DRIVERLESS AUTOMOBILES

El Paso City Code tit. 6, ch. 6.36

in effect

El Paso City Code § 6.36.010 Driverless automobiles—Definitions.

6.36.010 - Driverless automobiles—Definitions. The definition of a term in this chapter applies to each grammatical variation of the term unless the context specifies a different definition. A. "Driverless automobile" means any passenger automobile rented or offered for rent to the public or to any member of the public, without services of a driver, except those automobiles not regularly available for rental for less than one month. B. "Good and safe mechanical condition" means such condition that the automobile may be reasonably expected to perform the services for which it is rented to the customer, without the necessity for repair while on such service if operated with ordinary skill and care; and equipped with safety devices required by law, in good working order. (Ord. No. 18546, § 1, 8-9-2016; Ord. No. 18894, § 1, 1-8-2019)

El Paso City Code § 6.36.020 Driverless automobile operation operating permit—Required.

6.36.020 - Driverless automobile operation operating permit—Required. No person shall operate a driverless automobile operation, franchise or business inside the city without an operating permit granted under this chapter. (Ord. No. 18546, § 1, 8-9-2016; Ord. No. 18894, § 1, 1-8-2019)

El Paso City Code § 6.36.030 Driverless automobile operation operating permit—Term.

6.36.030 - Driverless automobile operation operating permit—Term. An operating permit expires one year from the date it is issued. (Ord. No. 18546, § 1, 8-9-2016; Ord. No. 18894, § 1, 1-8-2019)

El Paso City Code § 6.36.040 Driverless automobile operation operating permit—Application.

6.36.040 - Driverless automobile operation operating permit—Application. An application for a permit or renewal of a permit under this chapter shall be submitted along with the established non-refundable fee. The application shall be completed in full by the applicant and will contain as attached documents the following items of information: A. Documented proof of ownership by the individual, company or corporation requesting such permit and date business was established; B. Name, address and phone number of the owner or principal officer of the business; and C. A certificate of insurance showing compliance with the applicable provisions of this chapter. (Ord. No. 18546, § 1, 8-9-2016; Ord. No. 18894, § 1, 1-8-2019)

El Paso City Code § 6.36.050 Driverless automobile operation public liability insurance—Requirements.

6.36.050 - Driverless automobile operation public liability insurance—Requirements. A. No permit shall be issued under this chapter unless the applicant provides proof of the proper liability insurance coverage as required by state law and this chapter. B. The policy shall contain a provision that it may not be cancelled, revoked or annulled by the insurer without giving ten days written notice thereof to the chief of police. The permit holder shall not surrender or release such policy without filing in lieu thereof another policy complying with the requirements of this section, or surrendering the issued permit. (Ord. No. 18546, § 1, 8-9-2016; Ord. No. 18894, § 1, 1-8-2019)

El Paso City Code § 6.36.060 Driverless automobile operation operating permit—Qualifications.

6.36.060 - Driverless automobile operation operating permit—Qualifications. An applicant for a driverless automobile operating permit may be denied issuance of a permit under the following conditions: A. The applicant has been convicted of a felony; B. The applicant has been convicted of any misdemeanor involving moral turpitude committed in connection with the licensed business or a similar business; C. The applicant has been convicted of an offense involving fraud or theft; D. The applicant has any outstanding warrant of arrest; E. The applicant is registered in the National Sex Offender Registry database; F. The applicant performed an act constituting fraud, misrepresentation, or false statement of facts of material consequence in the application; or G. There are two or more violations of this chapter within the twelve-month period immediately preceding submittal of the current application, and such violations resulted in a citation or arrest of the applicant, or any employee or independent contractor of the applicant, or a combination of citation or arrest on the part of both the applicant and the employee or independent contractor of the applicant. H. Applicants are required to obtain a comprehensive background check through a background check company that is accredited through the National Association of Professional Background Screeners, is Fair Credit Reporting Act compliant, and is acceptable to the city, or the Texas Department of Public Safety, and to submit, or cause to be submitted, background check results with the application form. (Ord. No. 18546, § 1, 8-9-2016; Ord. No. 18894, § 1, 1-8-2019)

El Paso City Code § 6.36.070 Driverless automobile operation operating permit—Display.

6.36.070 - Driverless automobile operation operating permit—Display. The operating permit shall be kept posted in a conspicuous place at the location at which the business is conducted. (Ord. No. 18546, § 1, 8-9-2016; Ord. No. 18894, § 1, 1-8-2019)

El Paso City Code § 6.36.080 Driverless automobile operation operating permit—Changes to information.

6.36.080 - Driverless automobile operation operating permit—Changes to information. Any changes to the information provided in the operating permit application must be reported to the chief of police, in the manner prescribed by the chief of police, within ten business days of the change. (Ord. No. 18546, § 1, 8-9-2016; Ord. No. 18894, § 1, 1-8-2019)

El Paso City Code § 6.36.090 Driverless automobile operation operating permit—Denial; suspension; revocation.

6.36.090 - Driverless automobile operation operating permit—Denial; suspension; revocation. A. The chief of police may deny issuance of a permit under the following conditions: 1. The applicant for a new or renewal permit fails to meet the required qualifications; or 2. The applicant fails to submit required documentation with the application. B. The chief of police may suspend a permit if the permit holder: 1. Has failed to pay any final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction against him on a claim arising out of the conduct of the licensed business; or 2. Has habitually violated any provision of this chapter, whether convicted in court or not. Habitually violated means that a permit holder has been cited for the same violation at least twice and there has been no effort on the part of the permit holder to correct the problem or become compliant with this chapter. C. The chief of police may revoke a permit if the permit holder: 1. Has violated Title 14 of this Code in a matter related to the licensed business; or 2. No longer meets the qualifications to be issued an operating permit under this chapter. D. An applicant or permit holder may appeal a denial, suspension or revocation of a permit per Section 6.04.140 of this title. (Ord. No. 18546, § 1, 8-9-2016; Ord. No. 18894, § 1, 1-8-2019)

El Paso City Code § 6.36.100 Receipt for payment—Required.

6.36.100 - Receipt for payment—Required. The operating permit holder or employee or independent contractor shall issue a receipt to any person paying for the hire of any driverless automobile. (Ord. No. 18546, § 1, 8-9-2016; Ord. No. 18894, § 1, 1-8-2019)

El Paso City Code § 6.36.110 Payment of taxes.

6.36.110 - Payment of taxes. Permit holders shall promptly fully pay all ad valorem taxes levied upon any property used in the licensed business. (Ord. No. 18546, § 1, 8-9-2016; Ord. No. 18894, § 1, 1-8-2019)

El Paso City Code § 6.36.120 Restrictions on renting.

6.36.120 - Restrictions on renting. No person shall rent any driverless automobile to any person who does not hold a driver's license, or who is intoxicated, or who is obviously unable to drive safely because of illness or any other reason. (Ord. No. 18546, § 1, 8-9-2016; Ord. No. 18894, § 1, 1-8-2019)

El Paso City Code § 6.36.130 Contracting requirements.

6.36.130 - Contracting requirements. A. Permit holders shall set out in the body of its contract with the lessee of any driverless automobile that the lessee shall be liable for payment of fines due to the issuance of a citation for any parking or traffic violation while the automobile is under the control of or in operation by the lessee. B. The contract between the permit holder and the lessee of any driverless automobile shall contain the lessee's name, address, driver's license number and the state from which such license was issued. This information shall be made available upon request to the city or its duly authorized and appointed representative if no action has been taken by the lessee within fifteen days after the parking citation was issued to the lessee. Traffic citations shall be subject to established state law and/or city-established ordinance rules and procedures. (Ord. No. 18546, § 1, 8-9-2016; Ord. No. 18894, § 1, 1-8-2019)

Source: City of El Paso, City Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tx/el_paso/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT6TRHI_CH6.36DRAUFetched: 10/28/2026