Driving a commercial motor vehicle on a highway is prohibited when the driver is disqualified or otherwise under the listed restrictions.
Sec. 522.071. DRIVING WHILE DISQUALIFIED PROHIBITED. (a) A person commits an offense if the person drives a commercial motor vehicle on a highway: (1) after the person has been denied the issuance of a license or permit, unless the person has a driver's license appropriate for the class of vehicle being driven that was subsequently issued; (2) during a period that a disqualification of the person's driver's license, permit, or privilege is in effect; (3) while the person's driver's license or permit is expired, if the license or permit expired during a period of disqualification; (4) during a period that the person was subject to an order prohibiting the person from obtaining a driver's license or permit; or (5) during a period in which the person, the person's employer, or the vehicle being operated is subject to an out-of-service order. (b) It is not a defense to prosecution that the person had not received notice of a disqualification imposed as a result of a conviction that results in an automatic disqualification of the person's driver's license, permit, or privilege. (c) Except as provided by Subsection (b), it is an affirmative defense to prosecution of an offense under this section that the person had not received notice of a denial, disqualification, prohibition order, or out-of-service order concerning the person's driver's license, permit, or privilege to operate a motor vehicle. For purposes of this subsection, notice is presumed if the notice was sent by first class mail to the last known address of the person as shown by the records of the department or licensing authority of another state. (d) An offense under this section is a misdemeanor punishable as provided for an offense under Section 521.457. (e) For the purposes of Subsection (a)(5), "commercial motor vehicle" has the meaning assigned by Section 644.001. Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1409, Sec. 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1999. Amended by: Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 424 (S.B. 1372), Sec. 8, eff. January 1, 2008. Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 499 (S.B. 333), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2007. Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 752 (H.B. 1888), Sec. 29, eff. January 1, 2016. Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 752 (H.B. 1888), Sec. 30, eff. January 1, 2016.