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TexasSB 280789th Legislature Regular SessionSenate

Relating to motor vehicles, including automated motor vehicles; creating a criminal offense.

Sponsored By: Pat Curry, Brent Hagenbuch (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Crimes--MiscellaneousOccupational Regulation--Other Trades & ProfessionsSafetyVehicles & Traffic--GeneralVehicles & Traffic--Rules of RoadADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS, STATE OFFICE OFMOTOR VEHICLES, TEXAS DEPARTMENT OFPUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSIONTRANSPORTATION, TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

9 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 6 mixed.

Automated commercial vehicles get targeted exemptions

Automated commercial vehicles remain subject to applicable commercial vehicle laws. Requirements that inherently apply only to human drivers do not apply while the automated driving system is engaged. Beginning September 1, 2025, Section 545.455(c) violations cannot count toward specified multiple-violation grounds for motor-carrier registration decisions. This exclusion covers denial, renewal, reregistration, suspension, and revocation; other registration requirements and violation grounds remain in place.

Fewer government barriers for automated vehicles

Texas agencies cannot impose rules that discriminate against automated vehicles or their operators compared with other vehicles or road uses. Local governments cannot require a franchise or impose other rules related to operating automated vehicles or driving systems. The Public Safety Commission can exempt automated vehicles from specific state traffic or vehicle laws by rule. It must first find that an exemption poses no public-safety risk; the law itself grants no specific exemption.

Driverless commercial fleets need state authorization

Driverless commercial passenger and goods services on Texas roads must maintain Texas Department of Motor Vehicles authorization. Applications require applicant and vehicle details, safety-compliance statements, and confirmation of an emergency plan submitted to Public Safety. The plan covers fleet contacts, towing, safe removal, system-status recognition, and hazards; material document changes must be reported within 30 days. Authorization does not automatically expire; violating authorization or plan requirements is a Class B misdemeanor, with each day a separate offense. Required agency rules were due December 1, 2025; compliance with the amended automated-driving rules starts 90 days after those rules take effect.

Driverless vehicles allowed, owners receive citations

Automated vehicles can operate with their driving system engaged without a human driver present or a human driver's license. The law treats the engaged system as the operator for traffic-law compliance. Vehicle-related citations go to the owner, or to the authorization holder when operating under Section 545.456 authorization. The law does not set citation amounts.

Automated vehicles face safety and insurance rules

Automated vehicles using Texas roads must follow traffic laws, meet federal standards, and have a manufacturer-installed recording device. They must reach a safe condition after a system failure that prevents driving within their designed operating limits. They must be registered and titled in Texas, with insurance or self-insurance meeting state or federal minimums for their use. After a crash, the vehicle, someone acting for it, or its human driver must follow Texas collision rules. Compliance with the amended automated-driving rules is required 90 days after the required agency rules take effect.

Automated fleets get correction and appeal rights

The department must notify authorization holders of problems, supporting evidence, a reasonable correction period, required certification, and planned enforcement. Uncorrected problems can lead to suspension, revocation, cancellation, or operating restrictions after a final decision. Holders have 10 days to request review and 10 days after the final determination to request a hearing. The department must remove the action after required corrections and certification are complete. A separate exception allows immediate action for noncompliance or missing requested documents; document-based sanctions must be promptly lifted when documents arrive.

Automated ride companies gain options and rules

Beginning September 1, 2025, companies arranging paid automated rides through their digital networks fall under transportation network company rules. Permitted companies can use automated vehicles they own or operate under contract. Driver requirements that inherently need a human do not apply while the automated driving system is engaged. Automated vehicles used for digitally booked rides do not need four doors. Companies using automated vehicles for these rides are also exempt from Section 2402.113, whether using their own or another entity's network.

Ride insurance rules cover automated vehicles

Beginning September 1, 2025, automated vehicles count as drivers under the transportation network company insurance rules in Subchapter B. This extends those coverage protections to automated rides and requires compliance with the existing insurance framework. The law does not state new coverage amounts.

Safety practices excluded from worker classification

Beginning September 1, 2025, motor-carrier safety improvements cannot be considered in Texas worker-status decisions. This applies when deciding whether a vehicle operator is an employee, joint employee, or independent contractor. Covered improvements include devices, technology, training, policies, and practices intended and mainly used to improve traffic or motor-carrier safety. The rule excludes this evidence; it does not itself decide a worker's status.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Pat Curry

    House

  • Brent Hagenbuch

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 228 • No: 100

Senate vote • 5/30/2025

Record vote

Yes: 30 • No: 1

House vote • 5/28/2025

Record vote

Yes: 96 • No: 42

House vote • 5/27/2025

Record vote

Yes: 87 • No: 52

Senate vote • 4/30/2025

Record vote

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/30/2025

Record vote

Yes: 0 • No: 0

House vote • Unknown

Committee vote: Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Yes: 6 • No: 5

Senate vote • Unknown

Committee vote: Transportation

Yes: 9 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective on 9/1/25

    6/20/2025House

  2. Signed by the Governor

    6/20/2025House

  3. Sent to the Governor

    6/2/2025House

  4. Signed in the House

    6/2/2025House

  5. Signed in the Senate

    6/1/2025Senate

  6. Reported enrolled

    5/31/2025Senate

  7. Senate concurs in House amendment(s)-reported

    5/31/2025House

  8. Record vote

    5/30/2025Senate

  9. Senate concurs in House amendment(s)

    5/30/2025Senate

  10. Read

    5/30/2025Senate

  11. House amendment(s) laid before the Senate

    5/30/2025Senate

  12. House passage as amended reported

    5/28/2025Senate

  13. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal

    5/28/2025House

  14. Record vote (RV#3920)

    5/28/2025House

  15. Passed as amended

    5/28/2025House

  16. Amended (1-Capriglione)

    5/28/2025House

  17. Laid out as postponed business

    5/28/2025House

  18. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal

    5/27/2025House

  19. Record vote (RV#3663)

    5/27/2025House

  20. Postponed (5/28/25 7:30 AM)

    5/27/2025House

  21. Read 3rd time

    5/27/2025House

  22. Passed to 3rd reading

    5/27/2025House

  23. Read 2nd time

    5/27/2025House

  24. Placed on General State Calendar

    5/24/2025House

  25. Considered in Calendars

    5/22/2025House

Bill Text

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