Does Texas Law Require You to Pull over for a Funeral Procession?

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On my way home the other day I noticed a funeral procession in my rear-view mirror coming up behind me. I did what I was taught to do when I first started driving which is to pull-over and get out of its way until the last car passed.

I’ve always believed it was law because that’s what I was told. But, is it really? Does Texas law require you to pull over for a funeral procession?

Traffic Law Pertaining to Funeral Processions

Does Texas law require you to move, pull over, or yield to a funeral procession?

In a word, no.

According to the insurance news and claims resources site Claims Journal, which looked into the laws governing funeral processions of all 50 states:

There is no state law governing funeral processions, however, Texas courts recognize the tradition of vehicles stopping to allow a funeral procession to pass through an intersection.”

In other words, it's customary but you're not obligated to do so by law. It's more about tradition and showing respect than law.

Although there is one caveat:

A driver that collides with a vehicle in a funeral possession may be liable if the procession going through an intersection was noticeable.”

What about Officer-Escorted Funeral Processions?

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Okay, but what if the line of cars is accompanied by law enforcement?

Often funeral processions are escorted by city police, sheriff's officers, constables, or other peace officers. Does their presence mean I have to yield to the procession?

Texas does not have any laws requiring drivers to yield to an escorted funeral procession, either.

However, if the law enforcement escort signals you to move over or yield as the procession passes through the intersection or traffic light then you need to obey the officer.

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