This section defines terms used in the chapter, including commercial motor vehicle, commission, department, inspection station, inspector, and vehicle inspection report.
Sec. 548.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter: (1) "Commercial motor vehicle" means a self-propelled or towed vehicle, other than a farm vehicle with a gross weight, registered weight, or gross weight rating of less than 48,000 pounds, that is used on a public highway to transport passengers or cargo if: (A) the vehicle, including a school activity bus as defined in Section 541.201, or combination of vehicles has a gross weight, registered weight, or gross weight rating of more than 26,000 pounds; (B) the vehicle, including a school activity bus as defined in Section 541.201, is designed or used to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver; or (C) the vehicle is used to transport hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placarding by a regulation issued under the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (49 U.S.C. Section 5101 et seq.). (2) "Commission" means the Public Safety Commission. (3) "Department" means the Department of Public Safety. (4) "Environmental commission" means the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. (5) "Farm vehicle" has the meaning assigned by the federal motor carrier safety regulations. (6) "Federal motor carrier safety regulation" has the meaning assigned by Section 644.001. (7) "Inspection station" means a facility certified to conduct inspections of vehicles under this chapter. (8) "Inspector" means an individual certified to conduct inspections of vehicles under this chapter. (9) "Nonattainment area" means an area so designated within the meaning of Section 107(d) of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. Section 7407). (10) "Vehicle inspection report" means a report issued by an inspector or an inspection station for a vehicle that indicates whether the vehicle has passed an inspection required by this chapter. Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 30.120, 30.122(a), eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1061, Sec. 17, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1069, Sec. 4, eff. June 19, 1997; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 663, Sec. 4, eff. June 18, 1999; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 359, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 2003; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1325, Sec. 16.01, eff. Sept. 1, 2003. Amended by: Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 323 (H.B. 2565), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2007. Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1291 (H.B. 2305), Sec. 17, eff. March 1, 2015. Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 851 (H.B. 3297), Sec. 12, eff. January 1, 2025. Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 986 (S.B. 766), Sec. 58, eff. September 1, 2025.