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.
Medallion owner did not file the taxi license renewal on time
A medallion (yellow taxi) license runs for two years and ends on May 31. The owner must file a complete renewal application by the deadline (April 30 in the 2013–2022 rule books; May 31 in today's text). A license whose renewal was not filed on time is not valid and the taxi can't be used until the renewal is approved. Getting the application is the owner's job.
Fine (published)
$1,000 and suspension up to 30 days for failure to file by April 30. Appearance not required.
Medallion owner missed the renewal filing deadline
Paragraph (1) of the renewal rule sets the deadline: a medallion owner whose taxi license is about to expire must file a complete renewal application by April 30 of that year (the current rule book says May 31). Filing late means the license is not valid until the renewal is approved, on top of any fine. This charge is written to the owner, not the driver.
Fine (published)
2013–2016 rule books: $1,000 and suspension up to 30 days for failure to file by April 30 (appearance not required). The 2011 rule book set $50–$350 and/or up to 30 days.
Medallion owner did not get and file the renewal application in time
In the 2011 rule book, paragraph (2) of the renewal rule made it the owner's own responsibility to obtain a renewal application so the license could be renewed by the April 30 deadline. Not receiving a form in the mail was no excuse. (In later versions, paragraph (2) became the $25 late-application rule.)
Fine (published)
2011 rule book (§58-06(c)): $50–$350 and/or suspension up to 30 days. Appearance required.
Care of the medallion and rate card (section not specified)
This section covers how a taxi owner must handle the medallion (the metal plate on the hood) and the Rate Card: no altering the Rate Card, replacing damaged ones, reporting loss or theft within 48 hours, reporting a found medallion within 24 hours, surrendering them when the license is suspended or the cab is sold, and reporting replaced license plates. The summons did not say which part.
Taxi Rate Card altered or showing wrong information
A medallion owner must not change, mark, cross out or make unauthorized entries on the taxi's Rate Card (the TLC card showing the cab's meter and license details), and must not display a Rate Card with wrong information.
Fine (published)
$50 if you plead guilty before a hearing; $100 if found guilty following a hearing. Appearance not required.
Damaged medallion or unreadable Rate Card not turned in for replacement
A taxi owner must immediately surrender a Rate Card that can't be read, or a damaged medallion, to the TLC so it can be replaced. The cab stays suspended until the owner complies.
Fine (published)
$200 and suspension until compliance. Appearance required.
Lost or stolen medallion or Rate Card not reported within 48 hours
If a medallion or Rate Card is stolen, lost or destroyed, the owner must tell both the TLC and the police within 48 hours (not counting weekends and holidays). The owner must also give TLC any affidavit or police report number it asks for before a substitute is issued.
Found medallion or Rate Card not reported within 24 hours
If a medallion or Rate Card that was reported lost or stolen turns up again, the owner must notify the TLC and the police within 24 hours (not counting weekends and holidays).
Fine (published)
$200 for the first violation; $350–$500 for a second or later violation within 36 months. Appearance not required.
No affidavit or information given after finding a lost medallion
After a lost or stolen medallion or Rate Card is found, the owner must also give the TLC any affidavit or information it requires about the recovery, in addition to the 24-hour notice.
Fine (published)
$200 for the first violation; $350–$500 for a second or later violation within 36 months. Appearance not required.
Medallion and Rate Card not surrendered when required
A taxi owner must hand the medallion and Rate Card in to the TLC (1) within 48 hours of notice that the taxi license is suspended or revoked, (2) before selling the taxi, and (3) before taking the taxi out of service for 30 or more days in a row.
Fine (published)
$200 if you plead guilty before a hearing; $300 if found guilty following a hearing. Appearance required.
Medallion not surrendered within 48 hours of suspension or revocation
When the TLC notifies a medallion owner that the taxi license has been suspended or revoked, the owner must surrender the medallion and Rate Card to the TLC within 48 hours. This is the most common form of the surrender charge.
Fine (published)
$200 if you plead guilty before a hearing; $300 if found guilty following a hearing. Appearance required (penalty box for §58-11(e)).
Replacement license plates not reported to TLC within 48 hours
If a taxi's New York State license plates are lost or stolen and replaced, the owner must report the new plates to the TLC within 48 hours of getting them (not counting weekends and holidays). The cab stays suspended until this is done.
Fine (published)
$200 and suspension until compliance. Appearance required.
Taxi owner unlicensed-activity rules (section not specified)
This section bars a medallion owner from running unlicensed taxi service: every cab working for hire needs a valid TLC license and medallion, an unlicensed person can't advertise as a 'taxi', the vehicle registration must be valid, and only drivers with a valid TLC license may drive it for hire. The summons did not say which part.
Taxi operated for hire without a valid TLC license or medallion
A medallion owner must make sure every one of their taxicabs working for hire is validly licensed by the TLC and has a valid medallion attached to the vehicle. The TLC posts a list of licensed taxis and medallions on its website.
Fine (published)
$300 and/or suspension up to 30 days. Appearance required.
Taxi operated with an invalid vehicle registration
A medallion owner must make sure each taxi is driven only while its New York State vehicle registration is valid. Operating with an expired, suspended or otherwise invalid registration is treated like operating without a valid license, and the owner's license is summarily suspended.
Fine (published)
$100–$350 and/or suspension up to 30 days; suspension until compliance. Appearance required.
Unregistered taxi treated as unlicensed (owner license suspended)
Paragraph (2) of the registration rule says that running a taxi without a valid vehicle registration counts the same as operating without a valid TLC license, and that the owner's license will be summarily suspended until the registration is fixed.
Fine (published)
$100–$350 and/or suspension up to 30 days; suspension until compliance. Appearance required.
Owner let someone without a valid TLC license drive the taxi for hire
No taxi may be operated for hire unless the person driving it has a valid TLC Driver License in their possession. The charge goes to the medallion owner for allowing an unlicensed (or suspended or expired) driver to work in the cab.
Fine (published)
$400 and/or suspension up to 30 days. Appearance required.
Unlicensed person drove the taxi outside the allowed exceptions
An owner may let a person without a TLC Driver License move the taxi only in narrow cases. Today the roof light must be off and the driver logged off the technology system; older versions also required the trip to be to or from inspection or repair, an off-duty trip record, locked rear doors, and a driver with a valid motor-vehicle license whose TLC license was not suspended or revoked.
Fine (published)
$400 and/or suspension up to 30 days. Appearance required.
Unlicensed driver exception: trip not to or from inspection or repair
Under the 2011–2022 rule books, the first condition for letting someone without a taxi driver's license move the cab was that it was being driven to or from the TLC inspection facility or a repair shop (in 2013–2015 this item listed all the conditions that applied before the 'Off Duty Change Date'). A charge here means the owner allowed an unlicensed person to drive without meeting it. Today item (i) instead requires the roof light to be off.
Fine (published)
$400 and/or suspension up to 30 days (penalty box for §58-12(d)(2)). Appearance required.
Unlicensed driver exception: cab not shown as off duty
In the 2011 rule book, the second condition for letting a non-TLC driver move a taxi was that the off-duty light was on; in 2014–2015 item (ii) listed the conditions after the 'Off Duty Change Date', including entering the off-duty code in the taxi's T-PEP system. A charge here means the cab was driven by an unlicensed person without being properly off duty. Today item (ii) requires the driver to be logged off the Technology System.
Fine (published)
$400 and/or suspension up to 30 days (penalty box for §58-12(d)(2)). Appearance required.
Taxi moved by a person whose TLC license was suspended or revoked
In the 2014–2015 rule books, item (ii)(F) said that a person moving a taxi without a TLC license (for example, to a repair shop) must not be someone whose taxicab driver's license had been suspended or revoked. The current rule book no longer has this item.
Fine (published)
$400 and/or suspension up to 30 days (penalty box for §58-12(d)(2)). Appearance required.
Taxi moved by a person without a valid motor-vehicle driver license
Item (v) of the exception for non-TLC drivers required that the person moving the taxi (for example, to inspection or repair) hold a valid license to drive a motor vehicle. The 2011 and 2017–2022 rule books both put this rule at item (v). The current rule book dropped it: the exception now only requires the roof light to be off and the driver to be logged off the Technology System.
Fine (published)
$400 and/or suspension up to 30 days (penalty box for §58-12(d)(2)). Appearance required.
Taxi moved by a person whose taxi driver license was suspended or revoked
In the 2011 rule book, item (vi) of the exception for non-TLC drivers said the person moving the taxi must not be someone whose taxicab driver's license was suspended or revoked.
Fine (published)
2011 rule book: $100–$350 and/or suspension up to 30 days (later $400 and/or up to 30 days). Appearance required.
Taxi liability insurance missing or not meeting legal requirements — another spelling of §58-13(A)(1) (Taxi liability insurance missing or not meeting legal requirements).
A medallion owner must keep every taxi covered by liability insurance (a policy or bond) that fully meets New York's Vehicle and Traffic Law, Insurance Law and TLC rules, and must keep any other insurance the law requires.
Fine (published)
$150–$350 and/or suspension up to 30 days. Appearance required.
Taxi liability insurance missing or not meeting legal requirements
Paragraph (1) of the insurance rule: every taxi must be covered by liability insurance in the form of a bond or policy that fully complies with the NYS Vehicle and Traffic Law, the NYS Insurance Law and TLC rules.
Fine (published)
$150–$350 and/or suspension up to 30 days (penalty box for §58-13(a)). Appearance required.
Proof of insurance not given with the renewal application
When a medallion owner applies to renew a taxi license, they must give the TLC the insurance company's name and address, the policy number for each taxi, and proof of coverage.
Insurance cancellation notice not reported to TLC within 72 hours
A medallion owner must notify the TLC in writing within 72 hours after receiving notice that the taxi's required liability insurance has been cancelled.
Fine (published)
$100 (penalty box for §58-13(c)). Appearance not required.
Taxi collision not reported to the insurance company
Any collision involving the owner's taxi that must be reported to the insurer has to be reported to the insurance carrier right away, in writing, by the owner.
Medallion owner personal-conduct rules (section not specified)
This section covers a taxi owner's personal conduct: no bribery, fraud, threats or force, reporting criminal convictions, and cooperating with police, the TLC and the Department of Investigation. The summons did not say which part.
A medallion owner must not bribe, try to bribe, or offer any gratuity to any TLC employee, representative or member in return for favorable treatment. This is one of the most serious owner charges.
Fine (published)
Up to $10,000 per medallion involved plus mandatory divestiture of all taxi licenses held by the owner and its directors, officers or stockholders. Appearance required.
Willful act of omission against the public interest
A medallion owner must not deliberately fail to do something, alone or with others, when that failure is against the best interests of the public, even if the specific act is not named elsewhere in the rules.
Fine (published)
$150–$350 and/or suspension up to 30 days, or revocation. Appearance required.
Willful act against the public interest by a medallion owner
A medallion owner must not deliberately do or try to do, alone or with others, anything that is against the best interests of the public, even if that act is not specifically named in the rules.
Fine (published)
$150–$350 and suspension up to 30 days, or revocation. Appearance required.
Medallion owner threatened, harassed or abused someone
While acting as a licensee, a medallion owner must not threaten, harass or abuse any person (or, under the current text, any service animal). Drivers who lease from an owner are protected too.
Fine (published)
$350–$1,000 and/or suspension up to 30 days, or revocation. Appearance required.
Medallion owner used physical force against someone
While acting as a TLC licensee, a medallion taxicab owner must not use physical force against any person or a service animal. This charge is written against the owner (not the driver) and is a serious conduct violation that can lead to suspension or revocation as well as a fine.
Fine (published)
$500–$1,500 and/or suspension up to 60 days or revocation. Appearance required.
A taxi licensee must immediately tell the TLC about any criminal conviction of the owner or, for a company, of any of its business entity persons. The written notice must include a certified certificate of disposition from the court.
Fine (published)
$50–$250 (penalty box for §58-15(g)). Appearance required.
A taxi licensee must cooperate with all law enforcement officers, TLC representatives and the NYC Department of Investigation, for example by giving their name, medallion numbers, Rate Cards, trip records and other records the owner must keep.
Medallion owner ignored a TLC directive or summons
A medallion owner must promptly answer all questions and comply with all communications, directives and summonses from the TLC or the NYC Department of Investigation. A common example is not responding to a TLC letter or order about the taxi. The license can stay suspended until the owner complies.
Fine (published)
$300 and suspension until compliance. Appearance required.
Medallion owner general compliance rules (section not specified)
This section requires taxi owners to follow TLC specifications and other laws, accessible-taxi rules, no false statements or credentials, no unlawful use of the cab, and payment of required funds (in the current text, the Taxicab Improvement Surcharge). The summons did not say which part.
Taxi owner did not follow TLC specifications or other laws
A medallion owner must follow the TLC's taxicab specifications, the Marking Specifications for Taxicabs, the Administrative Code and any other law or rule that governs taxi owners. It is a catch-all charge used when a cab or its operation breaks one of those requirements.
Fine (published)
$200 if you plead guilty before a hearing; $300 if found guilty following a hearing (penalty box for §58-16(a)(1)). Appearance not required.
Taxi owner did not comply with TLC rules and specifications
Paragraph (1): a medallion owner must comply with the TLC's taxicab specifications, the Marking Specifications for Taxicabs, the relevant parts of the Administrative Code and all other laws, rules or regulations for taxi owners.
Fine (published)
$200 if you plead guilty before a hearing; $300 if found guilty following a hearing. Appearance not required.
Accessible taxi owner did not pass dispatch fees to drivers
Under the 2014 rule book, the owner of a wheelchair-accessible taxi had to pay each driver, in cash every week, all dispatch fees the Accessible Taxi Dispatcher paid for that driver's trips, give an itemized receipt, and make no deductions.
Fine (published)
$500 and suspension until compliance (2014 rule book). Appearance required.
Using false credentials to avoid a TLC vehicle inspection
A medallion owner must not try to avoid inspection of a licensed vehicle by using false credentials to disguise one vehicle as another, or by any other unlawful means.
Fine (published)
Up to $10,000 per medallion involved plus mandatory divestiture of all taxi licenses held by the owner and its directors, officers or stockholders. Appearance required.
Required taxi fund not paid (Accessibility Fee, now Improvement Surcharge) — another spelling of §58-16(F) (Required taxi fund not paid (Accessibility Fee, now Improvement Surcharge)).
Required taxi fund not paid (Accessibility Fee, now Improvement Surcharge)
Subdivision (f) has meant two things. From about 2013 to 2023 it required owners to pay the Taxi Accessibility Fee for each medallion when billed (that duty is now §58-07(j)). Since 2023 it covers the Taxicab Improvement Surcharge (the $1 per-trip fee) that must reach the Taxicab Improvement Fund. Either way, non-payment can suspend the license.
Fine (published)
$1,000 and suspension until compliance. Appearance required (same in the 2014–2022 and current rule books).
Under the current rule book, paragraph (1) makes the Technology System Provider or e-hail app responsible for sending all collected Taxicab Improvement Surcharge amounts to the Taxicab Improvement Fund. In the 2014–2022 rule books, (f)(1) instead required the owner to pay the Taxi Accessibility Fee for each medallion.
Fine (published)
$1,000 and suspension until compliance (penalty box for §58-16(f)(1)–(4)). Appearance required.
Owner did not pay uncollected Taxi Improvement Surcharge
When the technology provider or e-hail app did not collect the Taxicab Improvement Surcharge (the $1 per-trip fee), the medallion owner must pay the full amount remitted by the driver into the Taxicab Improvement Fund.
Fine (published)
$1,000 and suspension until compliance (penalty box for §58-16(f)(1)–(4)). Appearance required.
The medallion owner, or the technology provider or e-hail app the owner uses, must pay the Taxicab Improvement Surcharge (the $1 per-trip fee passengers pay) into the Taxicab Improvement Fund at the time and in the way the TLC requires. Not paying can lead to suspension and denial of renewals.
Fine (published)
$1,000 and suspension until compliance. Appearance required.
Taxi Improvement Surcharge not paid on time — another spelling of §58-16(F)(3) (Taxi Improvement Surcharge not paid on time).
§58-16(G)Old rule — replaced by 58-16(F)4,452 charges · 2017–2018
Taxi Improvement Fund payment rules (2015–2023 numbering)
From about 2015 to mid-2023, subdivision (g) required medallion owners (or their agents) to pay the Taxicab Improvement Surcharge collected on every trip into the Taxicab Improvement Fund, on time and in full. Non-payment could suspend the taxi license and block renewals. The rule now sits at §58-16(f).
§58-16(G)(1)Old rule — replaced by 58-16(F)(2)15 charges · 2017–2018
Owner did not pay the full Improvement Surcharge collected by drivers
In the 2015–2023 rule books, paragraph (1) required the medallion owner or agent to pay the entire Taxicab Improvement Surcharge remitted by the taxi driver into the Taxicab Improvement Fund.
§58-16(G)(2)Old rule — replaced by 58-16(F)(3)39,920 charges · 2017–2023
Taxi Improvement Surcharge not paid on time (old numbering)
In the 2015–2023 rule books, paragraph (2) required the medallion owner or agent to pay the Taxicab Improvement Surcharge (the per-trip fee passengers pay) into the Taxicab Improvement Fund at the time and in the manner the TLC requires. This was a very common owner charge from 2017 to 2023. The same duty is now §58-16(f)(3).
§58-16(J)(1)Code we couldn't match exactly3 charges · 2017
Unclear code: section 58-16 has no subdivision (j)
No version of the taxi owner chapter from 2011 to today has a subdivision (j) in §58-16 (Compliance with Law – Miscellaneous). This is probably a typing error, perhaps for the Taxicab Improvement Fund rule then at §58-16(g). Check the summons wording to see what was actually charged.
Business premises address or phone not kept current with TLC
A taxi owner who must keep a business premises (for example, one who leases cabs by the shift) must keep the premises' current address and phone number on file with the TLC.
§58-17(G)(2)Code we couldn't match exactly1 charge · 2017
Unclear code: section 58-17 has no subdivision (g)
Section 58-17 (Business Premises) only has subdivisions (a) through (d) in every version. This one charge is probably a typing error, perhaps for §58-16(g)(2), the Taxicab Improvement Surcharge payment rule commonly charged in 2017. Check the summons wording.
Owner did not personally oversee insurance and regulatory compliance
The TLC holds every medallion owner responsible for hands-on operation of the taxi, including personally overseeing compliance with insurance and all other regulatory requirements. An owner may use an agent, but stays fully accountable.
A medallion owner may name one TLC-licensed agent to operate the taxi on the owner's behalf. The designation lasts until the owner revokes it or the TLC suspends or revokes the agent's license. A charge here usually means an agent was used outside these rules.
Fine (published)
$500–$1,000 and/or suspension up to 30 days. Appearance required.
An agent who operates a taxi for a medallion owner must hold a TLC agent license under Chapter 63 of the TLC rules. Using an unlicensed agent breaks this rule.
Fine (published)
$500–$1,000 and/or suspension up to 30 days (penalty box for §58-18(c)(1)). Appearance required.
Fleet taxi not operated the required two shifts a day
In the 2011–2014 rule books, paragraph (1) was the double-shift rule: a fleet or minifleet had to run each of its operating taxis for at least two nine-hour shifts a day (18 hours), including weekends and holidays. These charges were heard in 2013–2014.
Fine (published)
$75 (2013–2014 rule books). Appearance not required.
Independent owner did not run the taxi the minimum shifts (pre-July 2011)
Before July 1, 2011, an independent medallion owner (one who owns a single medallion) had to operate the taxi at least 210 nine-hour shifts a year (1,890 hours). This was part of the old 'owner must drive' rules.
Fine (published)
2011 rule book: $100–$350 and/or suspension up to 30 days. Appearance required.
Independent medallion owner did not drive the required shifts
Under the owner-must-drive rule in the 2013–2014 rule books (in force from July 2011), an independent medallion owner who bought the medallion on or after Jan. 7, 1990 had to personally drive at least 180 nine-hour shifts a year (195 in 2011; 150 seven-hour shifts for some owners 62 or older). Penalties grew with the number of missed shifts.
Fine (published)
Per calendar year: $1,000 for 1–10 missed shifts; $6,000 for 11–25; $7,500 for 26–50; $10,000 for 51 or more (revocation also possible). Appearance required.
Owner-must-drive: penalty based on number of shifts not driven
Item (i)(A) of the old owner-must-drive rule said penalties for an independent medallion owner who did not drive the required 180 shifts would depend on how many required shifts were not driven.
Fine (published)
Per calendar year: $1,000 for 1–10 missed shifts; $6,000 for 11–25; $7,500 for 26–50; $10,000 for 51 or more (penalty box for §58-20(a)(3)). Appearance required.
Owner-must-drive: 2011 transition minimum of 195 shifts not met — another spelling of §58-20(A)(3)(I)B (Owner-must-drive: 2011 transition minimum of 195 shifts not met).
Owner-must-drive: 2011 transition minimum of 195 shifts not met
Item (i)(B) of the old owner-must-drive rule was the transition rule for calendar year 2011: an independent medallion owner had to drive the taxi at least 195 nine-hour shifts (1,755 hours) that year. These charges were heard in 2013.
Fine (published)
Per calendar year: $1,000 for 1–10 missed shifts; $6,000 for 11–25; $7,500 for 26–50; $10,000 for 51 or more (penalty box for §58-20(a)(3)). Appearance required.
Owner-must-drive general rule: 180 shifts a year not driven
Item (i) of the old owner-must-drive rule set the general requirement: from Jan. 1, 2012, an independent medallion owner who bought the medallion on or after Jan. 7, 1990 had to drive the taxi at least 180 nine-hour shifts each calendar year (1,620 hours).
Fine (published)
Per calendar year: $1,000 for 1–10 missed shifts; $6,000 for 11–25; $7,500 for 26–50; $10,000 for 51 or more (penalty box for §58-20(a)(3)). Appearance required.
Taxi driven by a driver not authorized on the Rate Card
In the 2011–2014 rule books, subdivision (b) controlled who may drive an owner's taxi: the Rate Card had to list either 'unspecified drivers' or named drivers, and the owner had to keep a current Driver Authorization Statement on file with the TLC, with lease details for named driver lessees.
Fine (published)
Depends on the paragraph: (b)(1) $75–$150 first, $150–$300 second, $300–$500 third within 24 months, plus suspension until compliance; (b)(2) and (b)(4)(i)–(iii) $250–$500 and suspension until compliance.
Owner let a driver operate the taxi who was not authorized on the Rate Card
A medallion owner must not let anyone drive the taxi unless the Rate Card says it will be driven by 'unspecified drivers', or by named drivers listed on the Rate Card whose lease has not passed the expiration date shown.
Fine (published)
$75–$150 for the first violation, $150–$300 for a second, $300–$500 for a third within 24 months, and suspension until compliance. Appearance required.
Driver authorization: taxi not designated for unspecified drivers
Item (i) of the driver-authorization rule allowed a taxi to be driven by 'unspecified drivers' only if the Rate Card said so (backed by a master lease or employment agreement and unnamed-driver insurance).
Fine (published)
$75–$150 for the first violation, $150–$300 for a second, $300–$500 for a third within 24 months, and suspension until compliance (penalty box for §58-20(b)(1)). Appearance required.
Driver authorization: named driver not on Rate Card or lease expired
Item (ii) of the driver-authorization rule: if a taxi is leased to named drivers, the driver's name must be entered on the Rate Card and the driver may not keep operating after the lease expiration date shown on it.
Fine (published)
$75–$150 for the first violation, $150–$300 for a second, $300–$500 for a third within 24 months, and suspension until compliance (penalty box for §58-20(b)(1)). Appearance required.
Driver Authorization Statement not filed for a named driver lessee
If a medallion owner leased the taxi to named drivers, the owner had to file a Driver Authorization Statement for each lessee, in person or by power of attorney, before that driver took possession of the cab.
Fine (published)
$250–$500 and suspension until compliance (penalty box for §58-20(b)(4)(i)–(iii)). Appearance not required.
Accessible taxi driven by a driver without wheelchair-assistance training
From 2011 until mid-2023, the owner of a wheelchair-accessible taxi had to make sure every driver of that cab had completed a TLC-approved wheelchair passenger assistance course (at least three hours in the early versions) and, at first, had to pay for the training.
Fine (published)
$100 if you plead guilty before a hearing; $150 if found guilty following a hearing (2013–2022 rule books). Appearance not required.
Accessible taxi owner let an untrained driver operate the cab
Paragraph (4) of the 2011–2014 text made the accessible-taxi owner responsible for making sure each of its accessible taxis was driven only by a driver who had finished the required wheelchair passenger assistance training. Most of these charges were heard in 2013–2014.
Fine (published)
$100 if you plead guilty before a hearing; $150 if found guilty following a hearing (penalty box for §58-20(c), 2013–2014). Appearance not required.
Owner responsible for all taxi rules regardless of lease terms
An owner may lease a taxi or a medallion to licensed drivers, but whatever the lease says, the owner stays responsible for complying with all laws, rules and regulations that govern taxi owners.
Fine (published)
$75–$150 for the first violation, $150–$300 for a second, $300–$500 for a third within 24 months, and suspension until compliance (penalty box for §58-21(a)). Appearance required.
Leasing driver charged for vehicle service or maintenance
When an owner leases a taxi with the vehicle (daily or weekly), service and maintenance are the owner's job and can't be charged to the driver. An owner who leases only the medallion can't force the driver to use a particular repair shop, and any side services must be in a signed writing with records kept.
Fine (published)
First violation: $500; second and later: $1,000 and/or suspension of the medallion up to 30 days, plus restitution to the driver of the excess charged. Appearance 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.