(a) A person, including an inspector or an inspection station, commits an offense if the person:
(1) submits information to the department’s inspection database or issues a vehicle inspection report with knowledge that the submission or issuance is in violation of this chapter or rules adopted under this chapter;
(2) falsely or fraudulently represents to the owner or operator of a vehicle that equipment inspected or required to be inspected must be repaired, adjusted, or replaced for the vehicle to pass an inspection;
(3) misrepresents:
(A) material information in an application in violation of § 548.402 or 548.403; or
(B) information filed with the department under this chapter or as required by department rule;
(4) submits information to the department’s inspection database or issues a vehicle inspection report:
(A) without authorization to issue the report or submit the information; or
(B) without inspecting the vehicle;
(5) submits information to the department’s inspection database indicating that a vehicle has passed the applicable inspections or issues a passing vehicle inspection report for a vehicle with knowledge that the vehicle has not been repaired, adjusted, or corrected after an inspection has shown a repair, adjustment, or correction to be necessary;
(6) knowingly submits information to the department’s inspection database or issues a vehicle inspection report:
(A) for a vehicle without conducting an inspection of each item required to be inspected; or
(B) for a vehicle that is missing an item required to be inspected or that has an item required to be inspected that is not in compliance with state law or department rules;
(7) refuses to allow a vehicle’s owner to have a qualified person of the owner’s choice make a required repair, adjustment, or correction;
(8) charges for an inspection an amount greater than the authorized fee;
(9) discloses or sells information collected in relation to the vehicle inspection program under this chapter about a unique customer or a unique vehicle owner to a person other than the department or the person who is the subject of the information, including a customer or vehicle owner’s name, address, or phone number; or
(10) performs an act prohibited by or fails to perform an act required by this chapter or a rule adopted under this chapter.
(b) Unless otherwise specified in this chapter, an offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor.

Attorney's Note

Under the Texas Codes, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:
ClassPrisonFine
Class C misdemeanorup to $500
For details, see

Ask a traffic law question, get an answer ASAP!
Thousands of highly rated, verified traffic lawyers.
Parking violations, accidents, DUI/DWI, licensing, registration, and more
Protect your vehicle and your rights with expert legal help now
Click here to chat with a lawyer about your rights.

Terms Used In Texas Transportation Code 548.601


(c) A designated representative of the department may issue a notice of an offense or a notice to appear to a person, including an inspector or inspection station, who violates this chapter or a rule adopted under this chapter.