Unlawful Installation of Tracking Device
Texas Tracking Device Law
Location
Makes it a crime to knowingly install a location-tracking device on another person's vehicle. Consent of the owner or lessee, assisting police, and licensed private investigators acting with written consent or court authorization are affirmative defenses.
- Where
- Texas
- Citation
- Tex. Penal Code 16.06
- Status
- In force
- In force since
- 1999-09-01
- Last amended
- 2009-09-01
- Enforced by
- State prosecutors
- People can sue
- No
- Penalties
- Class A misdemeanor (16.06(c)).
- Applies to
- Any person who installs an electronic or mechanical tracking device on a motor vehicle owned or leased by another (16.06(b))
Practices it requires
- Do not install a tracking device on a vehicle owned or leased by another without the owner's or lessee's effective consent.Tex. Penal Code 16.06(b), (d)(1)
Other duties
- Licensed private investigators need written consent of the vehicle owner or lessee (and property owner if entry is needed) or court authorization.Tex. Penal Code 16.06(d)(3)
Sources
- Official text
- Tex. Penal Code ch. 16 (Texas Legislature, Texas Constitution and Statutes)
- Tex. Penal Code ch. 16, statute text file served by the Texas Legislative Council
Checked against these sources on 2026-09-24 by research agent (Claude), primary sources.
Unverified: Content of the 2009 amendment (H.B. 1659) was not reviewed.
Research reference, not legal advice.