Tex. Transp. Code Section 547.408
Performance Requirements for Brakes


(a)

A motor vehicle or combination of vehicles shall be equipped with service brakes capable of:

(1)

developing a braking force that is not less than:

(A)

52.8 percent of the gross weight of the vehicle for a passenger vehicle; or

(B)

43.5 percent of the gross weight of the vehicle for a vehicle other than a passenger vehicle;

(2)

decelerating to a stop from 20 miles per hour or less at not less than:

(A)

17 feet per second per second for a passenger vehicle; or

(B)

14 feet per second per second for other vehicles; and

(3)

stopping from a speed of 20 miles per hour in a distance, measured from the location where the service brake pedal or control is activated, of not more than:

(A)

25 feet for a passenger vehicle;

(B)

30 feet for a motorcycle, moped, or single unit vehicle with a manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less;

(C)

40 feet for:
(i)
a single unit vehicle with a manufacturer’s gross weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds;
(ii)
a two-axle towing vehicle and trailer combination with a weight of 3,000 pounds or less;
(iii)
a bus that does not have a manufacturer’s gross weight rating; and
(iv)
the combination of vehicles in an operation exempted by Section 547.407 (Brake Warning Devices Required)(b); and

(D)

50 feet for other vehicles.

(b)

A test for deceleration or stopping distance shall be performed on a dry, smooth, hard surface that:

(1)

is free of loose material; and

(2)

does not exceed plus or minus one percent grade.

(c)

In this section, “passenger vehicle” means a vehicle that has a maximum seating capacity of 10 persons, including the operator, and that does not have a manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating.
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
Amended by:
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 882 (H.B. 3171), Sec. 2.13, eff. September 1, 2019.

Source: Section 547.408 — Performance Requirements for Brakes, https://statutes.­capitol.­texas.­gov/Docs/TN/htm/TN.­547.­htm#547.­408 (accessed Jun. 5, 2024).

547.001
Definitions
547.002
Applicability
547.003
Equipment Not Affected
547.004
General Offenses
547.005
Offense Relating to Violation of Special-use Provisions
547.101
Rules and Standards in General
547.102
School Bus Equipment Standards
547.103
Air-conditioning Equipment Standards
547.104
Slow-moving-vehicle Emblem Standards
547.105
Lighting Standards for Certain Vehicles
547.201
Offenses Relating to the Offer, Distribution, and Sale of Vehicle Equipment
547.202
Department Certification or Approval of Vehicle Equipment
547.203
Vehicle Equipment Testing: Department Standards
547.204
Vehicle Equipment Testing: Federal Standards
547.205
Initiation of Compliance Proceeding
547.206
Compliance Proceeding Hearing
547.207
Compliance Proceeding Issues
547.208
Judicial Review and Judicial Enforcement
547.301
General Provisions Relating to Measurements
547.302
Duty to Display Lights
547.303
Color Requirements
547.304
Applicability
547.305
Restrictions on Use of Lights
547.306
Led Ground Effect Lighting Equipment on Motorcycle or Moped
547.321
Headlamps Required
547.322
Taillamps Required
547.323
Stoplamps Required
547.324
Turn Signal Lamps Required
547.325
Reflectors Required
547.326
Minimum Lighting Equipment Required
547.327
Spotlamps Permitted
547.328
Fog Lamps Permitted
547.329
Auxiliary Passing Lamps Permitted
547.330
Auxiliary Driving Lamps Permitted
547.331
Hazard Lamps Permitted
547.332
Other Lamps Permitted
547.333
Multiple-beam Lighting Equipment Required
547.334
Single-beam Lighting Equipment Permitted
547.335
Alternative Road Lighting Equipment Permitted
547.351
Applicability
547.352
Additional Lighting Equipment Requirements
547.353
Color Requirements
547.354
Mounting Requirements
547.355
Visibility Requirements
547.371
General Lighting Equipment Requirements
547.372
Lighting Requirements for Combination Vehicles
547.381
Obstructed Lights on Combination Vehicles
547.382
Lighting Equipment on Projecting Loads
547.383
Lighting Requirements on Parked Vehicles
547.401
Brakes Required
547.402
Operation and Maintenance of Brakes
547.403
Service Brakes Required
547.404
Parking Brakes Required
547.405
Emergency Brakes Required
547.406
Brake Reservoir or Reserve Capacity Required
547.407
Brake Warning Devices Required
547.408
Performance Requirements for Brakes
547.501
Audible Warning Devices
547.502
Visible Warning Devices Required
547.503
Display of Hazard Lamps
547.504
Display of Devices When Lighted Lamps Required
547.505
Display of Devices When Lighted Lamps Are Not Required
547.506
Display of Devices: Vehicles Off Roadway
547.507
Display of Devices When View of Vehicle Obstructed
547.508
Offense Relating to Warning Devices
547.601
Safety Belts Required
547.602
Mirrors Required
547.603
Windshield Wipers Required
547.604
Muffler Required
547.605
Emission Systems Required
547.606
Safety Guards or Flaps Required
547.607
Fire Extinguisher Required
547.608
Safety Glazing Material Required
547.609
Required Label for Sunscreening Devices
547.610
Safe Air-conditioning Equipment Required
547.611
Use of Certain Video Equipment and Television Receivers
547.612
Restrictions on Use and Sale of Tires
547.613
Restrictions on Windows
547.614
Restrictions on Airbags
547.615
Recording Devices
547.616
Radar Interference Devices
547.617
Motorcycle and Moped Footrests and Handholds Required
547.618
Equipment Required for Certain Automated Motor Vehicles
547.701
Additional Equipment Requirements for School Buses and Other Buses Used to Transport Schoolchildren
547.702
Additional Equipment Requirements for Authorized Emergency Vehicles
547.703
Additional Equipment Requirements for Slow-moving Vehicles
547.751
Additional Lighting Equipment Authorized for Medical Examiner Vehicles
547.752
Additional Lighting Equipment Authorized for Vehicles Operated by Justices of the Peace in Certain Circumstances
547.801
Lighting Equipment
547.802
Brake Equipment
547.3215
Use of Federal Standard
547.7011
Additional Equipment Requirements for Other Buses
547.7012
Requirements for Multifunction School Activity Buses
547.7015
Rules Relating to School Buses

Accessed:
Jun. 5, 2024

§ 547.408’s source at texas​.gov