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An e-hail is a hail for a yellow taxi or street hail livery (green cab) made through a TLC-licensed smartphone app instead of by raising your arm. TLC defines it as "a Hail requested through an E-Hail Application, which can be offered as either a metered fare trip or a Flex Fare trip" (TLC Chapter 51). E-hail apps are licensed under TLC Chapter 78 and must be able to offer a wheelchair accessible vehicle option.
An e-hail is still a hail — it is not the same as a for-hire vehicle dispatch. That matters because hail rules, like the ban on refusals, apply.
Metered or Flex Fare
Sources: Chapter 51 and Chapter 80.
Rules drivers get summonses for
- Refusing after accepting. "A Driver must not refuse to transport a Passenger after accepting a Hail from that Passenger by means of an E-Hail Application" (§80-20(a)(5)). This carries the mandatory penalties in §80-02(e): $350 (plead guilty before a hearing) or $500 for a first violation, rising to revocation for a third within 36 months. Accessible vehicles have a matching rule for metered e-hails and dispatches, §80-20(a)(6). See the service refusal rules and §80-20(a)(1).
- Payment outside the system. You must not accept card payment through an e-hail app that does not integrate with the Technology System — $200 (§80-17(j)(5)). More in taxi payment rules.
- Too many devices. A taxi driver may use no more than one electronic device with an e-hail app, besides the Technology System and any Accessible Dispatch device (§80-22(f)). In a street hail livery, that device must be mounted, not hand-held, and used only by voice or one-touch buttons while moving (§80-22(g)).
Using e-hail apps is optional for taxi drivers (§80-19(a)(1)). But once you accept a trip, treat it like a passenger at the curb. If something goes wrong after you accept — the passenger is not there, or you have a safety concern — write down the details and keep the app record; they may matter at a hearing. Our yellow taxi driver hub lists the other summonses taxi drivers meet most.
Frequently asked questions
What is an e-hail?
TLC Chapter 51 defines an E-Hail as a hail requested through an E-Hail Application, which can be a metered fare trip or a Flex Fare trip. E-hails are for yellow taxis and street hail liveries (green cabs).
What is a Flex Fare trip?
An e-hail for a yellow taxi or street hail livery with an upfront, non-metered, binding fare, inclusive of taxes, fees and any price multiplier, set before the trip is dispatched (Chapter 51).
Can I cancel after accepting an e-hail?
Rule §80-20(a)(5) says a driver must not refuse to transport a passenger after accepting a hail through an e-hail app. It carries the mandatory refusal penalties in §80-02(e).
Do I have to use e-hail apps as a taxi driver?
No. §80-19(a)(1) says use of any licensed E-Hail Application by a taxi driver is optional.
Sources
Last reviewed against the official sources on .
- TLC Rule Book, Chapter 51 (Definitions) nyc.gov
- TLC Rule Book, Chapter 80 (§80-17, §80-19, §80-20, §80-22) nyc.gov
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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.