On this page (6)
A re-hack is when a car that is already a yellow taxi moves to a different medallion. TLC's rules define hack-up as outfitting a vehicle as a taxi and getting TLC approval for it "to serve as a Taxicab for the first time" (35 RCNY 51-03). A re-hack is the second time: the same car, a new medallion. Rule 67-06(d) calls it a "Limited Right to 'Re-Hack' for Transfer" and the word limited matters.
The rule
A vehicle hacked up as an accessible taxi may move to another medallion only with TLC's approval, only if it passes inspection, and only in one of three cases:
- Repossession. A bank or other lender repossessed the car within 24 months of hack-up and is selling it.
- Same owner or agent. The owner, or the owner's agent, moves the car to another medallion that the same owner or agent operates.
- Sold with an independent medallion. The car was driven by the seller on an independent medallion and is sold together with that medallion. It can stay until its scheduled retirement date if it keeps passing inspections.
Fees (67-06(e)): TLC may charge $50 to inspect the car for a re-hack and $25 to replace the DMV plates if needed.
Can this car be re-hacked?
Example
An agent runs two medallions. One cab's medallion is going into storage, and the agent wants to keep the van working. Moving the van onto the second medallion is a re-hack under case 2: the agent gets TLC approval, books the inspection, pays the inspection fee TLC may charge ($50), and the van carries on until it fails an inspection or reaches its retirement date.
Related terms
Hack-up · scheduled retirement date · hack license (your driver license, a different thing). Full process: hack up a yellow taxi step by step. Can a non-accessible car still be a taxi? See this question. Driving for hire with no license at all is a separate offense: §19-506(d). More on the medallions hub.
Frequently asked questions
What is a re-hack?
Moving a vehicle that has already been hacked up as an accessible taxi from one medallion to another, with TLC approval. Rule 67-06(d) calls it a 'Limited Right to Re-Hack for Transfer'.
When is a re-hack allowed?
Only if the car passes inspection and one of three things is true: a lender repossessed it within 24 months of hack-up and is selling it; the same owner or agent is moving it to another medallion they operate; or it is being sold together with the independent medallion it was driven on.
How much does a re-hack cost?
TLC may charge a $50 inspection fee to inspect the car for transfer, plus $25 if new DMV license plates are needed (67-06(e)).
Does a re-hack reset the retirement date?
The rule doesn't say it does. A re-hacked car stays in service only while it passes inspection and has not reached its scheduled retirement date. Accessible vehicles have no set retirement date as long as they keep passing inspections.
Sources
Last reviewed against the official sources on .
- TLC Rules Chapter 67 (Taxicab Hack-up and Retirement) nyc.gov
- TLC Rule Book, Chapter 51 (Definitions: Hack-up) nyc.gov
- TLC: Medallion Owners and Agents 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.