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Pre-Arranged Exclusionary Zone (TLC) Explained

Pre-Arranged Exclusionary Zone: Manhattan below E 96th and W 110th St, where green cabs can't start base trips. Unlike the hail line, airports are not in it.

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Definition

Pre-Arranged Exclusionary Zone

Manhattan south of East 96th and West 110th Streets: the area where a green cab may not begin a pre-arranged (base or app) trip. Unlike the Hail Exclusionary Zone, it does not include the airports.

On this page (6)
  1. The key difference: airports
  2. Rule citations
  3. Examples
  4. Related terms
  5. FAQ
  6. Sources

Pre-Arranged Exclusionary Zone: the part of Manhattan where a green cab (street hail livery) may not start a base or app trip. TLC's Chapter 51 defines it as "the area in which Street Hail Liveries are NOT permitted to begin a Pre-Arranged Trip," and lists one area: "Manhattan south of East 96th St. and West 110th St." It applies only to green cabs. Yellow taxis and FHVs have other rules.

A pre-arranged trip, for a green cab, is one the passenger books through a base "by telephone, smartphone application, website, or other method" (Chapter 51). Regular paratransit and MTA service for people with disabilities do not count as pre-arranged trips under this rule (Chapter 51; Chapter 82 §82-13(a)(1) and (3)).

The key difference: airports

  1. Hail Exclusionary Zone

    Manhattan south of East 96th and West 110th Streets plus the New York City airports. A green cab may not take a street hail anywhere in it.

  2. Pre-Arranged Exclusionary Zone

    Manhattan south of East 96th and West 110th Streets only. A green cab may not begin a base trip there.

  3. So at JFK and LaGuardia

    A green cab may not take a hail, but TLC's rules allow it to start a pre-arranged trip: §82-13(a)(3) says a driver 'can accept a Pre-Arranged Trip beginning at one of the New York City Airports.' Port Authority airport rules also apply.

Rule citations

  • Drivers, §80-19(b)(1)(ii) (Chapter 80): "A Driver of a Street Hail Livery must not accept a Pre-Arranged Trip beginning in the Pre-Arranged Exclusionary Zone." First violation $500 and suspension; second within 24 months $750 and suspension; third within 120 months revocation. Appearance required. Summonses use code 80-19(b)(1).
  • Permit holders, §82-13(a)(3) (Chapter 82): the owner must make sure the driver doesn't do it. $500, appearance required.
  • Through trips, §82-13(a)(6): the rule does not stop a green cab from driving through the zone to finish a pre-arranged trip that began outside it.

Examples

  • Your base sends you to pick up a rider at West 70th Street. Not allowed: the trip would begin in the zone.
  • A rider books you from West 115th Street to Midtown. Allowed: the trip begins outside the zone, and you may finish it inside.
  • A rider books you through your base from a LaGuardia terminal. Allowed by TLC's zone rules, but check the airport's own pickup rules in Port Authority airport rules for drivers.

Hail Exclusionary Zone, Hail Zone, SHL, dispatch and the overview in NYC taxi zones explained. Airport questions: can Uber drivers pick up at Newark Airport.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Pre-Arranged Exclusionary Zone?

TLC's Chapter 51 defines it as the area where street hail liveries (green cabs) are not permitted to begin a pre-arranged trip: Manhattan south of East 96th Street and West 110th Street.

How is it different from the Hail Exclusionary Zone?

The Hail Exclusionary Zone covers the same part of Manhattan plus the New York City airports. The Pre-Arranged Exclusionary Zone does not include the airports. Chapter 82 says a green cab can accept a pre-arranged trip beginning at one of the New York City airports.

Can a green cab drop off a base passenger in Midtown?

Yes. The rule is about where a pre-arranged trip begins. Rule §82-13(a)(6) says a green cab may travel through the exclusionary zone to complete a pre-arranged trip that began outside it.

What is the penalty for starting a base trip in the zone?

For the driver, §80-19(b)(1): $500 and suspension for a first violation, $750 and suspension for a second within 24 months, and revocation for a third within 120 months. Appearance is required. The permit holder can also be fined $500 under §82-13(a)(3).

Sources

Last reviewed against the official sources on .

  1. TLC Rule Book, Chapter 51 (Definitions), updated Oct 17, 2025: Pre-Arranged Exclusionary Zone, Pre-Arranged Trip, Hail Exclusionary Zone nyc.gov
  2. TLC Rule Book, Chapter 80 (Drivers), updated June 6, 2025: §80-19(b)(1) nyc.gov
  3. TLC Rule Book, Chapter 82 (Street Hail Livery Service), updated Feb 27, 2026: §82-13 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.

Related

Hail Exclusionary ZoneThe area where green cabs may not accept street hails: Manhattan south of East 96th St. and West 110th St., plus the NYC airports.Pre-Arranged TripA trip the passenger books in advance through a licensed base, by phone, app, website or another method, instead of hailing on the street. It is the only way black cars, liveries, limousines and app cars may carry passengers.SHL (Street Hail Livery)A green cab: a TLC-licensed for-hire vehicle with a permit to accept street hails outside the Manhattan core and the airports.GuideNYC Taxi Zones Explained: IDs, Maps and Service ZonesNYC has 263 TLC taxi zones, numbered 1–263. What the IDs mean, Yellow Zone vs Boro Zone labels, airport zones, the 38 congestion-zone IDs and finding yours.Read GuidePort Authority Airport Rules for Drivers: The Fine PrintThe Port Authority's own airport rules on soliciting, pre-arranged pickups, the announcement card, loading and stopping, and how they stack with TLC rules.Read §80-19(b)(1)Green Cab Hail in Exclusionary ZoneFirst violation: $500 and suspension.