Tex. Transp. Code Section 601.053
Evidence of Financial Responsibility


(a)

As a condition of operating in this state a motor vehicle to which Section 601.051 (Requirement of Financial Responsibility) applies, the operator of the vehicle on request shall provide to a peace officer, as defined by Article 2.12 (Who Are Peace Officers), Code of Criminal Procedure, or a person involved in a collision with the operator evidence of financial responsibility by exhibiting:

(1)

a motor vehicle liability insurance policy covering the vehicle that satisfies Subchapter D or a photocopy of the policy;

(2)

a standard proof of motor vehicle liability insurance form prescribed by the Texas Department of Insurance under Section 601.081 (Standard Proof of Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance Form) and issued by a liability insurer for the motor vehicle;

(2-a)

an image displayed on a wireless communication device that includes the information required by Section 601.081 (Standard Proof of Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance Form) as provided by a liability insurer;

(3)

an insurance binder that confirms the operator is in compliance with this chapter;

(4)

a surety bond certificate issued under Section 601.121;

(5)

a certificate of a deposit with the comptroller covering the vehicle issued under Section 601.122;

(6)

a copy of a certificate of a deposit with the appropriate county judge covering the vehicle issued under Section 601.123; or

(7)

a certificate of self-insurance covering the vehicle issued under Section 601.124 (Self-insurance) or a photocopy of the certificate.

(a)

As a condition of operating in this state a motor vehicle to which Section 601.051 (Requirement of Financial Responsibility) applies, the operator of the vehicle on request shall provide to a peace officer, as defined by Article 2A.001 (Peace Officers Generally), Code of Criminal Procedure, or a person involved in a collision with the operator evidence of financial responsibility by exhibiting:

(1)

a motor vehicle liability insurance policy covering the vehicle that satisfies Subchapter D or a photocopy of the policy;

(2)

a standard proof of motor vehicle liability insurance form prescribed by the Texas Department of Insurance under Section 601.081 (Standard Proof of Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance Form) and issued by a liability insurer for the motor vehicle;

(2-a)

an image displayed on a wireless communication device that includes the information required by Section 601.081 (Standard Proof of Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance Form) as provided by a liability insurer;

(3)

an insurance binder that confirms the operator is in compliance with this chapter;

(4)

a surety bond certificate issued under Section 601.121;

(5)

a certificate of a deposit with the comptroller covering the vehicle issued under Section 601.122;

(6)

a copy of a certificate of a deposit with the appropriate county judge covering the vehicle issued under Section 601.123; or

(7)

a certificate of self-insurance covering the vehicle issued under Section 601.124 (Self-insurance) or a photocopy of the certificate.

(b)

Except as provided by Subsection (c), an operator who does not exhibit evidence of financial responsibility under Subsection (a) is presumed to have operated the vehicle in violation of Section 601.051 (Requirement of Financial Responsibility).

(c)

Subsection (b) does not apply if the peace officer determines through use of the verification program established under Subchapter N that financial responsibility has been established for the vehicle. A peace officer may not issue a citation for an offense under Section 601.191 (Operation of Motor Vehicle in Violation of Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance Requirement; Offense) unless the officer attempts to verify through the verification program that financial responsibility has been established for the vehicle and is unable to make that verification.

(d)

The display of an image that includes financial responsibility information on a wireless communication device under Subsection (a)(2-a) does not constitute effective consent for a law enforcement officer, or any other person, to access the contents of the wireless communication device except to view the financial responsibility information.

(e)

The authorization of the use of a wireless communication device to display financial responsibility information under Subsection (a)(2-a) does not prevent:

(1)

a court of competent jurisdiction from requiring a person to provide a paper copy of the person’s evidence of financial responsibility in a hearing or trial or in connection with discovery proceedings; or

(2)

the commissioner of insurance from requiring a person to provide a paper copy of the person’s evidence of financial responsibility in connection with any inquiry or transaction conducted by or on behalf of the commissioner.

(f)

A telecommunications provider, as defined by Section 51.002 (Definitions), Utilities Code, may not be held liable to the operator of the motor vehicle for the failure of a wireless communication device to display financial responsibility information under Subsection (a)(2-a).
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1423, Sec. 18.06, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
Amended by:
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 1146 (H.B. 2730), Sec. 15A.01, eff. September 1, 2009.
Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 153 (S.B. 181), Sec. 1, eff. May 24, 2013.
Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 399 (S.B. 1187), Sec. 1, eff. June 1, 2017.
Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 709 (H.B. 2190), Sec. 66, eff. September 1, 2023.
Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 765 (H.B. 4504), Sec. 2.177, eff. January 1, 2025.

Source: Section 601.053 — Evidence of Financial Responsibility, https://statutes.­capitol.­texas.­gov/Docs/TN/htm/TN.­601.­htm#601.­053 (accessed Apr. 13, 2024).

601.001
Short Title
601.002
Definitions
601.003
Judgment
601.005
Evidence in Civil Suit
601.006
Applicability to Certain Owners and Operators
601.007
Applicability of Chapter to Government Vehicles
601.008
Violation of Chapter
601.009
Report from Other State or Canada
601.021
Department Powers and Duties
601.023
Payment of Statutory Fees
601.051
Requirement of Financial Responsibility
601.052
Exceptions to Financial Responsibility Requirement
601.053
Evidence of Financial Responsibility
601.054
Owner May Provide Evidence of Financial Responsibility for Others
601.055
Substitution of Evidence of Financial Responsibility
601.056
Cancellation, Return, or Waiver of Evidence of Financial Responsibility
601.057
Evidence that Does Not Fulfill Requirements
601.071
Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance
601.072
Minimum Coverage Amounts
601.073
Required Policy Terms
601.074
Optional Terms
601.075
Prohibited Terms
601.076
Required Terms: Owner’s Policy
601.077
Required Terms: Operator’s Policy
601.078
Additional Coverage
601.079
Multiple Policies
601.080
Insurance Binder
601.081
Standard Proof of Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance Form
601.082
Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance
601.083
Certificate of Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance
601.084
Nonresident Certificate
601.085
Termination of Certified Policy
601.086
Response of Insurance Company if Policy Not in Effect
601.088
Effect on Certain Other Policies
601.121
Surety Bond
601.122
Deposit of Cash or Securities with Comptroller
601.123
Deposit of Cash or Cashier’s Check with County Judge
601.124
Self-insurance
601.151
Applicability of Subchapter
601.152
Suspension of Driver’s License and Vehicle Registration or Privilege
601.153
Deposit of Security
601.154
Department Determination of Probability of Liability
601.155
Notice of Determination
601.156
Setting of Hearing
601.157
Hearing Procedures
601.158
Appeal
601.159
Procedures for Suspension of Driver’s License and Vehicle Registration or Privilege
601.160
Suspension Stayed Pending Hearing or Appeal
601.161
Notice of Suspension
601.162
Duration of Suspension
601.163
Form of Security
601.164
Reduction in Security
601.165
Custody of Cash Security
601.166
Payment of Cash Security
601.167
Return of Cash Security
601.168
Insurance Policy or Bond
601.169
Reasonable Probability Not Admissible in Civil Suit
601.170
Department Acting on Erroneous Information
601.191
Operation of Motor Vehicle in Violation of Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance Requirement
601.193
Defense: Financial Responsibility in Effect at Time of Alleged Offense
601.194
Defense: Possession of Motor Vehicle for Maintenance or Repair
601.195
Operation of Motor Vehicle in Violation of Requirement to Establish Financial Responsibility
601.231
Suspension of Driver’s License
601.232
Notice of Suspension
601.233
Notice of Potential Suspension
601.234
Issuance or Continuation of Vehicle Registration
601.261
Impoundment of Motor Vehicle
601.262
Duration of Impoundment
601.263
Reimbursement Fee for Impoundment
601.264
Penalties Cumulative
601.265
Transfer of Title of Impounded Motor Vehicle
601.266
Release on Involuntary Transfer of Title of Impounded Motor Vehicle
601.267
Release of Impounded Motor Vehicle by Sheriff
601.291
Applicability of Subchapter
601.292
Duty to Provide Evidence of Financial Responsibility to Investigating Officer
601.293
Failure to Provide Evidence of Financial Responsibility
601.294
Impoundment of Motor Vehicle
601.295
Duration of Impoundment
601.296
Certificate of Release
601.297
Liability for Cost of Impoundment
601.331
Report of Unsatisfied Judgment or Conviction, Plea, or Forfeiture of Bail
601.332
Suspension of Driver’s License and Vehicle Registration or Nonresident’s Operating Privilege for Unsatisfied Judgment
601.333
Relief from Suspension: Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance
601.334
Relief from Suspension: Consent of Judgment Creditor
601.335
Installment Payments Authorized
601.336
Relief from Suspension: Installment Payments
601.337
Effect of Bankruptcy
601.338
Evidence of Financial Responsibility or Suspension of Driver’s License and Vehicle Registration of Owner of Motor Vehicle
601.339
Evidence of Financial Responsibility Following Conviction, Plea, or Forfeiture
601.340
Evidence of Financial Responsibility or Suspension of Vehicle Registration Following Suspension or Revocation of Driver’s License
601.341
Evidence of Financial Responsibility
601.342
Evidence of Financial Responsibility Following Suspension or Revocation of Nonresident’s Operating Privilege
601.371
Operation of Motor Vehicle in Violation of Suspension
601.372
Return of Driver’s License and Vehicle Registration to Department
601.373
Failure to Return Driver’s License or Vehicle Registration
601.374
Transfer of Vehicle Registration Prohibited
601.375
Cooperation with Other State or Canada
601.376
Reinstatement Fee
601.401
Department Actions Subject to Review
601.451
Definition
601.452
Implementation of Program
601.453
Agent
601.454
Information Provided by Insurance Company
601.455
Access by Court

Accessed:
Apr. 13, 2024

§ 601.053’s source at texas​.gov