The Woodlands Golf Cart Laws (2026)

The Woodlands is one of the largest master-planned communities in Texas, located about 30 miles north of Houston with a population over 100,000. Texas Transportation Code § 551.403 specifically allows golf cart use within master-planned communities that have a uniform set of restrictive covenants. Golf carts may operate on roads with speed limits of 35 mph or less, during daytime hours only, and within 2 miles of where the cart is usually parked. The community has over 220 miles of pathways and trails, multiple golf courses (including The Woodlands Country Club), and low-speed residential streets that make golf cart use practical for local errands and recreation.

• Texas law allows golf carts in master-planned communities with restrictive covenants (The Woodlands qualifies under § 551.403)
• Golf carts may operate on roads with posted speed limits of 35 mph or less
• Carts must stay within 2 miles of where the cart is usually parked
• Operation is limited to daytime hours only (sunrise to sunset)
• A valid Texas driver's license is required (or learner's permit with an adult present)
• A TxDMV golf cart license plate is required. Obtain it by filing Form 130-U at your county tax assessor's office
• Required equipment: headlamps, tail lamps, reflectors, parking brake, and mirrors
• A slow-moving vehicle emblem (orange triangle) must be displayed on the rear
• Golf carts may cross intersections of roads with speed limits above 35 mph, but may not travel along them
• Insurance is not required by Texas state law for golf carts but is recommended

• Residential village streets - The Woodlands has 10 residential villages, most with low-speed streets suitable for golf carts
• Woodlands Parkway - a major east-west road; portions exceed 35 mph and are off-limits to golf carts
• Research Forest Drive - sections have higher speed limits; check posted signs before using a cart
• Lake Woodlands Drive - runs near Town Center and the lake; check speed limits by section
• Grogan's Mill Road - one of the original village roads; portions have lower speed limits
• Town Center area - The Woodlands Mall, Market Street, and Waterway Square; surrounding residential streets are cart-accessible but main roads may exceed 35 mph
• 220+ miles of pathways and trails connect villages, parks, and amenities (shared with pedestrians and cyclists, not golf cart roads)

• The 2-mile rule is measured from where you usually park your cart (typically your home). Plan your routes to stay within that radius
• Daytime-only operation means you cannot drive after sunset. In winter, sunset is around 5:30 PM in The Woodlands
• Get your TxDMV golf cart license plate before driving on public roads. File Form 130-U at the Montgomery County tax assessor's office. No state inspection is required
• The 220+ miles of pathways are for pedestrians and cyclists, not golf carts. Stick to the roads
• Major roads like Woodlands Parkway, Research Forest Drive, and Kuykendahl Road have sections above 35 mph. You can cross these at intersections but not travel along them
• The Woodlands Country Club, The Club at Carlton Woods, and several other courses are all accessible by cart from nearby residential streets