Current with legislation from the 2023 Regular and Special Sessions signed by the Governor as of November 21, 2023.
Section 547.408 - Performance Requirements for Brakes(a) A motor vehicle or combination of vehicles shall be equipped with service brakes capable of: (1) developing a braking force that is not less than:(A) 52.8 percent of the gross weight of the vehicle for a passenger vehicle; or(B) 43.5 percent of the gross weight of the vehicle for a vehicle other than a passenger vehicle;(2) decelerating to a stop from 20 miles per hour or less at not less than:(A) 17 feet per second per second for a passenger vehicle; or(B) 14 feet per second per second for other vehicles; and(3) stopping from a speed of 20 miles per hour in a distance, measured from the location where the service brake pedal or control is activated, of not more than:(A) 25 feet for a passenger vehicle;(B) 30 feet for a motorcycle, moped, or single unit vehicle with a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less;(C) 40 feet for: (i) a single unit vehicle with a manufacturer's gross weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds;(ii) a two-axle towing vehicle and trailer combination with a weight of 3,000 pounds or less;(iii) a bus that does not have a manufacturer's gross weight rating; and(iv) the combination of vehicles in an operation exempted by Section 547.407(b); and(D) 50 feet for other vehicles.(b) A test for deceleration or stopping distance shall be performed on a dry, smooth, hard surface that:(1) is free of loose material; and(2) does not exceed plus or minus one percent grade.(c) In this section, "passenger vehicle" means a vehicle that has a maximum seating capacity of 10 persons, including the operator, and that does not have a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating.Tex. Transp. Code § 547.408
Amended by: Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 882 (H.B. 3171), Sec. 2.13, eff. September 1, 2019Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.