An alternative-fuel medallion (TLC also writes "Alt-Fuel Restricted medallion") is a yellow taxi medallion that can only carry a hybrid electric or natural-gas car, and today that car must also be wheelchair accessible. TLC's rule book defines it as "a Restricted Medallion valid for use only with a vehicle powered by compressed natural gas or a hybrid electric vehicle," which "must be used with an Accessible Taxicab Model" (35 RCNY 51-03).
The rule
Rule 67-05(b) allows any taxi model on an alt-fuel medallion that:
- meets the accessible taxi specifications in 67-05.2, and
- is a hybrid electric vehicle or runs on compressed natural gas (CNG), made by the original manufacturer for the general commercial or consumer market.
A car that was valid on the medallion when it was hacked up can stay until its scheduled retirement (67-05(d)).
The hack-up catch
TLC's Yellow Cab Hack-Up page adds a line owners should read twice: "An Alt-Fuel Restricted medallion is required to hack up an accessible hybrid vehicle." Since October 18, 2024, every hack-up must be accessible on any medallion. So, by TLC's page, an alt-fuel medallion owner must put an accessible hybrid or CNG car on it, and an owner who wants an accessible hybrid needs this class.
Where the class came from
TLC sold new medallions at auctions between 1996 and 2014; "some of the auctions were for alternative fuel medallions and others were solely for accessible medallions" (TLC testimony, Feb 27, 2017).
Where drivers see it
Mostly through the car and the lease. The higher hybrid lease caps in rule 58-21 are tied to the vehicle, not the medallion class: hybrid electric and diesel taxis that meet Admin Code 19-533 may charge $3 more per shift ($21 per week), and a hybrid medallion-only lease is capped at $994 a week instead of $952. Full tables: taxi lease caps.
Example: you lease a medallion-only cab on an alt-fuel medallion with an accessible hybrid van. Your weekly cap is $994, and if the owner is receiving Taxi Improvement Fund accessible operational payments for it, your lease must include a $77/week credit (DOV Bill of Rights poster).
Related: accessible medallion · medallion types explained · hack-up step by step · buying a medallion · price history · medallions hub.
Frequently asked questions
What is an alternative-fuel medallion?
TLC defines it as a Restricted Medallion valid only with a vehicle powered by compressed natural gas or a hybrid electric vehicle, which must also be an approved accessible taxi model (35 RCNY 51-03, 67-05(b)).
Can I put a regular gas accessible van on an alt-fuel medallion?
No. Rule 67-05(b) allows only accessible models that are hybrid electric or run on compressed natural gas, built by the original manufacturer for the general market.
Do I need an alt-fuel medallion to hack up an accessible hybrid?
TLC's Yellow Cab Hack-Up page says 'An Alt-Fuel Restricted medallion is required to hack up an accessible hybrid vehicle.' If you own another class and want a hybrid, confirm with TLC before you buy the car.
Is the lease cap higher on an alt-fuel medallion?
The higher caps in rule 58-21 depend on the car, not the medallion class: they apply to hybrid electric and diesel taxis hacked up under 67-05 that meet Admin Code 19-533. For example, a hybrid medallion-only lease is capped at $994 a week instead of $952.
Sources
Last reviewed against the official sources on .
- TLC Rule Book, Chapter 51 (Definitions: Alternative Fuel 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 Rule Book, Chapter 58 (58-21 lease caps) nyc.gov
- TLC testimony on medallion history (Feb 27, 2017) nyc.gov
- TLC: DOV Taxicab Driver Bill of Rights (poster) 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.