Texas Driving Laws 2026: Speed Limits, DWI BAC and Texas DPS Road Rules for the Permit Test

What is the default speed limit in Texas on a US-numbered highway outside an urban area? Texas sets 70 mph on most TX and US-numbered roads outside cities and up to 85 mph on some limited access highways. Texas uses both DWI for adults at 0.08% and DUI for minors at any detectable amount, two separate terms, two different thresholds. Texas DWI fines can reach 10000 dollars. All passengers in Texas must wear seat belts regardless of age. Texting while driving is banned for all drivers; drivers under 18 generally may not use a wireless communication device, including hands-free use, except in an emergency.

1. Texas Speed Limits: 30 Urban, 70 on TX/US Highways, Up to 85 MPH Where Posted

What is the speed limit in a residential area in Texas, and what happens if no sign is posted? Speed limits are set by state law; when no sign is visible, these default limits apply:

Key test point: Texas uses both DWI (adults, 0.08%+) and DUI (minors, any detectable amount), two terms, two thresholds. Urban district default is 30 mph; numbered highways outside urban areas default to 70 mph. And Texas fines can reach $10,000 for a DWI conviction.

2. Texas Right-of-Way: 4-Way Stops, Yielding at Highway Entrances & Pedestrian Priority

Who has the right-of-way at a 4-way stop in Texas, and when must a driver yield to a pedestrian? Texas law sets specific yielding duties; remember: right-of-way is something you give, never something you take.

4-way stop (all arrive at once)

Driver to the right

4-way stop (one arrives first)

Driver who arrived first

Roundabout / traffic circle

Vehicles already inside the circle

Emergency vehicles (lights/siren)

Emergency vehicle, pull to the right and stop

Pedestrians in crosswalk

At an uncontrolled crosswalk, stop and yield when the pedestrian is on your half of the roadway or approaching so closely from the opposite half as to be in danger

T-intersection (no signs)

Through road traffic; drivers on the dead-end must yield

Yield sign

Cross traffic and pedestrians always

Merging onto a highway

Traffic already on the highway

3. Texas Turn Signal Law: 100 Feet Before Turns, Plus Stop and Slow-Down Signals

Can you turn right on red in Texas, and how far in advance must you signal a turn? Texas requires a turn signal continuously for at least the last 100 feet before a right or left turn. Before stopping or suddenly decreasing speed, give the appropriate stop signal to traffic behind when there is an opportunity to do so.

Right turn on red

Permitted after a full stop unless a sign prohibits it. Yield to pedestrians and cross traffic.

No right turn on red

When posted, you must wait for a green light before turning right.

Left turn on red

Only allowed from a one-way street onto another one-way street, after a full stop.

Left turn from two-way street

Start from the left lane; end in the left lane of the cross street.

Right turn

Stay as close to the right curb as possible; end in the right lane.

U-turns

Legal where not prohibited and when the movement can be made safely. You may not turn to travel in the opposite direction near a curve or the crest of a grade if your vehicle cannot be seen by approaching traffic from either direction within 500 feet.

4. Texas Lane Rules: Keep Right Unless Passing, Center Turn Lanes & Highway Lane Discipline

When can you use the center turn lane in Texas, and what do solid versus broken yellow lines mean for passing? Lane rules determine where you drive and when you can cross a line; the Texas Driver Handbook covers these lane markings and lane-use rules.

Center turn lane (CTSL)

Used for left turns by traffic from either direction; do not use a center turn lane for ordinary through travel.

Solid white line

Crossing a single solid white line should be avoided if possible. Double solid white lines may not be crossed.

Solid yellow line (your side)

No passing allowed.

Broken yellow line

Passing allowed when safe.

Solid + Broken yellow centerline

Passing allowed only on the broken-line side.

5. Passing in Texas: 100-Foot Restrictions, Oncoming Clearance & Pass-on-Right Rules

When is it illegal to pass another vehicle in Texas, and how close to an intersection can you pass? Passing is one of the most dangerous maneuvers on the road, Texas law sets strict distance and visibility rules:

• Only pass on the left, using the oncoming lane, when it is safe and legal.
• Do not drive left of center when approaching within 100 feet of an intersection or railroad grade crossing where the Texas rule applies, or within 100 feet of a bridge, viaduct, or tunnel. Obey posted or marked No Passing Zone restrictions.
• The vehicle being passed must not speed up while you are overtaking.
• Return to your lane before coming within 200 feet of oncoming traffic.
• Never pass a stopped school bus with flashing red lights, this applies in both directions on undivided roads.
• You may pass another vehicle on the right only when it can be done safely, the vehicle being passed is making or about to make a left turn, and the roadway meets Texas width or one-way requirements. An improved right shoulder may be used only in the specific circumstances allowed by law, such as safely passing a vehicle that is slowing, stopped, disabled, or preparing to turn left.

6. Texas Following Distance: 2 Seconds at 30 MPH or Less, 4 Seconds Above 30 MPH & 500-Foot Emergency-Response Rule

What is the safe following distance in Texas, and how does weather change it? The Texas Driver Handbook uses a minimum 2-second interval at speeds of 30 mph or less in good road conditions and a 4-second gap above 30 mph. Allow more time when road or visibility conditions are poor.

7. Texas School Bus Law: Stop Distance, Move Over 20 MPH Under Limit & School Zone Rules

Do you have to stop for a school bus on a divided highway in Texas, and what is the fine for passing one illegally? The Texas Driver Handbook covers both school-bus and emergency-vehicle rules.

School Buses

• When a school bus stops with flashing red lights and an extended stop arm, all traffic in both directions must stop on undivided roads.
• On roads with a true median or physical barrier, only traffic behind the bus must stop, oncoming traffic may proceed.
• A center turn lane does not count as a divider. On 4+ lane roads without a raised median or barrier, all directions must stop.
• Do not pass the school bus until the bus resumes motion, the bus driver signals you to proceed, or the visual signal is no longer activated.
• A first conviction for illegally passing a stopped school bus carries a fine of $500–$1,250. A second or subsequent conviction within five years carries a $1,000–$2,000 fine and may result in a driver-license suspension of up to six months.
• Railroad crossings: School buses generally must stop 15–50 feet from the nearest rail and check for an approaching train. Statutory exceptions include crossings marked "tracks out of service" or "exempt" and situations in which a police officer or traffic-control signal directs traffic to proceed.

Emergency Vehicles

• When you see or hear an emergency vehicle (police, fire, ambulance) with lights or siren: pull to the right edge of the road and stop. Do not block intersections.
• Move Over Law (Texas): When approaching a stationary vehicle covered by the Texas Move Over or Slow Down law, move out of the lane closest to it when the roadway has two or more lanes traveling in your direction and the move can be made safely. If you do not move over, slow to no more than 20 mph below the posted limit when the limit is 25 mph or more, or to 5 mph when the posted limit is below 25 mph.

8. Texas DWI/DUI: $10,000 Max Fine, Zero Tolerance for Minors & ALR Suspensions

What is the legal BAC limit in Texas for drivers under 21, and can you refuse a breathalyzer? Texas DWI laws cover every driver category with different limits and strict implied consent penalties.

9. Texas Seat Belt & Child Safety Seat Law: Under 8 Unless Taller Than 4 Feet 9 Inches

Who gets the ticket if a passenger is not wearing a seat belt in Texas, and when is a child safety seat required? Texas requires occupants to use the available safety-belt system as required by law, and a child younger than 8 must be secured in a child passenger safety seat unless the child is taller than 4 feet 9 inches.

10. Texas Parking Rules: 15-Foot Hydrant, Fire-Station Clearances & No-Park Zones

How far from a fire hydrant must you park in Texas, and is it legal to park on a bridge? These statewide distance rules specify where you cannot park:

• Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant
• Within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection
• Within 30 feet of a stop sign, yield sign, or traffic signal
• Within 50 feet of a railroad crossing
• Within 20 feet of a fire-station driveway entrance, or within 75 feet on the opposite side of the street when properly posted
• On a sidewalk, in front of a driveway, or on a bridge
• In a no-parking zone or alongside a curb painted yellow or red
• Double parking (alongside a vehicle already parked at the curb)
• Headed downhill: turn wheels toward the curb. Headed uphill with a curb: turn wheels away from curb. Uphill without a curb: turn wheels toward the shoulder.

11. Driving in Texas Weather: Flash Floods, Dust, Fog & Icy Roads

Are headlights required when it is raining in Texas, and what should you do if your car starts to hydroplane? Texas weather can change fast, including Gulf Coast downpours, flash flooding, West Texas dust, and winter ice; these rules tell you exactly how to adjust.

• Headlights required in Texas from 30 min after sunset to 30 min before sunrise and when individuals or vehicles cannot be seen clearly at 1,000 feet. Use low beams in fog, heavy rain, sleet, snow, or dust.
• In heavy fog, use low beams, high beams reflect off fog and reduce visibility.
• If you start to hydroplane, ease off the gas gently. Do not brake hard or turn sharply.
• In icy conditions, brake gently well in advance. Start slowing earlier than normal. Leave extra following distance.
• If your car goes into a skid, steer in the direction you want the front of the car to go. Do not overcorrect.
• Never use cruise control on wet, icy, or slippery roads.

12. Texas Driver Record: Moving-Violation Suspension Rules & Driver Responsibility Program Repeal

How many moving violations can lead to a Texas driver-license suspension? Texas repealed the Driver Responsibility Program effective September 1, 2019, so the former point-and-surcharge system is no longer the current rule. DPS may suspend a license based on repeated moving violations and other statutory grounds.

13. Texas Headlight Law: 1,000-Foot Visibility Trigger, 30-Min Rule & 500/300-Foot Dimming

When must you dim your high beams in Texas, and how far away does an oncoming car need to be? Texas law specifies exact distances for dimming high beams.

Key test point: Oncoming = 500 feet. Following = 300 feet. Dim accordingly.

14. Night Driving in Texas: Stop Within Headlight Range & Increase Following Distance

What does "overdriving your headlights" mean in Texas, and why is it dangerous? Driving at night reduces how far you can see; these rules cover visibility, speed, following distance, and nighttime hazards.

15. Texas Cell Phone Law: Texting Banned All Drivers, Under-18 Complete Ban Including Hands-Free

Is it legal to use your phone while driving in Texas, and can a cop pull you over just for texting? Texas prohibits electronic messaging while operating a motor vehicle unless the vehicle is stopped, with statutory defenses for certain uses. Drivers under 18 are subject to broader wireless-device restrictions.

Key test point: Texting while driving is a primary offense in Texas, police do not need another reason to pull you over.

16. Texas Railroad Crossings: Stop 15–50 Feet From the Nearest Rail When Required

How far from the tracks must you stop at a railroad crossing in Texas, and what vehicles must always stop even when no train is coming? Texas law specifies when a stop is required at a railroad crossing and how far from the nearest rail to stop.

Key test point: Never drive around or under a lowered crossing gate, it is illegal and extremely dangerous. Wait until gates are fully raised and all tracks are clear.

17. Texas Roundabouts: Yield on Entry, Lane Selection & How to Signal Your Exit

Texas has been building roundabouts across the state, particularly in Austin, San Antonio, Houston suburbs, and along TxDOT highway upgrades in rural areas. Entering traffic always yields to vehicles already circulating inside.

Key test point: Entering drivers must yield to traffic already inside.