Charge codes 3,583
Every TLC charge code, explained
Every code that has appeared on a TLC, Port Authority or NYPD-issued TLC summons in the City's OATH data — current rules, old rule numbers and city law — in plain English.
3,583 codes52 chapters8,209,461 charges in the data
What the badges mean
Current rule
A rule in today's TLC rule book (Title 35 of the Rules of the City of New York). Codes look like 80-13(a)(2) or 59A-13(j)(1).
Old rule — replaced
A pre-2011 TLC rule number, such as 2-21(c) or 6-13(b). The TLC renumbered its rules; we link each one to the rule that took its place when we can match it.
NYC law
A section of the NYC Administrative Code rather than a TLC rule — for example 19-506(b), unlicensed for-hire activity. Sometimes written as 506B.
Code we couldn't match exactly
A garbled or compressed code in the public data. We explain the chapter it points to and say plainly when we can't be sure.
Current TLC rules
22Rules in today's TLC rule book (35 RCNY). Most summonses written since about 2011 use these chapters.
52-April 2011–present (two charges, 2013–2014)TLC governance rules (Chapter 52)Chapter 52 covers how the TLC itself works: its powers, petitions to start rulemaking and pilot programs (§52-21 onward is the pilot-program sub-chapter). It sets almost no penalties for licensees, so the two codes seen here (52-21(B)(2), 52-26B(1)) are most likely mistyped codes from another chapter.2 codes · 5 charges53-2012–presentAccessible taxicabs and accessible street hail vehiclesChapter 53 sets requirements for wheelchair-accessible yellow taxicabs and accessible street hail liveries (green cabs), including equipment, maintenance and service duties for owners. It began with the 2011 rule book and is still in force.11 codes · 2,528 charges56-April 2011–presentParatransit driversChapter 56 holds the rules for drivers of paratransit vehicles, which carry people with disabilities, including licensing, safe driving, passenger assistance and required items in the vehicle. It replaced the driver sections of old Chapter 4 (§§4-06 to 4-08) in April 2011 and is still in force.43 codes · 2,686 charges57-April 2011–presentCommuter van driversChapter 57 holds the rules for drivers of licensed commuter vans (dollar vans): licensing, safe driving, pick-up limits, conduct and required documents and manifests. It replaced the driver sections of old Chapter 9 in April 2011 and is still in force.40 codes · 711 charges58-April 2011–presentMedallion taxicab owners (yellow cab service)Chapter 58 holds the rules for owners of yellow medallion taxicabs (and their agents): licensing, insurance, inspections, vehicle condition and equipment, taximeters and TPEP, lease caps and owner conduct. It replaced old Chapter 1 in April 2011 and is still in force.221 codes · 433,154 charges59A-April 2011–presentFor-hire vehicle ownersSub-chapter 59A holds the rules for owners of for-hire vehicles (car service, black car, limousine and app-based cars): licensing, insurance, inspections, vehicle condition, required decals and items, and owner conduct. It replaced the vehicle-owner parts of old Chapter 6 in April 2011 and is still in force.177 codes · 1,207,001 charges59B-April 2011–presentFor-hire base ownersSub-chapter 59B holds the rules for owners of for-hire bases — the licensed companies that dispatch car services, black cars and limousines: base licensing, records, dispatching only affiliated vehicles and licensed drivers, advertising and base conduct. It replaced the base parts of old Chapter 6 in April 2011 and is 206 codes · 182,215 charges59C-April 2011–present (two charges, 2012)For-hire vehicle equipment specificationsSub-chapter 59C sets equipment specifications for for-hire vehicles, such as in-vehicle camera systems (§59C-01) and distress signal lights for livery vehicles (§59C-03). It began with the 2011 rule book and is still in force.2 codes · 2 charges59D-2019–present (charges seen from 2020)High-volume for-hire services (app companies)Sub-chapter 59D holds the rules for high-volume for-hire services — app-based companies that dispatch very large numbers of trips, such as Uber and Lyft — including licensing, trip-record reporting (§59D-14) and accessibility duties. It was added to the rule book around 2019 and is still in force.2 codes · 94 charges60A-April 2011–presentParatransit vehicle ownersSub-chapter 60A holds the rules for owners of paratransit vehicles (vehicles that carry people with disabilities): licensing, insurance, inspections and vehicle condition and equipment. It replaced the vehicle-owner parts of old Chapter 4 in April 2011 and is still in force.21 codes · 8,075 charges60B-April 2011–presentParatransit base station ownersSub-chapter 60B holds the rules for owners of paratransit bases, the businesses that dispatch paratransit vehicles: licensing, records, dispatching licensed vehicles and drivers, and base conduct. It replaced the base parts of old Chapter 4 in April 2011 and is still in force.23 codes · 762 charges61A-April 2011–presentCommuter van vehicle ownersSub-chapter 61A holds the rules for owners of commuter vans: vehicle licensing, insurance, inspections, condition, markings and required items. It replaced the vehicle parts of old Chapter 9 in April 2011 and is still in force.24 codes · 9,787 charges61B-April 2011–presentCommuter van service ownersSub-chapter 61B holds the rules for owners of commuter van services — the businesses authorized to run van service: authorization, records, using only licensed vans and drivers, and service conduct. It replaced the service parts of old Chapter 9 in April 2011 and is still in force.17 codes · 135 charges62-April 2011–presentTaxicab brokersChapter 62 holds the rules for taxicab brokers, licensed businesses that arrange medallion sales, transfers and financing: licensing, record keeping (§62-20) and conduct (§62-23). It replaced old Chapter 5 in April 2011 and is still in force.2 codes · 38 charges63-April 2011–presentTaxicab agentsChapter 63 holds the rules for taxicab agents, licensed businesses that manage medallion taxicabs for owners and lease them to drivers: licensing, leases and lease caps, records and conduct. It replaced old Chapter 12 in April 2011 and is still in force.23 codes · 3,640 charges64-April 2011–presentTaximeter businesses and manufacturersChapter 64 holds the rules for businesses licensed to install, repair, test and seal taximeters, and for meter manufacturers. It replaced old Chapter 15 in April 2011 and is still in force.19 codes · 101 charges66-about 2017–present (two charges, 2020)Technology system providersChapter 66 holds the rules for companies licensed to provide in-vehicle technology systems (such as the taxi TPEP and street hail livery systems that handle fares, payments and trip records), including compliance with technology requirements (§66-19) and conduct rules (§66-23). It is still in force; the older separate 3 codes · 9 charges67-April 2011–present (two charges, 2013)Taxicab hack-up and maintenanceChapter 67 sets the rules for which vehicle models may be used as yellow taxicabs and how they must be hacked up (fitted out) and maintained, including accessible models. It replaced old Chapter 3 (Taxicab Specifications) in April 2011 and is still in force.2 codes · 4 charges68-April 2011–present (charges 2011–2014)TLC adjudication and enforcement proceduresChapter 68 set the TLC tribunal's hearing procedures from 2011 (including summary suspensions, §68-22); since hearings moved to OATH in 2013 it covers procedures relating to enforcement. It mostly describes process, not violations, so codes here usually point to a procedure (such as a suspension) or a data-entry error.4 codes · 150 charges78-about 2015–presentE-hail application providersChapter 78 holds the rules for companies licensed to run e-hail apps that let riders hail yellow and green cabs by smartphone, including conduct rules (§78-20). It is still in force.1 code · 19 charges80-October 26, 2016–presentDriver rules (all TLC-licensed drivers)Chapter 80 holds the rules for every TLC-licensed driver — yellow taxi, green cab (street hail livery) and for-hire vehicle including app-based drivers: licensing, traffic safety, passenger service, fares, refusals, required items, trip records and the critical driver and persistent violator point programs. It took eff241 codes · 2,514,496 charges82-2012–presentStreet hail livery service (green cab owners)Chapter 82 holds the rules for owners of street hail liveries (green 'Boro Taxis') that may pick up street hails outside the Manhattan core and at no airport: licensing, vehicle condition and equipment, technology systems and hail zones. It was created in 2012 with the street hail livery program and is still in force. 80 codes · 150,197 charges
NYC law
2Charges written under the NYC Administrative Code (city law) rather than a TLC rule, such as unlicensed for-hire activity.
19-1990s–presentNYC Administrative Code, Title 19 Chapter 5 (TLC law)Codes starting with 19- are sections of the NYC Administrative Code, Title 19, Chapter 5 — the City law the TLC enforces, not a TLC rule. The most common are §19-506 (operating or arranging for-hire rides without the required TLC license; seizures), §19-507 (mandatory penalties for refusals, asking a passenger's destin64 codes · 488,332 charges506-2013NYC Admin Code §19-506 written without the title prefixCodes like 506-B and 506-B1 are NYC Administrative Code §19-506(b) and (b)(1) written without the '19-'. Section 19-506 punishes operating, or permitting a vehicle to be used for, for-hire service without the required TLC license, and allows seizure of the vehicle. It is still the law.2 codes · 5 charges
Old TLC rule numbers
22The TLC renumbered its rules around 2011. Older summonses use these chapters; each code links to the rule that replaced it where we could match one.
1-1992–2011 (summonses written until April 2011; some hearings later)Old taxicab owner rules (medallion owners)Old Chapter 1 of the TLC rules covered owners of yellow medallion taxicabs: keeping the cab licensed, insured, inspected and in good condition, the taximeter and roof light, lease caps, and owner conduct. It was repealed on April 1, 2011, when the new TLC rule book took effect. Its rules moved mostly to Chapter 58 (Med266 codes · 570,699 charges2-1992–2011 (summonses written until April 2011; some hearings to 2015)Old taxicab driver rules (yellow cab drivers)Old Chapter 2 of the TLC rules covered drivers of yellow medallion taxicabs: licensing, safe driving, fares and overcharges, refusals, courtesy, solicitation, trip records and drug testing. It was repealed on April 1, 2011. Its rules moved to Chapter 54 (taxicab drivers), which was itself folded into Chapter 80 (all TL291 codes · 1,071,318 charges3-before 2011 (the one observed code is dated 1984)Old taxicab vehicle specification rulesOld Chapter 3 of the TLC rules set the specifications for vehicles used as yellow taxicabs: hack-up, vehicle retirement, approved models, and taximeter specifications (§3-04). It was repealed on April 1, 2011; its subjects moved mainly to Chapter 67 (Taxicab Hack-up and Maintenance) and Chapter 58. Only one charge in t1 code · 2 charges4-about 1993–2011 (summonses; hearings to 2014)Old paratransit rules (drivers, vehicles and bases)Old Chapter 4 of the TLC rules covered paratransit service — vehicles that transport people with disabilities, often wheelchair users — including drivers (§§4-06 to 4-08) and vehicle and base owners (§4-09). It was repealed on April 1, 2011. Driver rules moved to Chapter 56 (Paratransit Drivers); vehicle-owner and base108 codes · 5,593 charges5-about 1996–2011 (some hearings to 2016)Old taxicab broker rulesOld Chapter 5 of the TLC rules governed taxicab brokers — licensed businesses that arrange the sale and financing of taxi medallions — including office procedures (§5-04) and standards of conduct (§5-06). It was repealed on April 1, 2011 and replaced by Chapter 62 (Taxicab Brokers).23 codes · 16,245 charges6-1992–2011 (summonses written until April 2011; some hearings later)Old for-hire vehicle rules (drivers, vehicles and bases)Old Chapter 6 of the TLC rules covered the whole for-hire vehicle (car service, black car, limousine) industry: bases (§§6-04 to 6-08), vehicle owners (§§6-11 to 6-13), drivers (§§6-14 to 6-17) and personal conduct of all licensees (§6-18). It was repealed on April 1, 2011 and split three ways: drivers went to Chapter 514 codes · 530,129 charges7-1990s (4 charges, dated 1996)Old rules for representatives at the TLC tribunalOld Chapter 7 set standards of conduct for representatives (non-lawyer agents) who appeared for licensees at the TLC's hearing tribunal; §7-03 covered conduct and character. It was repealed on April 1, 2011 and replaced by Chapter 69. Since 2013, TLC hearings are held at OATH, whose own rules govern representatives.3 codes · 7 charges8-before 2011 (one charge, dated 1989)Old TLC adjudication (hearing) rulesOld Chapter 8 set the procedures of the TLC's own hearing tribunal (summonses, hearings, defaults, appeals). It was repealed on April 1, 2011 and replaced by Chapter 68; in 2013 hearings moved to OATH (48 RCNY Chapter 6). The only code seen here, 8-01, is the definitions section, so it is almost certainly a data-entry 1 code · 2 charges9-about 1994–2011Old commuter van rulesOld Chapter 9 of the TLC rules covered commuter vans (dollar vans): authority to operate a van service, van driver licenses (§9-08), driver conduct (§9-10) and van operating conditions (§9-11). It was repealed on April 1, 2011. Driver rules moved to Chapter 57 (Commuter Van Drivers); vehicle and service rules moved to 93 codes · 91,100 charges12-about 1996–2011Old taxicab agent rulesOld Chapter 12 of the TLC rules governed taxicab agents — licensed businesses that manage medallion taxicabs and lease them to drivers for owners — including business premises (§12-05) and standards of conduct (§12-06). It was repealed on April 1, 2011 and replaced by Chapter 63 (Taxicab Agent Rules).18 codes · 453 charges15-about 1999–2011Old taximeter business rulesOld Chapter 15 of the TLC rules governed taximeter businesses — shops licensed to install, repair, test and seal taxi meters — including seals (§15-30), recording meter tests (§15-33) and sale of taximeters (§15-41). It was repealed on April 1, 2011 and replaced by Chapter 64 (Taximeter Businesses & Manufacturers).43 codes · 285 charges16-2008–2010 (hearings into 2013)Old accessible dispatch rules (wheelchair taxi pilot)Old Chapter 16 of the TLC rules set duties for drivers in the accessible-taxi dispatch program, which sent wheelchair-accessible yellow cabs to riders who requested them: dispatch equipment (§16-04), driver training (§16-05), accepting dispatches and fares. It was not kept as a separate chapter in the 2011 rule book; a9 codes · 6,064 charges54-April 2011 – October 25, 2016Taxicab and street hail livery drivers (former Chapter 54)Chapter 54 held the rules for drivers of yellow medallion taxicabs and, from 2012, street hail liveries (green cabs): licensing, traffic safety, fares, refusals, passenger requests, trip records and the critical driver and persistent violator point programs. It replaced old Chapter 2 in April 2011 and was repealed on O353 codes · 317,176 charges55-April 2011 – October 25, 2016For-hire vehicle drivers (former Chapter 55)Chapter 55 held the rules for drivers of for-hire vehicles (car services, black cars, limousines and app-based rides): licensing, traffic safety, refusals, street-hail ban, items required in the vehicle and penalty point programs. It replaced the driver parts of old Chapter 6 in April 2011 and was repealed on October 2169 codes · 219,420 charges168-undated (old-rule era)Old owner rule written with the hyphen in the wrong place (1-68)The code 168-A is almost certainly old TLC owner rule 1-68(a) — the old Chapter 1 duty for taxicab owners to cooperate and promptly comply with TLC directives — written with the hyphen after the section number instead of after the chapter. The 2011 crosswalk maps 1-68(a) to §58-15(i)(1).1 code · 1 charges224A-1992 (one charge)Old driver rule written with the hyphen in the wrong place (2-24)The code 224A-1 most likely means old taxicab driver rule 2-24(a)(1) (Authorized Drivers) written with the hyphen misplaced. It could also be one of the pre-July-1992 compressed codes, so this reading is not proven.1 code · 1 charges226-1997Old driver rule written with the hyphen in the wrong place (2-26)The codes 226-A and 226 almost certainly mean old taxicab driver rule 2-26 (Condition of Taxicab), written with the hyphen after the section number instead of after the chapter. The charges are dated 1997, when old Chapter 2 was in force.1 code · 5 charges227-1999Old driver rule written with the hyphen in the wrong place (2-27)The codes 227-A and 227 almost certainly mean old taxicab driver rule 2-27 (Items Which Must Be Present in the Taxicab), written with the hyphen misplaced. The charge is dated 1999, when old Chapter 2 was in force.1 code · 2 charges246-1997–1998Old driver rule written with the hyphen in the wrong place (2-46)The codes 246-C and 246-D almost certainly mean old taxicab driver rule 2-46(c) and (d) (Reasonable Requests from passengers), written with the hyphen misplaced. The charges are dated 1997–1998, when old Chapter 2 was in force.2 codes · 11 charges255-1997Old driver rule written with the hyphen in the wrong place (2-55)The code 255-C almost certainly means old taxicab driver rule 2-55(c) (Solicitation Prohibited), written with the hyphen misplaced. The charge is dated 1997, when old Chapter 2 was in force.1 code · 1 charges266-1997Old driver rule written with the hyphen in the wrong place (2-66)The code 266-A almost certainly means old taxicab driver rule 2-66(a) (Cooperating with TLC), written with the hyphen misplaced. The charge is dated 1997, when old Chapter 2 was in force.1 code · 1 charges554-2013Code 554 (a mistyped Chapter 54 code)The code 554-16(G) is almost certainly §54-16(g), the former taxicab driver rule on complying with reasonable passenger requests, with an extra 5 typed in front. Chapter 54 was replaced by Chapter 80 in October 2016 (now §80-16).1 code · 3 charges
More TLC rule chapters
1Chapters whose codes include current rules, older versions of them, and a few unusual spellings.
Unusual and mistyped codes
5Codes in the public data that don't follow a standard pattern — usually typing mistakes or compressed spellings. We explain each one as far as it can be matched.
10-2014 (one charge)Old medallion auction rules (code here is a typo)Old Chapter 10 of the TLC rules covered public auctions of taxicab medallions and had no driver or owner violations. The only code in this family, 10-506(B)(1), was written in 2014 and is almost certainly a mistyped NYC Administrative Code §19-506(b)(1) (unlicensed for-hire activity).1 code · 3 charges19A-2013 (one charge)Odd code 19A (probably a typo of 59A)No TLC chapter or Admin Code section is numbered 19A-30. The single code 19A-30(A)(3), written in 2013, most likely is a mistyped 59A-30(a)(3), the for-hire vehicle rule listing items that must be kept in the vehicle. This reading is not proven.1 code · 1 charges20-2001–2005Code 20-20 (unidentified)The code 20-20 appears on about 445 TLC summonses written between 2001 and 2005, but no TLC chapter 20 existed then and Admin Code Title 20 is consumer-affairs law, not TLC law. Public data gives no description, so what it stood for is not known. It may have been an internal TLC code rather than a rule number.1 code · 445 charges55A-2014 (one charge)Odd code 55A (probably a typo)No TLC chapter or sub-chapter is numbered 55A. The single code 55A-25(A)(1), heard in 2014, is most likely a mistyped 59A-25(a)(1) (for-hire vehicle owner operating requirements) or a Chapter 55 code; §55-25 itself was a reserved, empty section. This reading is not proven.1 code · 3 charges59-2011–2014 (a few charges)For-hire service codes missing their sub-chapter letterChapter 59 (For-Hire Service) is split into sub-chapters 59A (vehicle owners), 59B (bases), 59C (vehicle specifications), 59D (high-volume services like app companies) and 59E (interior advertising). Codes like 59-29(B) or 59-B-16(A) were written without the sub-chapter letter or with it misplaced, so each must be matc8 codes · 18 charges
Most-charged codes
- §80-13(A)(2)Moving traffic violation (non-hazardous)Current rule
- §80-13(A)(3)(VIII)Stop sign violationCurrent rule
- §59A-13(J)(1)Not complying with TLC directives or summonsesCurrent rule
- §19-506(B)(1)Operating a vehicle for hire without a TLC vehicle licenseNYC law
- §59A-26(A)(1)FHV missed its tri-annual inspectionCurrent rule
- §80-13(A)(3)(VII)Traffic signal violation (red light)Current rule
- §80-13(A)(1)Stationary (parking/standing) traffic violationCurrent rule
- §506BOperating a vehicle for hire without the right TLC license (City law)NYC law
- §80-27(A)(1)Point-based suspension or revocation (Critical Driver / Persistent Violator)Current rule
- §59A-25(A)(1)FHV owner allowed a street hail (trip not pre-arranged)Current rule
Counts come from NYC Open Data — OATH Hearings Division Case Status. Looking for the long-form guides? See violation codes explained, or look up your summons to see every charge on it.
TLC Help is not a law firm and is not affiliated with the NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission or OATH. Explanations on this site are general information, not legal advice. Legal representation is provided by independent attorneys and OATH-registered representatives in our network.