GENERAL PROVISIONS

Fort Worth City Code ch. 34, art. VI, div. 1

in effect

Fort Worth City Code § 34-200 SCOPE OF ARTICLE.

§ 34-200 SCOPE OF ARTICLE. (a) This article governs the operation of all vehicle for hire services in the corporate limits of the city. (b) This article does not apply to a vehicle for hire service or to a person operating a vehicle for hire service that is: (1) Transporting a person from a point outside the corporate limits of the city to a destination inside the corporate limits of the city if the vehicle for hire leaves the corporate limits of the city without receiving a new passenger inside the corporate limits of the city and the vehicle for hire service is licensed by another governmental entity; (2) Operated under state or federal authority unless subject to the city's regulatory authority; or (3) Operated by a funeral home in the performance of funeral services. (c) Nothing in this article shall excuse a vehicle for hire service from complying with the rules, regulations and fees required by the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport Board. A vehicle for hire service's compliance with the rules, regulations and fees required by the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport Board shall not excuse the vehicle for hire service from complying with this article. (Ord. 22308-06-2016, § 1, passed 6-28-2016, eff. 10-1-2016)

Fort Worth City Code § 34-201 DEFINITIONS.

§ 34-201 DEFINITIONS. The following terms, when used in this article, shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this section: CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT. The area of Fort Worth bounded on the east by I-35W; on the south by a line one-half block south of Vickery Boulevard and extending west to the centerline of I-30; on the west by a line extending north and south with the east property line of the City of Fort Worth Water Treatment Plant to West Tenth Street and along West Tenth Street to the Clear Fork of the Trinity River and along the Clear Fork to the Trinity River; on the north by the center of the Trinity River to the extension of Jones Street and thereafter by Bluff Street, as set forth in Appendix A, to the City Code, Zoning Regulations. CITY. The City of Fort Worth. CITY COUNCIL. The governing body of the City of Fort Worth. COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATION. A sworn and notarized certification signed by an applicant for an operating license or a licensee. DIRECTOR. The director of the city's transportation and public works department. DRIVER. Any individual who drives or operates a vehicle for hire in the corporate limits of the city to provide vehicle for hire services. GROUND TRANSPORTATION COORDINATOR or COORDINATOR. An employee of the ground transportation office designated by the director to administer and enforce the ground transportation program. GROUP CYCLE. A non-motorized vehicle with the carrying capacity of 16 passengers operating on a pre-arranged and predetermined schedule with fixed pickup and destination points. HAILABLE SERVICE. A motorized vehicle for hire service that can be immediately summoned by a passenger communicating in person with the driver of the vehicle. HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGE. A chauffeured non-motorized vehicle drawn by a horse and used to transport persons for hire that typically operates in designated areas or on approved routes. LICENSEE. A person, association or corporation that is licensed to operate a vehicle for hire service under this article. MOTORIZED VEHICLE FOR HIRE. Every vehicle for hire that is self-propelled. NON-MOTORIZED VEHICLE FOR HIRE. Every vehicle for hire that is propelled by a human or an animal, including but not limited to group cycles, horse-drawn carriages, and pedicabs. OPERATING LICENSE. A license issued by the city authorizing a vehicle for hire service to operate within the corporate limits of the city. PEDICAB. A non-motorized vehicle with three or more wheels propelled by human power or human-assisted power with seating for one or more passengers. PERSON. An individual, corporation, government or governmental subdivision, agency, trust, partnership, or two or more persons having joint or common economic interest. STREET. Any street, alley, lane, right-of-way or highway within the corporate limits of the city. SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR OWNERSHIP. Any business entity that is owned or controlled by 51% or more of the same persons who own or control another business entity. TAXIMETER. A device that mechanically or electronically computes and registers in dollars and cents for viewing by the passenger, the fare based upon the distance traveled, the time the vehicle for hire is engaged, or any other basis for charges which are specified in the rates of fares set by the city council for hailable vehicle for hire services. VEHICLE. A device that can be used to transport or draw persons or property on a public street within the corporate limits of the city. VEHICLE FOR HIRE. Every motorized or non-motorized vehicle that is chauffeured that transports passengers over city streets for a fare or compensation. The term VEHICLE FOR HIRE shall not include: (1) Vehicles operated by a transportation authority or transit authority in accordance with state or federal law; (2) Vehicles involved in an organized car pool not available to the general public; (3) A vehicle being operated pursuant to a franchise, grant of privilege or permit issued by the city under its authority outside of this article; or pursuant to permission duly granted by proper authority of the city under its authority outside of this article for a vehicle to operate over a regular route upon a set schedule; a vehicle being operated as a chartered bus not available to the general public and under a contract to carry 12 or more passengers; or any vehicle that is not available to the general public; (4) Vehicles being used as ambulances; or (5) Vehicles rented or leased for self-operation by the person who drives the vehicle, unless such a vehicle is transporting persons for compensation. VEHICLE FOR HIRE SERVICE. The business of offering transportation to customers in one or more vehicles for hire in exchange for a fee or compensation. (Ord. 22308-06-2016, § 1, passed 6-28-2016, eff. 10-1-2016)

Fort Worth City Code § 34-202 OPERATING LICENSES.

§ 34-202 OPERATING LICENSES. (a) It shall be unlawful for a person to drive or operate a vehicle for hire in the corporate limits of the city unless the driver and vehicle for hire are operating under a valid operating license. (b) It shall be unlawful for a person to employ, permit or allow another to drive, operate or cause to be operated any vehicle for hire in the corporate limits of the city unless that person is a licensee in possession of a valid operating license. (c) Any person desiring to operate a vehicle for hire service in the corporate limits of the city shall submit an application for an operating license on a form provided by the ground transportation coordinator. The applicant must be the person who will own, control, or operate the proposed vehicle for hire service or who will own, control, or operate the digital network or application through which drivers provide the proposed vehicle for hire service. No application shall be considered for approval unless it meets all the requirements of this article. Each application must contain the following: (1) The name and address of the applicant, if a natural person, or, if a corporation, its name, date and place of incorporation, address of its principal place of business and the names of all its officers and directors together with their respective business addresses, as well as a copy of the articles of incorporation, the trade name, if any, under which the applicant proposes to operate and the address of the place or places of business from which the applicant proposes to operate; (2) A nonrefundable operating license fee must be submitted with the application; and (3) The compliance certification required by this article. (d) Upon receipt of a completed application for an operating license in compliance with this article and payment of the required fee, the ground transportation coordinator shall issue an operating license to the applicant, unless the applicant is prohibited by this article from receiving an operating license. (e) Except as provided in § 34-213, an operating license shall commence on the date of issuance and shall expire two years from the date of issuance. A licensee shall apply for a new operating license at least 30 days prior to the expiration date of the operating license. (Ord. 22308-06-2016, § 1, passed 6-28-2016, eff. 10-1-2016)

Fort Worth City Code § 34-203 COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATION.

§ 34-203 COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATION. (a) A compliance certification shall be submitted to the ground transportation coordinator with each application for an operating license and one year after the issuance of each operating license. (b) A compliance certification shall contain the following language: (1) I certify that within the past 12 months, the undersigned has conducted a national criminal background and driver's license check on each driver who will operate a vehicle for hire under the operating license to verify that the driver meets the qualifications in Chapter 34, Article VI, of the city code. (2) I certify that the undersigned will conduct a national criminal background and driver's license check before allowing any new driver to operate a vehicle for hire under the operating license who has become associated with the undersigned since the last compliance certification to verify that the driver meets the qualifications in Chapter 34, Article VI, of the city code. (3) I certify that the undersigned shall not allow any person to operate a vehicle for hire under the operating license if the person does not meet the qualifications in Chapter 34, Article VI, of the city code. (4) I certify that within the past 60 days, the undersigned has verified that all vehicles that will operate as a vehicle for hire under the operating license are covered by an insurance policy that meets the requirements of Chapter 34, Article VI, of the city code and comply with the vehicle inspection and emission testing requirements of the State of Texas. (5) I certify that before allowing any new vehicle to operate as a vehicle for hire under the operating license that has become associated with the undersigned since the last compliance certification, the undersigned shall verify that the vehicle is covered by an insurance policy that meets the requirements of Chapter 34, Article VI, of the city code and complies with the vehicle inspection and emission testing requirements of the State of Texas. (6) I certify that the undersigned shall not allow any vehicle to operate as a vehicle for hire under the operating license if the vehicle is not covered by an insurance policy that meets the requirements of Chapter 34, Article VI, of the city code, or the vehicle does not comply with the vehicle inspection and emission testing requirements of the State of Texas. (7) I hereby certify that the undersigned shall comply with all requirements of Chapter 34, Article VI, of the city code and federal, state and municipal laws in providing vehicle for hire services in the corporate limits of the city. (c) A licensee commits an offense and the operating license is subject to revocation in accordance with the provisions of this article if the licensee knowingly fails to submit a compliance certification to the ground transportation coordinator one year after the issuance of an operating license. (Ord. 22308-06-2016, § 1, passed 6-28-2016, eff. 10-1-2016; Ord. 22489-11-2016, § 1, passed 11-1-2016, eff. 11-4-2016)

Fort Worth City Code § 34-204 REVOCATION OF OPERATING LICENSE.

§ 34-204 REVOCATION OF OPERATING LICENSE. (a) Prior to revocation of an operating license, the director shall send the licensee written notice of any violation by certified mail, return receipt requested. A licensee shall have 30 days from receipt of a written notice of a violation to provide written proof to the director that the licensee did not violate this article as set forth in subsection (b). Failure of the licensee to submit a written response to the director as required by this subsection shall result in revocation of the operating license. (b) The director shall have the authority to revoke a licensee's operating licensee if a licensee: (1) Fails to submit a compliance certification as required by this article; (2) Fails to perform a national background check and driver's license check as required by this article; (3) Fails to verify that a vehicle is covered by an insurance policy and meets the state requirements for vehicle inspection and emission testing as required by this article; or (4) Knowingly allows a driver or vehicle to operate in violation of this article. (c) An operating license that is revoked shall be of no force and effect from and after the date of revocation. (d) A licensee whose operating license is revoked in accordance with this article will not be granted an operating license before the expiration of 24 months from the date of revocation. (e) A business entity that has substantially similar ownership to a licensee whose operating license has been revoked in accordance with this article, will not be granted an operating license before the expiration of 24 months from the date of revocation. (Ord. 22308-06-2016, § 1, passed 6-28-2016, eff. 10-1-2016)

Fort Worth City Code § 34-205 FEES.

§ 34-205 FEES. (a) The city council shall adopt a schedule of fees applicable to this article which shall be on file in city secretary's office. (b) Each licensee shall pay the operating license fee as approved by city council before the issuance of an operating license. Fees may be pro-rated for any partial period for which an operating license is issued. The ground transportation coordinator shall provide each licensee with written notice of the due date for any pro-rated fees. A licensee shall pay the pro-rated fees by the due date. (Ord. 22308-06-2016, § 1, passed 6-28-2016, eff. 10-1-2016)

Fort Worth City Code § 34-206 COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL, STATE AND MUNICIPAL LAW.

§ 34-206 COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL, STATE AND MUNICIPAL LAW. Licensees and drivers shall comply with all federal, state and municipal laws while providing vehicle for hire services. (Ord. 22308-06-2016, § 1, passed 6-28-2016, eff. 10-1-2016)

Fort Worth City Code § 34-207 INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS.

§ 34-207 INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS. (a) Vehicles for hire that are subject to Chapter 1954 of the Tex. Insurance Code must comply with the requirements of that chapter at all times. (b) Vehicles for hire that are not subject to Chapter 1954 of the Tex. Insurance Code must provide and maintain at all times insurance coverage that meets the minimum requirements of Chapter 1954 of the Tex. Insurance Code, or the requirements set forth in subsection (c). (c) A vehicle for hire that is not subject to Chapter 1954 of the Tex. Insurance Code or elects to not maintain the insurance coverage meeting the requirements of Chapter 1954 of the Tex. Insurance Code, shall have in force, 24 hours, seven days a week the amount and character of insurance coverage for vehicles for hire as required by this subsection. (1) The minimum insurance required under this subsection must: a. Be obtained from a carrier that is admitted and licensed to transact insurance in the State of Texas or an eligible surplus lines insurer authorized under the laws of the State of Texas; b. Be written on an occurrence basis; c. Cover the vehicle for hire and any driver of the vehicle for hire; d. Name the City of Fort Worth as an additional primary insured; e. Provide minimum coverage in an amount no less than $500,000 combined single limit liability (CSL) per occurrence; f. Provide that all claims will be paid on a first dollar basis by the insurance provider; g. Not be obtained from an assigned risk pool; and h. Not contain policy exclusions that would change or limit coverage for passengers entering or exiting the vehicle. (2) All liability insurance coverage must include a rider that provides that at all levels of coverage there must be notification to the city in writing not less than 30 days before canceling or making a material change in the policy. (3) A driver or licensee of a vehicle for hire shall not have operational control in any insurance company providing coverage to a vehicle for hire utilized by the driver or licensee. (Ord. 22308-06-2016, § 1, passed 6-28-2016, eff. 10-1-2016)

Fort Worth City Code § 34-208 DRIVER QUALIFICATIONS.

§ 34-208 DRIVER QUALIFICATIONS. (a) To qualify as a driver, a person must: (1) Hold a valid driver's license or operator's license issued by any state of the United States, Washington D.C., or any territory of the United States; (2) Not be under indictment, have charges pending, have been convicted, or have been placed on probation or deferred adjudication for the following offenses: a. Criminal homicide as described in Tex. Penal Code Chapter 19; b. Aggravated kidnapping as described in Tex. Penal Code § 20.04; c. An offense involving trafficking of persons as described in Tex. Penal Code Chapter 20A; d. Continuous sexual abuse of a young child or children as described in Tex. Penal Code § 21.02; e. Indecency with a child as described in Tex. Penal Code § 21.11; f. Improper relationship between educator and student as described in Tex. Penal Code § 21.12; g. Sexual assault as described in Tex. Penal Code § 22.011; h. Aggravated sexual assault as described in Tex. Penal Code § 22.021; i. Sale or purchase of a child as described in Tex. Penal Code § 25.08; j. Aggravated robbery as described in Tex. Penal Code § 29.03; k. Sexual performance by a child as described in Tex. Penal Code § 43.25; l. Employment harmful to children as described in Tex. Penal Code § 43.251; m. Possession or promotion of child pornography as described in Tex. Penal Code § 43.26; n. Electronic transmission of certain visual material depicting a minor as described in Tex. Penal Code § 43.261; o. Intoxication manslaughter as described in Tex. Penal Code § 49.08; p. Criminal attempt, solicitation, or conspiracy to commit any offense described in subsections (a)(2)a. through (a)(2)o.; and q. An offense under the laws of another state, federal law or another country in which the elements of the offense under the laws of that state, federal law or country are substantially similar to the elements of an offense listed in subsections (a)(2)a. through (a)(2)p.; (3) Except as provided by subsection (2), not be under indictment, have charges pending or within the previous seven years have been convicted of, released or discharged from probation, parole or deferred adjudication for any felony offense as defined by the laws of this state, another state, federal law or the law of another country; (4) Except for an offense that is punishable by a fine only, not be under indictment, have charges pending or within the previous three years have been convicted of, released or discharged from probation, parole or deferred adjudication for any misdemeanor offense as defined by the laws of this state, another state, federal law or the laws of another country; (5) Within the previous three years, not have been convicted of or placed on deferred adjudication or deferred disposition for an offense involving the operation of a motor vehicle at a speed exceeding 100 miles per hour; (6) In any ten year period, not have been convicted of or placed on probation or deferred adjudication for three or more offenses in which the elements of the offense involve the operation of a motor vehicle, boat, or aircraft while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs or alcohol; (7) Not be required to register as a sexual offender under the laws of this state, another state, federal law or the laws of another country; and (8) Not have been convicted of, or placed on deferred adjudication or deferred disposition within the previous three years for more than three moving traffic violations arising out of separate transactions within any 12 month period. (b) A driver shall not operate a vehicle for hire for the purpose of providing vehicle for hire services if the driver does not meet the driver qualifications in this section. (c) A licensee shall not intentionally, knowingly or recklessly allow a person to operate a vehicle for hire to provide vehicle for hire services if the person does not meet the driver qualifications in this section. (Ord. 22308-06-2016, § 1, passed 6-28-2016, eff. 10-1-2016)

Fort Worth City Code § 34-209 INSPECTION OF RECORDS.

§ 34-209 INSPECTION OF RECORDS. (a) The city may make a written request to a licensee to inspect the licensee's records relating to a driver or the licensee if the city receives a complaint or information that a driver or licensee does not meet the requirements of this article. (b) A licensee shall make the requested records available for inspection by the city at a location within the corporate limits of the city, within ten calendar days of the licensee receiving a written request from the city. (Ord. 22308-06-2016, § 1, passed 6-28-2016, eff. 10-1-2016)

Fort Worth City Code § 34-210 REQUIREMENTS FOR HAILABLE SERVICE.

§ 34-210 REQUIREMENTS FOR HAILABLE SERVICE. No person shall provide hailable service unless: (a) A taximeter is installed in the vehicle that accurately calculates the rate of fare; and (b) The name of the licensee and rate information is permanently displayed on the outside of the rear door or front door, in letters not less than two and one-half inches in height and not less than five-sixteenths inch wide. (Ord. 22308-06-2016, § 1, passed 6-28-2016, eff. 10-1-2016)

Fort Worth City Code § 34-211 RATES AND FARES FOR HAILABLE SERVICE.

§ 34-211 RATES AND FARES FOR HAILABLE SERVICE. (a) All persons providing hailable service shall comply with this section. (b) No person providing hailable service shall charge a fare that exceeds the following maximum rates: (1) General fare: a. Initial meter drop: $2.25. b. Each one-ninth mile: $0.20. c. Traffic delay per one through one-half minutes: $0.45. d. Each extra passenger (up to manufacturer's rated seating capacity): $2.00. (2) Gasoline surcharge: a. A gasoline surcharge may be added to the fare when the average weekly retail price of regular grade gasoline in the State of Texas exceeds $2.00 per gallon as determined by the United States Department of Energy, Energy Information Administration. b. The gasoline surcharge will be calculated in $0.50 increments and applied per trip. For every $0.50 increase or decrease in the average price per gallon of gasoline above the $2.00 threshold, the per trip surcharge fee will be adjusted $0.50 up or down to reflect the change in the average gasoline price as shown by the following chart: Average price of gasoline (per gallon) | Amount of surcharge (per trip) $2.00 or less | No surcharge $2.01 to $2.50 | $0.50 $2.51 to $3.00 | $1.00 $3.01 to $3.50 | $1.50 Each additional $0.50 increase in the average per gallon price of gasoline | Additional $0.50 per trip (c) A flat rate of $40.00 may be charged for a trip originating in the Central Business District and terminating at the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, provided that such flat rate is not in excess of the maximum meter rate. (d) No person shall demand an additional charge for luggage, bags or parcels being carried by a passenger or passengers. (e) Nothing in this section shall prohibit a vehicle providing hailable service from charging a rate or fare that is less than the maximum amounts allowed by this section. (Ord. 22308-06-2016, § 1, passed 6-28-2016, eff. 10-1-2016)

Fort Worth City Code § 34-212 RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR NON-MOTORIZED VEHICLES FOR HIRE.

§ 34-212 RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR NON-MOTORIZED VEHICLES FOR HIRE. (a) The director shall have the authority to establish rules governing the location, routes and operating hours of non-motorized vehicles for hire. (b) Before adopting, amending or abolishing a rule, the director shall hold a public hearing on the proposal. (c) The director shall fix the time and place of the hearing, and shall provide notice of the hearing in accordance with the Open Meetings Act, (Chapter 551, Tex. Government Code, as amended). In addition, the director shall notify each licensee of the hearing using the licensee's last known address on file with the ground transportation coordinator. The licensee's failure to receive notice of the hearing shall not invalidate any rule established by the director. A copy of each rule shall be on file in the city secretary's office. (d) After the public hearing, the director shall notify each licensee of the director's action and shall post an order, adopting, amending or abolishing a rule on the official bulletin board at City Hall and on the city's website for a period of not fewer than ten calendar days. The order becomes effective immediately upon expiration of the ten calendar day posting period. (e) It shall be unlawful for a person to violate a ruled adopted by the director in accordance with this section. (Ord. 22308-06-2016, § 1, passed 6-28-2016, eff. 10-1-2016)

Fort Worth City Code § 34-213 TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS.

§ 34-213 TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS. (a) Except as otherwise provided by this article, a valid operating license that was issued prior to the effective date of this ordinance shall continue to be valid until the operating license expires. (b) Except as otherwise provided by this article, a licensee who holds a valid operating license that was issued prior to the effective date of this ordinance shall not be limited to the number of vehicles for hire specified in the operating license. The licensee may operate an unlimited number of vehicles for hire under the operating license as long as the licensee complies with the remaining provisions of this article for each vehicle for hire operated under the operating license. (Ord. 22308-06-2016, § 1, passed 6-28-2016, eff. 10-1-2016)

Fort Worth City Code § 34-214 ENFORCEMENT.

§ 34-214 ENFORCEMENT. The director, the director's designee, and the ground transportation coordinator are primarily responsible for the enforcement of this article and are authorized to issue warning and citations to any person violating this article. The Fort Worth police department, the Fort Worth city marshal's office, or any other peace officer shall also have the authority to enforce this article and are authorized to issue warnings and citations to any person violating this article. (Ord. 22308-06-2016, § 1, passed 6-28-2016, eff. 10-1-2016)

Fort Worth City Code § 34-215 CRIMINAL PENALTIES.

§ 34-215 CRIMINAL PENALTIES. (a) A violation of any provision of this article is a Class C misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed $500.00. Each separate occurrence of a violation or each day that a violation continues shall constitute a separate offense. (b) If an offense defined under this article does not include a culpable mental state, then a culpable mental state is not an element of the offense and the offense shall be one of strict liability. (c) The issuance of a citation shall not limit the director's authority to revoke an operating license or the city's ability to pursue civil remedies as provided by state law. (Ord. 22308-06-2016, § 1, passed 6-28-2016, eff. 10-1-2016)

Source: City of Fort Worth, Code of Ordinances, City Charter and Zoning Ordinance (American Legal Publishing, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/ftworth/latest/ftworth_tx/0-0-0-30616Fetched: 10/26/2026