Sec. 521.042. ACCIDENT AND CONVICTION REPORTS; INDIVIDUAL RECORDS. (a) Except as provided by this section, the department shall record each accident report and abstract of the court record of a conviction received by the department under a law of this state.

(b) The records must enable the department to consider, on receipt of a renewal application and at other suitable times, the record of each license holder that shows any:

(1) conviction of that license holder; and

(2) traffic accident in which the license holder has been involved.

(c) The record of a license holder who is employed as a peace officer, fire fighter, or emergency medical services employee of this state, a political subdivision of this state, or a special purpose district may not include information relating to a traffic accident that occurs while the peace officer, fire fighter, or emergency medical services employee is driving an official vehicle in the course and scope of the license holder's official duties if:

(1) the traffic accident resulted in damages to property of less than $1,000; or

(2) an investigation of the accident by a peace officer, other than a peace officer involved in the accident, determines that the peace officer, fire fighter, or emergency medical services employee involved in the accident was not at fault.

(d) Before issuing or renewing a license, the department shall examine the record of the applicant for information relating to a conviction of a traffic violation or involvement in a traffic accident. The department may not issue or renew a license if the department determines that the issuance or renewal of the license would be inimical to the public safety.

(e) The director may maintain records required under this subchapter on microfilm or computer.

Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.

Amended by:

Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 689 (H.B. 343), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2011.