Texas Codes

Tex. Transp. Code § 601.002 (2026)

Definitions

✓ current as of May 2026

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Sec. 601.002. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:

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

(2) "Driver's license" has the meaning assigned by Section 521.001.

(3) "Financial responsibility" means the ability to respond in damages for liability for a collision that:

(A) occurs after the effective date of the document evidencing the establishment of the financial responsibility; and

(B) arises out of the ownership, maintenance, or use of a motor vehicle.

(4) "Highway" means the entire width between property lines of a road, street, or way in this state that is not privately owned or controlled and:

(A) some part of which is open to the public for vehicular traffic; and

(B) over which the state has legislative jurisdiction under its police power.

(5) "Motor vehicle" means a self-propelled vehicle designed for use on a highway, a trailer or semitrailer designed for use with a self-propelled vehicle, or a vehicle propelled by electric power from overhead wires and not operated on rails. The term does not include:

(A) a traction engine;

(B) a road roller or grader;

(D) a power shovel;

(E) a well driller;

(F) an implement of husbandry; or

(G) an electric personal assistive mobility device, as defined by Section 551.201.

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

(7) "Nonresident's operating privilege" means the privilege conferred on a nonresident by the laws of this state relating to the operation of a motor vehicle in this state by the nonresident or the use in this state of a motor vehicle owned by the nonresident.

(8) "Operator" means the person in actual physical control of a motor vehicle.

(9) "Owner" means:

(A) the person who holds legal title to a motor vehicle;

(B) the purchaser or lessee of a motor vehicle subject to an agreement for the conditional sale or lease of the vehicle, if the person has:

(i) the right to purchase the vehicle on performing conditions stated in the agreement; and

(ii) an immediate right to possess the vehicle; or

(10) "Person" means an individual, firm, partnership, association, or corporation.

(11) "State" means:

(A) a state, territory, or possession of the United States; or

(B) the District of Columbia.

(12) "Vehicle registration" means:

(A) a registration certificate, registration receipt, or number plate issued under Chapter 502; or

(B) a dealer's license plate issued under Chapter 503.

Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1318, Sec. 6, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.

Amended by:

Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 793 (S.B. 1235), Sec. 15, eff. September 1, 2009.

Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 668 (H.B. 718), Sec. 31, eff. July 1, 2025.

Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 709 (H.B. 2190), Sec. 62, eff. September 1, 2023.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 9 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 2001–2022 · leading case: Nationwide Ins. Co. v. Elchehimi, 249 S.W.3d 430 (Tex. 2008).

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Nationwide Ins. Co. v. Elchehimi, 249 S.W.3d 430 (Tex. 2008). · cites it 6× “002(5) of the Transportation Code is expressly applicable only to chapter 601 of the Transportation Code, TEX. TRANSP. CODE § 601.002 (specifying definitions for use "[i]n this chapter"); there is no indication that it is designed to be applied in other contexts.”

Carlos A. Arias v. State, 477 S.W.3d 925 (Tex. App. 2015). “” Tex. Transp. Code § 601.002(3). The section of *929 the statute describing as a penal offense the operation of a motor vehicle without establishing financial responsibility is section 601.”

Wesley Perkins v. State (Tex. App. 2015). · cites it 2× “32 TEX. TRANSP. CODE ANN. § 541.201(23).....”

Gerald Stevens v. State (Tex. App. 2015). · cites it 2× “003 (21) 11 Tex. Transp. Code Ann. § 541.001 (1) 13 Tex.”

Domingo Tajiboy v. State (Tex. App. 2019). “” Tex. Transp. Code § 601.002(3). A person may establish financial responsibility through: (1) a motor vehicle liability insurance policy; (2) a surety bond; (3) a deposit; or (4) self-insurance.”

Progressive Cnty. Mut. Ins. Co. v. Anselmo M. Caltzonsing (Tex. App. 2022). “” TEX. TRANSP. CODE ANN. § 601.002(3) (emphasis added).”

Leonard Fisher v. State (Tex. App. 2001). “” Tex. Transp. Code Ann. § 601.002 (5) (West 1989).”

Leonard Fisher v. State (Tex. App. 2001). “" Tex. Transp. Code Ann. § 601.002 (5) (West 1989).”

Brian L. Fuller v. State (Tex. App. 2009). “) (not designated for publication) (internal citations omitted) (citing Tex. Transp. Code Ann. § 601.002 (3)(B) (Vernon Supp.”

— Tex. Transp. Code § 601.002(3) — 3 cases

Progressive Cnty. Mut. Ins. Co. v. Anselmo M. Caltzonsing (Tex. App. 2022). “” TEX. TRANSP. CODE ANN. § 601.002(3) (emphasis added).”

— Tex. Transp. Code § 601.002(5) — 2 cases

Nationwide Ins. Co. v. Elchehimi, 249 S.W.3d 430 (Tex. 2008). “002(5) of the Transportation Code is expressly applicable only to chapter 601 of the Transportation Code, TEX. TRANSP. CODE § 601.002 (specifying definitions for use "[i]n this chapter"); there is no indication that it is designed to be applied in other contexts.”

Wesley Perkins v. State (Tex. App. 2015). “32 TEX. TRANSP. CODE ANN. § 541.201(23).....”

— Tex. Transp. Code § 601.002(8) — 1 case

Wesley Perkins v. State (Tex. App. 2015). “32 TEX. TRANSP. CODE ANN. § 541.201(23).....”

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