No, laser jammers are illegal in Texas under Transportation Code § 547.616, which prohibits devices that interfere with police radar or LIDAR. Violations carry Class C misdemeanor penalties, including fines up to $200. The Texas Department of Public Safety actively enforces these restrictions, particularly in high-incidence speeding corridors.
Key Regulations for Laser Jammers in Texas
- Prohibition on Use/Installation: Texas law explicitly bans the possession, sale, or operation of laser jammers, classifying them as illegal interference devices under § 547.616.
- Enforcement Focus: Local DPS troopers and municipal police departments prioritize jammers in commercial vehicle inspections, with 2026 targeting expanded to include fleet audits.
- Penalties: Convictions result in fines up to $200, potential license suspension for repeat offenses, and mandatory court costs averaging $150.
Local jurisdictions like Harris County and Dallas PD have partnered with DPS to deploy LIDAR detection vans, increasing compliance checks near construction zones. The 87th Texas Legislature’s 2021 amendments to § 547.616 closed loopholes allowing “tuning fork” devices, leaving no legal gray areas. Out-of-state purchases remain illegal if the device is used in Texas, per § 547.616(c).