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Relief stand: a stretch of curb, marked by a NYC DOT sign, where a TLC driver may park and leave the vehicle for up to one hour. NYC DOT says relief stands "allow drivers to park and leave their vehicles for up to one hour" and that DOT installs and maintains them (NYC DOT). The word "relief" here means a driver's break, as in "relief time".
Two kinds of relief stand
The sign tells you who may park:
- TAXI/FHV RELIEF STAND — yellow cabs, green cabs and for-hire vehicles (Uber, Lyft, black car, livery).
- TAXI RELIEF STAND — yellow and green cabs only.
Both say 1 HOUR LIMIT. Some also show hours, for example "MONDAY-FRIDAY 8AM-6PM". TLC rule §80-19(d)(7) says a driver may take any vacant spot but must follow the posted vehicle types and time limit. The fine is $50 (TLC Chapter 80).
How many there are
In DOT's Open Data list, updated October 1, 2026, there are 110 relief stands with 547 spaces: 69 signed for taxis and FHVs, 41 for taxis only. Manhattan has 69 stands, Queens 26, the Bronx 12, Brooklyn 3 and Staten Island none (NYC Open Data). The number changes as DOT adds or removes signs. The relief stand finder lists them all.
Not the same as a taxi stand
DOT: "Relief stands are not taxi stands – taxi stands require drivers to stay in their cars while waiting to pick up passengers." A taxi stand is a line for street hails; a relief stand is a place to park. TLC's taxi stand rules (§80-19(d)(4) and (d)(6)) say "other than a relief stand", so the line and stay-in-the-seat rules do not apply at relief stands.
Where drivers see this term
Related terms
- Taxi stand — a line where cabs wait for hails.
- Feed line — the line of cabs that feeds a terminal pickup point.
- Hail Zone — where green cabs may take hails; see hail zone.
For the rules in full, read the relief stand guide. FHV drivers: can Uber drivers use relief stands. Taxi drivers: can I leave my cab at a taxi stand. The relief stand gap by borough shows where stands are scarce, and the taxi stand time limit rule 80-19(d)(5) covers breaks at taxi stands. More on the places hub.
Frequently asked questions
What is a relief stand in simple words?
A short-term parking spot for TLC drivers. NYC DOT signs it so a taxi or FHV driver can park and leave the car for up to one hour to rest, eat or use a bathroom.
Is a relief stand the same as a taxi stand?
No. At a taxi stand, cabs line up to pick up street-hail passengers and the first two drivers must stay in the driver's seat. At a relief stand you park and may leave the car.
What does 'relief time' mean in TLC rules?
It is a driver's break during a shift. TLC rule §80-19(d)(5) lets a driver occupy a taxi stand for no more than one hour while on relief time, and §80-19(e)(2) says that at terminals with a holding area you must park there before going on relief time.
Sources
Last reviewed against the official sources on .
- NYC DOT: Taxi and For-Hire Vehicle Relief Stands nyc.gov
- TLC Rule Book, Chapter 80 (PDF dated June 5, 2025), §80-19(d) and (e) nyc.gov
- NYC Open Data: Taxi and For Hire Vehicle (FHV) Relief Stands (vqu8-xef9), updated 2026-10-01 data.cityofnewyork.us
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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.