Cheryl E. Johnson, PCC Assessor Collector of Taxes Off Highway Vehicle Information

If registered, titled and insured, Low Speed Vehicles (LSVs), also known as Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEVs), may be legally driven at a maximum speed of 35 mph on public roads with a posted speed limit of 45 mph or less, unless a city or county ordinance prohibits their operation. The classification criteria per TxDMV is shown below and additional information is available at https://www.txdmv.gov/motorists/buying-or-selling-a-vehicle/off-highway-vehicles 
A vehicle is classified as an LSV or NEV if it has: 
• a normal maximum speed of 20-25 mph (LSV) or 20-35 mph (NEV) 
• seat belts, headlights and tail lights 
• a windshield 
• a parking brake, brake lights and turn signals 
• rear-view mirrors 
• reflectors 
• a valid 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). 
All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) are regulated by state and federal laws. A vehicle is classified as an ATV if it: 
• is equipped with a seat or seats for the use of the rider and a passenger and (if the motor vehicle is designed by the manufacturer to transport a passenger) 
• has three or more wheels 
• is not more than 50 inches wide 
• s designed for off-highway use 
• is not designed by the manufacturer for farm or lawn care 
ATVs may not be driven on public roads unless the driver is: 
• a farmer or a rancher traveling no more than 25 miles 
• a public utility worker, or 
• a law enforcement officer 
ATVs driven on a public road must have a triangular orange flag on top of an eight-foot pole attached to the back of the vehicle. It must also have a brake system, a muffler system, a United States Forest Service qualified spark arrester, head and tail lights, and an Off Highway Vehicle decal issued by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. 
A Utility-Type vehicle (UTV) is defined as Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle (ROV), and is generally used for maintenance, hunting or recreation. ROVs must be titled but may not be driven on public roads unless owned by a state, county or city and operated on a public beach or highway to maintain public safety and welfare, if the driver is a public utility worker or a law enforcement officer. 
ROVs are: 
• equipped with a seat or seats for the use of the rider and a passenger or passengers, if the vehicle is designed by the manufacturer to transport a passenger or passengers 
• designed to propel itself with four or more tires in contact with the ground 
• designed by the manufacturer for off-highway use and 
• not designed by the manufacturer for farm or lawn care. 
To be operated on public property, ROVs must have: 
• a brake system 
• a muffler system 
• a United States Forest Service qualified spark arrester, 
• head and tail light, and 
• an Off Highway Vehicle decal issued by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department