Travis County Courthouse Circa 1939
28 new laws went into effect in Texas as of September 1st. If you drive in Austin, you need to know about these changes! Here are a few highlights, see the PDF here if you’d like to read the full version.
- All occupants of a vehicle, must wear a seat belt.
- Children under 8 years old or 4’9″ must wear a child passenger safety seat.
- No cell phones in a school zone unless you are stopped or using a hards-free device.
- DWI with a child passenger now carries a harsher punishment.
- New Texas residents now have 90 days (up from 30) to get a Texas driver’s license.
- New “punishment enhancements” for driving with a suspended license & no insurance.
- “Neighborhood electric vehicles” (NEVs) can be driven where the speed limit is less than 45 mph.
- All drivers under the age of 18 are restricted from using a wireless communication device while driving. This counts phone calls, texting, and emails!
- You must have an address in Texas to receive a Texas driver’s license, not only a PO Box.
- Minors can be charged with public intoxication.
See the PDF here. Save it for future reference.
