Taxicab 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 It replaced old Chapter 2 in April 2011 and was repealed on October 26, 2016, when Chapter 80 combined all driver rules. Most section numbers carried over to Chapter 80 (54-13 → 80-13, 54-20 → 80-20).
§54-16(D)(1)Old rule — replaced by 80-16(D)9 charges · 2013
Did not offer a receipt at the end of the trip
Paragraph (d)(1) required the driver, at the end of each trip, to offer the passenger a receipt, personally or through the rear-seat passenger information monitor (PIM) or other electronic means. There was a short exception of up to 48 hours when the PIM was broken and reported. Today the rule is §80-16(d).
Last version of chapter 54 (effective through 10/25/16): $50 if pleaded guilty before a hearing; $75 if found guilty following a hearing (box covers all of §54-16(d)). Appearance not required.
§54-16(D)(1)(A)Old rule — replaced by 80-16(D)41 charges · 2013
Did not offer a receipt (PIM working)
Item (d)(1)(a) required the driver to offer every passenger a receipt at the end of the trip, personally or via the passenger information monitor (PIM) or other electronic means. Item (b) excused this for up to 48 hours only if the PIM was broken and the driver had filed an incident report. These charges date from 2013. Today the rule is §80-16(d).
2014 version of chapter 54 (box for §54-16(d)): $50 if pleaded guilty before a hearing; $75 if found guilty following a hearing. Appearance not required.
§54-16(D)(2)Old rule — replaced by 80-16(D)7 charges · 2013
Did not give a receipt when the passenger asked
Paragraph (d)(2) required a driver to give a receipt for the fare whenever a passenger asked for one, personally or through the passenger information monitor or other electronic means. This charge says the passenger asked and did not get a receipt. Today the rule is §80-16(d).
Last version of chapter 54 (effective through 10/25/16): $50 if pleaded guilty before a hearing; $75 if found guilty following a hearing (box covers all of §54-16(d)). Appearance not required.
Paragraph (d)(3) listed what every receipt must state. Item (viii) is "extras" (such as night or rush-hour surcharges). This charge says the receipt given to the passenger left out the extras. Today the receipt rule is §80-16(d).
2014 version of chapter 54 (box for §54-16(d)): $50 if pleaded guilty before a hearing; $75 if found guilty following a hearing. Appearance not required.
§54-16(E)Old rule — replaced by 80-16(e)35 charges · 2013–2015
Did not adjust the audio when asked, or played it too loud
At a passenger's request the driver must adjust the volume or turn off any audio or video equipment they control, and passengers may choose what is played. Whether or not a passenger is aboard, audio must be at normal volume and within NYC noise rules. Today the rule is §80-16(e).
Replaced by §80-16(e)
Fine (published)
Last version of chapter 54 (effective through 10/25/16): $25. Appearance not required.
This code is covered by the chapter overview at the top of this page.
§54-16(E)(I)Old rule — replaced by 80-16(e)188 charges · 2013–2017
Did not turn the radio or video down or off when asked
In the 2011 text, item (e)(i) said the driver must, at a passenger's request, adjust the volume or turn on or off any audio or video equipment in the driver's control, and that passengers may choose what is played. Later versions numbered this (e)(1). Today the rule is §80-16(e).
Replaced by §80-16(e)
Fine (published)
2011 version of chapter 54 (box for §54-16(e)): $25. Appearance not required. Same in later versions.
§54-16(E)(II)Old rule — replaced by 80-16(e)9 charges · 2013–2015
Played audio or video too loud
In the 2011 text, item (e)(ii) said that, whether or not a passenger is in the cab, any audio or video device may only be played at a normal volume and must not break NYC noise rules. Later versions numbered this (e)(2). Today the rule is §80-16(e).
Replaced by §80-16(e)
Fine (published)
2011 version of chapter 54 (box for §54-16(e)): $25. Appearance not required. Same in later versions.
§54-16(F)Old rule — replaced by 80-16(F)238 charges · 2013–2017
Did not adjust air conditioning or heat when asked
At a passenger's request, the driver must turn the air conditioning or heat on or off. This charge usually follows a passenger complaint. Today the rule is §80-16(f).
§54-16(G)Old rule — replaced by 80-16(G)3,383 charges · 2013–2017
Did not give name or license number when asked, or ignored a reasonable request
A driver must comply with all reasonable passenger requests, including giving their name, TLC driver license number and the medallion or green cab license number. This charge often follows a passenger who asked for the driver's details to file a complaint. Today the ID part is §80-16(g) and other requests are §80-16(h).
Last version of chapter 54 (effective through 10/25/16): $100 if pleaded guilty before a hearing; $200 if found guilty following a hearing. Appearance required. The 2011 and 2014 versions had $50–$200.
Points
2 in the 2011 and 2014 versions of chapter 54; none listed in the final (2016) version
Rates, charges and payment rule (subsection not specified)
Section 54-17 covered what taxi and green cab drivers may charge and how fares are paid: no overcharges, no extra charges for passengers with disabilities, correct change, accepting cash and cards, tips, out-of-city fares and fees. The summons did not say which subsection was charged, so the penalty can't be told from the code alone. Today the rules are in §80-17.
Overcharged a passenger — another spelling of §54-17(A)(1) (Overcharged a passenger).
§54-17(A)Old rule — replaced by 80-17(a)1 charge · 2013
Overcharge or improper fare (paragraph not specified)
Section 54-17(a), "No Overcharges", barred charging above TLC-approved rates, adding charges for passengers with disabilities or their wheelchairs or service animals, collecting separate fares from people sharing a cab, short-changing, and asking for tips. The summons did not name the paragraph. Overcharges carried mandatory escalating penalties. Today the rule is §80-17(a).
§54-17(A)(1)Old rule — replaced by 80-17(A)(1)15,361 charges · 2012–2018
Overcharged a passenger
A driver must not charge, or try to charge, more than the TLC-approved fare, including street-hail green cab trips and e-hail trips. Common examples are wrong rate codes, made-up surcharges or unmetered flat rates. Penalties are mandatory and escalate for repeats, and an overcharge of $10 or more means revocation. Today the rule is §80-17(a)(1).
Last version of chapter 54 (effective through 10/25/16): mandatory penalties in §54-02(e): first violation $350 if pleaded guilty before a hearing, $500 if found guilty; second violation (any mix of overcharge/refusal rules) within 24 months $700 / $1,000 and possible suspension up to 30 days; third within 36 months $750 and revocation / $1,000 and revocation. An overcharge of $10 or more means revocation. Appearance not required.
§54-17(A)(2)Old rule — replaced by 80-17(A)(3)14 charges · 2013–2016
Charged extra to a passenger with a disability
A driver must not charge, or try to charge, anything extra for carrying a person with a disability, their service animal, or a wheelchair or other mobility aid. It is treated like an overcharge, with the same mandatory escalating penalties. Today the rule is §80-17(a)(3).
Last version of chapter 54 (effective through 10/25/16): mandatory penalties in §54-02(e): first violation $350 if pleaded guilty before a hearing, $500 if found guilty; second violation (any mix of overcharge/refusal rules) within 24 months $700 / $1,000 and possible suspension up to 30 days; third within 36 months $750 and revocation / $1,000 and revocation. An overcharge of $10 or more means revocation. Appearance not required.
Collected separate fares from passengers sharing a cab
A driver must not collect, or try to collect, separate fares from passengers who shared the taxi or green cab for part or all of a trip, unless it is an approved TLC group-ride program. The one metered fare covers the whole party. A hearing was required.
Fine (published)
Last version of chapter 54 (effective through 10/25/16): $50–$150. Appearance required.
§54-17(A)(4)Old rule — replaced by 80-17(A)(5)439 charges · 2013–2017
Did not give correct change
A driver must give the correct change to a passenger who has paid the fare. This charge says the passenger was short-changed. A hearing was required, and it carried points. Today the rule is §80-17(a)(5).
§54-17(A)(5)Old rule — replaced by 80-17(A)(6)1,526 charges · 2012–2017
Asking a passenger for a tip
A taxi or green cab driver must not ask a passenger for a tip or suggest that a tip is expected or required. Tips are up to the passenger. Many of these summonses were written by Port Authority officers at the airports. The rule continues in Chapter 80.
Passenger refuses to pay: steps the driver must follow
When a passenger refused to pay the metered fare, a yellow taxi or green cab driver had to put the meter in the off or "Vacant" position, go off duty, record the fare on the trip record (through the T-PEP/LPEP system or on paper if the system was down), and go straight to the nearest police precinct and follow police instructions. The charge means the driver handled a fare dispute some other way. No separate fine is printed for this subdivision.
§54-17(B)(1)Old rule — replaced by 80-17(b)5 charges
Non-paying passenger: go off duty and record the unpaid fare
Part of the non-paying-passenger rule for taxi and green cab drivers. In the 2011 text, paragraph (1) required the driver to record the unpaid fare on the trip record (electronic, or written if T-PEP was down). In the later text it listed the steps before the "Off Duty Change Date": turn on the off-duty light (or key off duty into the meter in a green cab), record the fare, and go to the police. No separate fine is printed for it.
§54-17(B)(2)Old rule — replaced by 80-17(b)7 charges
Non-paying passenger: take the dispute to the police precinct
Part of the non-paying-passenger rule for taxi and green cab drivers. In the 2011 text, paragraph (2) required the driver to drive directly to the nearest police precinct, explain the facts and follow police instructions. In later texts it gave the steps after the "Off Duty Change Date": key off duty into the meter, record the fare, then go to the precinct. No separate fine is printed for it.
§54-17(C)Old rule — replaced by 80-17(C)21 charges · 2013–2015
Refusing to accept U.S. cash as payment
A taxi or green cab driver had to accept United States currency as payment. This charge means the driver was accused of refusing cash, for example insisting on a card. It replaced old taxi-driver rule 2-47(a) (TLC, Guide to New TLC Rules, 2011) and continues today in Chapter 80.
§54-17(D)Old rule — replaced by 80-17(d)15 charges · 2013
Not able to make change for a $20 bill
Drivers had to be able to make change for a $20 bill throughout their shift. If they couldn't, with the passenger's consent they had to stop the meter, go off duty, log it on the trip record and drive to the nearest place to get change. This charge covers failing to carry change or not following those steps.
§54-17(D)(1)Old rule — replaced by 80-17(D)(1)185 charges · 2013–2017
Driver could not make change for a $20 bill
A taxi or green cab driver must always be able to make change for a $20 bill during the work shift. The charge means the driver could not (or said they could not) give change for a $20. The fine box covers all of §54-17(d).
§54-17(D)(2)(I)Old rule — replaced by 80-17(d)(2)7 charges · 2013–2015
No change for $20: meter not stopped / off duty not set
If a driver cannot change a $20 bill, with the passenger's consent the first step is to stop the fare: in the 2011 text, put the meter in the off or "Vacant" position and turn on the off-duty light (green cabs key an off-duty code into LPEP). The charge means the driver kept the meter running or skipped this step while getting change.
No change for $20: off-duty step or trip record entry skipped
Second step when a driver cannot change a $20 bill. In the 2011 text it was recording the stop on the electronic or written trip record; in the 2014–2016 text it was keying the off-duty code into T-PEP or LPEP after the "Off Duty Change Date". The charge means this step was not done.
No change for $20: trip record or trip to get change mishandled
Third step when a driver cannot change a $20 bill. In the 2011 text it meant driving to the nearest place where change can reasonably be obtained; in the later text it meant transmitting the stop to the electronic trip record (or writing it down). The charge means the driver did not follow this step.
§54-17(E)(1)Old rule — replaced by 80-17(E)(1)2,685 charges · 2012–2017
Refusing a passenger's credit or debit card
Every yellow taxi must have the T-PEP card system (green cabs the LPEP), and the driver must accept a passenger's choice to pay by credit or debit card. This charge is written when a driver refuses a card, says the machine is broken without following the rules, or pushes the passenger to pay cash. It is one of the most common Chapter 54 fare charges and continues under Chapter 80.
§54-17(E)(1)(I)Old rule — replaced by 80-17(E)(1)(I)119 charges · 2013
Taxi driver refused card payment (T-PEP)
After the 2012 Street Hail Livery amendments split §54-17(e)(1) into parts, item (i) covered yellow taxis: every taxi must carry T-PEP and the driver must accept the passenger's choice to pay by credit or debit card. The charge means a taxi passenger was not allowed to pay by card.
§54-17(E)(1)(II)Old rule — replaced by 80-17(E)(1)(II)2 charges · 2013
Green cab driver refused card payment (LPEP)
Item (ii) of the card-payment rule covered Street Hail Liveries (green Boro Taxis): each must carry the LPEP card system and the driver must accept a passenger's choice to pay by credit or debit card. The charge means a green cab passenger was not allowed to pay by card.
Green cab driver took the passenger's card instead of handing over the reader
Item (iii) covered green cabs that used a portable "one device" card reader instead of a fixed one: the driver must not take the passenger's card and must pass the device to the passenger to swipe their own card. The charge means the driver handled the card.
§54-17(E)(2)Old rule — replaced by 80-17(E)(1)(III)567 charges · 2013–2016
Picked up a passenger while the card system was down without warning them
A driver must not pick up or carry a passenger when the card system cannot take credit or debit cards, unless the driver tells the passenger before starting the meter that they will not be able to pay by card. The charge means the passenger found out only at the end of the trip.
§54-17(E)(3)Old rule — replaced by 80-17(E)(1)(V)7 charges · 2013–2014
Card network down at end of trip: cash-or-drive option not offered
If a card payment fails at the end of the trip because the wireless network (not the T-PEP/LPEP unit) is down, the driver must offer the passenger a choice: pay cash, or have the driver continue to a spot where the system can connect. The charge means the driver did not offer that choice.
§54-17(E)(3)(I)Old rule — replaced by 80-17(E)(1)(V)8 charges · 2013–2016
Card network down: passenger not offered the option to pay cash
Option (i) under the card-network-failure rule: when the network cannot process a card at the end of the trip, the driver must offer the passenger the choice of paying cash (or of driving on to where the card will go through). The charge points to the cash option not being properly offered.
§54-17(E)(3)(II)Old rule — replaced by 80-17(E)(1)(V)31 charges · 2013–2015
Card network down: driver would not move to where the card works
Option (ii) under the card-network-failure rule: when the network cannot process a card at the end of the trip, the passenger may choose to have the driver continue to a place where the card system can connect. The charge points to the driver refusing that option and, usually, demanding cash.
§54-17(E)(I)Old rule — replaced by 80-17(E)(1)1 charge · 2013
Card payment rule (probably the taxi T-PEP item)
This spelling skips a level. It most likely means §54-17(e)(1)(i): yellow taxis must have T-PEP and the driver must accept a passenger's choice to pay by credit or debit card. The parent rule's fine was $100. Treat this as the card-acceptance charge unless the summons says otherwise.
§54-17(F)Old rule — replaced by 80-17(E)(1)(VI)90 charges · 2013–2016
Charging an extra fee for paying by card
A driver must not add any extra fee (mark-up) when a passenger pays by credit or debit card in a taxi, or on a street-hail trip in a green cab. Fines rise with repeat violations, and the judge can also order the driver to refund the extra amount to the passenger.
§54-17(G)(1)Old rule — replaced by 80-17(F)(1)12 charges
Out-of-city trip rules not followed
For a trip anywhere outside New York City other than Westchester, Nassau or Newark Airport, the driver had to agree a flat dollar price with the passenger before starting ("double the meter" is not a flat rate) and keep the meter running for the whole trip. This parent code covers either requirement.
§54-17(G)(1)(I)Old rule — replaced by 80-17(F)(1)(I)380 charges · 2013–2017
Out-of-city trip: no flat rate agreed before starting
For a trip outside the city (other than Westchester, Nassau or Newark Airport), the driver must negotiate a flat dollar fare with the passenger before the trip begins. "Double the meter" does not count as a flat rate. The charge means no flat price was agreed up front.
§54-17(G)(1)(II)Old rule — replaced by 80-17(F)(1)(II)300 charges · 2013–2017
Out-of-city trip: meter not kept running
On a flat-rate trip outside the city (other than Westchester, Nassau or Newark Airport), the driver still must put the meter in the recording position at the start and let it run for the whole trip. The charge means the meter was off or stopped.
§54-17(G)(2)(I)Old rule — replaced by 80-17(F)(2)(I)255 charges · 2013–2017
Westchester or Nassau trip: meter not kept running
For a trip to Westchester or Nassau County the driver must start the meter at the beginning of the trip and keep it recording the whole way. The fare is the meter for the city part plus double the meter for the part outside the city.
§54-17(G)(2)(II)Old rule — replaced by 80-17(F)(2)(II)308 charges · 2013–2017
Westchester or Nassau trip: fare and tolls not explained first
Before a trip to Westchester or Nassau County, the driver must tell the passenger how the charge will be worked out, including that the passenger pays tolls both ways. The charge means the passenger was not told before the trip started.
§54-17(G)(2)(III)Old rule — replaced by 80-17(f)(2)196 charges · 2013–2017
Westchester or Nassau trip: fare figured the wrong way
The fare to Westchester or Nassau County is the meter amount for the part of the trip inside the city plus twice the meter amount for the part outside the city limits. The charge means the driver charged the trip some other way.
§54-17(G)(2)(IV)Old rule — replaced by 80-17(F)(2)(III)189 charges · 2013–2017
Westchester or Nassau trip: passenger not told when crossing city line
On a trip to Westchester or Nassau County the driver must tell the passenger when the vehicle crosses the city limits so the passenger can check the meter reading (the double-meter part starts there). The charge means that announcement was not made.
§54-17(G)(3)(I)Old rule — replaced by 80-17(F)(3)(I)168 charges · 2013–2016
Newark Airport trip: meter not kept running
For a trip to Newark Airport the driver must start the meter at the beginning and keep it recording all the way. The fare is the meter plus a $15 surcharge and tolls. The charge means the meter was not used for the whole trip, often because a flat price was quoted instead.
§54-17(G)(3)(II)Old rule — replaced by 80-17(F)(3)(II)171 charges · 2013–2016
Newark Airport trip: fare and tolls not explained first
Before a trip to Newark Airport, the driver must tell the passenger how the charge will be calculated, including tolls out of and back into the city. The charge means the passenger was not told before the trip began.
§54-17(G)(3)(III)Old rule — replaced by 80-17(f)(3)93 charges · 2013–2016
Newark Airport trip: fare not meter plus the $15 surcharge
The fare to Newark Airport is the meter amount plus a $15.00 surcharge (plus tolls). The charge means the driver charged something else, such as a made-up flat price or a different surcharge.
Replaced by §80-17(f)(3)
Fine (published)
$25 (appearance not required)
Points
2 in the 2011–2014 texts; no points in the final 2016 text
§54-17(H)(5)Old rule — replaced by 80-17(g)2 charges
MTA tax on trips ending in Putnam County (likely miscited)
§54-17(h) said the MTA tax must be charged on taxi trips (and green cab hail trips) that start in New York City and end in the city or certain counties; item (5) is Putnam County. It is a list item with no penalty of its own, so this code most likely refers to charging, or failing to charge, the MTA tax on such a trip.
§54-17(I)Old rule — replaced by 80-174 charges · 2015–2016
Green cab pre-arranged trip: fare and meter rules
When a green cab (Street Hail Livery) did a pre-arranged trip through its base, the driver had to charge no more than the price the base quoted, key the on-duty unavailable code into LPEP, keep the meter running, and enter the fare as a flat rate (Rate Code 5). Violations carry the mandatory overcharge penalties.
Replaced by §80-17
Fine (published)
Mandatory penalties (§54-02(e)): first violation $350 if you plead guilty before a hearing, $500 if found guilty after a hearing; second violation (any mix of these rules) within 24 months $700 / $1,000 and possible suspension up to 30 days; third within 36 months $750 / $1,000 plus license revocation.
§54-17(I)(1)Old rule — replaced by 80-17(A)(2)8 charges · 2016
Green cab pre-arranged trip: charged more than the base's quote
On a pre-arranged trip in a green cab, the driver must not charge or try to charge more than the price quoted by the dispatching base. TLC treats this as an overcharge with the mandatory penalties.
Mandatory penalties (§54-02(e)): first violation $350 if you plead guilty before a hearing, $500 if found guilty after a hearing; second violation (any mix of these rules) within 24 months $700 / $1,000 and possible suspension up to 30 days; third within 36 months $750 / $1,000 plus license revocation.
§54-17(I)(2)Old rule — replaced by 80-172 charges · 2016
Green cab pre-arranged trip: LPEP not set to on-duty unavailable
Right after accepting a pre-arranged trip, a green cab driver must enter the on-duty unavailable code into the LPEP so the car is not shown as available for street hails. The penalty box for all of §54-17(i) points to the mandatory penalties in §54-02.
Replaced by §80-17
Fine (published)
Mandatory penalties (§54-02(e)): first violation $350 if you plead guilty before a hearing, $500 if found guilty after a hearing; second violation (any mix of these rules) within 24 months $700 / $1,000 and possible suspension up to 30 days; third within 36 months $750 / $1,000 plus license revocation.
§54-17(I)(3)Old rule — replaced by 80-173 charges · 2016
Green cab pre-arranged trip: meter not kept running
On a pre-arranged trip, a green cab driver must start the meter at the beginning and keep it recording for the whole trip. The penalty box for all of §54-17(i) points to the mandatory penalties in §54-02.
Replaced by §80-17
Fine (published)
Mandatory penalties (§54-02(e)): first violation $350 if you plead guilty before a hearing, $500 if found guilty after a hearing; second violation (any mix of these rules) within 24 months $700 / $1,000 and possible suspension up to 30 days; third within 36 months $750 / $1,000 plus license revocation.
§54-17(I)(4)Old rule — replaced by 80-175 charges · 2016
Green cab pre-arranged trip: fare not entered as Rate Code 5 flat rate
At the start of a pre-arranged trip, a green cab driver must enter the total quoted fare into the meter as a flat-rate trip using Rate Code 5. The charge means the fare was not recorded that way. The penalty box for all of §54-17(i) points to the mandatory penalties in §54-02.
Replaced by §80-17
Fine (published)
Mandatory penalties (§54-02(e)): first violation $350 if you plead guilty before a hearing, $500 if found guilty after a hearing; second violation (any mix of these rules) within 24 months $700 / $1,000 and possible suspension up to 30 days; third within 36 months $750 / $1,000 plus license revocation.
Refusing a passenger's credit or debit card (run-together spelling) — another spelling of §54-17(E)(1) (Refusing a passenger's credit or debit card).
§54-18
§54-18(A)Old rule — replaced by 80-18(A)54 charges · 2013–2016
Did not check the cab for left items after an airport trip
Right after finishing a trip to JFK, LaGuardia or Newark Airport, the driver must check the passenger area and the trunk (if used) to make sure passengers took all their belongings. This charge is mostly written by Port Authority officers at the airports.
§54-18(B)Old rule — replaced by 80-18(B)120 charges · 2013–2016
Lost property not returned or turned in
Property a passenger leaves behind must be returned to the passenger if possible. Otherwise a taxi driver must take it without delay to the police precinct nearest the drop-off, and a green cab driver to the car's base. The charge means found property was kept or not turned in properly.
§54-18(B)(1)Old rule — replaced by 80-18(b)(1)3 charges
Lost property rule (taxi item, written as (b)(1))
The lost-property subdivision is printed with items (i) and (ii) rather than (1) and (2), so this code is most likely item (i): property found in a taxi must be returned to the passenger or taken promptly to the nearest police precinct. A green cab driver takes it to the base instead.
§54-18(B)(I)Old rule — replaced by 80-18(b)(1)3 charges · 2013
Taxi driver kept or did not turn in lost property
Item (i) of the lost-property rule covers yellow taxis: property found in the cab must be returned to the passenger if possible, or taken without delay to the police precinct closest to where the passenger got out. The charge means that was not done.
§54-18(C)Old rule — replaced by 80-18(D)37 charges · 2013–2016
Did not report found property to the TLC
If found property is not returned to the passenger, the driver must promptly tell the TLC what was found and which police precinct is holding it. The charge means that report was not made.
§54-19Old rule — replaced by 80-1931 charges · 2013–2014
Passenger solicitation and taxi stand rules (section not specified)
§54-19 held the rules on how taxi and green cab drivers may look for passengers: no hustlers, no cruising at airports or near taxi stands, off-duty pickups only on the way home, green cabs barred from hails in Manhattan's core and the airports, and taxi stand and airport line etiquette. The summons did not say which part.
§54-19(A)Old rule — replaced by 80-19(a)2 charges · 2015
Taxi passenger solicitation rule (paragraph not specified)
§54-19(a) limited how yellow taxi drivers may solicit passengers: no using another person to find riders, no extra passengers mid-trip without consent, no cruising for fares at airports, near taxi stands, on Lincoln Center's private streets or in no-cruising areas, and limits on off-duty pickups. The code does not say which paragraph.
§54-19(A)(1)Old rule — replaced by 80-19(A)(1)151 charges · 2013–2016
Improper solicitation of passengers (using a helper, or how the driver hails)
Meaning depends on the date. Under the April 2011 text, (a)(1) required drivers to solicit only from the driver's seat and only with the words "taxi" or "cab". From the 2012 Street Hail Livery amendments on, (a)(1) bars a taxi driver from using another person (a "hustler") to solicit passengers, except authorized dispatchers.
§54-19(A)(2)Old rule — replaced by 80-19(A)(2)63 charges · 2013–2016
Picked up extra passengers mid-trip, or used a helper to solicit
Meaning depends on the date. From the 2012 amendments on, (a)(2) bars a taxi driver from picking up additional passengers during a trip unless the passenger asks. Under the April 2011 text, (a)(2) barred using another person (other than an authorized dispatcher) to solicit passengers.
§54-19(A)(3)Old rule — replaced by 80-19(A)(3)59 charges · 2013–2016
Suggested adding a passenger, or misled someone to get the fare
Meaning depends on the date. From the 2012 amendments on, (a)(3) bars a taxi driver from suggesting to a passenger that another person be taken along. Under the April 2011 text, (a)(3) barred giving false or misleading information (for example a wrong train or flight time) to talk someone into taking the cab.
§54-19(A)(4)Old rule — replaced by 80-19(A)(4)949 charges · 2013–2017
Cruising for passengers at an airport or near a taxi stand
From mid-2012 on, (a)(4) bars a taxi driver from soliciting or cruising for passengers at JFK, LaGuardia or Newark, within 100 feet of a taxi stand, on Lincoln Center's private streets, or where cruising is banned (later also accepting e-hails there). Most of these charges are 2013–2016 Port Authority airport summonses. Under the April 2011 text, (a)(4) instead barred soliciting within 100 feet of a bus stop.
2012–2016 text: $100 if you plead guilty before a hearing, $150 if found guilty after a hearing (1 point in the 2012 amendment; no points in the 2014–2016 texts). April 2011 text (bus stops): $100 and 1 point
§54-19(A)(4)(I)Old rule — replaced by 80-19(A)(4)(I)792 charges · 2013–2018
Soliciting passengers at JFK, LaGuardia or Newark Airport
A taxi driver must not solicit or cruise for passengers (or, later, accept e-hail riders) at Kennedy, LaGuardia or Newark Airport. Airport pickups must come from the official taxi lines. This is the classic Port Authority "airport hustling/cruising" summons.
§54-19(A)(4)(II)Old rule — replaced by 80-19(A)(4)(II)211 charges · 2013–2017
Soliciting passengers within 100 feet of a taxi stand
A taxi driver must not solicit or cruise for passengers within 100 feet of an authorized taxi stand. Riders near a stand are supposed to be picked up in order from the stand line.
§54-19(A)(4)(IV)Old rule — replaced by 80-19(A)(4)(IV)7 charges · 2015
Cruising for passengers where taxi cruising is banned
A taxi driver must not solicit or cruise for passengers in any area of the city where taxi cruising is prohibited. The charge means the driver was looking for fares in such a zone.
§54-19(A)(5)Old rule — replaced by 80-19(A)(5)186 charges · 2013–2017
Off-duty taxi picked up a passenger, or extra riders added mid-trip
Meaning depends on the date. From mid-2012 on, (a)(5) says a taxi driver who has gone off duty may take a passenger only when heading home or to the garage, the trip is logged, and the rider's destination is on the way. Under the April 2011 text, (a)(5) barred picking up extra passengers during a trip unless the passenger asked.
§54-19(A)(5)(I)Old rule — replaced by 80-19(A)(5)14 charges · 2013
Off-duty pickup rules not met
Part of the off-duty pickup rule (2012–2016 numbering). An off-duty taxi may carry a passenger only if the driver is going home or to the garage, has logged "Returning to garage (or home)", the rider's destination is directly on the route, and the driver locks up and goes home after. Item (i) is the first of these conditions in the 2012 text, or the set of conditions before the "Off Duty Change Date" in the 2014–2016 text.
§54-19(A)(6)Old rule — replaced by 80-19(A)(3)12 charges · 2013–2015
Suggested to a passenger that another person ride along
Under the April 2011 numbering, (a)(6) barred a taxi driver from suggesting to a current passenger that another person be accepted as a passenger. In mid-2012 this rule moved to (a)(3), and (a)(6) no longer existed.
§54-19(A)(7)Old rule — replaced by 80-19(A)(4)1 charge · 2013
Cruising for passengers at airports or other banned spots (2011 numbering)
Under the April 2011 numbering, (a)(7) barred a taxi driver from soliciting or cruising for passengers at JFK, LaGuardia or Newark, within 100 feet of a taxi stand, on Lincoln Center's private streets, or where cruising is banned. In mid-2012 this rule moved to (a)(4).
§54-19(A)(7)(I)Old rule — replaced by 80-19(A)(4)(I)313 charges · 2012–2016
Soliciting passengers at an airport (2011 numbering)
Under the April 2011 numbering, (a)(7)(i) barred a taxi driver from soliciting or cruising for passengers at JFK, LaGuardia or Newark Airport. It is the same rule later numbered (a)(4)(i). Port Authority officers kept writing this older number on some airport summonses.
§54-19(A)(7)(II)Old rule — replaced by 80-19(A)(4)(II)174 charges · 2013–2016
Soliciting within 100 feet of a taxi stand (2011 numbering)
Under the April 2011 numbering, (a)(7)(ii) barred a taxi driver from soliciting or cruising for passengers within 100 feet of an authorized taxi stand. It is the same rule later numbered (a)(4)(ii).
Soliciting on Lincoln Center's private streets (2011 numbering)
Under the April 2011 numbering, (a)(7)(iii) barred a taxi driver from soliciting or cruising for passengers on the private streets of Lincoln Center. The same rule was later numbered (a)(4)(iii).
§54-19(A)(7)(IV)Old rule — replaced by 80-19(A)(4)(IV)2 charges · 2015
Cruising where taxi cruising is banned (2011 numbering)
Under the April 2011 numbering, (a)(7)(iv) barred a taxi driver from soliciting or cruising for passengers in any area of the city where taxi cruising is prohibited. The same rule was later numbered (a)(4)(iv).
§54-19(A)(8)Old rule — replaced by 80-19(A)(5)258 charges · 2013–2014
Off-duty taxi picked up a passenger improperly (2011 numbering)
Under the April 2011 numbering, (a)(8) said a driver with the off-duty light on may take a passenger only when returning to the garage or home, after logging "Returning to garage (or home)", only if the rider's destination is directly on the way, and must lock up and go home after. In mid-2012 this moved to (a)(5).
§54-19(A)(8)(I)Old rule — replaced by 80-19(A)(5)25 charges · 2013
Off-duty pickup while not heading to garage or home (2011 numbering)
Condition (i) of the April 2011 off-duty rule: an off-duty taxi may take a passenger only if the driver is actually returning the cab to the garage or home. The charge means the driver picked up while off duty for some other reason.
§54-19(A)(8)(II)Old rule — replaced by 80-19(A)(5)7 charges · 2013
Off-duty pickup without the "returning to garage" trip record entry
Condition (ii) of the April 2011 off-duty rule: before taking a passenger while off duty, the driver must transmit or write the trip record entry "Returning to garage (or home)". The charge means that entry was missing.
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.