For-hire vehicle owners

FHV lease not in writing or missing required terms

When an FHV owner leases the car to a driver, the lease and any changes must be in writing and signed, the driver must get a copy, and the lease must list dates, every cost and fee, damage, purchase, sublease and deposit terms, plus a notice that overcharging drivers is prohibited. Penalties differ by paragraph.

35 RCNY §59A-21(b)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (Sub-chapter 59A: For-Hire Vehicle Owners)

FHV lease not in writing or not signed

All leases of a for-hire vehicle to a driver, including changes, must be in writing and signed by the owner (lessor) and the driver. Electronic signatures are allowed for electronic leases.

Fine (published)

$500 per missing lease. Appearance not required.

35 RCNY §59A-21(b)(1)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (Sub-chapter 59A: For-Hire Vehicle Owners)

Driver not given a copy of the signed FHV lease

The owner must give the driver a copy of the fully signed lease when it is signed and whenever the driver asks for one.

Fine (published)

$500 per missing lease. Appearance not required.

35 RCNY §59A-21(b)(2)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (Sub-chapter 59A: For-Hire Vehicle Owners)

FHV lease missing security deposit terms

If a driver's lease includes a security deposit, the lease must spell out its terms and costs, what can be taken from it, and how many days after the lease ends (no more than 30) the deposit will be returned. This summons says those terms were missing.

Fine (published)

First violation: $500; second and subsequent violations: $1,000 and/or suspension up to 30 days, plus restitution to the driver equal to the amount charged in violation of this rule. Appearance required.

35 RCNY §59A-21(b)(3)(ii)(G)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (Sub-chapter 59A: For-Hire Vehicle Owners)

Owner charged a driver fees not listed in the lease

A lessor may only charge the costs and fees written in the lease. Charging anything else is an overcharge, and the hearing officer must order the money paid back to the driver.

Fine (published)

First violation: $500; second and subsequent violations: $1,000 and/or suspension up to 30 days, plus restitution to the driver equal to the amount charged in violation of this rule. Appearance required.

35 RCNY §59A-21(c)(1)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (Sub-chapter 59A: For-Hire Vehicle Owners)

FHV tolls rules (section not specified)

Section 59A-23 covers tolls for FHVs: every FHV must have an MTA E-ZPass, passengers pay only the actual E-ZPass toll (with special rules for some Rockaway and Staten Island bridges), and drivers must pass toll money to the tag holder. Before about 2018 this section was reserved (empty). The summons did not name a subsection, and the section itself has no penalty box.

35 RCNY §59A-23TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (Sub-chapter 59A: For-Hire Vehicle Owners)

FHV operating rules: trips by pre-arrangement only

Section 59A-25 says an FHV owner must not let the car carry paying passengers except through a trip pre-arranged with a TLC-licensed base (no street hails). Older versions also had a black car age rule in (b). A charge citing only the section number is almost always the pre-arrangement rule.

35 RCNY §59A-25TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (Sub-chapter 59A: For-Hire Vehicle Owners)

FHV owner allowed trips that were not pre-arranged

An FHV owner must not allow the car to carry passengers for hire except through pre-arrangement with a TLC-licensed base, and is liable for each violation. Fines climb by $100 per violation within a license term.

Fine (published)

During any license term, $100 for the first violation, increasing by $100 for each subsequent violation up to a maximum of $10,000. Appearance not required.

35 RCNY §59A-25(a)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (Sub-chapter 59A: For-Hire Vehicle Owners)

FHV owner allowed a street hail (trip not pre-arranged)

No FHV owner may let the vehicle pick up paying passengers other than through a trip pre-arranged with a TLC-licensed base. Typical cases are street hails or airport pick-ups without a booking, often written by Port Authority police. The fine grows with each violation during a license term.

Fine (published)

During any license term, $100 for the first violation, increasing by $100 for each subsequent violation up to a maximum of $10,000. Appearance not required.

35 RCNY §59A-25(a)(1)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (Sub-chapter 59A: For-Hire Vehicle Owners) Full explanation

FHV owner allowed a street hail (trip not pre-arranged) — another spelling of §59A-25(A)(1) (FHV owner allowed a street hail (trip not pre-arranged)).

FHV owner liable for a non-pre-arranged trip

Paragraph (a)(2) makes the FHV owner liable for penalties whenever the vehicle carries passengers without pre-arrangement through a licensed base, even if the driver did it. It shares the escalating penalty of §59A-25(a).

Fine (published)

During any license term, $100 for the first violation, increasing by $100 for each subsequent violation up to a maximum of $10,000. Appearance not required.

35 RCNY §59A-25(a)(2)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (Sub-chapter 59A: For-Hire Vehicle Owners)

Black car affiliated with a black car base past its retirement age (former rule)

From 2011 until it was later removed, §59A-25(b) said a black car owner could affiliate a vehicle with a black car base only if the vehicle met the black car retirement (age) schedule in §59A-28(d). The current rule book no longer has this subdivision.

Former 35 RCNY §59A-25(b)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (2011 edition, archived)

FHV owner allowed a street hail (trip not pre-arranged) — another spelling of §59A-25(A)(1) (FHV owner allowed a street hail (trip not pre-arranged)).

FHV inspections (section not specified)

Section 59A-26 covers FHV inspections: three inspections a year at least once every four months (or two NYS DOT inspections for large or modified vehicles), and on-street inspections by TLC or police. The summons did not name a subsection.

35 RCNY §59A-26TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (Sub-chapter 59A: For-Hire Vehicle Owners)

FHV missed a required inspection

For-hire vehicles must be inspected three times a year, at least once every four months; vehicles seating 10+ or modified vehicles not exempt from NYS DOT rules are instead inspected twice a year by NYS DOT. The owner's license is suspended until the vehicle passes.

Fine (published)

$100 and suspension of the vehicle owner license until any defect found is corrected or until the vehicle passes inspection, including any applicable inspection by the NYS DOT. Appearance required.

35 RCNY §59A-26(a)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (Sub-chapter 59A: For-Hire Vehicle Owners)

FHV missed its tri-annual inspection

The second most common FHV owner charge. A for-hire vehicle must be inspected three times every year, at least once every four months. Inspections for new and renewal licenses happen at TLC's Safety and Emissions inspection facility; the others can be done at any DMV-registered station. The vehicle license is suspended until the vehicle passes.

Fine (published)

$100 and suspension of the vehicle owner license until any defect found is corrected or until the vehicle passes inspection, including any applicable inspection by the NYS DOT. Appearance required.

35 RCNY §59A-26(a)(1)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (Sub-chapter 59A: For-Hire Vehicle Owners) Full explanation

FHV ordered in after an on-street inspection

TLC officers and police can inspect any FHV on the street and order it to report to TLC's inspection facility. This charge leads to suspension of the FHV license (or of an out-of-area vehicle's reciprocity) until the vehicle complies.

Fine (published)

Suspension of For-Hire Vehicle License or recognition of issuing jurisdiction vehicle License until compliance. Appearance not required.

35 RCNY §59A-26(b)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (Sub-chapter 59A: For-Hire Vehicle Owners)

FHV safety standards (section not specified)

Section 59A-27 covers FHV safety: no use of a car found unsafe, working seat and shoulder belts, rear shoulder belts, fixing defects TLC orders fixed, and the owner's daily safety check. The summons did not name a subsection.

35 RCNY §59A-27TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (Sub-chapter 59A: For-Hire Vehicle Owners)

FHV used after being found unsafe or unfit

No for-hire vehicle can be used once TLC or the NYS DMV has found it unsafe or unfit and told the owner to take it out of service. TLC can take the decals and order the car to its inspection facility, and the owner's license is summarily suspended.

Fine (published)

$100–$350 and/or suspension up to 30 days; suspension until compliance. Appearance required.

35 RCNY §59A-27(a)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (Sub-chapter 59A: For-Hire Vehicle Owners)

FHV kept in service after being ordered off the road as unsafe

Paragraph (a)(1) bars using a for-hire vehicle after TLC or NYS DMV has found it unsafe or unfit and directed the owner to remove it from service.

Fine (published)

$100–$350 and/or suspension up to 30 days; suspension until compliance (penalty for §59A-27(a)). Appearance required.

35 RCNY §59A-27(a)(1)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (Sub-chapter 59A: For-Hire Vehicle Owners)

Unsafe FHV: decals confiscated by TLC

Paragraph (a)(2) says that when TLC's Chairperson finds an FHV unsafe or unfit, TLC confiscates its decals. A charge citing it relates to an unsafe-vehicle finding by TLC; the penalty is the one for §59A-27(a).

Fine (published)

$100–$350 and/or suspension up to 30 days; suspension until compliance (penalty for §59A-27(a)). Appearance required.

35 RCNY §59A-27(a)(2)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (Sub-chapter 59A: For-Hire Vehicle Owners)

Decals not returned within 72 hours after DMV found the FHV unsafe

If NYS DMV or a non-TLC inspection station finds an FHV unsafe or unfit, the owner must return the TLC decals within 72 hours. This summons says they were not returned.

Fine (published)

$100–$350 and/or suspension up to 30 days; suspension until compliance (penalty for §59A-27(a)). Appearance required.

35 RCNY §59A-27(a)(3)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (Sub-chapter 59A: For-Hire Vehicle Owners)

FHV seat belts or shoulder belts missing or broken

Every for-hire vehicle must have all seat belts and shoulder belts clearly visible, reachable and in good working order. Belts tucked under seats or broken buckles lead to this summons.

Fine (published)

$100–$250. Appearance required.

35 RCNY §59A-27(b)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (Sub-chapter 59A: For-Hire Vehicle Owners)

FHV without rear-seat shoulder belts

Besides seat belts at every seat and shoulder belts in front, every FHV must have shoulder belts for both outside rear passenger seats.

Fine (published)

$100–$250. Appearance required.

35 RCNY §59A-27(c)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (Sub-chapter 59A: For-Hire Vehicle Owners)

Defect not fixed after a TLC correction notice

An FHV owner must comply with every TLC notice or directive to correct a defect in the vehicle. This very common summons usually follows an inspection or street check; the license stays suspended until the defect is fixed, so repair proof and a passed re-inspection matter most.

Fine (published)

$50 and suspension until the defective condition is corrected. Appearance required. 2011 rule book: $50 per day until information is supplied.

35 RCNY §59A-27(d)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (Sub-chapter 59A: For-Hire Vehicle Owners) Full explanation

No daily safety check of the FHV by the owner

An FHV owner must not let the car be driven without a daily personal inspection confirming that brakes, lights, signals and seat and shoulder belts work and meet state law and TLC rules. These summonses often follow a street inspection that found broken equipment.

Fine (published)

$150 if plead guilty before a hearing; $200 if found guilty following a hearing. Appearance not required. 2011 rule book: $25 – 250, appearance required.

35 RCNY §59A-27(e)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (Sub-chapter 59A: For-Hire Vehicle Owners) Full explanation

FHV illegally altered (stretched, enlarged or body changed)

No for-hire vehicle may be altered after manufacture to increase its length, width, weight or seating, or to change its chassis or body, unless it fits one of the approved exceptions (manufacturer-approved program or NYS DOT-approved modification).

Fine (published)

Vehicle owner fine: $10,000 and license suspension until compliance if alteration is not approved, or revocation if the vehicle is not brought into compliance within 30 days. Appearance required.

35 RCNY §59A-28(a)(1)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (Sub-chapter 59A: For-Hire Vehicle Owners)

Altered FHV not modified by a manufacturer-certified company

A for-hire vehicle altered under a manufacturer-approved program must have the work done by a company the manufacturer approved and certified for such alterations. This summons says the modifier was not certified.

Fine (published)

Vehicle owner fine: $10,000 and license suspension until compliance if alteration is not approved, or revocation if the vehicle is not brought into compliance within 30 days (penalty for §59A-28(a)). Appearance required.

35 RCNY §59A-28(a)(2)(ii)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (Sub-chapter 59A: For-Hire Vehicle Owners)

Large modified FHV not approved or inspected by NYS

A modified FHV seating 10 or more (including the driver) that is not exempt from NYS DOT rules must be approved by NYS DMV, pass NYS DOT inspection, be re-registered, carry the modifier's safety sticker, and have a modifier with NHTSA registration, a 3-year/60,000-mile warranty and $5 million liability insurance.

Fine (published)

Vehicle owner fine: $10,000 and license suspension until compliance if alteration is not approved, or revocation if the vehicle is not brought into compliance within 30 days (penalty for §59A-28(a)). Appearance required.

35 RCNY §59A-28(a)(3)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (Sub-chapter 59A: For-Hire Vehicle Owners)

FHV plates, decals or VIN don't match

An FHV's license plate number must match on the tax stamp, registration and TLC decals; the VIN on the decals must match the registration and the car; and New York cars must have 'T & LC' plates. Each item has its own fine.

35 RCNY §59A-28(b)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (Sub-chapter 59A: For-Hire Vehicle Owners)

FHV plate number doesn't match registration or TLC decals

The plate number on the motor vehicle tax stamp, the state registration and the TLC decals must all match each other and the plates on the car. A mismatch often happens after plates are replaced without updating TLC.

Fine (published)

$200 if plead guilty before a hearing; $300 if found guilty following a hearing. Appearance not required. 2011 rule book: $100.

35 RCNY §59A-28(b)(1)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (Sub-chapter 59A: For-Hire Vehicle Owners)

FHV VIN doesn't match registration or TLC decals

The last six digits of the VIN on the TLC decals must match the VIN on the state registration and on the vehicle itself. This summons says they did not match.

Fine (published)

$100. Appearance not required.

35 RCNY §59A-28(b)(2)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (Sub-chapter 59A: For-Hire Vehicle Owners)

New York FHV without 'T & LC' plates

A for-hire vehicle registered in New York must have state plates embossed 'T & LC'. This summons says the car had other plates.

Fine (published)

$100–$350 and suspension until compliance. Appearance not required. 2011 rule book: $100 - $350 and summary suspension until compliance.

35 RCNY §59A-28(b)(3)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (Sub-chapter 59A: For-Hire Vehicle Owners)

FHV markings and advertising (section not specified)

Section 59A-29 covers what must and must not be on an FHV's outside and windows: TLC decals, registration and inspection stickers, no taxi yellow or green-cab apple green, no unapproved ads, tax stamp, base name signs, accessible and clean-air signs, and required safety stickers. The summons did not name a subsection.

35 RCNY §59A-29TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (Sub-chapter 59A: For-Hire Vehicle Owners)

FHV TLC decals missing or wrong

An FHV must have three valid TLC decals placed by TLC staff: one on the lower right of the windshield and one on each rear quarter window (luxury limousines need only the windshield decal). New decals are applied at renewal and when the car, base or plates change.

Fine (published)

$500 for the first offense in 12 months; $1,000 for the second and subsequent offenses within a 12-month period and suspension of the For-Hire Vehicle License until compliance. Appearance not required.

35 RCNY §59A-29(a)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (Sub-chapter 59A: For-Hire Vehicle Owners) Full explanation

FHV missing one of its three required TLC decals

Paragraph (a)(1) requires three valid, plainly visible TLC decals, applied by TLC staff, in set places: lower front right of the windshield and the lower rear corner of each rear quarter window (or the rear door window if there are none).

Fine (published)

$500 for the first offense in 12 months; $1,000 for the second and subsequent offenses within a 12-month period and suspension of the For-Hire Vehicle License until compliance. Appearance not required.

35 RCNY §59A-29(a)(1)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (Sub-chapter 59A: For-Hire Vehicle Owners)

No TLC decal on the FHV's windshield

One of the three TLC decals must be on the lower front right side of the windshield. This summons says that decal was missing, invalid or in the wrong place.

Fine (published)

$500 for the first offense in 12 months; $1,000 for the second and subsequent offenses within a 12-month period and suspension of the For-Hire Vehicle License until compliance (penalty for §59A-29(a)). Appearance not required.

35 RCNY §59A-29(a)(1)(i)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (Sub-chapter 59A: For-Hire Vehicle Owners)

TLC decals missing from the FHV's rear windows

Two of the three TLC decals must be on the lower rear corner of each rear quarter window, or on the lower rear door window if the car has no quarter windows. This summons says one or both were missing or misplaced.

Fine (published)

$500 for the first offense in 12 months; $1,000 for the second and subsequent offenses within a 12-month period and suspension of the For-Hire Vehicle License until compliance (penalty for §59A-29(a)). Appearance not required.

35 RCNY §59A-29(a)(1)(ii)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (Sub-chapter 59A: For-Hire Vehicle Owners)

FHV decals not put on by TLC staff

TLC decals must be applied by TLC staff, not by the owner or driver. This summons usually means decals were moved from another car or put on by someone else.

Fine (published)

$500 for the first offense in 12 months; $1,000 for the second and subsequent offenses within a 12-month period and suspension of the For-Hire Vehicle License until compliance (penalty for §59A-29(a)). Appearance not required.

35 RCNY §59A-29(a)(1)(iii)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (Sub-chapter 59A: For-Hire Vehicle Owners)

FHV decals not replaced at license renewal

New TLC decals must be put on by TLC's Safety and Emissions Division when the FHV license is renewed. This summons says the car still had old decals after renewal.

Fine (published)

$500 for the first offense in 12 months; $1,000 for the second and subsequent offenses within a 12-month period and suspension of the For-Hire Vehicle License until compliance (penalty for §59A-29(a)). Appearance not required.

35 RCNY §59A-29(a)(2)(i)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (Sub-chapter 59A: For-Hire Vehicle Owners)

FHV decals not replaced after a vehicle, base or plate change

New TLC decals must be applied by TLC when the vehicle is replaced, changes base affiliation, or changes license plates. This summons says the decals did not match the car's current vehicle, base or plates.

Fine (published)

$500 for the first offense in 12 months; $1,000 for the second and subsequent offenses within a 12-month period and suspension of the For-Hire Vehicle License until compliance (penalty for §59A-29(a)). Appearance not required.

35 RCNY §59A-29(a)(2)(ii)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (Sub-chapter 59A: For-Hire Vehicle Owners)

Luxury limousine without its windshield TLC decal

Luxury limousines need only one TLC decal, on the lower right side of the front windshield. A charge citing this paragraph usually means that single decal was missing.

Fine (published)

$500 for the first offense in 12 months; $1,000 for the second and subsequent offenses within a 12-month period and suspension of the For-Hire Vehicle License until compliance (penalty for §59A-29(a)). Appearance not required.

35 RCNY §59A-29(a)(3)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (Sub-chapter 59A: For-Hire Vehicle Owners)

No valid registration sticker on the FHV windshield

A valid state registration sticker must be on the left front windshield, plainly visible. This summons says it was missing or expired.

Fine (published)

$100. Appearance not required.

35 RCNY §59A-29(b)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (Sub-chapter 59A: For-Hire Vehicle Owners)

FHV inspection sticker missing or with less than 8 months left

An FHV must show a valid NYS DMV inspection sticker on the front left of the windshield with at least eight months left before it expires. The owner's license is suspended until the defect is fixed, and a penalty point is added.

Fine (published)

Vehicle owner fine: $100 and suspension of the vehicle owner license until any defect found is corrected. Appearance required.

Points

1 penalty point

35 RCNY §59A-29(c)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (Sub-chapter 59A: For-Hire Vehicle Owners) Full explanation

FHV painted taxi yellow or green-cab apple green

No for-hire vehicle may be any shade of taxi yellow, in whole or in part, and no FHV that is not a licensed street hail livery may use the apple green of green cabs. Fines rise with repeats, and a third violation in 36 months means revocation.

Fine (published)

$350 for the first violation; $500 for the second violation in 24 months; revocation for the third violation in 36 months. Appearance required.

35 RCNY §59A-29(d)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (Sub-chapter 59A: For-Hire Vehicle Owners)

Unapproved advertising on or in an FHV

An FHV owner must not display any advertising outside or inside the car unless TLC authorized it and a license was issued. Roof-top ads are never approved, and interior ads require a licensed interior advertising provider.

Fine (published)

$100 if plead guilty before a hearing; $200 if found guilty following a hearing. Appearance not required. 2011 rule book: $50 (also $50 in the 2017 edition).

35 RCNY §59A-29(e)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (Sub-chapter 59A: For-Hire Vehicle Owners)

Advertising on an FHV without TLC approval

The owner must not display any advertising on the outside or inside of a for-hire vehicle unless TLC authorized it and a license was issued under the Administrative Code.

Fine (published)

$100 if plead guilty before a hearing; $200 if found guilty following a hearing. Appearance not required. 2011 rule book: $50 (also $50 in the 2017 edition).

35 RCNY §59A-29(e)(1)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (Sub-chapter 59A: For-Hire Vehicle Owners)

Roof-top advertising on an FHV

TLC will not approve any roof-top advertising on a for-hire vehicle. This summons says the car carried a roof-top ad.

Fine (published)

$100 if plead guilty before a hearing; $200 if found guilty following a hearing (penalty for §59A-29(e)). Appearance not required. 2011 rule book: $50 (also $50 in the 2017 edition).

35 RCNY §59A-29(e)(2)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (Sub-chapter 59A: For-Hire Vehicle Owners)

No NYC commercial vehicle tax stamp or proof of tax paid

Vehicles registered before April 30, 1999 must show a valid NYC commercial motor vehicle tax stamp on the front right of the windshield; newer vehicles must show proof the tax for the current period is paid.

Fine (published)

$100. Appearance not required.

35 RCNY §59A-29(f)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (Sub-chapter 59A: For-Hire Vehicle Owners)

Livery missing its base name and number signs

Livery cars must show their base's name, TLC license number and phone number on the outside of the car, on both doors or on the rear, in contrasting letters of a set size. Black cars and luxury limousines are exempt.

Fine (published)

$25. Appearance not required.

35 RCNY §59A-29(g)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (Sub-chapter 59A: For-Hire Vehicle Owners)

Livery base name, license number or phone number not shown

Paragraph (g)(1) requires the base's name, license number and telephone number on the outside of the livery: on both side doors, on the rear below the window, or both.

Fine (published)

$25 (penalty for §59A-29(g)). Appearance not required.

35 RCNY §59A-29(g)(1)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (Sub-chapter 59A: For-Hire Vehicle Owners)

Livery base info on doors missing or too small

If the base information is on the doors, it must be on both sides, below the windows, at least six inches above the bottom of the door, in letters and numbers at least 1.5 inches high.

Fine (published)

$25 (penalty for §59A-29(g)). Appearance not required.

35 RCNY §59A-29(g)(1)(i)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (Sub-chapter 59A: For-Hire Vehicle Owners)

Livery base info on the rear missing or too small

If the base information is on the rear, it must be in one place below the rear window, at least six inches above the bottom of the car, in letters and numbers at least one inch high.

Fine (published)

$25 (penalty for §59A-29(g)). Appearance not required.

35 RCNY §59A-29(g)(1)(ii)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (Sub-chapter 59A: For-Hire Vehicle Owners)

Livery base name and number not displayed on doors or rear

Subparagraph (g)(1)(iii) is the option of showing base information both on the doors and on the rear. It is the subparagraph officers most often cite when a livery shows no base name, license number or phone number at all.

Fine (published)

$25 (penalty for §59A-29(g)). Appearance not required.

35 RCNY §59A-29(g)(1)(iii)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (Sub-chapter 59A: For-Hire Vehicle Owners)

Livery base lettering not in a contrasting color

The base name and number letters on a livery must be a color that contrasts with the car's body so they are easy to see and read.

Fine (published)

$25 (penalty for §59A-29(g)). Appearance not required.

35 RCNY §59A-29(g)(2)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (Sub-chapter 59A: For-Hire Vehicle Owners)

Livery base lettering hard to read or different on each side

The base lettering must be spaced so it is easy to read and, if on both doors, must be identical on both sides of the livery.

Fine (published)

$25 (penalty for §59A-29(g)). Appearance not required.

35 RCNY §59A-29(g)(3)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (Sub-chapter 59A: For-Hire Vehicle Owners)

Livery base signs not semi-permanent stickers

All base name and number decals on a livery must be semi-permanent adhesive stickers, not paper, tape or magnets.

Fine (published)

$25 (penalty for §59A-29(g)). Appearance not required.

35 RCNY §59A-29(g)(4)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (Sub-chapter 59A: For-Hire Vehicle Owners)

Base sign exemption for black cars and limousines (cited as a charge)

Paragraph (g)(5) exempts luxury limousines and black cars from the base-sign rule. A charge citing it probably means the officer found a car without base signs and disputed that it qualified as a black car or limousine; the base-sign penalty is $25.

35 RCNY §59A-29(g)(5)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (Sub-chapter 59A: For-Hire Vehicle Owners)

Clean-air FHV without its clean-air signs

A for-hire vehicle licensed as a clean-air vehicle must show TLC's clean-air signs on both sides, on the outside of the rear (C or D) pillars, visible to passengers getting in.

Fine (published)

$75. Appearance not required.

35 RCNY §59A-29(i)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (Sub-chapter 59A: For-Hire Vehicle Owners)

Clean-air FHV signs not on both rear pillars

The clean-air signs must be on the outside of the C-pillars (sedan or SUV) or D-pillars (minivan) on both sides of the car. This summons says they were missing or misplaced.

Fine (published)

$75 (penalty for §59A-29(i)). Appearance not required.

35 RCNY §59A-29(i)(1)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (Sub-chapter 59A: For-Hire Vehicle Owners)

Clean-air FHV signs not visible to passengers

The clean-air vehicle signs must be visible to passengers as they get into the car.

Fine (published)

$75 (penalty for §59A-29(i)). Appearance not required.

35 RCNY §59A-29(i)(2)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (Sub-chapter 59A: For-Hire Vehicle Owners)

Missing 'Turning? People are Crossing' windshield sticker

Every FHV must show TLC's Vision Zero safety sticker reading 'Turning? People are Crossing.' (3.5 by 2.5 inches) inside the windshield, centered at the top directly behind the rearview mirror. This summons says it was missing or not in that spot.

Fine (published)

$75. Appearance not required.

35 RCNY §59A-29(j)(1)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (Sub-chapter 59A: For-Hire Vehicle Owners)

Missing 'Assaulting a driver' sticker on the Livery Bill of Rights

Livery cars must display the sticker 'ATTENTION: Assaulting A Driver Is Punishable By Up to Twenty-Five Years in Prison', built into the Livery Passengers' Bill of Rights. Black cars and luxury limousines are exempt.

Fine (published)

$50 if plead guilty before a hearing; $75 if found guilty following a hearing. Appearance not required.

35 RCNY §59A-29(l)(1)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (Sub-chapter 59A: For-Hire Vehicle Owners)

Items required in an FHV (section not specified)

Section 59A-30 lists what must be in an FHV: registration and insurance card, a holder for the driver's TLC license, the Livery Passengers' Bill of Rights in liveries, the NYS DOT exemption letter for modified cars, and trip records for out-of-city trips. The summons did not name a subsection.

35 RCNY §59A-30TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (Sub-chapter 59A: For-Hire Vehicle Owners)

Registration or insurance card not in the FHV

The vehicle's registration certificate and insurance card (or legible copies) must be kept on the right visor, on top of the right side of the dashboard, or in the glove box.

Fine (published)

$50 for each violation of §59A-30(a)(1)–(3); no fine for a violation of this rule can exceed $100. Appearance required.

35 RCNY §59A-30(a)(1)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (Sub-chapter 59A: For-Hire Vehicle Owners)

No registration in the FHV

The car's certificate of registration, or a legible copy, must be in the vehicle on the right visor, the right side of the dashboard or in the glove box. Commonly written at airports by Port Authority police.

Fine (published)

$50 for each violation of §59A-30(a)(1)–(3); no fine for a violation of this rule can exceed $100. Appearance required.

35 RCNY §59A-30(a)(1)(i)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (Sub-chapter 59A: For-Hire Vehicle Owners) Full explanation

No insurance card in the FHV

The vehicle's insurance card, or a legible copy, must be in the vehicle on the right visor, the right side of the dashboard or in the glove box. This summons says it was not there when checked.

Fine (published)

$50 for each violation of §59A-30(a)(1)–(3); no fine for a violation of this rule can exceed $100. Appearance required.

35 RCNY §59A-30(a)(1)(ii)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (Sub-chapter 59A: For-Hire Vehicle Owners)

No holder for the driver's TLC license behind the driver's seat

An FHV must have a protective holder attached to the back of the driver's seat to display the TLC Driver License to passengers. Black cars and limousines are exempt from the holder but must still show the license. (Before about 2016 the holder also had to show the vehicle's FHV license.)

Fine (published)

$50 for each violation of §59A-30(a)(1)–(3); no fine for a violation of this rule can exceed $100. Appearance required.

35 RCNY §59A-30(a)(2)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (Sub-chapter 59A: For-Hire Vehicle Owners)

Driver's license not displayed behind the driver's seat (former wording)

Under the 2011 wording, an FHV had to display, in a holder on the back of the driver's seat, (i) the driver's for-hire license. Today's rule (§59A-30(a)(2)) keeps the same idea: a holder showing the TLC Driver License.

Replaced by §59A-30(A)(2) — No holder for the driver's TLC license behind the driver's seat

Former 35 RCNY §59A-30(a)(2)(i)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (2011 edition, archived)

FHV vehicle license not displayed behind the driver's seat (former rule)

Under the 2011 wording, an FHV also had to display (ii) the For-Hire Vehicle License itself in the holder on the back of the driver's seat. That requirement was dropped; the current rule only requires the driver's TLC license to be displayed.

Former 35 RCNY §59A-30(a)(2)(ii)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (2011 edition, archived)

Black car or limo not displaying the driver's license

Black cars and luxury limousines do not need the seat-back holder, but the driver's TLC license must still be displayed so it is clearly visible from the passenger seat and available for inspection on request.

Fine (published)

$50 for each violation of §59A-30(a)(1)–(3); no fine for a violation of this rule can exceed $100. Appearance required.

35 RCNY §59A-30(a)(3)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (Sub-chapter 59A: For-Hire Vehicle Owners)

Black car or limo: driver's license not shown (no seat-back holder)

Subparagraph (a)(3)(i) frees black cars and luxury limousines from the seat-back license holder but keeps every other required-items rule. In the 2011 wording it also listed what they still had to show passengers: the driver's license and the vehicle license. A charge here usually means the driver's TLC license was not displayed where a passenger could see it.

Fine (published)

$50 for each violation of §59A-30(a)(1)–(3); no fine for a violation of this rule can exceed $100. Appearance required.

35 RCNY §59A-30(a)(3)(i)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (Sub-chapter 59A: For-Hire Vehicle Owners)

Black car or limo: driver's license not displayed (former wording)

Under the 2011 wording, black cars and limousines were excused from the seat-back holder for (A) the driver's for-hire license and (B) the vehicle license, but still had to display them where passengers could see them. Item (A) matches today's §59A-30(a)(3).

Replaced by §59A-30(A)(3) — Black car or limo not displaying the driver's license

Former 35 RCNY §59A-30(a)(3)(i)(A)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (2011 edition, archived)

Black car or limo: vehicle license not displayed (former rule)

Under the 2011 wording, item (B) covered the For-Hire Vehicle License, which black cars and limousines had to keep visible to passengers even without a seat-back holder. Displaying the vehicle license is no longer required.

Former 35 RCNY §59A-30(a)(3)(i)(B)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (2011 edition, archived)

Black car or limo: driver's TLC license not visible to passengers

In a black car or luxury limousine, the driver's TLC license must be displayed so it is clearly visible from the passenger seat and available for the passenger to inspect on request. This is a common airport summons.

Fine (published)

$50 for each violation of §59A-30(a)(1)–(3); no fine for a violation of this rule can exceed $100. Appearance required.

35 RCNY §59A-30(a)(3)(ii)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (Sub-chapter 59A: For-Hire Vehicle Owners)

Livery Passengers' Bill of Rights not posted

Every livery owner must post the Livery Passengers' Bill of Rights, in TLC's format, in a holder on the back of the front passenger seat.

Fine (published)

$100 if plead guilty before a hearing; $150 if found guilty following a hearing. Appearance not required. 2011 rule book: $100.

35 RCNY §59A-30(a)(4)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (Sub-chapter 59A: For-Hire Vehicle Owners)

Livery has no Passengers' Bill of Rights

Every livery vehicle owner must post a Livery Passengers' Bill of Rights in the form TLC prescribes. This summons says none was posted.

Fine (published)

$100 if plead guilty before a hearing; $150 if found guilty following a hearing. Appearance not required. 2011 rule book: $100.

35 RCNY §59A-30(a)(4)(i)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (Sub-chapter 59A: For-Hire Vehicle Owners)

Livery Bill of Rights not in TLC's current format

TLC publishes the required form and format of the Livery Passengers' Bill of Rights on its website. A charge citing this item usually means the posted version was outdated or not TLC's format.

Fine (published)

$100 if plead guilty before a hearing; $150 if found guilty following a hearing (penalty for §59A-30(a)(4)). Appearance not required. 2011 rule book: $100.

35 RCNY §59A-30(a)(4)(ii)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (Sub-chapter 59A: For-Hire Vehicle Owners)

Livery Bill of Rights not in a holder behind the front passenger seat

The Livery Passengers' Bill of Rights must be in a protective holder attached to the back of the front passenger's seat, where rear passengers can read it.

Fine (published)

$100 if plead guilty before a hearing; $150 if found guilty following a hearing (penalty for §59A-30(a)(4)). Appearance not required. 2011 rule book: $100.

35 RCNY §59A-30(a)(4)(iii)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (Sub-chapter 59A: For-Hire Vehicle Owners)

Required item missing from an FHV (garbled citation)

This code skips a paragraph number. It most likely means §59A-30(a)(3)(i)(A) (a black car or limo not displaying the driver's license, 2011 wording) or possibly §59A-30(a)(1)(i) (registration not in the car). Both are 'required items' charges under §59A-30(a), fined $50 per item, up to $100.

35 RCNY §59A-30(a) (exact paragraph unclear)TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (Sub-chapter 59A: For-Hire Vehicle Owners)