6 Texas Driving Laws That Took Effect in September 2025

Texas passed a batch of driving laws that took effect September 1, 2025. Some are small conveniences and some carry serious consequences. Here is a plain-English rundown of six that touch everyday drivers.

1. You can knock out a ticket with a safety course, and it may cover more than one

Under SB 296, you can dismiss certain traffic tickets by completing an approved driving safety course. The part people miss is that one course may cover multiple tickets from the same stop.

So, if a single stop left you with more than one citation, you may be able to clear them together instead of one at a time. Ask the court about eligibility before your deadline.

2. A DWI in a school crossing zone is now a felony

SB 826 raised the stakes on impaired driving near schools. A DWI committed in a school crossing zone is now a state jail felony.

That is a big jump from a standard first-offense DWI. If you drive through school zones on your commute, this is worth knowing.

3. Blood-draw warrants can now cross county lines

SB 1886 lets officers execute blood-draw warrants across county lines in DWI cases. Before, jurisdiction lines could complicate that process.

The practical takeaway is that a warrant for a blood test can now follow through more smoothly, even when the arrest and the lab or hospital sit in different counties.

4. Rental companies have to refund unused damage-waiver fees

Here is a friendlier one. SB 72 requires rental companies to refund unused damage-waiver fees when you return a vehicle early.

If you paid for a waiver by the day and brought the car back ahead of schedule, you should get money back for the days you did not use. Check your final receipt.

5. School buses are getting three-point seat belts

SB 546 requires school buses to have three-point seat belts, the same lap-and-shoulder style you wear in your car, by 2029. This is a phased change, so you will not see it on every bus overnight.

It is aimed at keeping kids more secure in a crash. If you are a parent, this is the direction things are moving.

6. Tougher minimum sentences for intoxication manslaughter

HB 2017 raised the mandatory minimum sentences for intoxication manslaughter. That is the charge when someone drives impaired and causes a death.

The law reflects how seriously Texas is treating these cases. For families affected by a drunk-driving crash, it also signals that the criminal side carries real weight, separate from any injury claim.

What this means for you

Most of these laws are about impaired driving and accountability, with a couple of consumer-friendly wins mixed in. If you are ever hurt by a driver who was breaking one of these laws, that conduct can matter to your injury claim too.

If you have questions after a crash in Houston, the Texas Law Gals are here to help. Call us at 832-300-0180 for a free consultation. We work on contingency, so there is no fee unless we win.