Texas Transportation Code + Occupations Code (towing)

Provision 1· us, texas, transportation-code

Tex. Transp. Code §228.054 228.054 – Toll Payment Required; Emergency Vehicles Exempt Tex. Transp. Code Section 228.054 Toll Payment Required; Emergency Vehicles Exempt (a) Except as provided by Subsection (e), the operator of a vehicle, other than an authorized emergency vehicle, as defined by Section 541.201 (Vehicles) , that is driven or towed through a toll collection facility shall pay the proper toll. The exemption from payment of a toll for an authorized emergency vehicle applies regardless of whether the vehicle is: (1) responding to an emergency; (2) displaying a flashing light; or (3) marked as an emergency vehicle. (b) Repealed by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 533 (S.B. 312 ), Sec. 74(2), eff. September 1, 2017. (c) Repealed by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 533 (S.B. 312 ), [...]

Provision 2· us, texas, transportation-code

Tex. Transp. Code §366.178 366.178 – Failure or Refusal to Pay Toll Tex. Transp. Code Section 366.178 Failure or Refusal to Pay Toll (a) A motor vehicle other than an authorized emergency vehicle, as defined by Section 541.201 (Vehicles) , that passes through a toll assessment facility, whether driven or towed, shall pay the proper toll. The exemption from payment of a toll for an authorized emergency vehicle applies regardless of whether the vehicle is: (1) responding to an emergency; (2) displaying a flashing light; or (3) marked as a police or emergency vehicle. (b) A person who fails or refuses to pay a toll provided for the use of a project is liable for a fine not to exceed $250, plus any administrative fees incurred in connection with the violation. (b-1) As an alternative to requir [...]

Provision 3· us, texas, transportation-code

to the registered owner is determined to be incorrect, the registered owner shall pay the invoice not later than the 25th day after the date the invoice is mailed to the correct address. (b-4) If the registered owner of the nonpaying vehicle fails to pay the unpaid tolls included in the invoice mailed under Subsection (b-2) or (b-3) by the date specified in the invoice, the authority shall send the first notice of nonpayment by first class mail to the registered owner of the nonpaying vehicle as provided by Subsection (d). (c) On issuance of the first notice of nonpayment, the registered owner of the nonpaying vehicle shall pay both the unpaid tolls included in the invoice and an administrative fee. The authority may charge only one administrative fee of not more than $25 for the first not [...]

Provision 4· us, texas, transportation-code

nonpayment must specify the date by which payment must be made and may require payment of: (1) the unpaid tolls and administrative fee included in the first notice of nonpayment; and (2) an additional administrative fee of not more than $25 for each unpaid toll included in the notice, not to exceed a total of $200. (d-2) If the registered owner of the nonpaying vehicle fails to pay the amount included in the second notice of nonpayment by the date specified in that notice, the authority shall send a third notice of nonpayment by first class mail to the registered owner of the nonpaying vehicle. The third notice of nonpayment must specify the date by which payment must be made and may require payment of: (1) the amount included in the second notice of nonpayment; and (2) any third-party col [...]

Provision 5· us, texas, transportation-code

by the registered owner of the vehicle may be established by: (1) a copy of a written agreement between the authority and the registered owner for the payment of unpaid tolls and administrative fees; and (2) evidence that the registered owner is in default under the agreement. (g) The court of the local jurisdiction in which the unpaid toll was assessed may assess and collect the fine in addition to any court costs. The court may collect and forward to the authority properly assessed unpaid tolls, administrative fees, and third-party collection service fees incurred by the authority as determined by: (1) the court after a hearing; or (2) written agreement of the registered owner. (h) It is a defense to nonpayment under this section that the motor vehicle in question was stolen before the f [...]

Provision 6· us, texas, transportation-code

the registered owner of the vehicle for purposes of this section, and the authority shall follow the procedures provided by this section as if the lessee were the registered owner of the vehicle, including sending an invoice to the lessee by first-class mail not later than the 30th day after the date of the receipt of the information from the lessor. (j) In addition to the other powers and duties provided by this chapter, an authority has the same powers and duties as the department under Chapter 228 (State Highway Toll Projects) , a county under Chapter 284 (Causeways, Bridges, Tunnels, Turnpikes, Ferries, and Highways in Certain Counties) , and a regional mobility authority under Chapter 370 (Regional Mobility Authorities) , regarding the authority’s toll collection and enforcement power [...]

Provision 7· us, texas, transportation-code

Tex. Transp. Code §372.105 372.105 – Nonpayment by Vehicles Not Registered in This State Tex. Transp. Code Section 372.105 Nonpayment by Vehicles Not Registered in This State (a) A toll project entity may, in lieu of mailing a written notice of nonpayment, serve with a written notice of nonpayment in person an owner of a vehicle that is not registered in this state, including the owner of a vehicle registered in another state of the United States, the United Mexican States, a state of the United Mexican States, or another country or territory. A notice of nonpayment may also be served by an employee of a governmental entity operating an international bridge at the time a vehicle with a record of nonpayment seeks to enter or leave this state. (b) Each written notice of nonpayment issued und [...]

Provision 8· us, texas, transportation-code

It is a defense to prosecution under Subsection (c) that the vehicle in question was stolen before the failure to pay the proper toll occurred and was not recovered by the time of the failure to pay, but only if the theft was reported to the appropriate law enforcement authority before the earlier of: (1) the occurrence of the failure to pay; or (2) eight hours after the discovery of the theft. Added by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 491 (S.B. 1792 ), Sec. 1, eff. June 14, 2013.

Provision 9· us, texas, transportation-code

Tex. Transp. Code §502.010 502.010 – County Scofflaw Tex. Transp. Code Section 502.010 County Scofflaw (a) Except as otherwise provided by this section, a county assessor-collector or the department may refuse to register a motor vehicle if the assessor-collector or the department receives information that the owner of the vehicle: (1) owes the county money for a fine, fee, or tax that is past due; or (2) failed to appear in connection with a complaint, citation, information, or indictment in a court in the county in which a criminal proceeding is pending against the owner. (b) A county may contract with the department to provide information to the department necessary to make a determination under Subsection (a). (b-1) Information that is provided to make a determination under Subsection [...]

Provision 10· us, texas, transportation-code

department may not refuse to register the motor vehicle under Subsection (a). (e) A contract under Subsection (b) must be entered into in accordance with Chapter 791 (Interlocal Cooperation Contracts) , Government Code, and is subject to the ability of the parties to provide or pay for the services required under the contract. (f) Except as otherwise provided by this section, a county that has a contract under Subsection (b) may impose an additional reimbursement fee of $20 to: (1) a person who fails to pay a fine, fee, or tax to the county by the date on which the fine, fee, or tax is due; or (2) a person who fails to appear in connection with a complaint, citation, information, or indictment in a court in which a criminal proceeding is pending against the owner. (f-1) The additional reim [...]

Provision 11· us, texas, transportation-code

a reimbursement fee, due to the defendant’s indigency, the county may not impose an additional reimbursement fee on the defendant under Subsection (f). Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 192, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997. Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 97, Sec. 1, eff. May 17, 1999. Amended by: Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1094 (S.B. 1386 ), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2011. Transferred, redesignated and amended from Transportation Code, Section 502.185 by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1296 (H.B. 2357 ), Sec. 76, eff. January 1, 2012. Amended by: Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 977 (H.B. 351 ), Sec. 26, eff. September 1, 2017. Reenacted and amended by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 977 (H.B. 351 ), Sec. 27, eff. September 1, 2017. Amended by: Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1127 (S [...]

Provision 12· us, texas, transportation-code

Tex. Transp. Code §502.491 502.491 – Transfer of Vehicle Registration Tex. Transp. Code Section 502.491 Transfer of Vehicle Registration (a) On the sale or transfer of a vehicle, the registration insignia issued for the vehicle shall be removed. The registration period remaining at the time of sale or transfer expires at the time of sale or transfer. (b) On a sale or transfer of a vehicle in which neither party holds a general distinguishing number issued under Chapter 503 (Dealer’s and Manufacturer’s Vehicle License Plates) , the part of the registration period remaining at the time of the sale or transfer shall continue with the vehicle being sold or transferred and does not transfer with the license plates or registration validation insignia. To continue the remainder of the registratio [...]

Provision 13· us, texas, transportation-code

20.014, eff. September 1, 2013. Reenacted and amended by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1135 (H.B. 2741 ), Sec. 75, eff. September 1, 2013.

Provision 14· us, texas, transportation-code

Tex. Transp. Code §542.202 542.202 – Powers of Local Authorities Tex. Transp. Code Section 542.202 Powers of Local Authorities (a) This subtitle does not prevent a local authority, with respect to a highway under its jurisdiction and in the reasonable exercise of the police power, from: (1) regulating traffic by police officers or traffic-control devices; (2) regulating the stopping, standing, or parking of a vehicle; (3) regulating or prohibiting a procession or assemblage on a highway; (4) regulating the operation and requiring registration and licensing of a bicycle or electric bicycle, including payment of a registration fee, except as provided by Section 551.106 (Regulation of Bicycles by Department or Local Authority) ; (5) regulating the time, place, and manner in which a roller ska [...]

Provision 15· us, texas, transportation-code

Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1085, Sec. 6, eff. Sept. 1, 2001; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 359, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.

Provision 16· us, texas, transportation-code

Tex. Transp. Code §543.003 543.003 – Notice to Appear Required: Person Not Taken Before Magistrate Tex. Transp. Code Section 543.003 Notice to Appear Required: Person Not Taken Before Magistrate An officer who arrests a person for a violation of this subtitle punishable as a misdemeanor and who does not take the person before a magistrate shall issue a written notice to appear in court showing the time and place the person is to appear, the offense charged, the name and address of the person charged, and, if applicable, the license number of the person’s vehicle. Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 701, Sec. 3, eff. Aug. 30, 1999.

Provision 17· us, texas, transportation-code

Tex. Transp. Code §543.005 543.005 – Promise to Appear; Release Tex. Transp. Code Section 543.005 Promise to Appear; Release To secure release, the person arrested must make a written promise to appear in court by signing the written notice prepared by the arresting officer. The signature may be obtained on a duplicate form or on an electronic device capable of creating a copy of the signed notice. The arresting officer shall retain the paper or electronic original of the notice and deliver the copy of the notice to the person arrested. The officer shall then promptly release the person from custody. Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 701, Sec. 4, eff. Aug. 30, 1999.

Provision 18· us, texas, transportation-code

Tex. Transp. Code §544.004 544.004 – Compliance with Traffic-control Device Tex. Transp. Code Section 544.004 Compliance with Traffic-control Device (a) The operator of a vehicle or streetcar shall comply with an applicable official traffic-control device placed as provided by this subtitle unless the person is: (1) otherwise directed by a traffic officer, police officer, or escort flagger; or (2) operating an authorized emergency vehicle and is subject to exceptions under this subtitle. (b) A provision of this subtitle requiring an official traffic-control device may not be enforced against an alleged violator if at the time and place of the alleged violation the device is not in proper position and sufficiently legible to an ordinarily observant person. A provision of this subtitle that [...]

Provision 19· us, texas, transportation-code

Tex. Transp. Code §545.066 545.066 – Passing a School Bus; Offense Tex. Transp. Code Section 545.066 Passing a School Bus; Offense (a) An operator on a highway, when approaching from either direction a school bus stopped on the highway to receive or discharge a student: (1) shall stop before reaching the school bus when the bus is operating a visual signal as required by Section 547.701 (Additional Equipment Requirements for School Buses and Other Buses Used to Transport Schoolchildren) ; and (2) may not proceed until: (A) the school bus resumes motion; (B) the operator is signaled by the bus driver to proceed; or (C) the visual signal is no longer actuated. (b) An operator on a highway having separate roadways is not required to stop: (1) for a school bus that is on a different roadway; o [...]

Provision 20· us, texas, transportation-code

previously assessed fine or costs on a conviction under this section, or is determined by the court to have insufficient resources or income to pay a fine or costs on a conviction under this section, the court may order the person to perform community service. The court shall set the number of hours of service under this subsection. (f) For the purposes of this section: (1) a highway is considered to have separate roadways only if the highway has roadways separated by an intervening space on which operation of vehicles is not permitted, a physical barrier, or a clearly indicated dividing section constructed to impede vehicular traffic; and (2) a highway is not considered to have separate roadways if the highway has roadways separated only by a left turn lane. Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, [...]

Provision 21· us, texas, transportation-code

Tex. Transp. Code §545.157 545.157 – Passing Certain Vehicles Tex. Transp. Code Section 545.157 Passing Certain Vehicles (a) This section applies only to the following vehicles: (1) a stationary authorized emergency vehicle using visual signals that meet the requirements of Sections 547.305 (Restrictions on Use of Lights) and 547.702 (Additional Equipment Requirements for Authorized Emergency Vehicles) ; (2) a stationary tow truck using equipment authorized by Section 547.305 (Restrictions on Use of Lights) (d); (3) a Texas Department of Transportation vehicle or a highway maintenance or construction vehicle operated pursuant to a contract awarded under Subchapter A (Contract Requiring Competitive Bids) , Chapter 223 (Bids and Contracts for Highway Projects) , not separated from the roadwa [...]

Provision 22· us, texas, transportation-code

hour less than the posted speed limit when the posted speed limit is 25 miles per hour or more; or (B) five miles per hour when the posted speed limit is less than 25 miles per hour. (c) A person who violates this section commits an offense. An offense under this section is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $500 or more than $1,250, except that the offense is: (1) a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $1,000 or more than $2,000 for a second or subsequent offense committed within five years of the date on which the most recent preceding offense was committed; (2) a Class A misdemeanor if the offense results in bodily injury to another; or (3) a state jail felony for a second or subsequent offense punishable under Subdivision (2). (d) If conduct constituting a [...]

Provision 23· us, texas, transportation-code

Traffic control channelizing device means equipment used to warn and alert drivers of conditions created by work activities in or near the traveled way, to protect workers in a temporary traffic control zone, and to guide drivers and pedestrians safely. The term includes a traffic cone, tubular marker, vertical panel, drum, barricade, temporary raised island, concrete or cable barrier, guardrail, or channelizer. Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 327, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 2003. Amended by: Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 229 (H.B. 378 ), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2011. Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 6 (S.B. 510 ), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2013. Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 11 (H.B. 61 ), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2019. Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 265 (H.B. 2048 ), Sec. 1, eff. Se [...]

Provision 24· us, texas, transportation-code

Tex. Transp. Code §545.301 545.301 – Stopping, Standing, or Parking Outside a Business or Residence District Tex. Transp. Code Section 545.301 Stopping, Standing, or Parking Outside a Business or Residence District (a) An operator may not stop, park, or leave standing an attended or unattended vehicle on the main traveled part of a highway outside a business or residence district unless: (1) stopping, parking, or leaving the vehicle off the main traveled part of the highway is not practicable; (2) a width of highway beside the vehicle is unobstructed and open for the passage of other vehicles; and (3) the vehicle is in clear view for at least 200 feet in each direction on the highway. (b) This section does not apply to an operator of: (1) a vehicle that is disabled while on the paved or ma [...]

Provision 25· us, texas, transportation-code

Tex. Transp. Code §545.302 545.302 – Stopping, Standing, or Parking Prohibited in Certain Places Tex. Transp. Code Section 545.302 Stopping, Standing, or Parking Prohibited in Certain Places (a) An operator may not stop, stand, or park a vehicle: (1) on the roadway side of a vehicle stopped or parked at the edge or curb of a street; (2) on a sidewalk; (3) in an intersection; (4) on a crosswalk; (5) between a safety zone and the adjacent curb or within 30 feet of a place on the curb immediately opposite the ends of a safety zone, unless the governing body of a municipality designates a different length by signs or markings; (6) alongside or opposite a street excavation or obstruction if stopping, standing, or parking the vehicle would obstruct traffic; (7) on a bridge or other elevated stru [...]