From Texas Rules and Regulations Manual for Safety Inspection:
4.5.1 INSPECTION ITEMS FOR VEHICLE CLASSES.
4.5.2 INSPECT E VERY PASSENGER CAR AND MOTOR HOME UNDER 80 INCHES WIDE FOR:
*Check for evidence of Financial Responsibility/CNG tank expiration (if equipped) and/or
documentation.
1. Horn
2. Windshield Wipers
3. Mirror
4. Steering
5. Seat Belts
6. Brakes (system) (Parking – beginning with 1960 models)
7. Tires
8. Wheel Assembly
8. Safety Guards of Flaps (if four tires or at least two super single tires on the
rearmost axle)
9. Exhaust System
10. Exhaust E mission s System (beginning with 1968 models)
11. Beam Indicator (beginning with 1948 models)
12. Tail Lamps (2); ( 1) if 1959 or earlier Stop Lamps (3); including the Center High
Mount Stop Lamp (1986 and newer passenger cars); (2) if 1960 thru 1985; (1) if
1959 model or earlier
13. License Plate Lamp (1)
14. Rear Red Reflectors (2)
15. Turn Signa l Lamps (beginning with 1960 models)
16. Head Lamps (2)
17. Motor, Serial, or Vehicle I dentification Number
18. Inspect for applied wind ow tinting or coating
19. Gas Caps on gasoline powered vehicles 2 thru 24 years old
From Texas Transportation Code:
V.T.C.A., Transportation Code § 547.322. Taillamps Required
(a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), a motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, pole trailer, or
vehicle that is towed at the end of a combination of vehicles shall be equipped with at least two
taillamps.
(b) A passenger car or truck that was manufactured or assembled before the model year 1960
shall be equipped with at least one taillamp.
(c) Taillamps shall be mounted on the rear of the vehicle:
(1) at a height from 15 to 72 inches; and
(2) at the same level and spaced as widely apart as practicable if a vehicle is equipped with
more than one lamp.
(d) A taillamp shall emit a red light plainly visible at a distance of 1,000 feet from the rear of the
vehicle.
(e) If vehicles are traveling in combination, only the taillamps on the rearmost vehicle are
required to emit a light for the distance specified in Subsection (d).
(f) A taillamp or a separate lamp shall be constructed and mounted to emit a white light that:
(1) illuminates the rear license plate; and
(2) makes the plate clearly legible at a distance of 50 feet from the rear.
(g) A taillamp, including a separate lamp used to illuminate a rear license plate, must emit a
light when a headlamp or auxiliary driving lamp is lighted.
V.T.C.A., Transportation Code § 547.323. Stoplamps Required
(a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), a motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer shall
be equipped with at least two stoplamps.
(b) A passenger car manufactured or assembled before the model year 1960 shall be equipped
with at least one stoplamp.
(c) A stoplamp shall be mounted on the rear of the vehicle.
(d) A stoplamp shall emit a red or amber light, or a color between red and amber, that is:
(1) visible in normal sunlight at a distance of at least 300 feet from the rear of the vehicle; and
(2) displayed when the vehicle service brake is applied.
(e) If vehicles are traveling in combination, only the stoplamps on the rearmost vehicle are
required to emit a light for the distance specified in Subsection (d).
(f) A stoplamp may be included as a part of another rear lamp.
V.T.C.A., Transportation Code § 547.324. Turn Signal Lamps Required
(a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), a motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer shall
be equipped with electric turn signal lamps that indicate the operator's intent to turn by
displaying flashing lights to the front and rear of a vehicle or combination of vehicles and on
that side of the vehicle or combination toward which the turn is to be made.
(b) Subsection (a) does not apply to a passenger car or truck less than 80 inches wide
manufactured or assembled before the model year 1960.
(c) Turn signal lamps:
(1) shall be mounted at the same level and spaced as widely apart as practicable on the front
and on the rear of the vehicle; and
(2) may be included as a part of another lamp on the vehicle.
(d) A turn signal lamp shall emit:
(1) a white or amber light, or a color between white and amber, if the lamp is mounted on the
front of the vehicle; or
(2) a red or amber light, or a color between red and amber, if the lamp is mounted on the rear
of the vehicle.
(e) A turn signal lamp must be visible in normal sunlight at a distance of:
(1) at least 500 feet from the front and rear of the vehicle if the vehicle is at least 80 inches
wide; and
(2) at least 300 feet from the front and rear of the vehicle if the vehicle is less than 80 inches
wide.
V.T.C.A., Transportation Code § 547.325. Reflectors Required
(a) Except as provided by Subchapter F,1 a motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer shall
be equipped with at least two red reflectors on the rear of the vehicle. A red reflector may be
included as a part of a taillamp.
(b) A reflector shall be:
(1) mounted at a height from 15 to 60 inches; and
(2) visible at night at all distances:
(A) from 100 to 600 feet when directly in front of lawful lower beams of headlamps; or
(B) from 100 to 350 feet when directly in front of lawful upper beams of headlamps if the
vehicle was manufactured or assembled before January 1, 1972.
V.T.C.A., Transportation Code § 547.355. Visibility Requirements
(a) A clearance lamp, identification lamp, or side marker lamp shall be visible and recognizable
under normal atmospheric conditions at all distances from 50 to 500 feet from the vehicle on
the side, front, or rear where the lamp is mounted.
(b) A reflector required by this chapter mounted on a vehicle subject to this subchapter shall be
visible from the rear, if a rear reflector, or from the applicable side, if a side reflector, at
nighttime at all distances from 100 to 600 feet from the vehicle when the reflector is directly in
front of:
(1) lawful lower beams of headlamps; or
(2) lawful upper beams of headlamps on a vehicle manufactured or assembled before January
1, 1972.
V.T.C.A., Transportation Code § 547.334. Single-Beam Lighting Equipment Permitted
(a) In lieu of the multiple-beam lighting equipment required by Section 547.333, a headlamp
system that provides a single distribution of light and meets the requirements of Subsection (b)
is permitted for:
…
(2) a motor vehicle manufactured and sold before September 4, 1948.
(b) The headlamp system specified by Subsection (a) shall:
(1) emit a light sufficient to reveal a person or vehicle at a distance of at least 200 feet; and
(2) be aimed so that no part of the high-intensity portion of the lamp projects a beam:
(A) higher than five inches below the level of the center of the lamp at a distance of 25 feet
ahead; or
(B) higher than 42 inches above the ground at a distance of 75 feet ahead.