1233 (H.B. 1548), Sec…

Sec. 551A.057. AGRICULTURAL OR UTILITY OPERATION ON HIGHWAY. (a) The operator of an unregistered off-highway vehicle may operate the vehicle on a highway that is not an interstate or limited-access highway if: (1) the transportation is in connection with: (A) the production, cult…

Sec. 551A.058. LAW ENFORCEMENT OPERATION. (a) A peace officer or other person who provides law enforcement, firefighting, ambulance, medical, or other emergency services, including a volunteer firefighter, may operate an unregistered off-highway vehicle on a highway that is not a…

Sec. 551A.059. FLAG STANDARDS. The commission shall adopt standards and specifications that apply to the color, size, and mounting position of the flags required under Sections 551A.057 and 551A.058. Amended by: Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 595 (S.B. 616), Sec. 8.024, eff. Sep…

Sec. 551A.071. REQUIRED EQUIPMENT; DISPLAY OF LIGHTS. (a) An off-highway vehicle that is operated on public off-highway vehicle land, a beach, or a highway must be equipped with: (1) a brake system maintained in good operating condition; (2) an adequate muffler system in good wor…

Sec. 551A.072. SAFETY APPAREL REQUIRED. (a) A person may not operate, ride, or be carried on an off-highway vehicle on public off-highway vehicle land, a beach, or a highway unless the person wears: (1) a safety helmet that complies with United States Department of Transportation…

Sec. 551A.073. RECKLESS OR CARELESS OPERATION PROHIBITED. A person may not operate an off-highway vehicle on public off-highway vehicle land or a beach in a careless or reckless manner that endangers, injures, or damages any person or property. Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec.…

Sec. 551A.074. CARRYING PASSENGERS. A person may not carry a passenger on an off-highway vehicle operated on public off-highway vehicle land, a beach, or a highway unless the vehicle is designed by the manufacturer to transport a passenger. Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, …