MOTOR VEHICLE ESCORTS FOR HIRE.

Dallas City Code ch. 28, art. XV

in effect

Dallas City Code § 28-160 DEFINITIONS.

SEC. 28-160. DEFINITIONS. In this article: (a) MOTOR VEHICLE ESCORT GUIDE means a person engaged in the business of furnishing a private motor vehicle escort for hire who personally escorts or guides a funeral cortege or overwidth, overlength, or overheight motor vehicle or an employee of a person engaged in the business of furnishing private motor vehicle escort service for hire. (b) OFFICIAL POLICE OFFICER’S BADGE means a badge of the size, type and design approved by Section 37-15 for the use of regular police officers. (c) PRIVATE MOTOR VEHICLE ESCORT AGENCY means a person, firm or corporation engaged in the business of furnishing private motor vehicle escorts for hire, which employs one or more persons as employees, assistants, clerks or motor vehicle escort guides. (Ord. 14584)

Dallas City Code § 28-161 ESCORT LICENSE REQUIRED.

SEC. 28-161. ESCORT LICENSE REQUIRED. A person commits an offense if he engages in the business of furnishing a private motor vehicle escort for hire within the city, without first obtaining an escort license; provided, that persons engaged in the business who are employed by a duly licensed private motor vehicle escort agency shall not be required to be individually licensed. (Ord. 14584)

Dallas City Code § 28-162 SAME - MINIMUM AGE OF PERSON OBTAINING.

SEC. 28-162. SAME - MINIMUM AGE OF PERSON OBTAINING. A person must be 18 years of age to be eligible for an escort license to engage in the business of furnishing private motor vehicle escorts. A person licensed to engage in the business of furnishing motor vehicle escort service for hire shall not employ as an escort guide, a person under 18 years of age. (Ord. 14584)

Dallas City Code § 28-163 SAME - APPLICATION; INFORMATION REQUIRED.

SEC. 28-163. SAME - APPLICATION; INFORMATION REQUIRED. A person desiring to conduct a private motor vehicle escort agency or business in the city shall file with the chief of police a written application on a form provided for the purpose, duly signed and verified, which shall state the full name, age, and residence of the licensee, shall specify the trade name and address or location from which the business or agency will operate and for which the escort license is desired, and other relevant facts as may be required by the chief of police. (Ord. 14584)

Dallas City Code § 28-164 SAME - INVESTIGATION; ISSUANCE.

SEC. 28-164. SAME - INVESTIGATION; ISSUANCE. The chief of police shall make or cause to be made an investigation to determine the qualifications of each applicant for an escort license, and based upon those findings, the chief of police shall approve or disapprove issuance of an escort license to engage in the business of conducting private motor vehicle escorts. Upon the approval of issuance of an escort license, the applicant shall present the approved application to the special collections division of the water utilities department and, upon the payment of the proper license fee, the special collections division shall issue the proper license certificate. (Ord. Nos. 14584; 22026; 27697)

Dallas City Code § 28-165 SAME - REFUSAL TO ISSUE OR RENEW.

SEC. 28-165. SAME - REFUSAL TO ISSUE OR RENEW. The chief of police shall refuse to approve issuance or renewal of an escort license for any one or more of the following reasons: (a) conviction of applicant or licensee for a violation of this article or for a felony within the preceding five years; (b) the making of a false statement as to a material matter in an application for an escort license or renewal; (c) revocation of a license, pursuant to this article, of the applicant or any proprietor, partner or corporate officer therein, within one year preceding application; (d) failure of applicant to comply with the insurance requirements of this article. (Ord. 14584)

Dallas City Code § 28-166 SAME - REVOCATION.

SEC. 28-166. SAME - REVOCATION. (a) An escort license shall be revoked by the chief of police for any one or more of the following reasons: (1) the making of a false statement as to a material matter in an application for a license, renewal, or a hearing concerning the license; (2) conviction of the licensee of a violation of this article or for a felony; (3) failure of licensee to comply with the insurance requirements of this article. (b) Written notice of revocation shall be sent by the chief of police to the licensee, by certified mail, return receipt requested, setting forth the reasons for the revocation. (Ord. 14584)

Dallas City Code § 28-167 SAME - APPEAL.

SEC. 28-167. SAME - APPEAL. If the chief of police refuses to issue a license to an applicant or revokes the license of a licensee, the action of the chief of police shall be final unless the applicant or licensee files an appeal with a permit and license appeal board in accordance with Section 2-96 of this code. (Ord. Nos. 14584; 18200)

Dallas City Code § 28-168 SAME - INSURANCE.

SEC. 28-168. SAME - INSURANCE. (a) Before an escort license is issued to the owner or operator of a private motor vehicle escort agency, or before the renewal of an escort license is granted, the applicant shall file with the city secretary a standard policy of public liability and property damage insurance, to be executed by an insurance company authorized to do business in the state and performable in the county, which is approved by the city manager, insuring the general public against loss or damage that may result to any person or property from the operation of the motor vehicle escort service. (b) The insurance policy shall insure each vehicle operated by the motor vehicle escort agency and shall have limits of not less than $100,000 for injury to one person, $300,000 for injuries to two or more persons resulting from one accident, and $50,000 for damage to property resulting from one accident. The insurance shall be for the protection of passengers riding in a funeral cortege being escorted and for protection of the public, but not for personal injuries sustained by the servants, agents or employees of the motor vehicle escort agency. The policy of insurance shall be for a period of one year and the date of the policy shall coincide with the date of the license issued under this article and shall contain a provision for a continuing liability up to the full amount, notwithstanding any recovery thereon. (c) If the chief of police determines after a hearing, that a licensee’s policy of insurance provides less protection to the public than when originally filed, he shall require a new or an additional policy to bring the protection of the insurance to its original amount, and the licensee shall, within 10 days after receiving written notice of this requirement, provide the required new or additional policy. The license of a licensee shall be revoked by the chief of police upon the licensee’s failure to provide the required policy. (d) If an insurer desires to be released from a policy required by this section, he may give written notice to the chief of police by filing the notice with the city secretary at least 30 days before liability is to be released, and the chief of police shall authorize the city secretary by personal delivery, or by mail, to give written notice to the licensee with the demand that the licensee shall furnish new insurance by the expiration of a 10 day period. (e) If a policy is cancelled upon the request of the insurer and no new policy is filed by the licensee before the cancellation of the original insurance, then the license to operate a motor vehicle escort service issued to the licensee shall be revoked. (Ord. 14584)

Dallas City Code § 28-169 SAME - ONE YEAR TERM.

SEC. 28-169. SAME - ONE YEAR TERM. An escort license is valid for a term of one year unless revoked. (Ord. 14584)

Dallas City Code § 28-170 ESCORT LICENSE - FEE; TRANSFERABILITY.

SEC. 28-170. ESCORT LICENSE - FEE; TRANSFERABILITY. The annual fee for an escort license is $160, to be paid before the license is issued. An escort license is not transferable or assignable. No refund of fees will be made. (Ord. Nos. 14584; 18411; 22206)

Dallas City Code § 28-171 SAME - POSTING.

SEC. 28-171. SAME - POSTING. Immediately upon the receipt of an escort license issued by the city, the licensee named shall post the license and at all times display the license in a conspicuous place in the office or location given as the business address in the application. A licensee shall not post the license or permit the license to be posted upon premises other than those described in the application. A person commits an offense if he alters, defaces or destroys a valid escort license. (Ord. 14584)

Dallas City Code § 28-172 FUNCTIONS, POWERS AND DUTIES OF POLICE DEPARTMENT.

SEC. 28-172. FUNCTIONS, POWERS AND DUTIES OF POLICE DEPARTMENT. The police department shall have the following functions, powers and duties: (a) To investigate qualifications of all applicants. (b) To investigate and aid in the prosecution of all violations of this article. (c) To inspect and approve or disapprove motor vehicle equipment used as escort vehicles. (d) To inspect and approve or disapprove the equipment and uniform worn by escort officers. (Ord. 14584)

Dallas City Code § 28-173 CHAUFFEUR’S LICENSE - REQUIRED; APPLICATION.

SEC. 28-173. CHAUFFEUR’S LICENSE - REQUIRED; APPLICATION. A person commits an offense if he operates a motor vehicle as an escort for hire upon the streets of the city without obtaining an escort chauffeur’s license issued by the chief of police. Application for an escort chauffeur’s license shall be made to the chief of police upon blanks to be furnished by the chief of police, giving the name, age, present address, place and address of employment during the past two years, with the reasons for leaving employment, if any. The applicant shall submit a recent photograph of himself with the application and shall possess and show a valid Texas motor vehicle operator’s license with motorcycle endorsement. (Ord. 14584)

Dallas City Code § 28-174 SAME - ISSUANCE; DENIAL.

SEC. 28-174. SAME - ISSUANCE; DENIAL. (a) When an application for an escort chauffeur’s license or renewal has been filed with the chief of police in proper form, the chief of police shall, within a period of 30 days from the date of filing, approve or deny the application. If the application is denied, the chief of police shall send to the applicant by certified mail, return receipt requested, a written statement setting forth the reasons for denial. (b) The chief of police shall refuse to approve issuance or renewal of an escort chauffeur’s license for any one or more of the following reasons: (1) the making of a false statement as to a material matter in an application for a license, license renewal, or in a hearing concerning the license; (2) conviction of applicant or licensee for a violation of a provision of this article or for a felony or an offense involving theft, fraud, or unlawfully carrying a weapon within the preceding five years; (3) revocation of an escort chauffeur’s license of the applicant within five years preceding application; (4) conviction of the licensee or applicant of four moving traffic violations within a 12 month period or of driving while intoxicated within the preceding five years; (5) failure of applicant to present a valid Texas motor vehicle operator’s license with motorcycle endorsement. (Ord. 14584)

Dallas City Code § 28-175 SAME - REVOCATION.

SEC. 28-175. SAME - REVOCATION. (a) The chief of police shall revoke an escort chauffeur’s license for one or more of the following reasons: (1) the making of a false statement as to a material matter in an application for a license, license renewal, or in a hearing concerning the license; (2) conviction of the licensee for a violation of a provision of this article or for a felony or an offense involving violence, theft, fraud, deception, dishonesty, or unlawfully carrying a weapon; (3) conviction, during the term, of the licensee of four moving traffic violations, or of driving while intoxicated; (4) failure of licensee to maintain a valid Texas motor vehicle operator’s license with motorcycle endorsement. (b) Written notice of revocation shall be sent by the chief of police to the licensee by certified mail, return receipt requested, setting forth the reasons for the revocation. (Ord. 14584)

Dallas City Code § 28-176 SAME - APPEAL FROM REFUSAL TO ISSUE OR RENEW; FROM DECISION TO REVOKE.

SEC. 28-176. SAME - APPEAL FROM REFUSAL TO ISSUE OR RENEW; FROM DECISION TO REVOKE. If the chief of police refuses to issue a license to an applicant or revokes the license of a licensee, this action shall be final unless the licensee files an appeal with a permit and license appeal board in accordance with Section 2-96 of this code. (Ord. Nos. 14584; 18200)

Dallas City Code § 28-177 SAME - FEE, FINGERPRINTS AND PHOTOGRAPH; NONTRANSFERABLE.

SEC. 28-177. SAME - FEE, FINGERPRINTS AND PHOTOGRAPH; NONTRANSFERABLE. After the application for an escort chauffeur’s license has been approved, and the applicant has submitted to fingerprinting by the police department, the director of finance of the city shall issue an escort chauffeur’s license to the applicant upon payment of a fee of $50. An escort chauffeur’s license shall expire one year from the date of issuance and shall not be transferable; however, the holder may use the same license if he changes employment from one motor vehicle escort agency to another. (Ord. Nos. 14584; 18411)

Dallas City Code § 28-178 SAME - TO BE CARRIED ON PERSON.

SEC. 28-178. SAME - TO BE CARRIED ON PERSON. A person engaged in furnishing private motor vehicle escort service for hire shall carry his escort chauffeur’s license on his person and shall show it to any city police officer upon demand. (Ord. 14584)

Dallas City Code § 28-179 EMPLOYMENT OF QUALIFIED OPERATORS RESPONSIBILITY OF OWNER.

SEC. 28-179. EMPLOYMENT OF QUALIFIED OPERATORS RESPONSIBILITY OF OWNER. The owner of a private motor vehicle escort agency shall employ as escort guides only those persons who are physically and mentally capable to operate a motorcycle for hire and who are 18 years of age or over. It shall be the responsibility of the private motor vehicle escort agency to select competent operators for escort vehicles. An owner of an escort agency shall not employ any person as a motor vehicle escort guide who does not hold a valid Texas operator’s license with motorcycle endorsement and an escort chauffeur’s license. (Ord. 14584)

Dallas City Code § 28-180 POLICE OFFICERS MAY FURNISH ESCORTS.

SEC. 28-180. POLICE OFFICERS MAY FURNISH ESCORTS. Nothing contained in this article shall be construed to prohibit regularly employed officers or deputies of the department of public safety, county sheriff, or police department from escorting funeral corteges or oversized, overlength, or overwidth vehicles upon the streets and roadways of the city, when assigned as an official duty by their respective departments. (Ord. 14584)

Dallas City Code § 28-181 ESCORTS FOR FUNERAL CORTEGE NOT REQUIRED.

SEC. 28-181. ESCORTS FOR FUNERAL CORTEGE NOT REQUIRED. Nothing contained in this article shall be construed as requiring funeral directors or any other person conducting funerals to contract, hire, or employ a private motor vehicle escort service to guide or escort a funeral cortege in the city. (Ord. 14584)

Dallas City Code § 28-182 REQUIREMENTS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES USED IN ESCORT SERVICE.

SEC. 28-182. REQUIREMENTS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES USED IN ESCORT SERVICE. A funeral escort guide, engaged in furnishing an escort, must use either a two-wheel or three-wheel motorcycle which is in good mechanical condition and equipped with two lamps that display an amber or a blue light visible from directly in front of the center of the motorcycle. These lamps shall be in addition to those required by state law. An escort vehicle shall not be equipped with a siren. Decals, placards, signs, and insignias which resemble official police officer’s badges or which bear the words “Police”, “Official”, or “Officer” shall not be used on the motorcycles nor shall the motorcycles be painted a color resembling the color of motorcycles used by the city police department. No additional equipment may be added after inspection by the police department unless the motorcycle is reinspected and approved before use. A motor vehicle used in performing escort services shall be subject to inspection at any time by the chief of police or his authorized representative. (Ord. Nos. 14584; 17640; 17817)

Dallas City Code § 28-183 FUNERAL ESCORT GUIDES; UNIFORM AND EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS.

SEC. 28-183. FUNERAL ESCORT GUIDES; UNIFORM AND EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS. A funeral escort guide shall wear a uniform approved by the chief of police. The uniform shall not resemble in pattern, design, or color that worn by the regular police officers of the city. Funeral escort guides may wear a badge and cap wreath if they desire; provided, that the badge or wreath does not resemble the official police officer’s badge or bear the words “Police” or “Officer”. Noncommissioned officers’ stripes or commissioned officers’ bars or insignia denoting a rank shall not be worn on the uniform. Funeral escort guides shall not wear a holster, handcuff case or cartridge case. A whistle or flash light baton may be used at the discretion of the escort guide. An escort guide shall not have on his person or on or about his escort vehicle any weapon declared to be unlawful by the statutes of the state; provided, however, that peace officers of the city, county, and the state, who may be licensed as escort guides may carry authorized weapons concealed on or about their person or escort vehicle while engaged as a motor vehicle escort guide. (Ord. 14584)

Dallas City Code § 28-184 OPERATING PROCEDURES.

SEC. 28-184. OPERATING PROCEDURES. (a) A motor vehicle escort guide shall not engage in a funeral escort service other than that of escorting a funeral procession, consisting of the hearse and cortege from the funeral home, the home of the deceased, or the home of the deceased’s family to the place of service and from the place of service to the place of interment. If a funeral procession enters a roadway, expressway, or freeway which has a minimum posted speed limit, the motor vehicle escort guide shall cease the escort before the procession enters the roadway, expressway or freeway and resume the escort after the procession exits the roadway, expressway, or freeway. (b) A motor vehicle escort guide may escort overheight, overlength, or overwidth vehicles or loads as defined in the State Traffic Code, but only after the chief of police has been notified of each individual escort. The chief of police shall have the authority to designate the route and time of the escort. (c) A licensed motor vehicle escort guide is authorized to lead funeral processions within the city when the procession has been properly identified by the display of a pennant upon the outside of the lead vehicle and the hearse, and all other vehicles have their headlights turned on. (d) All motor vehicles in an escorted funeral procession which have been properly designated shall have the right of way over all other vehicles, except fire apparatus, ambulances, and police vehicles at any roadway intersection within the city, and the procession may be escorted through stop signs or signalized intersections without stopping, but the drivers of the motor vehicles shall exercise due regard for the safety of all approaching vehicles, and funeral processions being escorted shall be subject at all times to the control of police officers of the city. This subsection shall not apply to overheight, overlength, or overwidth vehicles or loads as defined in the State Traffic Code, which shall obey all traffic laws and traffic control devices. (e) Funeral processions shall travel as closely to the right edge of the roadway as practical and at a safe and prudent speed. (f) A funeral procession shall not enter or travel upon any roadway, expressway, or freeway which has a minimum posted speed limit between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. or between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. This subsection does not apply on a legal holiday. The funeral procession shall obey all traffic laws while on a roadway, expressway, or freeway which has a minimum posted speed limit. (g) Funeral processions shall not proceed through the downtown business district bordered by San Jacinto Street on the north, Wood Street on the south, Hawkins Street on the east and Market Street on the west. (h) Funeral escort guides shall not stop traffic approaching from the opposite direction or force or direct traffic to move off the roadway; however, oncoming traffic may be stopped at intersections and other places to assist the cortege in making left turns. (Ord. Nos. 14584; 15648)

Dallas City Code § 28-185 ADVERTISEMENTS; LIMITATIONS.

SEC. 28-185. ADVERTISEMENTS; LIMITATIONS. A person engaged in the business of furnishing private motor vehicle escorts for hire or an employee of a private motor vehicle escort agency shall not distribute, present, or give away cards, handbills, or printed matter of any kind which bear the words “Police”, “Official,” or “Officer” in conjunction with advertising an escort service. Nor shall any advertisement state, imply, or misrepresent that a private motor vehicle escort service is required by the police department, the city or by any of its ordinances. (Ord. 14584)

Source: City of Dallas, Dallas City Code and City Charter (American Legal Publishing, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/dallas/latest/dallas_tx/0-0-0-148025Fetched: 10/26/2026