Vehicle Mod Laws in Texas

Replacing the exhaust system is legal in Texas, but a muffler in good working order is required and cutouts or bypasses are prohibited. There is no statutory 'no louder than stock' rule — the standard is that the exhaust must not produce excessive or unusual noise.

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Texas sets no statewide decibel limit for passenger cars. A muffler in good working order is required, exhaust may not produce excessive or unusual noise, and cutouts or bypasses are prohibited.

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Smoked or tinted film on headlights and taillights is illegal in Texas. Headlights must emit white light and taillights must show red at the required visibility distance, and tint that dims or discolors them violates those requirements.

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It is an offense to display a plate with blurring or reflective matter that significantly impairs readability of the state name or the plate number, an unauthorized sticker or emblem that interferes with readability, or attached material that distorts angular visibility or automated detection, obscures half or more of the state name, or alters the letters, numbers, or plate color.

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Texas has no frame or bumper height limit — the practical constraint on a lifted truck is keeping headlamps within the 24–54 inch mounting range.

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Light bars are legal to mount in Texas; on public roads keep them off — no more than four front lamps over 300 candlepower may be lit, and there is no cover requirement.

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Texas sets no minimum bumper or ride height for lowered vehicles — the floor is keeping headlamps at least 24 inches above the road.

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Underglow is legal in Texas, including while driving — the limits are no red visible from the front, no red/white/blue combinations, and no flashing.

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Texas has no fender-coverage requirement for passenger cars and no limit on tire protrusion.

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A windshield sunscreening device may not extend below the AS-1 line or more than 5 inches from the top of the windshield, whichever is closer to the top. A printed banner can be legal in Texas if it stays within the strip described above.

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Front side windows: minimum 25% VLT. Rear side and back windows: any darkness.

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