Tex. Transp. Code Section 547.613
Restrictions on Windows


(a)

Except as provided by Subsection (b), a person commits an offense that is a misdemeanor:

(1)

if the person operates a motor vehicle that has an object or material that is placed on or attached to the windshield or side or rear window and that obstructs or reduces the operator’s clear view; or

(2)

if a person, including an installer or manufacturer, places on or attaches to the windshield or side or rear window of a motor vehicle a transparent material that alters the color or reduces the light transmission.

(a-1)

A person in the business of placing or attaching transparent material that alters the color or reduces the light transmission to the windshield or side or rear window of a motor vehicle commits a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed $1,000 if the person:

(1)

places or attaches such transparent material to the windshield or side or rear window of a motor vehicle; and

(2)

does not install a label that complies with Section 547.609 (Required Label for Sunscreening Devices) between the transparent material and the windshield or side or rear window of the vehicle, as applicable.

(b)

Subsection (a) does not apply to:

(1)

a windshield that has a sunscreening device that:

(A)

in combination with the windshield has a light transmission of 25 percent or more;

(B)

in combination with the windshield has a luminous reflectance of 25 percent or less;

(C)

is not red, blue, or amber; and

(D)

does not extend downward beyond the AS-1 line or more than five inches from the top of the windshield, whichever is closer to the top of the windshield;

(2)

a wing vent or a window that is to the left or right of the vehicle operator if the vent or window has a sunscreening device that in combination with the vent or window has:

(A)

a light transmission of 25 percent or more; and

(B)

a luminous reflectance of 25 percent or less;

(2-a)

a side window that is to the rear of the vehicle operator;

(3)

a rear window, if the motor vehicle is equipped with an outside mirror on each side of the vehicle that reflects to the vehicle operator a view of the highway for a distance of at least 200 feet from the rear;

(4)

a rearview mirror;

(5)

an adjustable nontransparent sun visor that is mounted in front of a side window and not attached to the glass;

(6)

a direction, destination, or termination sign on a passenger common carrier motor vehicle, if the sign does not interfere with the vehicle operator’s view of approaching traffic;

(7)

a rear window wiper motor;

(8)

a rear trunk lid handle or hinge;

(9)

a luggage rack attached to the rear trunk;

(10)

a side window that is to the rear of the vehicle operator on a multipurpose vehicle;

(11)

a window that has a United States, state, or local certificate placed on or attached to it as required by law;

(12)

a motor vehicle that is not registered in this state;

(13)

a window that complies with federal standards for window materials, including a factory-tinted or a pretinted window installed by the vehicle manufacturer, or a replacement window meeting the specifications required by the vehicle manufacturer;

(14)

a vehicle that is:

(A)

used regularly to transport passengers for a fee; and

(B)

authorized to operate under license or permit by a local authority;

(15)

a vehicle that is maintained by a law enforcement agency and used for law enforcement purposes; or

(16)

a commercial motor vehicle as defined by Section 644.001 (Definitions).

(c)

A manufacturer shall certify to the department that the sunscreening device made or assembled by the manufacturer complies with the light transmission and luminous reflectance specifications established by Subsection (b) for sunscreening devices in combination with a window.

(d)

The department may determine that a window that has a sunscreening device is exempt under Subsection (b)(2) if the light transmission or luminous reflectance varies by no more than three percent from the standard established in that subsection.

(e)

It is a defense to prosecution under Subsection (a) that the defendant or a passenger in the vehicle at the time of the violation is required for a medical reason to be shielded from direct rays of the sun.

(f)

It is not an offense under this section for a person to offer for sale or sell a motor vehicle with a windshield or window that does not comply with this section.

(g)

In this section:

(1)

“Installer” means a person who fabricates, laminates, or tempers a safety glazing material to incorporate, during the installation process, the capacity to reflect light or reduce light transmission.

(2)

“Manufacturer” means a person who:

(A)

manufactures or assembles a sunscreening device; or

(B)

fabricates, laminates, or tempers safety glazing material to incorporate, during the manufacturing process, the capacity to reflect light or reduce light transmission.
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 30.118(a), eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 136, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.
Amended by:
Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 368 (S.B. 329), Sec. 1, eff. June 15, 2007.
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 750 (S.B. 589), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2009.

Source: Section 547.613 — Restrictions on Windows, https://statutes.­capitol.­texas.­gov/Docs/TN/htm/TN.­547.­htm#547.­613 (accessed Mar. 23, 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:
Mar. 23, 2024

§ 547.613’s source at texas​.gov