DFW Driving Laws 2026

Texas SB 30 minimum liability coverage

Texas Senate Bill 30 (88th Legislature, signed June 2023) is the most consequential change to Texas auto insurance law in over a decade. It is the first increase to Texas's minimum liability limits since 2011, when the limits were set at 30/60/25 ($30,000 bodily injury per person / $60,000 bodily injury per accident / $25,000 property damage). SB 30 phases in increased minimums through 2030 to keep pace with medical and vehicle inflation.

The 2026 floor remains 30/60/25 in early 2026 with phased increases scheduled through the decade. Several practical implications for DFW drivers:

• SR-22 minimums rise with SB 30. The financial responsibility certificate must certify whatever the current Texas minimum is. Drivers in their second or third year of an SR-22 may need limits adjusted as SB 30 phases in.
• Standard liability becomes more important. A single moderate-severity at-fault crash in DFW now routinely exceeds $30,000 in medical costs alone. Carrying only the state minimum exposes you to personal liability above the limits.
• Premium impact is moderate. Most A-LA carriers absorbed the SB 30 increase with single-digit premium changes. The exception is high-risk SR-22 policies, where the rate impact runs 8–14% on average.

For most DFW drivers, A-LA recommends 50/100/50 or 100/300/100 limits over the bare minimum — the difference is typically $7–$22 per month and dramatically reduces personal liability exposure.

At-fault vs. no-fault — Texas is at-fault

Texas is an at-fault (tort) state. After an accident, the driver determined to be at fault is financially responsible for resulting bodily injuries and property damage to the other party. This is why Texas's minimum liability requirement exists — it ensures the at-fault driver has resources to pay.

Texas also follows the doctrine of modified comparative fault with a 51% bar (Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code §33.001). If you are 50% or less at fault, you can recover damages reduced by your percentage. If you are 51% or more at fault, you cannot recover anything from the other party. This rule frequently determines whether and how much the other party's insurer pays after a DFW collision.

Practical takeaway: if you are involved in a DFW accident, document the scene thoroughly, get the police report number, and notify A-LA before speaking to the other party's insurance adjuster. Anything you say can shift the fault percentage against you.

SR-22 triggers in Texas

Six common triggers for SR-22 requirements:

1. Driving without insurance — the most common trigger
2. DUI/DWI conviction — three-year SR-22 requirement
3. License suspension for unpaid judgments
4. Three or more at-fault accidents within 12 months
5. Driving with a suspended license
6. Court-ordered SR-22 as a sentencing or probation condition

See A-LA's full Texas SR-22 Guide 2026 for the complete filing process, cost factors, removal procedure, and lapse penalties.

Texas DUI/DWI laws

Texas Penal Code §49.04 sets the legal blood alcohol limit at 0.08% for drivers 21 and over, 0.04% for commercial drivers, and any detectable amount for drivers under 21. Penalties scale with BAC and prior offenses:

All DWI convictions carry a state surcharge of $3,000–$6,000 over three years, mandatory SR-22 filing, and frequently an Ignition Interlock Device. See A-LA's DUI insurance page for what these convictions mean for your insurance.

Hands-free and texting laws

Texas does not have a single statewide hands-free law for adult drivers. Instead, four overlapping rules apply:

1. Statewide texting ban (Texas Transportation Code §545.4251): Reading, writing, or sending an electronic message while driving is prohibited. Penalties $25–$99 first offense, up to $200 for repeat offenses.
2. School zone hand-held ban (§545.425): All hand-held cellphone use prohibited in active school zones.
3. Drivers under 18: All cellphone use prohibited (hand-held or hands-free) for the first 12 months of license.
4. School bus drivers: All cellphone use prohibited when minors are aboard.

Several DFW cities (Denton, Arlington, parts of Dallas) layer additional local hand-held bans on top of state law. Treat the practical answer as: assume any handheld phone use is illegal in DFW unless you are stopped, parked, or in an emergency.

Move-over law (Texas TC §545.157)

When approaching a stopped emergency vehicle, tow truck, TxDOT vehicle, or utility vehicle with flashing lights, Texas drivers must either:

• Move over one lane in the same direction (when traffic and conditions permit), or
• Slow to 20 mph below the posted speed limit (or to 5 mph if the speed limit is 25 or below).

Violations are a Class C misdemeanor with fines up to $200, escalating to $500 if property damage results, and a Class B misdemeanor if injury or death occurs. DFW has aggressive enforcement on I-35E, I-635, and US-75.

Open container law

Texas Penal Code §49.031 prohibits possessing an open alcoholic beverage container in the passenger area of a vehicle on a public highway. Class C misdemeanor, fines up to $500. Applies whether the vehicle is moving or parked. Limousines, buses, and the living quarters of an RV are exempt. Even passengers can be cited.

Drone laws relevant to drivers

FAA Part 107 rules prohibit operating drones over moving vehicles or large groups of people without specific waivers. Texas Government Code Chapter 423 adds state restrictions, including a prohibition on capturing images of private property without consent. DFW airspace adds further restrictions:

• Class B airspace surrounding DFW International — drone flight requires LAANC authorization.
• Class C airspace around Dallas Love Field and Fort Worth Meacham Field — LAANC also required.
• State law prohibits drone flights over critical infrastructure including power plants, refineries, and large stadiums.

Drivers using drones for accident documentation or property inspection should review the relevant FAA rules before operating.

Penalties at a glance

Frequently asked questions