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The night surcharge is a $1.00 charge the meter adds to a yellow taxi or green cab trip that begins after 8:00 p.m. and before 6:00 a.m. TLC's rules call it the "nighttime surcharge," and TLC's fare page calls it the "$1.00 overnight surcharge 8pm to 6am." It is part of the fare the passenger pays (rates as of 2026-10-12).
Official definition
"Night Surcharge" is not one of the defined terms in TLC Chapter 51. The rule text is in the fare rules:
"In addition to the metered rate of fare, Taxicabs will add the following surcharges … (ii) A nighttime surcharge of $1.00 for all trips beginning after 8:00 p.m. and before 6:00 a.m." — Rule 58-26(a)(2)(ii), yellow taxis
Rule 82-26(a)(2)(ii) has the same words for green-cab hail trips.
Night vs rush hour
The two never overlap. Rush hour ends at 8:00 p.m., and the night surcharge starts for trips beginning after 8:00 p.m. The clock that counts is the time the trip begins, not the time it ends.
Where drivers meet the term
- On the meter and receipt — shown as an overnight or night surcharge line.
- In trip data. TLC's yellow data dictionary has no separate night column. The closest field is
extra, described as "miscellaneous extras and surcharges." - In your pay. It is part of the fare. The fleet Driver Bill of Rights lists what owners must keep: MTA taxes, Taxi Improvement Fund surcharges and tolls on the owner's E-ZPass. The night surcharge is not on that list.
- In overcharge cases. Adding it to a trip that began in daytime is charging above TLC-approved rates (Rule 80-17(a)(1)).
Related terms
- Rate of fare — the meter's base price that surcharges are added to.
- Taximeter — the device that adds the surcharge automatically.
- Improvement surcharge, gas surcharge (a lease charge, not a fare) and the credit card surcharge.
- Why airport website quotes differ from the meter: the LaGuardia website fare.
Every surcharge in one table: NYC taxi fare, every surcharge. More pay topics are on the money hub.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the taxi night surcharge?
$1.00 per trip, for trips beginning after 8:00 p.m. and before 6:00 a.m. (TLC Rules 58-26(a)(2)(ii) and 82-26(a)(2)(ii); TLC fare page, as of 2026-10-12).
Does it depend on when the trip ends?
No. The rule looks at when the trip begins. A trip that starts at 7:55 p.m. and ends at 8:30 p.m. began before 8:00 p.m., so the nighttime surcharge does not apply.
Does the night surcharge apply on holidays and weekends?
The rule has no holiday or weekend exception for the nighttime surcharge. The rush-hour surcharge is different: weekdays only and not on legal holidays.
Does the driver keep the night surcharge?
It is part of the fare. The Driver Bill of Rights lists what owners must keep — MTA taxes, Taxi Improvement Fund surcharges and tolls on the owner's E-ZPass — and the night surcharge is not on that list.
Sources
Last reviewed against the official sources on .
- TLC Rule Book, Chapter 58 (§58-26(a)(2)), updated Feb 27, 2026 nyc.gov
- TLC Rule Book, Chapter 82 (§82-26(a)(2)), updated Feb 27, 2026 nyc.gov
- TLC Rules Chapter 51: Definitions nyc.gov
- TLC: Taxi Fare nyc.gov
- TLC data dictionary: Yellow taxi trip records (Mar 18, 2025) nyc.gov
- TLC: Daily & Weekly 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.