Vision Zero is New York City's initiative "to eliminate death and serious injuries from traffic incidents" (NYC DOT). It started in February 2014. The Taxi & Limousine Commission is one of the agencies on the Vision Zero Task Force (NYC DOT; TLC). It is a program, not a single law. For TLC drivers it shows up as speed limits, stickers, penalties, crash reviews and a course.
Where Vision Zero touches your work
Sources for those steps: the speed limit change is on NYC DOT's Vision Zero page. The penalties and crash review are in TLC Chapter 80. The "Turning?" decal is item (p) of the decal table in §58-32. The "LOOK for Cyclists" decal and the remedial course launch (2025) are in the TLC 2025 Annual Report.
TLC rules that name it
The rule book uses the name directly for one course: the Vision Zero and Accessibility Remedial Education Course. A driver convicted of a third or later §80-13(a)(1) or (a)(2) violation must finish it within 60 days of the conviction (§80-04(j)(8)). It also cancels the deferred suspension for some accessibility violations under §80-20(a)(6). The details are in what is the Vision Zero remedial course. The penalty ladder for moving violations is on the 80-13(a)(2) page.
TLC also publishes Vision Zero crash data (reports under Local Laws 28 and 31 of 2014) and runs fatigued-driving rules under the same banner (TLC Vision Zero).
Common mix-ups
- Vision Zero is not the Critical Driver Program. That was an older TLC points program for DMV violations. Its history is in the Critical Driver Program.
- Sammy's Law is not Vision Zero. Sammy's Law is a 2024 state law that lets the city set 20 mph limits. The city uses it to pursue Vision Zero goals.
- The Vision Zero Honor Roll is a reward, not a rule.
New drivers meet these rules in their first weeks. See the new driver roadmap. More on the safety hub.
Frequently asked questions
What is Vision Zero?
NYC's citywide initiative to eliminate deaths and serious injuries from traffic. It started in February 2014, and TLC is one of the agencies on the Vision Zero Task Force.
Is Vision Zero a law?
No. It is a city program. It led to laws and rules, such as the 2014 change of the default speed limit from 30 to 25 mph and TLC rules that link traffic violations to TLC penalties.
Which TLC rules mention Vision Zero?
The Vision Zero and Accessibility Remedial course in Chapter 80 (third §80-13(a)(1) or (a)(2) conviction in 15 months, and some accessibility violations). TLC's Vision Zero work also includes required safety decals, crash data reports and the Safety Honor Roll.
What is Vision Zero View?
A public map from NYC DOT that shows crash data and current posted speed limits. It is a data tool, not a rule.
Sources
Last reviewed against the official sources on .
- NYC DOT: Vision Zero Safe Driving nyc.gov
- TLC: Vision Zero nyc.gov
- TLC Rule Book, Chapter 80 (PDF dated June 5, 2025), §80-04(j)(8), §80-13(a), §80-14(h) nyc.gov
- TLC Rule Book, Chapter 58 (updated Feb 27, 2026), §58-32 decal table nyc.gov
- TLC 2025 Annual Report (January 2026) 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.