Texas Health and Safety Code

Sec. § 773.017
Use of Certain External Motor Vehicle Markings or Features Prohibited; Criminal Offense

(a)

A person may not operate a motor vehicle in this state that resembles an emergency medical services vehicle unless the person uses the motor vehicle:

(1)

as an emergency medical services vehicle under this chapter; or

(2)

for other legitimate governmental functions, including police or firefighting services.

(b)

A motor vehicle resembles an emergency medical services vehicle if the motor vehicle has on the exterior of the motor vehicle any of the following markings or features:

(1)

the word “ambulance” or a derivation of that word;

(2)

a star of life as trademarked by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration;

(3)

a Maltese cross commonly used by fire departments;

(4)

forward-facing flashing red, white, or blue lights;

(5)

a siren;

(6)

the words “critical care transport,” “emergency,” “emergency medical services,” or “mobile intensive care unit”; or

(7)

the acronym “EMS” or “MICU”.

(c)

A person commits an offense if the person violates this section. An offense under this subsection is a Class C misdemeanor.

(d)

This section does not apply to a motor vehicle bearing a license plate issued or approved under Section 504.501 (Classic Motor Vehicles and Travel Trailers; Custom Vehicles; Street Rods) or 504.502 (Certain Exhibition Vehicles), Transportation Code.
Added by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 253 (H.B. 1249), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2017.
Source

Last accessed
Jun. 7, 2021

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