Tex. Transp. Code Section 547.501
Audible Warning Devices

(a)

A motor vehicle shall be equipped with a horn in good working condition that emits a sound audible under normal conditions at a distance of at least 200 feet.

(b)

A vehicle may not be equipped with and a person may not use on a vehicle a siren, whistle, or bell unless the vehicle is:

(1)

a commercial vehicle that is equipped with a theft alarm signal device arranged so that the device cannot be used as an ordinary warning signal; or

(2)

an authorized emergency vehicle that is equipped with a siren, whistle, or bell that complies with Section 547.702 (Additional Equipment Requirements for Authorized Emergency Vehicles).

(c)

A motor vehicle operator shall use a horn to provide audible warning only when necessary to insure safe operation.

(d)

A warning device, including a horn, may not emit an unreasonably loud or harsh sound or a whistle.
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.

Source: Section 547.501 — Audible Warning Devices, https://statutes.­capitol.­texas.­gov/Docs/TN/htm/TN.­547.­htm#547.­501 (accessed May 26, 2025).

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
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Verified:
May 26, 2025

§ 547.501. Audible Warning Devices's source at texas​.gov