Accessible taxicabs and accessible street hail vehicles
Chapter 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.
§53-06(A)(1)Old rule — replaced by 53-06(b)(1)445 charges · 2014–2015
Accessible taxi operated without working dispatch equipment
In the 2013–2014 rule book, §53-06(a)(1) said the owner and the approved driver of a wheelchair-accessible taxicab must not let it operate unless it has the Accessible Dispatch equipment installed and in good working order. These summonses were written mostly in late 2014. The same duty is now §53-06(b)(1).
Replaced by §53-06(b)(1)
Fine (published)
$150 if you plead guilty before a hearing; $200 if found guilty after a hearing; suspension until the condition is corrected (2013 rule book). Appearance not required.
§53-06(A)(2)Old rule — replaced by 53-06(b)(2)426 charges · 2014
Accessible taxi dispatch equipment not turned on during operation
In the 2013–2014 rule book, §53-06(a)(2) required the Accessible Dispatch equipment in a wheelchair-accessible taxicab to be turned on and fully working whenever the cab is operating, so the driver can receive wheelchair-passenger dispatches. The duty is now §53-06(b)(2).
Replaced by §53-06(b)(2)
Fine (published)
$100 (2013 rule book). Appearance not required. Current §53-06(b)(2): $100 per day until compliance, appearance required.
§53-06(B)(4)Old rule — replaced by 53-06(c)(4)435 charges · 2014
Accessible taxi driver not logged on to dispatch while meter was on
In the 2013–2014 rule book, §53-06(b)(4) said an approved driver of a wheelchair-accessible taxicab must be logged onto the Accessible Dispatch equipment any time the taximeter or the taxi technology system (TPEP) is on. Most of these summonses were written in November–December 2014. The duty is now §53-06(c)(4).
Accessible taxi driver did not accept a wheelchair dispatch
While driving a wheelchair-accessible taxicab (or accessible green cab), an approved driver must accept dispatches from the Accessible Taxi Dispatcher. Not accepting one counts as a service refusal. The 2013 rule book also treated not turning on the dispatch equipment as a refusal; the current rule says the cab must not operate unless the equipment is on.
Fine (published)
Current rule book: $100 per day, appearance not required. 2013 rule book: mandatory refusal penalties under §54-02, appearance required.
Accessible taxi driver did not accept a dispatch from the dispatcher
Paragraph (1): while operating a wheelchair-accessible taxicab, an approved driver must accept a dispatch from the Accessible Taxi Dispatcher. Under paragraph (2), a driver who does not accept is treated as refusing service.
Fine (published)
2013 rule book (when these summonses were written): mandatory refusal penalties under §54-02, appearance required. Current: $100 per day for 53-08(a).
Refusing an accessible dispatch treated as a passenger refusal
Paragraph (2) says an approved driver of a wheelchair-accessible taxicab who refuses to accept a dispatch has refused service and faces the mandatory penalties for refusals (§54-02(e) and §54-20(a) in 2013–2014; §80-02(e) and §80-20(a) today).
Fine (published)
Mandatory refusal penalties under §54-02 (2013 rule book). Appearance required.
Accessible cab driver picked up another passenger before the dispatched one
Under the current rule, an approved driver of an accessible taxi or green cab who has accepted a dispatch must not pick up any other passenger, including through an e-hail app, before picking up the passenger with a mobility impairment. (In the 2013 rule book, (b) was a 2-minute response rule.)
§53-08(E)Old rule — replaced by 53-08(B)2 charges · 2015
Accessible taxi driver picked up another passenger first (2013 rule)
In the 2013–2015 rule book, §53-08(e) said an approved driver of a wheelchair-accessible taxicab who accepted a dispatch must not take any other passenger before picking up the wheelchair-using passenger. The same rule is now §53-08(b).
Accessible cab driver did not help or secure a wheelchair passenger
An approved driver of an accessible taxi or green cab must help a passenger who uses a wheelchair (or has other disabilities) get in from the sidewalk and out to the curb, and must secure the passenger and the mobility device inside the vehicle.
Fine (published)
Current rule book: $50 and suspension if you plead guilty before a hearing; $150 and suspension if found guilty; the suspension is deferred 60 days and dropped if the driver completes the Vision Zero and Accessibility Remedial course. 2013 rule book: $200. Appearance not required.
Accessible cab driver did not help a wheelchair passenger in or out
Paragraph (1): an approved driver must assist a passenger who uses a wheelchair when entering the vehicle from the curb and when exiting to the curb.
Fine (published)
Current rule book: $50 and suspension if you plead guilty; $150 and suspension if found guilty, suspension deferred 60 days pending the remedial course (for 53-10(a)). 2013 rule book: $200. Appearance not required.
Accessible cab driver did not secure the wheelchair passenger
Paragraph (2): an approved driver must secure the passenger with a disability and the wheelchair or other mobility device inside the vehicle, using the vehicle's securement system.
Fine (published)
Current rule book: $50 and suspension if you plead guilty; $150 and suspension if found guilty, suspension deferred 60 days pending the remedial course (for 53-10(a)). 2013 rule book: $200. Appearance not required.
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.