Drivers warned over new September 1 crackdown law that will make a common act illegal - and fines could be up to $2,000

TEXAS drivers have been warned September 1 will mark the first day it is illegal to withhold identification from a police officer.

Senate Bill 1551 was passed in a unanimous vote by the Texas state senate's seven-person Committee on Criminal Justice earlier this year.

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It is one of 8,000 proposed bills from this legal session and one of 750 that will go into effect in September.

Under the new bill, a person, specifically the operator of a motor vehicle, will have violated the law if they commit either of two acts.

It deems it illegal if the driver does not show or give a driver's license to an officer when it is asked for by an officer.

It will also now be illegal if a driver does not provide their name, date of birth, driver's license number, or address of residence when it is asked for by an officer.

The bill notes that a person will not be penalized for giving an address of residence that does not match their license address if it is more accurately their place of residence.

A violation of these laws may be considered a Class B or C misdemeanor depending on what combination of actions the motorist committed.

In Texas, a Class C misdemeanor is typically met with a $500 fine and a Class B misdemeanor is subject to up to six months in jail and a maximum $2,000 fine.

Previous Texas ID law

Prior to Bill 1551, Texas already had some forms of identification laws in place.

Penal Code Section §38.02 requires a person to identify themselves when they have been "lawfully arrested."

A violation of this law is subject to a Class A or B Misdemeanor, with the former resulting in up to one year in jail and/or a fine of no more than $4,000.

This law is still in effect as the new driver ID law takes effect in September.

No 'right to remain silent'

While some might wonder if identification falls under the United States constitutional right to remain silent, it does not.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in United States v. Hubbell that identifying information, such as name and address, is not incriminating so they are not protected under the Fifth Amendment.

The new Texas law comes as 23 states begin a crackdown on distracted drivers.

The campaign called Stop Distractions is currently focusing its efforts on changing the law in Florida to make it the 28th state with a total hands-free law.

A lawyer has also revealed a crucial traffic rule regarding car mirror decorations that could see hundreds of dollars in fines for offenders.

Though people often hang air fresheners and/or decorations from their rearview mirror, the attorney explained that objects hanging from the mirror could obstruct your view which is why it's illegal in California.