Tex. Health & Safety Code Section 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: Section 773.017 — Use of Certain External Motor Vehicle Markings or Features Prohibited; Criminal Offense, https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/HS/htm/HS.773.htm#773.017 (accessed Jun. 5, 2024).

773.001
Short Title 773.002
Purpose 773.003
Definitions 773.004
Vehicles and Personnel Excluded from Chapter 773.006
Fund for Emergency Medical Services, Trauma Facilities, and Trauma Care Systems 773.007
Supervision of Emergency Prehospital Care 773.008
Consent for Emergency Care 773.009
Limitation on Civil Liability 773.011
Subscription Programs 773.012
Advisory Council 773.013
Peer Assistance Program 773.014
Administration of Epinephrine by Emergency Medical Services Personnel 773.015
Identification of Certain Patients Receiving Emergency Prehospital Care 773.016
Duties of Emergency Medical Services Personnel 773.017
Use of Certain External Motor Vehicle Markings or Features Prohibited 773.021
State Plan 773.022
Service Delivery Areas 773.023
Area Plans 773.024
Federal Programs 773.025
Accessibility of Training 773.041
License or Certificate Required 773.042
Basic Life-support Emergency Medical Services Provider Qualifications 773.0043
Fire Fighter Exemption for Certain Patients 773.043
Advanced Life-support Emergency Medical Services Provider Qualifications 773.044
Mobile Intensive-care Provider Qualifications 773.0045
Temporary Exemptions for Emergency Medical Services Personnel Practicing in Rural Area 773.045
Specialized Emergency Medical Services Provider Qualifications 773.046
Emergency Care Attendant Qualifications 773.047
Emergency Medical Technician Qualifications 773.048
Advanced Emergency Medical Technician Qualifications 773.049
Emergency Medical Technician--paramedic Qualifications 773.050
Minimum Standards 773.051
Municipal Regulation 773.052
Variances 773.054
Applications for Personnel Certification and Training Program Approval 773.055
Certification of Emergency Medical Services Personnel 773.056
Approval of Training Programs 773.057
Emergency Medical Services Providers License 773.058
Volunteers Exempt from Fees 773.059
Late Recertification 773.060
Disposition of Funds 773.061
Disciplinary Actions 773.062
Emergency Suspension 773.063
Civil Penalty 773.064
Criminal Penalties 773.065
Administrative Penalty 773.066
Assessment of Administrative Penalty 773.067
Payment of Administrative Penalty 773.069
Recovery of Administrative Penalty by Attorney General 773.070
Denial of Certification or Licensure for Failure to Provide Certain Criminal History Record Information 773.071
Fees 773.091
Confidential Communications 773.092
Exceptions 773.093
Consent 773.094
Injunction 773.095
Records and Proceedings Confidential 773.096
Immunity for Committee Members 773.111
Legislative Findings 773.112
Rules 773.113
Duties of Department 773.114
System Requirements 773.115
Trauma Facilities 773.116
Fees 773.117
Denial, Suspension, or Revocation of Designation 773.119
Grant Program 773.120
Acceptance of Gifts 773.122
Payments from the Accounts 773.123
Control of Expenditures from Accounts 773.124
Loss of Funding Eligibility 773.141
Definitions 773.142
Application of Subchapter 773.143
Provision of Medical Information 773.144
Training Programs 773.0145
Possession and Administration of Epinephrine by Certain Entities 773.145
Medical Information 773.146
Limitation on Civil Liability 773.147
Fees 773.171
Emergency Medical Services for Children Program 773.173
Rules 773.201
Legislative Intent 773.202
Definitions 773.203
Stroke Committee 773.204
Duties of Stroke Committee 773.205
Rules 773.251
Definitions 773.252
Establishment of Program 773.253
Rules 773.254
Application by Emergency Medical Services Provider 773.255
Educational Curriculum 773.256
Administrative Support 773.257
Grants 773.0415
Limitation on Information Required for Certificate Renewal 773.0495
Licensed Paramedic Qualifications 773.0496
Scope of Emergency Medical Technician-paramedic and Licensed Paramedic Duties 773.0505
Rules Regarding Advertising or Competitive Bidding 773.0551
Disease Prevention and Preparedness Information on Certification of Emergency Medical Services Personnel 773.0571
Requirements for Provider License 773.0572
Provisional Licenses 773.0573
Letter of Approval from Local Governmental Entity 773.0581
Providers Exempt from Fees 773.0605
Complaints and Investigations 773.0611
Inspections 773.0612
Access to Records 773.0613
Information Report to Department 773.0614
Authority to Revoke, Suspend, Disqualify For, or Deny Certification of Emergency Medical Services Personnel for Certain Criminal Offenses 773.0615
Factors Considered in Suspension, Revocation, or Denial of Certificate 773.0616
Proceedings Governed by Administrative Procedure Act 773.0617
Notice and Review of Suspension, Revocation, Disqualification For, or Denial of Certification 773.1141
Information, Guidelines, and Protocols Related to Certain Patient Transfers and Related Services 773.1151
Use of Telemedicine Medical Service by Certain Trauma Facilities 773.05711
Additional Emergency Medical Services Provider License Requirements 773.05712
Administrator of Record 773.05713
Report to Legislature 773.05715
Physical Location Required 773.05716
Necessary Equipment 773.06141
Suspension, Revocation, or Denial of Emergency Medical Services Provider License

Accessed:
Jun. 5, 2024

§ 773.017’s source at texas.gov

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Location: https://texas.public.law/statutes/tex._health_and_safety_code_section_773.017

Original Source: Section 773.017 — Use of Certain External Motor Vehicle Markings or Features Prohibited; Criminal Offense, https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/HS/htm/HS.773.htm#773.017 (last accessed Jun. 5, 2024).