Charge codes 353
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 It replaced old Chapter 2 in April 2011 and was repealed on October 26, 2016, when Chapter 80 combined all driver rules.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).
If a green cab's LPEP malfunctions, the driver must file an incident report with the LPEP provider within one hour after knowing (or when they should have known) of the failure, or by the end of the shift if sooner.
Former 35 RCNY §54-25.1(b)(1)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 54 (final version, effective through 10/25/16)
§54-26 covered taximeters in taxis and green cabs: no driving with a defective or unsealed meter, starting the meter when the passenger gets in, special rules for passengers with disabilities, flat-fare JFK trips, and bans on tampering with meters, seals and roof light wiring.
Former 35 RCNY §54-26TLC Rule Book, Chapter 54 (final version, effective through 10/25/16)
A driver must not pick up or transport a passenger when the taxi's or green cab's meter is defective.
Former 35 RCNY §54-26(a)(1)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 54 (final version, effective through 10/25/16)
A defective meter must be repaired or replaced at a licensed taximeter shop, and a replacement must have been inspected, sealed and approved within the last 12 months.
Former 35 RCNY §54-26(a)(2)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 54 (final version, effective through 10/25/16)
A driver must not pick up or transport a passenger unless the meter is stocked with paper for printing receipts.
Former 35 RCNY §54-26(a)(4)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 54 (final version, effective through 10/25/16)
§54-26(b) set out how to run the meter: start it as soon as the passenger gets in, don't run it while helping a passenger with a disability in or out, log free rides and flat-fare JFK trips, stop it at the destination, and reset it when the passenger leaves.
Former 35 RCNY §54-26(b)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 54 (final version, effective through 10/25/16)
As soon as a passenger enters the vehicle, the driver must put the meter in the recording ("Hired") position and keep it there until arriving at the destination. Driving without the meter on (for example, to charge a made-up flat fare) falls here.
Former 35 RCNY §54-26(b)(1)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 54 (final version, effective through 10/25/16)
§54-26(b)(2): when the passenger is a person with a disability, the driver must not start the meter while helping the passenger into the vehicle or while handling the passenger's mobility aid.
Former 35 RCNY §54-26(b)(2)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 54 (final version, effective through 10/25/16)
If the passenger is a person with a disability, the driver must not put the meter in the recording ("Hired") position while helping the passenger into the vehicle or while handling the passenger's wheelchair or other mobility aid. The meter starts only once the passenger is in.
Former 35 RCNY §54-26(b)(2)(i)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 54 (final version, effective through 10/25/16)
If a passenger with a disability needs help leaving the vehicle, the driver must stop the meter before helping and keep it stopped until the passenger has paid and safely got out.
Former 35 RCNY §54-26(b)(3)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 54 (final version, effective through 10/25/16)
When carrying a non-paying passenger, the driver must not run the meter and must transmit (or write on the trip record) that the vehicle is off duty carrying a non-paying passenger, with the time and distance of the free ride.
Former 35 RCNY §54-26(b)(4)(ii)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 54 (final version, effective through 10/25/16)
When carrying a non-paying passenger, the driver's off-duty trip entry must also include the reason the passenger is not being charged.
Former 35 RCNY §54-26(b)(4)(iii)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 54 (final version, effective through 10/25/16)
On a flat-fare trip between JFK Airport and Manhattan, the driver must key into T-PEP/LPEP (or write on the trip record) that it is a JFK flat-fare trip, with the time and distance.
Former 35 RCNY §54-26(b)(5)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 54 (final version, effective through 10/25/16)
At the passenger's destination, the driver must put the meter in the non-recording ("Time Off") position, tell the passenger the fare due, and leave the meter stopped until the fare is paid.
Former 35 RCNY §54-26(b)(6)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 54 (final version, effective through 10/25/16)
Right after the passenger leaves, the driver must clear the meter and set it to "Vacant", where it must stay until the next passenger gets in.
Former 35 RCNY §54-26(b)(7)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 54 (final version, effective through 10/25/16)
The roof light must be controlled automatically only by the meter or ignition switch, so it is lit only when the meter is "Vacant" and dark when it is "Hired". A roof light wired or switched any other way breaks this rule, and TLC presumes the driver knew of it.
Former 35 RCNY §54-26(c)(3)(ii)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 54 (final version, effective through 10/25/16)
If the meter breaks down during a trip, the driver must tell the passenger right away and offer either (i) to continue after agreeing on a reasonable fare or (ii) to end the trip and pay the metered fare so far. Item (i) is the first option.
Former 35 RCNY §54-26(c)(4)(i)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 54 (final version, effective through 10/25/16)
After ending a trip because the meter (or T-PEP/LPEP) failed, the driver must go off duty, lock the rear doors, log the defect, and take the vehicle straight to the garage, base or a licensed meter shop.
Former 35 RCNY §54-26(c)(5)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 54 (final version, effective through 10/25/16)
Part of the defective-meter procedure. In the April 2011 text, step (ii) was locking the rear doors; in the 2014–2016 text, (ii) lists the steps after the "Off Duty Change Date" (enter the off-duty code, lock the rear doors, log the defect, return to the garage, base or meter shop).
Former 35 RCNY §54-26(c)(5)(ii)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 54 (final version, effective through 10/25/16)
Step (iii) of the April 2011 defective-meter procedure: after ending a trip because the meter failed, the driver must transmit that the meter is defective (or write it on the trip record if T-PEP is down). The later text folded this into (i) and (ii).
Former 35 RCNY §54-26(c)(5)(iii)TLC Rule Book 2011, Chapter 54 (Wayback Machine copy)
§54-27(a) was the Critical Driver Program: TLC suspended a taxi driver's license for 30 days at 6 or more DMV points within 15 months and revoked it at 10 or more. A defensive driving course could cut points if done in time. In 2023 this program was merged into the Persistent Violator Program in §80-27(a).
Former 35 RCNY §54-27(a)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 54 (final version, effective through 10/25/16)
If a taxi driver collected six or more DMV points (later: six to nine) on their state driver's license within 15 months, TLC suspended the TLC license for 30 days. Points from one incident count once (the highest), and a defensive driving course could take off points if finished before the summons was decided (two points in 2011, three by 2016).
Former 35 RCNY §54-27(a)(1)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 54 (final version, effective through 10/25/16)
If a taxi driver collected 10 or more DMV points on their state driver's license within 15 months, TLC revoked the TLC license. The 15 months were counted back from the most recent violation (later, the most recent conviction).
Former 35 RCNY §54-27(a)(2)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 54 (final version, effective through 10/25/16)
§54-27(b)(1) changed in 2015. Before then it was the remedial-course rule: three or more violations within 15 months meant a required refresher course and one extra point. From mid-2015 it held the TLC-points suspension and revocation rules (6–9 points suspension, 10+ revocation).
Former 35 RCNY §54-27(b)(1)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 54 (February 2015, Wayback Machine copy)
Meaning depends on the date. Until mid-2015, a driver found guilty of three or more violations within 15 months had to take a remedial or refresher course and got one more point. From mid-2015, (b)(1)(i) suspended for up to 30 days a driver with six to nine TLC points within 15 months.
Former 35 RCNY §54-27(b)(1)(i)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 54 (February 2015, Wayback Machine copy)
From mid-2015, (b)(1)(ii) revoked the license of a driver with ten or more TLC points within 15 months. Before then, (b)(1)(ii) suspended a driver who did not complete the required remedial course until they did. These charges were heard December 2015 to June 2016, so the revocation meaning is most likely.
Former 35 RCNY §54-27(b)(1)(ii)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 54 (February 2015, Wayback Machine copy)
From 2015, a driver who collected six to nine points within 15 months from a mix of TLC safety-violation points (from §§54-13 and 54-14) and Critical Driver (DMV) points, counted from conviction dates, faced a suspension of up to 30 days. This combined count first appeared as (b)(2)(iii) and became (b)(1)(iii) in mid-2015.
Former 35 RCNY §54-27(b)(1)(iii)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 54 (final version, effective through 10/25/16)
From 2015, a driver who collected ten or more points within 15 months from a mix of TLC safety-violation points (from §§54-13 and 54-14) and Critical Driver (DMV) points, counted from conviction dates, had the TLC license revoked.
Former 35 RCNY §54-27(b)(1)(iv)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 54 (final version, effective through 10/25/16)
Until mid-2015, §54-27(b)(2) set the TLC-points penalties: suspension at six or more TLC points within 15 months and revocation at ten or more. After the 2015 re-numbering, (b)(2) said that several violations from one incident count only as the single violation with the most points.
Former 35 RCNY §54-27(b)(2)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 54 (February 2015, Wayback Machine copy)
Under the 2011–early 2015 numbering, a taxi driver with six or more TLC-issued points within 15 months (and not revoked) had the license suspended for 30 days. The February 2015 text changed this to six to nine points and "up to 30 days". Points come from the penalty boxes of individual rules, and a TLC course could reduce them.
Former 35 RCNY §54-27(b)(2)(i)TLC Rule Book 2011, Chapter 54 (Wayback Machine copy)
Under the 2011–early 2015 numbering, TLC revoked the license of any taxi driver who had collected ten or more TLC-issued points within 15 months.
Former 35 RCNY §54-27(b)(2)(ii)TLC Rule Book 2011, Chapter 54 (Wayback Machine copy)
Persistent Violator: suspension for 6+ TLC points (run-together spelling) — another spelling of §54-27(B)(2)(I) (Persistent Violator: suspension for 6+ TLC points in 15 months).
Persistent Violator: revocation for 10+ TLC points (run-together spelling) — another spelling of §54-27(B)(2)(II) (Persistent Violator: revocation for 10+ TLC points in 15 months).
Fines and points are shown only where they were checked against the official penalty text. Counts come from NYC Open Data — OATH Hearings Division Case Status; some dates in that data are entry errors. Look up your summons to see the charges on it, or scan it for a plain-English explanation.
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.