Tex. Codes » Transportation Code · TITLE 7. VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC · SUBTITLE C. RULES OF THE ROAD · CHAPTER 544. TRAFFIC SIGNS, SIGNALS, AND MARKINGS
Texas Codes

Tex. Transp. Code § 544.004 (2026)

Compliance With Traffic-control Device

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Sec. 544.004. COMPLIANCE WITH TRAFFIC-CONTROL DEVICE. (a) The operator of a vehicle or streetcar shall comply with an applicable official traffic-control device placed as provided by this subtitle unless the person is:

(1) otherwise directed by a traffic officer, police officer, or escort flagger; or

(2) operating an authorized emergency vehicle and is subject to exceptions under this subtitle.

(b) A provision of this subtitle requiring an official traffic-control device may not be enforced against an alleged violator if at the time and place of the alleged violation the device is not in proper position and sufficiently legible to an ordinarily observant person. A provision of this subtitle that does not require an official traffic-control device is effective regardless of whether a device is in place.

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

Amended by:

Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1129 (H.B. 2620), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2019.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 37 cases (7 in the last 5 years), 1999–2025 · leading case: United States v. Joe Castillo, 804 F.3d 361 (5th Cir. 2015).
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United States v. Joe Castillo, 804 F.3d 361 (5th Cir. 2015). · cites it 6× “Tex. Transp. Code § 544.004. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has authoritatively interpreted this provision of the transportation code as applied to a “left lane for passing 4 Case: 14-41425 Document: 00513190855 Page: 5 Date Filed: 09/11/2015 No.”
Abney, Rickey Dewayne, 394 S.W.3d 542 (Tex. Crim. App. 2013). · cites it 2× “2009) (explaining that, although a defendant who alleges a seizure in violation of the Fourth Amendment has the burden of producing some evidence that rebuts the presumption of proper police conduct, once this showing is made the burden shifts to the State to prove that the…”
Green v. State, 93 S.W.3d 541 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2002). · cites it 2× “Tex. Transp. Code Ann. § 544.004 (Vernon 1999).”
State v. Lindsey Nichole Houghton, 384 S.W.3d 441 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2012). “The video reflects that, although Houghton’s vehicle crossed the solid white stripe that marks the right boundary of the left-turn lane, Houghton signaled a lane change, moved her vehicle into the left-turn lane, and waited for an approaching car to clear the intersection before…”
Mouton v. State, 101 S.W.3d 686 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2003). “” Tex. Transp. Code Ann. § 544.004 (Vernon 1999).”
Kassem v. State, 263 S.W.3d 377 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2008). · cites it 2× “See Tex. Trans. Code Ann. § 544.004 (Vernon 1999).”
Whitehead v. Tobias, 7 S.W.3d 658 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 1999). · cites it 2× “[3] TEX. TRANSP. Code Ann. § 544.004 (Vernon 1999).”
United States v. Ramon Castro, 480 F. App'x 782 (5th Cir. 2012). · cites it 2× “2002) (citing Tex. Transp. Code Ann. §§ 544.004 , 544.011).”
Francheska v. Jaganathan v. State, 438 S.W.3d 823 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2014). “004(a) of the Texas Transportation Code states, in pertinent part, that “[t]he operator of a vehicle or streetcar shall comply with an applicable official traffic-control device placed as provided by this subtitle-” Tex. Transp. Code Ann. § 544.004 (a) (West 2011).”
Agee v. Hartford Accident & Indem. Co., No. 3:22-cv-01697 (N.D. Tex. July 18, 2023). · cites it 2× “Compare TEX. TRANSP. CODE § 544.004; with id. 545.”
United States v. Ramon Castro, No. 11-50781 (5th Cir. June 27, 2012). · cites it 2× “2002) (citing TEX. TRANSP. CODE ANN. §§ 544.004, 544.011).”
Lisa Barfield v. State, No. 01-06-00903-CR (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] Oct. 18, 2007). · cites it 2× “shall comply with an applicable traffic-control device placed as provided by this subtitle," subject to certain exceptions not applicable here. See Tex.”
Show all 37 citing cases →
Tex. Transp. Code § 544.004(a): 8 cases
United States v. Erika Rodriguez, No. 18-40329 (5th Cir. Jan. 31, 2020).
United States v. Jose Salas-Crisostomo, No. 18-11169 (5th Cir. May 11, 2020).
State of Texas v. Joseph Turner, No. 02-22-00018-CR (Tex. App.—Fort Worth June 29, 2023).
Agee v. Hartford Accident & Indem. Co., No. 3:22-cv-01697 (N.D. Tex. July 18, 2023). “Compare TEX. TRANSP. CODE § 544.004; with id. 545.”
Ray Lee Cockrell v. State of Texas, No. 06-23-00230-CR (Tex. App.—Texarkana Oct. 7, 2025).
Tex. Transp. Code § 544.004(a)(1): 1 case
Edward Cox v. Franklin Micah May Vanderburg, No. 06-20-00078-CV, 2021 WL 4055487 (Tex. App.—Texarkana Sept. 7, 2021).
Tex. Transp. Code § 544.004(b): 2 cases
Abney, Rickey Dewayne, 394 S.W.3d 542 (Tex. Crim. App. 2013). “2009) (explaining that, although a defendant who alleges a seizure in violation of the Fourth Amendment has the burden of producing some evidence that rebuts the presumption of proper police conduct, once this showing is made the burden shifts to the State to prove that the…”
United States v. Ramon Castro, No. 11-50781 (5th Cir. June 27, 2012). “2002) (citing TEX. TRANSP. CODE ANN. §§ 544.004, 544.011).”
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