Old Chapter 1 of the TLC rules covered owners of yellow medallion taxicabs: keeping the cab licensed, insured, inspected and in good condition, the taximeter and roof light, lease caps, and owner conduct. It was repealed on April 1, 2011, when the new TLC rule book took effect. Its rules moved mostly to Chapter 58 (Medallion Taxicab Service); the TLC's 2011 'Guide to New TLC Rules' maps old 1-xx sections to new 58-xx sections.
Old rule numbers
266 codes
570,699 charges in the data
1992–2011 (summonses written until April 2011; some hearings later)
Tickets charged to driver without a chance to fight them
An owner could pass parking tickets and red-light camera tickets to a driver (through the security deposit) only if the driver was allowed to challenge them. This points to that item in the list of allowed extras. The charge says tickets were charged to the driver outside those limits. Today see §58-21(c).
$500 for a first violation; $1,000 and/or medallion suspension up to 30 days for later ones; the judge may order restitution to the driver (penalty listed for §1-78(a)(4)) (old §1-86 penalty schedule, 2010 version)
§1-78(A)(5)Old rule — replaced by 58-21(C)9 charges · 2012
Medallion-only lease above the cap or forced repair shop
For a medallion-only lease (the driver supplies the car), the 2010 text capped the weekly charge at $800 (more for some hybrids). The owner also did not have to maintain the driver's car, and could not force the driver to use a particular repair shop. This charge says one of those limits was broken. Today see §58-21(c).
$500 for a first violation; $1,000 and/or medallion suspension up to 30 days for later ones; the judge may order restitution to the driver (penalty listed for §1-78(a)) (old §1-86 penalty schedule, 2010 version)
§1-78(D)(1)Old rule — replaced by 58-21(f)1 charge
Driver's credit-card fares not paid out in cash on time
This points to the first part of the 2010 credit-card rule: an owner or agent had to pay the driver in cash the credit-card fares from each shift (daily for shift and weekly leases, at least weekly otherwise), taking out only the allowed credit-card fee. This charge says that did not happen. Today see §58-21(f).
The TLC set a maximum (the Standard Lease Cap) that an owner or agent could charge a driver to lease a medallion and cab, per shift or per week, plus a short list of allowed extras. This charge says a driver was charged more than allowed. The judge could also order the owner to repay the driver the extra. Today see §58-21(c).
$500 for a first violation; $1,000 and/or medallion suspension up to 30 days for later ones; the judge may order restitution to the driver (old §1-86 penalty schedule; same in the 2004 and 2010 versions)
This points to the per-shift lease cap for a medallion and vehicle. The cap amount changed over the years: the 2004 text allowed $103 a shift ($112 for Thursday–Saturday nights), and the 2010 text $105 to $129 depending on the shift. This charge says a driver paid more than the cap for one shift. Today see §58-21(c).
$500 for a first violation; $1,000 and/or medallion suspension up to 30 days for later ones; the judge may order restitution to the driver (penalty listed for §1-78(a)) (old §1-86 penalty schedule; same in the 2004 and 2010 versions)
This points to the lease cap for day shifts. In the 2010 text an owner could charge no more than $105 for a 12-hour day shift of medallion and vehicle (subject to vehicle-type adjustments). This charge says a driver was charged more. Today see §58-21(c).
$500 for a first violation; $1,000 and/or medallion suspension up to 30 days for later ones; the judge may order restitution to the driver (old §1-86 penalty schedule, 2010 version)
Thursday–Saturday night-shift lease charge above the cap
This points to the cap for night shifts on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. In the 2010 text that cap was $129 for a 12-hour shift of medallion and vehicle (subject to vehicle-type adjustments). This charge says a driver was charged more. Today see §58-21(c).
$500 for a first violation; $1,000 and/or medallion suspension up to 30 days for later ones; the judge may order restitution to the driver (old §1-86 penalty schedule, 2010 version)
This points to the cap for leasing a medallion and vehicle by the week. In the 2010 text it was $666 a week for one shift (the 2004 text said $617). This charge says a driver on a weekly lease was charged more than the cap. Today see §58-21(c).
$500 for a first violation; $1,000 and/or medallion suspension up to 30 days for later ones; the judge may order restitution to the driver (old §1-86 penalty schedule; same in the 2004 and 2010 versions)
Owner charged a driver extra fees beyond the lease
Besides the capped lease, an owner or agent could take only a few listed extras: a limited credit-card fee, a security deposit, E-ZPass tolls, a late fee up to $25 a shift, a fair cancellation fee, certain tickets, and MTA tax. Any other fee, surcharge or "tip" for the lease was banned. This charge says the driver was charged something extra. Today see §58-21(c).
$500 for a first violation; $1,000 and/or medallion suspension up to 30 days for later ones; the judge may order restitution to the driver (old §1-86 penalty schedule, 2010 version)
§1-78A4VIIIOld rule — replaced by 58-21(B)6 charges
Driver charged for service and maintenance of a leased cab
When a driver leased a medallion together with a vehicle, service and maintenance were included in the lease. The owner or agent could not charge the driver for maintaining the cab. This charge says the driver was billed for upkeep. Today see §58-21(b).
$500 for a first violation; $1,000 and/or medallion suspension up to 30 days for later ones; the judge may order restitution to the driver (penalty listed for §1-78(a)(4)) (old §1-86 penalty schedule, 2010 version)
In the 2004 text, §1-78(b) set a "Baseline Lease Cap": an owner could charge no more than 14% above the lease the same medallion had in 1995, and could not add new fees or terms. Newer cabs could use the standard cap instead. This charge, from 1999, says a driver was charged above the baseline. This subdivision was repealed by 2010. Today see §58-21(c).
Driver's credit-card fares not paid out in cash on time
In the 2010 text, an owner or agent had to pay a shift or weekly driver, in cash each day, the fares that riders paid by credit card that day, minus only the allowed credit-card fee (weekly for other leases). This charge says the driver's card fares were held back or paid late. Today see §58-21(f).
Section 1-79 limited security deposits owners took from lease drivers: what could be deducted, how large the deposit could be, receipts and return within 30 days, and keeping it in an interest-bearing account. This code cites the section without naming the part broken. It was written to the owner. Today see §58-21(e).
No deposit receipt, itemization, or return within 30 days — another spelling of §1-79D (No deposit receipt, itemization, or return within 30 days).
§1-79.1(B)(2)Old rule — replaced by 58-21(I)1 charge
Lease did not itemize what the driver was paying for
Every taxi lease had to state the total lease amount and break it down, showing separately how much was for the medallion and how much (if any) was for the vehicle. This charge says the lease lacked that itemization. It was written to the owner. Today see §58-21(i).
$500 for a first violation; $1,000 and/or medallion suspension up to 30 days for later ones; the judge may order restitution to the driver (penalty listed for §1-79.1(b)) (old §1-86 penalty schedule, 2010 version)
§1-79.1(B)(4)Old rule — replaced by 58-21(I)19 charges · 2012
Lease did not cite the TLC rule for each charge
For every cost listed in a lease (lease amount, deposit, credit-card fee, other charges), the lease had to name the TLC rule that allowed it, and either quote the rule or give the TLC web page where it is posted. This charge says the lease left those references out. Today see §58-21(i).
$500 for a first violation; $1,000 and/or medallion suspension up to 30 days for later ones; the judge may order restitution to the driver (penalty listed for §1-79.1(b)) (old §1-86 penalty schedule, 2010 version)
§1-79.1(B)(5)Old rule — replaced by 58-21(I)2 charges
Lease missing the notice that overcharges are banned
Every lease had to include a clear notice that overcharges are banned by TLC rules, and that drivers can complain in writing to the TLC or by calling 311. This charge says the lease did not have that notice. Today see §58-21(i).
$500 for a first violation; $1,000 and/or medallion suspension up to 30 days for later ones; the judge may order restitution to the driver (penalty listed for §1-79.1(b)) (old §1-86 penalty schedule, 2010 version)
§1-79.1(B)(6)Old rule — replaced by 58-21(I)2 charges
Unfair lease cancellation charge
A lease could include a cancellation charge only if it was reasonable and the lease also protected the driver: no charge if the owner or agent took back the medallion while the driver was paid up, a right to a replacement medallion, and no further lease payments after a cancellation payment. This charge says those terms were missing. Today see §58-21(i).
$500 for a first violation; $1,000 and/or medallion suspension up to 30 days for later ones; the judge may order restitution to the driver (penalty listed for §1-79.1(b)) (old §1-86 penalty schedule, 2010 version)
No written receipt given to the driver for a payment
A driver had to get a written receipt for every payment made to, or deduction taken by, the owner or anyone acting for the owner. The receipt had to show the driver's name, medallion number, date, who took the money, the amount, the purpose, and the rule allowing it. This charge says no proper receipt was given. Today see §58-21(g).
Improper deduction from a driver's security deposit
At the end of a lease, an owner could keep part of the driver's security deposit only for unpaid lease money, damage (if the lease clearly said so), parking tickets and red-light camera tickets during the lease (and later MTA tax). This code points to that list; a charge means something else was taken. Today see §58-21(e).
§1-79BOld rule — replaced by 58-21(e)(3)46 charges
Owner withheld deposit money or made driver pay owner's tickets
An owner could not keep or deduct anything from a driver's security deposit beyond the allowed items, and could not make the driver pay summonses written to the owner (other than the allowed parking and red-light tickets). This charge says that happened. The judge could order the owner to repay the driver. Today see §58-21(e).
Replaced by §58-21(e)(3)
Fine (published)
$250 (1st), $350 (2nd), $500 and/or medallion suspension up to 30 days (3rd or later); the judge may order restitution to the driver (old §1-86 penalty schedule; same in the 2004 and 2010 versions)
An owner could not require a security deposit larger than the price of one lease term, and for leases longer than a week, no more than one week's lease. For example, a $500-a-week lease allowed at most a $500 deposit. This charge says the deposit was too big. Today see §58-21(e).
§1-79DOld rule — replaced by 58-21(E)(5)19 charges
No deposit receipt, itemization, or return within 30 days
An owner had to give written receipts for security deposits, list in writing anything kept from the deposit, and return the deposit by check or cash (for a signed receipt) within 30 days after the lease ended. This charge says one of those steps was missed. Today see §58-21(e).
Security deposit not kept in an interest-bearing account
An owner who took security deposits had to keep them in a separate interest-bearing bank or credit union account in New York City, tell the driver where it was, and pass the interest to the driver (minus 1% for bookkeeping). This charge says that was not done. Today see §58-21(e).
Replaced by §58-21(e)(7)
Fine (published)
$50 (old §1-86 penalty schedule; same in the 2004 and 2010 versions)
An owner or agent could make a driver keep an E-ZPass replenishment account, but no more than $10 per 12-hour shift and $100 in total, could use it only for that driver's unpaid tolls, and had to return what was left within 30 days after the lease ended, on request. This charge says those limits were broken. Today see §58-27.
§1-85(B)Old rule — replaced by 58-26(g)(1)1 charge
Credit card fee charged to driver above 5%
An owner could charge a TLC-licensed driver a fee for passenger credit and debit card payments of no more than 5% of the card charges during the driver's shift. (Separately, no card fee could be charged to passengers.) This charge says the driver was charged more than 5%. The judge could order a refund. Today §58-26(g)(1) goes further: an owner who is the card merchant may not take any card fee from the driver.
Replaced by §58-26(g)(1)
Fine (published)
$200 (1st), $300 (2nd), $500 (3rd); the judge may order restitution to the passenger or driver (old §1-86 penalty schedule, 2010 version)
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