Texas Transportation Code 548.603 – Fictitious or Counterfeit Inspection Certificate or Insurance Document
Text of subsection effective until January 01, 2025
(a) A person commits an offense if the person:
(1) presents to an official of this state or a political subdivision of this state a vehicle inspection report or insurance document knowing that the report or document is counterfeit, tampered with, altered, fictitious, issued for another vehicle, issued for a vehicle failing to meet all emissions inspection requirements, or issued in violation of:
(A) this chapter, rules adopted under this chapter, or other law of this state; or
(B) a law of another state, the United States, the United Mexican States, a state of the United Mexican States, Canada, or a province of Canada;
(2) with intent to circumvent the emissions inspection requirements seeks an inspection of a vehicle at a station not certified to perform an emissions inspection if the person knows that the vehicle is required to be inspected under § 548.301; or
(3) knowingly does not comply with an emissions inspection requirement for a vehicle.
Text of subsection effective on January 01, 2025
Attorney's Note
Under the Texas Codes, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:Class | Prison | Fine |
---|---|---|
Second degree felony | between 2 and 20 years | up to $10,000 |
Third degree felony | between 2 and 10 years | up to $10,000 |
Class B misdemeanor | up to 180 days | up to $2,000 |
Terms Used In Texas Transportation Code 548.603
- Person: includes corporation, organization, government or governmental subdivision or agency, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, association, and any other legal entity. See Texas Government Code 311.005
- United States: includes a department, bureau, or other agency of the United States of America. See Texas Government Code 311.005
(a) A person commits an offense if the person:
(1) presents to an official of this state or a political subdivision of this state a vehicle inspection report or insurance document knowing that the report or document is counterfeit, tampered with, altered, fictitious, issued for another vehicle, issued for a vehicle failing to meet all emissions inspection requirements, or issued in violation of:
(A) this chapter, rules adopted under this chapter, or other law of this state; or
(B) a law of another state, the United States, the United Mexican States, a state of the United Mexican States, Canada, or a province of Canada; or
(2) knowingly does not comply with an emissions inspection requirement for a vehicle.
(b) A person commits an offense if the person:
(1) makes or possesses, with the intent to sell, circulate, or pass, a counterfeit vehicle inspection report or insurance document; or
(2) possesses any part of a stamp, dye, plate, negative, machine, or other device that is used or designated for use in making a counterfeit vehicle inspection report or insurance document.
(c) The owner of a vehicle commits an offense if the owner knowingly allows the vehicle to be registered using a vehicle inspection report in violation of Subsection (a).
(d) An offense under Subsection (a) or (c) is a Class B misdemeanor. An offense under Subsection (b) is a third degree felony unless the person acts with the intent to defraud or harm another person, in which event the offense is a second degree felony.
(e) In this section:
(1) “Counterfeit” means an imitation of a document that is printed, engraved, copied, photographed, forged, or manufactured by a person not authorized to take that action under:
(A) this chapter, rules adopted under this chapter, or other law of this state; or
(B) a law of another state, the United States, the United Mexican States, a state of the United Mexican States, Canada, or a province of Canada.
(2) Repealed by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1291, Sec. 50(5), eff. March 1, 2015.
(3) “Insurance document” means a standard proof of motor vehicle insurance coverage that is:
(A) in a form prescribed by the Texas Department of Insurance or by a similarly authorized board, agency, or authority of another state; and
(B) issued by an insurer or insurer’s agent who is authorized to write motor vehicle insurance coverage.
(4) “Person” includes an inspection station or inspector.
(f) Notwithstanding Subsection (c), an offense under Subsection (a)(1) that involves a fictitious vehicle inspection report is a Class B misdemeanor.