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Trouble lights (also called distress lights) are two small amber lights on the outside of a taxi, green cab or livery car. The driver switches them on silently to show people outside that something is wrong. TLC's rules call them a "help or distress signaling light system consisting of two turn signal type 'lollipop' lights" (TLC §67-11). A passenger in the back seat won't hear the switch.
The spec, in plain words
The same spec appears in Chapter 59 for livery vehicles (§59C-03, Chapter 59).
Who needs them, and the fine
| Vehicle | Rule | If missing or broken |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow taxi | §58-34(c) | $175 + suspension until corrected |
| Green cab (street hail livery) | §82-35(c) | $175 + suspension until corrected; condition-corrected form needed |
| Livery vehicle | §59A-31(d), §59C-03 | $175 + suspension until corrected; condition-corrected form needed |
| Car affiliated only with a black car or luxury limousine base | §59B-31(c)(2) | Exempt |
These are owner violations. The driver's part is knowing where the switch is and checking that it works before a shift.
Why they exist
Trouble lights let a driver ask for help without the passenger knowing. They are also one of three items that let a cab go without a partition. A taxi is exempt from the partition rule only if it has trouble lights, a cell phone with an emergency dialing feature, and an approved camera (§58-35(b)). Green cabs have a similar list (§82-36(b)). See taxi partition and IVCS.
Common mix-ups
- Not the hazard lights. Hazards are the car's own turn signals flashing together. Trouble lights are separate amber lamps with their own silent switch.
- Not the roof light. The roof light shows whether a taxi is available. It has nothing to do with distress.
- Not on every for-hire car. Vehicles affiliated only with a black car or luxury limousine base are exempt (§59B-31(c)(2)). Livery vehicles must have them, so livery drivers should check theirs. See the livery driver page.
What to do after an incident is in driver assault: what to do. All the cab safety gear together is in the partition, lights and camera guide. Summons counts for traffic rules are in TLC traffic summons statistics. More on the safety hub.
Frequently asked questions
What are trouble lights on a taxi?
Two amber 'lollipop' lights, one at the front center and one on the rear bumper left of the plate, that flash when the driver presses a silent switch. TLC calls them a 'help or distress signaling light system'.
Do Uber and Lyft cars need trouble lights?
Livery vehicles do. Vehicles affiliated only with a black car or luxury limousine base are exempt (§59B-31(c)(2)). Most app-based cars are licensed as black cars, so the rule usually doesn't apply to them.
What is the fine for missing or broken trouble lights?
For a taxi owner, $175 and suspension until the condition is corrected (§58-34(c)). Green cabs (§82-35(c)) and livery vehicles (§59A-31(d)) have the same amount, and need a condition-corrected form from TLC's Safety and Emissions Division.
Will police come if I turn them on?
The TLC rules set out how the lights must look and work. They don't describe a police response. If you are in danger, call 911 as soon as it is safe to do so.
Sources
Last reviewed against the official sources on .
- TLC Rule Book, Chapter 67 (updated Oct 24, 2025), §67-11 Distress Signal Lights nyc.gov
- TLC Rule Book, Chapter 58 (updated Feb 27, 2026), §58-34(c), §58-35(b) nyc.gov
- TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (updated Feb 27, 2026), §59A-31(d), §59B-31(c), §59C-03 nyc.gov
- TLC Rule Book, Chapter 82 (Street Hail Liveries), §82-35(c), §82-36(b) 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.