OPERATION OF VEHICLE BY PERSON UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE. (a) A person under 18 years of age may not operate a motor vehicle while using a wireless communications device, except in case of emergency.
(a-1) A person under 18 years of age may not operate a motor vehicle during the 12-month period following issuance of an original Class A, B, or C driver’s license to the person:
(1) after midnight and before 5 a.m. unless the operation of the vehicle is necessary for the operator to attend or participate in employment or a school-related activity or because of a medical emergency; or
(2) with more than one passenger in the vehicle under 21 years of age who is not a family member.
(b) A person under 17 years of age who holds a restricted motorcycle license or moped license may not operate a motorcycle or moped while using a wireless communications device, except in case of emergency.
(b-1) A person under 17 years of age who holds a restricted motorcycle license or moped license, during the 12-month period following the issuance of an original motorcycle license or moped license to the person, may not operate a motorcycle or moped after midnight and before 5 a.m. unless:
(1) the person is in sight of the person’s parent or guardian; or
(2) the operation of the vehicle is necessary for the operator to attend or participate in employment or a school-related activity or because of a medical emergency.
(c) This section does not apply to:
(1) the holder of a hardship license;
(2) a person operating a motor vehicle while accompanied in the manner required by Section 521.222(d)(2) for the holder of an instruction permit; or
(3) a person licensed by the Federal Communications Commission to operate a wireless communication device or a radio frequency device.
(d) For the purposes of this section, employment includes work on a family farm by a member of the family that owns or operates the farm.
(e) A peace officer may not stop a vehicle or detain the operator of a vehicle for the sole purpose of determining whether the operator of the vehicle has violated this section.
(f) In this section, “wireless communication device” means a handheld or hands-free device that uses commercial mobile service, as defined by 47 U.S.C. Section 332.