As of 2026, the legislature has tightened driving while impaired (DWI) laws, making an already brutal process even more unforgiving. The new regulations aim to penalize offenders and ensure that others will not follow suit. While most of these commenced in 2025, their effects continue to this year.
Stricter penalties for driving in school zones
Drivers who are caught driving intoxicated in a school zone can face a state jail felony. The penalty can only apply if the courts find you guilty of these factors:
- You were operating the vehicle within a designated school crossing zone.
- You drove during the hours when the reduced speed limit was active.
- You had a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 or higher and lost your normal faculties.
If convicted, the conviction will stay on your record permanently, which comes with significant disadvantages in your livelihood.
Increased enforcement to obtain blood warrants
Under the new amendment to the Code of Criminal Procedure, any law enforcement officer can execute a blood search warrant in the county of issuance or any adjacent county. This means police no longer have to wait for local help or drive across county lines to execute a warrant.
Additional rules for alcohol sales
Senate Bill 650, or the Deshawn Jagwan Act, changes how you buy alcohol in Texas. Before this law took effect on September 1, 2025, cashiers usually just glanced at your identification card (ID).
Now, every off-premises sales store must use an electronic scanner to read the barcode on your ID. This ensures that clerks visually inspect IDs, stopping people from using fake or borrowed ones. However, the Texas Alcohol Beverage Commission (TABC) has provided a grace period for enforcement until September 1, 2027, to give businesses ample time to get their scanners ready.
Facing higher stakes for DWI
With the new laws in effect, the legal risks of impaired driving are at an all-time high. If an officer arrests you for DWI, avoid leaving your future to chance. Seeking legal counsel is the best way to learn your options for avoiding a conviction.