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An accessible medallion is a yellow taxi medallion that can only be used with a wheelchair accessible taxi. TLC's rule book defines it as "a Restricted Medallion valid for use only with an Accessible Taxicab" (35 RCNY 51-03). "Restricted" means the medallion is tied to a type of vehicle. The other restricted class is the alternative-fuel medallion.
The rule: three medallion classes
Rule 67-05 says which taxi models each class may use:
Today the first two rows look the same, because rule 67-06(a) says "Only Accessible Taxicab Models may be Hacked-Up". TLC's hack-up page puts it plainly: since October 18, 2024, "you are required to hack an accessible vehicle, even if you do not own an accessible medallion." The difference is that the accessible class is restricted by definition. The 100% hack-up rule followed a federal court order, which TLC says requires half of all authorized medallions to be accessible by the end of 2028.
Where the class came from
TLC sold medallions at auctions between 1996 and 2014. "Some of the auctions were for alternative fuel medallions and others were solely for accessible medallions," TLC told City Council in 2017 (testimony, Feb 27, 2017).
Example
An owner has an accessible medallion and a Toyota Sienna accessible conversion on it. When the van needs replacing, the next car must again be an approved accessible model. An accessible vehicle that keeps passing inspection has no set retirement date (67-18), so the van can stay in service as long as it passes.
Where drivers see it
- The car you drive. An accessible medallion means an accessible taxi with a ramp or lift, and WAV duties toward passengers. See WAV.
- Money. Owners of newly hacked-up accessible taxis can get Taxi Improvement Fund grants, and medallion-only or DOV drivers get a $77/week lease credit while the owner receives them. Financing help: ATLAS loan program.
- Fleet numbers. At the end of 2025 TLC counted over 6,000 accessible taxis, 56% of those on the road (2025 Annual Report). More on TLC licensed vehicles.
Related: can my taxi be a non-accessible car? · medallion · medallions hub.
Frequently asked questions
What is an accessible medallion?
TLC's rules define it as 'a Restricted Medallion valid for use only with an Accessible Taxicab' (35 RCNY 51-03). It can be used with any approved accessible taxi model (67-05(c)).
Where did accessible medallions come from?
TLC said in 2017 that medallion auctions between 1996 and 2014 issued hundreds of new medallions, some of them only for accessible vehicles.
If every new taxi must be accessible now, does the class still matter?
Yes. Since October 18, 2024 every hack-up must be an accessible vehicle on any medallion, but that is a current requirement for hack-ups. An accessible medallion is restricted by its class: it is valid only with an accessible taxi.
Are there grants for putting an accessible taxi on the road?
Yes. The Taxi Improvement Fund pays owners $20,000 when a new accessible taxi is hacked up, then operational payments, up to $30,000 in total or 16 quarters. The ATLAS pilot also helps owners finance an accessible Toyota Sienna.
Sources
Last reviewed against the official sources on .
- TLC Rule Book, Chapter 51 (Definitions: Accessible Medallion, Restricted Medallion) nyc.gov
- TLC Rules Chapter 67 (Taxicab Hack-up and Retirement) nyc.gov
- TLC: Yellow Cab Hack-Up (approved vehicle list) nyc.gov
- TLC testimony on medallion history (Feb 27, 2017) nyc.gov
- TLC 2025 Annual Report (Jan 2026) nyc.gov
- TLC: Medallion Owners and Agents nyc.gov
Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we'll check it against the official source.
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.