Texas Transportation Code 601.053 – Evidence of Financial Responsibility
Text of subsection effective until January 01, 2025
(a) As a condition of operating in this state a motor vehicle to which § 601.051 applies, the operator of the vehicle on request shall provide to a peace officer, as defined by Article 2.12, Code of Criminal Procedure, or a person involved in a collision with the operator evidence of financial responsibility by exhibiting:
(1) a motor vehicle liability insurance policy covering the vehicle that satisfies Subchapter D or a photocopy of the policy;
(2) a standard proof of motor vehicle liability insurance form prescribed by the Texas Department of Insurance under § 601.081 and issued by a liability insurer for the motor vehicle;
(2-a) an image displayed on a wireless communication device that includes the information required by § 601.081 as provided by a liability insurer;
(3) an insurance binder that confirms the operator is in compliance with this chapter;
(4) a surety bond certificate issued under Section 601.121;
(5) a certificate of a deposit with the comptroller covering the vehicle issued under Section 601.122;
(6) a copy of a certificate of a deposit with the appropriate county judge covering the vehicle issued under Section 601.123; or
(7) a certificate of self-insurance covering the vehicle issued under § 601.124 or a photocopy of the certificate.
Text of subsection effective on January 01, 2025
Terms Used In Texas Transportation Code 601.053
- Comptroller: means the state comptroller of public accounts. See Texas Government Code 312.011
- Discovery: Lawyers' examination, before trial, of facts and documents in possession of the opponents to help the lawyers prepare for trial.
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
- 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
- Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
(a) As a condition of operating in this state a motor vehicle to which § 601.051 applies, the operator of the vehicle on request shall provide to a peace officer, as defined by Article 2A.001, Code of Criminal Procedure, or a person involved in a collision with the operator evidence of financial responsibility by exhibiting:
(1) a motor vehicle liability insurance policy covering the vehicle that satisfies Subchapter D or a photocopy of the policy;
(2) a standard proof of motor vehicle liability insurance form prescribed by the Texas Department of Insurance under § 601.081 and issued by a liability insurer for the motor vehicle;
(2-a) an image displayed on a wireless communication device that includes the information required by § 601.081 as provided by a liability insurer;
(3) an insurance binder that confirms the operator is in compliance with this chapter;
(4) a surety bond certificate issued under Section 601.121;
(5) a certificate of a deposit with the comptroller covering the vehicle issued under Section 601.122;
(6) a copy of a certificate of a deposit with the appropriate county judge covering the vehicle issued under Section 601.123; or
(7) a certificate of self-insurance covering the vehicle issued under § 601.124 or a photocopy of the certificate.
(b) Except as provided by Subsection (c), an operator who does not exhibit evidence of financial responsibility under Subsection (a) is presumed to have operated the vehicle in violation of § 601.051.
(c) Subsection (b) does not apply if the peace officer determines through use of the verification program established under Subchapter N that financial responsibility has been established for the vehicle. A peace officer may not issue a citation for an offense under § 601.191 unless the officer attempts to verify through the verification program that financial responsibility has been established for the vehicle and is unable to make that verification.
(d) The display of an image that includes financial responsibility information on a wireless communication device under Subsection (a)(2-a) does not constitute effective consent for a law enforcement officer, or any other person, to access the contents of the wireless communication device except to view the financial responsibility information.
(e) The authorization of the use of a wireless communication device to display financial responsibility information under Subsection (a)(2-a) does not prevent:
(1) a court of competent jurisdiction from requiring a person to provide a paper copy of the person’s evidence of financial responsibility in a hearing or trial or in connection with discovery proceedings; or
(2) the commissioner of insurance from requiring a person to provide a paper copy of the person’s evidence of financial responsibility in connection with any inquiry or transaction conducted by or on behalf of the commissioner.
(f) A telecommunications provider, as defined by § 51.002, Utilities Code, may not be held liable to the operator of the motor vehicle for the failure of a wireless communication device to display financial responsibility information under Subsection (a)(2-a).