A medallion agent is a business licensed by TLC to run taxis for the people who own the medallions. TLC's rule book defines an Agent as "an individual or Business Entity that has been licensed by the Commission to operate or facilitate the operation of one or more Taxicabs on behalf of the Taxicab owner" (35 RCNY 51-03). Many lease drivers never meet the medallion owner at all; they deal with the agent. The owner keeps the medallion and stays legally responsible for it. The agent handles the daily work: putting the cab on the road, leasing it to drivers, collecting payments, and dealing with TLC paperwork such as renewals. TLC lets agents book one appointment for three to six medallion transactions at a time.
How many there are
TLC's 2025 Annual Report counts 36 medallion agents at the end of 2025. The Office of Financial Stability tracks how many medallions they manage:
Some businesses hold two licenses: OFS counted 9 brokers that also held an agent license in 2024. A medallion broker helps buy and sell medallions; an agent runs them day to day.
How an owner gets or drops an agent
The steps come from TLC's Medallion Agents page and Chapter 63. To get licensed, an agent needs a $50,000 surety bond and pays a $500 fee for a one-year license; all agent licenses expire on December 31.
Where drivers see it
- Your lease. If you lease a cab or a medallion from an agent, the lease caps and receipt rules apply to the agent just as to an owner. Agents must post the Driver Bill of Rights where drivers pay.
- TLC's vehicle list. The open data list of authorized medallion cabs names the agent for each managed cab.
- Summonses. Owners stay responsible even when an agent runs the cab: an owner who keeps using an agent after TLC's notice can be fined $500–$1,000 and/or suspended up to 30 days (58-18(d)(4)). Owners must also follow TLC directives (58-15(i)(1)).
Related terms: medallion · taxi fleet · medallion broker. Background: medallion types, history of the medallion, medallions hub.
Frequently asked questions
What is a medallion agent?
TLC defines an Agent as 'an individual or Business Entity that has been licensed by the Commission to operate or facilitate the operation of one or more Taxicabs on behalf of the Taxicab owner' (35 RCNY 51-03).
How many medallion agents are there?
TLC's 2025 Annual Report lists 36 medallion agents as of December 31, 2025. In 2024, 35 agents managed 5,659 medallions, according to the Office of Financial Stability.
Can my agent charge the owner anything it wants?
No. Under rule 63-16, the agent may only charge fees written into its lease with the owner, must give 60 days' notice by certified mail before changing the lease payment, and may not get any right to buy the medallion.
What is a Stop-Use Directive?
A notice TLC sends to an owner telling them to stop using an agent whose license is revoked or suspended. An owner who keeps using that agent can be fined $500 to $1,000 and/or suspended up to 30 days (58-18(d)(4)).
Sources
Last reviewed against the official sources on .
- TLC Rule Book, Chapter 51 (Definitions: Agent, Stop-Use Directive) nyc.gov
- TLC Rule Book, Chapter 63 (Taxicab Agent Rules) nyc.gov
- TLC Rule Book, Chapter 58 (58-18(d)) nyc.gov
- TLC: Medallion Agents nyc.gov
- TLC 2025 Annual Report (Jan 2026) nyc.gov
- TLC Office of Financial Stability Annual Report 2024 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.