Tex. Codes » Transportation Code · TITLE 7. VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC · SUBTITLE C. RULES OF THE ROAD · CHAPTER 543. ARREST AND PROSECUTION OF VIOLATORS
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Tex. Transp. Code § 543.004 (2026)

Notice To Appear Required: Certain Offenses

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Sec. 543.004. NOTICE TO APPEAR REQUIRED: CERTAIN OFFENSES. (a) An officer shall issue a written notice to appear if:

(1) the offense charged is:

(A) speeding;

(B) the use of a wireless communication device under Section 545.4251; or

(C) a violation of the open container law, Section 49.031, Penal Code; and

(2) the person makes a written promise to appear in court as provided by Section 543.005.

(b) If the person is a resident of or is operating a vehicle licensed in a state or country other than this state, Subsection (a) applies only as provided by Chapter 703.

(c) The offenses specified by Subsection (a) are the only offenses for which issuance of a written notice to appear is mandatory.

Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 62, Sec. 17.07, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.

Amended by:

Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 438 (H.B. 62), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2017.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 25 cases (3 in the last 5 years), 1996–2026 · leading case: Azeez v. State, 248 S.W.3d 182 (Tex. Crim. App. 2008).
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Azeez v. State, 248 S.W.3d 182 (Tex. Crim. App. 2008). · cites it 2× “Tex. Transp. Code §§ 543.004 & 543.005. 30 .”
Amador v. State, 275 S.W.3d 872 (Tex. Crim. App. 2009). “See Tex. Transp. Code § 543.004(a)(1) ("[a]n officer shall issue a written notice to appear if the offense charged is speeding”).”
United States v. Edgar Castro, United States of Am. v. Susana Gomez, 166 F.3d 728 (5th Cir. 1999). “” Tex. Transp. Code Ann. § 543.001 (Vernon Pamph.”
Azeez v. State, 203 S.W.3d 456 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2006). “See TEX. TRANSP. CODE ANN. § 543.004 (Vernon Supp.”
State v. West, 20 S.W.3d 867 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2000). “See Tex. Transp. Code Ann. § 543.004 (a) (Vernon Supp.”
State v. Ayala, 981 S.W.2d 474 (Tex. App.—El Paso 1998). “01(b)(Vernon 1977)(a peace officer may arrest an offender without a warrant for any offense committed in his presence or within his view); Tex.Transp.Code Ann. § 543.001 (general authorization to arrest); Tex.”
State v. McCall, 929 S.W.2d 601 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 1996). “Thus, once Officer Fultz saw the car being operated without an illuminated rear'license plate, he was authorized to arrest the driver.”
Untitled Texas Attorney Gen. Opinion: KP-0510, No. KP-0510 (Tex. Att'y Gen. Feb. 2, 2026). · cites it 2× “” 6 TEX. TRANSP. CODE § 543.004(a)(2), (c). Section 543.”
Azeez, Sheriff K., No. PD-0010-07 (Tex. Crim. App. Mar. 5, 2008). · cites it 2× “Tex. Transp. Code §§ 543.004 & 543.005. 30.”
Untitled Texas Attorney Gen. Opinion: KP-0477, No. KP-0477 (Tex. Att'y Gen. Jan. 22, 2025). “See TEX. TRANSP. CODE §§ 543.004–.005. In the three relevant ticketing scenarios, issuance of the notice as mandated by section 543.”
Dylan James Larson v. State of Texas, No. 03-24-00469-CR (Tex. App.—Austin Dec. 19, 2025). “See Tex. Transp. Code § 543.004. 11 information to form the basis for probable cause or reasonable suspicion, but sufficient information to justify the arrest or search was known by other law enforcement officials initiating or involved with the investigation.”
James Spence v. State, No. 03-95-00254-CR (Tex. App.—Austin Aug. 28, 1996). · cites it 2× “6701d, § 148(a), since codified at Tex. Transp. Code Ann. § 543.004 (West 1996)).”
Show all 25 citing cases →
Tex. Transp. Code § 543.004(a)(1): 7 cases
Amador v. State, 275 S.W.3d 872 (Tex. Crim. App. 2009). “See Tex. Transp. Code § 543.004(a)(1) ("[a]n officer shall issue a written notice to appear if the offense charged is speeding”).”
Azeez v. State, 248 S.W.3d 182 (Tex. Crim. App. 2008). “Tex. Transp. Code §§ 543.004 & 543.005. 30 .”
Charles Lee Shaw v. State, No. 01-04-01119-CR (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] Jan. 12, 2006).
Azeez, Sheriff K., No. PD-0010-07 (Tex. Crim. App. Mar. 5, 2008). “Tex. Transp. Code §§ 543.004 & 543.005. 30.”
Amador, Justin, No. PD-0144-08 (Tex. Crim. App. Jan. 14, 2009).
Tex. Transp. Code § 543.004(a)(2): 1 case
Untitled Texas Attorney Gen. Opinion: KP-0510, No. KP-0510 (Tex. Att'y Gen. Feb. 2, 2026). “” 6 TEX. TRANSP. CODE § 543.004(a)(2), (c). Section 543.”
Tex. Transp. Code § 543.004(b): 1 case
Untitled Texas Attorney Gen. Opinion: KP-0510, No. KP-0510 (Tex. Att'y Gen. Feb. 2, 2026). “” 6 TEX. TRANSP. CODE § 543.004(a)(2), (c). Section 543.”
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