Certain nonresident owners may drive a privately owned passenger car in this state if the car is registered where they live, not used for compensation, and the plates are valid.
Sec. 502.145. VEHICLES OPERATED BY CERTAIN NONRESIDENTS. (a) A nonresident owner of a privately owned passenger car that is registered in the state or country in which the person resides and that is not operated for compensation may operate the car in this state for the period in which the car's license plates are valid. In this subsection, "nonresident" means a resident of a state or country other than this state whose presence in this state is as a visitor and who does not engage in gainful employment or enter into business or an occupation, except as may otherwise be provided by any reciprocal agreement with another state or country. (b) This section does not prevent: (1) a nonresident owner of a motor vehicle from operating the vehicle in this state for the sole purpose of marketing farm products raised exclusively by the person; or (2) a resident of an adjoining state or country from operating in this state a privately owned and registered vehicle to go to and from the person's place of regular employment and to make trips to purchase merchandise, if the vehicle is not operated for compensation. (c) The privileges provided by this section may be allowed only if, under the laws of the appropriate state or country, similar privileges are granted to vehicles registered under the laws of this state and owned by residents of this state. (d) This section does not affect the right or status of a vehicle owner under any reciprocal agreement between this state and another state or country. Transferred, redesignated and amended from Transportation Code, Section 502.0079 by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1296 (H.B. 2357), Sec. 104, eff. January 1, 2012.