Tex. Codes » Transportation Code · TITLE 7. VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC · SUBTITLE B. DRIVER'S LICENSES AND PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION CARDS · CHAPTER 521. DRIVER'S LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES
Texas Codes

Tex. Transp. Code § 521.001 (2026)

Definitions

✓ current as of May 2026
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Sec. 521.001. DEFINITIONS. (a) In this chapter:

(1) "Correctional facility" means:

(A) a place described by Section 1.07(a)(14), Penal Code; or

(B) a secure correctional facility or secure detention facility, as defined by Section 51.02, Family Code.

(1-a) "Department" means the Department of Public Safety.

(2) "Director" means the public safety director.

(3) "Driver's license" means an authorization issued by the department for the operation of a motor vehicle. The term includes:

(A) a temporary license or learner license; and

(B) an occupational driver's license.

(3-a) "Federal judge" means:

(A) a judge of a United States court of appeals;

(B) a judge of a United States district court;

(C) a judge of a United States bankruptcy court; or

(D) a magistrate judge of a United States district court.

(4) "Gross combination weight rating" has the meaning assigned by Section 522.003.

(5) "Gross vehicle weight rating" has the meaning assigned by Section 522.003.

(6) "License" means an authorization to operate a motor vehicle that is issued under or granted by the laws of this state. The term includes:

(A) a driver's license;

(B) the privilege of a person to operate a motor vehicle regardless of whether the person holds a driver's license; and

(C) a nonresident's operating privilege.

(6-a) "Motorcycle" includes an enclosed three-wheeled passenger vehicle that:

(A) is designed to operate with three wheels in contact with the ground;

(B) has a single, completely enclosed, occupant compartment; and

(C) at a minimum, is equipped with:

(i) seats that are certified by the vehicle manufacturer to meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 207, 49 C.F.R. Section 571.207;

(ii) a steering wheel used to maneuver the vehicle;

(iii) a propulsion unit located in front of or behind the enclosed occupant compartment;

(iv) a seat belt for each vehicle occupant certified by the manufacturer to meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 209, 49 C.F.R. Section 571.209;

(v) a windshield and one or more windshield wipers certified by the manufacturer to meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 205, 49 C.F.R. Section 571.205, and Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 104, 49 C.F.R. Section 571.104;

(vi) a vehicle structure certified by the vehicle manufacturer to meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 216, 49 C.F.R. Section 571.216, if:

(a) the unladen weight of the vehicle is more than 900 pounds; or

(b) the unladen weight of the vehicle is not more than 900 pounds and the vehicle has a maximum speed capability of more than 40 miles per hour; and

(vii) an active tilt control system if the unladen weight of the vehicle is not more than 900 pounds and the vehicle has a maximum speed capability of 40 miles per hour or less.

(7) "Nonresident" means a person who is not a resident of this state.

(7-a) "Parole facility" means a place described by Section 508.118 or 508.119, Government Code.

(8) "State" means a state, territory, or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

(8-a) "State judge" means:

(A) the judge of an appellate court, a district court, a county court at law, or a statutory probate court of this state; or

(B) an associate judge appointed under Chapter 201, Family Code, Chapter 54A, Government Code, or Chapter 574, Health and Safety Code.

(9) "Image comparison technology" means any technology that is used to compare facial images, thumbprints, or fingerprints.

(b) A word or phrase that is not defined by this chapter but is defined by Subtitle C has the meaning in this chapter that is assigned by that subtitle.

(c) The department by rule may define types of vehicles that are "motorcycles" for the purposes of this chapter, in addition to those defined under Subsection (a)(6-a). The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles by rule may define the types of vehicles that are "motorcycles" for the purposes of Chapters 501, 502, and 503. This subsection applies only to vehicles manufactured by a manufacturer licensed under Chapter 2301, Occupations Code.

Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.

Amended by:

Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 1108 (H.B. 2337), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2005.

Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 316 (H.B. 598), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.

Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 722 (S.B. 129), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2009.

Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 967 (H.B. 3599), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.

Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 1146 (H.B. 2730), Sec. 13A.01, eff. September 1, 2009.

Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 1288 (H.B. 2161), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2009.

Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 1391 (S.B. 1967), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2009.

Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 521 (H.B. 1080), Sec. 1, eff. June 16, 2015.

Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1217 (S.B. 1756), Sec. 1, eff. June 19, 2015.

Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1059 (H.B. 3050), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2017.

Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 595 (S.B. 616), Sec. 6.001, eff. June 10, 2019.

Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 595 (S.B. 616), Sec. 6.002, eff. June 10, 2019.

Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 386 (H.B. 291), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2023.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 11 cases (2 in the last 5 years), 2001–2024 · leading case: Allen v. State, 48 S.W.3d 775 (Tex. Crim. App. 2001).
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Allen v. State, 48 S.W.3d 775 (Tex. Crim. App. 2001). · cites it 4× “" Tex. Transp. Code Ann. § 521.001 revisor's note (Vernon 1999).”
Wood v. Texas Dep't of Pub. Saf., 331 S.W.3d 78 (Tex. App. 2010). “In its post-hearing memorandum of law, DPS argued that "license” is defined in the transportation code as including an occupational license, Tex. Transp. Code Ann. § 521.001 (6) (Vernon 2007), and therefore, because the surcharge statute suspends a person's "license” for failure…”
Deleon II, Orlando v. State, 105 S.W.3d 47 (Tex. App. 2003). “Tex. TRAnsp.Code Ann. § 521.001(a)(3). A license must include the full name, date of birth, and residence address of the holder.”
Wesley Eugene Perkins v. the State of Texas (Tex. App. 2022). · cites it 2× “See Tex. Transp. Code §§ 521.001(b) (applying to statute of Perkins’s offense definitions provided for in subtitle that contains Transportation Code section 541.”
Pamela Maureen Greenhill v. the State of Texas (Tex. App. 2024). “”); TEX. TRANSP. CODE ANN. § 521.001(b) (Supp.”
Patricia E. Nations v. State (Tex. App. 2006). “" Tex. Transp. Code Ann. § 521.001 (a)(3) (West Supp.”
Lloyd Robert Walker v. State of Texas (Tex. App. 2002). “Dittfurth testified that Appellant's driver's license expired in August 1997. Mr. Dittfurth further testified that Appellant's driver's license was not renewed and was assigned to another driver in August 2000.”
Barry M. Wood, Jr. v. Texas Dep't of Pub. Saf. (Tex. App. 2010). “1 In its post-hearing memorandum of law, DPS argued that ―license‖ is defined in the transportation code as including an occupational license, Tex. Transp. Code Ann. § 521.001 (6) (Vernon 2007), and therefore, because the surcharge statute suspends a person‘s ―license‖ for…”
in Re Donny Joe Curry (Tex. App. 2015). “003, but please take judicial and actual notice to all referenced evidence entered into the Court's record therein, as Relator invokes all records entered therein as his remedy. Relator informed the Court orally and in writing that Texas Transportation Code prevented public…”
Untitled Texas Attorney Gen. Opinion (Tex. Att'y Gen. 2012). “" TEX. TRANSP. CODE ANN. § 521.001(a)(1-a), (3) (West Supp.”
Untitled Texas Attorney Gen. Opinion (Tex. Att'y Gen. 2008). “" TEX. TRANSP. CODE ANN. § 521.001 (Vernon 2007).”
— Tex. Transp. Code § 521.001(a) — 1 case
Untitled Texas Attorney Gen. Opinion (Tex. Att'y Gen. 2012). “" TEX. TRANSP. CODE ANN. § 521.001(a)(1-a), (3) (West Supp.”
— Tex. Transp. Code § 521.001(a)(3) — 1 case
Deleon II, Orlando v. State, 105 S.W.3d 47 (Tex. App. 2003). “Tex. TRAnsp.Code Ann. § 521.001(a)(3). A license must include the full name, date of birth, and residence address of the holder.”
— Tex. Transp. Code § 521.001(a)(6)(B) — 1 case
in Re Donny Joe Curry (Tex. App. 2015). “003, but please take judicial and actual notice to all referenced evidence entered into the Court's record therein, as Relator invokes all records entered therein as his remedy. Relator informed the Court orally and in writing that Texas Transportation Code prevented public…”
— Tex. Transp. Code § 521.001(b) — 2 cases
Wesley Eugene Perkins v. the State of Texas (Tex. App. 2022). “See Tex. Transp. Code §§ 521.001(b) (applying to statute of Perkins’s offense definitions provided for in subtitle that contains Transportation Code section 541.”
Pamela Maureen Greenhill v. the State of Texas (Tex. App. 2024). “”); TEX. TRANSP. CODE ANN. § 521.001(b) (Supp.”
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