Crash in a TLC Vehicle? Who You Must Tell, and When

In short: after any crash in a TLC vehicle, stop. If someone was hurt or property was damaged, show your licenses and give your details and insurance information before you leave (TLC rule 80-13(a)(4)). Tell the vehicle owner immediately (80-13(a)(5)). If anyone was hurt or killed, or damage to one person's property is $1,000 or more, a report must go to the DMV within 10 days — and the vehicle owner must send TLC a copy (TLC chapter 80; NY DMV).

Missing a step can turn a crash that was not your fault into a TLC summons. This guide lists each duty in order, who it belongs to, and the deadline.

The whole sequence at a glance

Step 1: At the scene

The DMV says that if you are in a crash, you must stop — whatever the damage. If someone is hurt or killed, notify the police immediately and make sure an ambulance has been called. If you hit a parked car, other property or a domestic animal and nobody is there, try to find the owner or notify the police (NY DMV).

TLC adds its own duty in rule 80-13(a)(4), "Report Before Leaving Scene". If you knew or should have known that the collision injured someone or damaged someone's property, you must stop before leaving, and if the other person is present you must:

• show your chauffeur's license and your TLC license (and, where it applies, your rate card or vehicle license); and
• give the other person or the police your name, chauffeur's license number, TLC license number, other vehicle and license identification, the insurance company and the policy number.

The penalty for leaving

Leaving without doing this is a TLC summons under 80-13(a)(4): a $350 fine and/or suspension of up to 30 days, or revocation if you're found guilty more than 3 times in 12 months, plus 3 points. Appearance is required — you can't settle it by paying. Separately, rule 80-13(a)(3)(xv) makes leaving the scene of a crash with property damage or injury to an animal a hazardous moving violation ($300 / $400, 3 points). See the 80-13(a)(4) violation page.

The state treats it seriously too. The DMV says leaving the scene of a crash with injury or death is a criminal offense, and since February 16, 2026 leaving the scene of a personal-injury crash carries 5 DMV points (NY DMV). TLC counts DMV points toward its Persistent Violator Program.

Step 2: Tell the vehicle owner — immediately

Rule 80-13(a)(5): if you are involved in a collision, you must immediately report it to the owner of the vehicle. The fine is $100, and the rule book lists 3 points for it. This applies to every crash, however small. Do it in writing (a text or email) so you have proof of the time.

Step 3: The owner's reports to the insurer and TLC

Owners have their own duties, and if you own your vehicle, they are yours:

Sources: TLC chapter 58, TLC chapter 59. Insurance minimums are covered in FHV insurance requirements.

Step 4: The DMV report within 10 days

The DMV requires a report within 10 days of any crash causing a death, any injury, or $1,000 or more in damage to the property of any one person. A report to your insurer does not replace it. Not reporting is a misdemeanor, and the DMV can suspend or revoke your license and registrations (NY DMV). The form is the MV-104. Keep a copy: your owner needs it for TLC.

When someone is seriously hurt

TLC rule 80-14(h) covers Serious Crashes — where anyone suffers a critical injury (as judged by the emergency medical crew) or dies.

• If you were charged with a traffic violation or crime in a serious crash, TLC can summarily suspend your license on a finding that your conduct was a substantial cause. See summary suspension and a serious crash and your TLC license.
• If you are convicted and the violation is found to be a cause of the injury or death, your TLC license is revoked.
• The suspension can be lifted if all charges are dismissed or you're found not guilty, but TLC can keep investigating your fitness, and revoke if you're found not fit. After any serious crash TLC is told about, it reviews whether you are fit to hold a license. See TLC fitness hearings.

In a serious crash, speak to a lawyer before you give any written statement beyond what the scene rules require.

Crashes and your license history

Being in a crash does not by itself add points. But crashes show up elsewhere:

• Applying or reapplying: rule 80-08(c)(2)(i) lets TLC deny an application from someone with more than three collisions within a single year, counted from the last collision.
• If you are hurt: rule 80-13(b) says a driver who files for workers' compensation for a disabling work injury must surrender the TLC license and stop driving while claiming the disability; it is returned when you show you've recovered.

Mistakes that turn a crash into a summons

• Driving off after a "small" bump. If you knew or should have known there was damage, the scene duties apply. A scratch on a parked car counts as property damage.
• Only telling the app. Reporting in an app is not the same as telling the vehicle owner. If the app company is not your vehicle's owner, tell the owner too.
• Waiting for the insurer. The 10-day DMV deadline runs whatever your insurer does.
• Guessing the damage is under $1,000. Repair costs add up fast. If you are not sure, get an estimate quickly, and ask your lawyer whether to file.
• Losing the evidence. Photos, witness numbers and trip records are hardest to get later. They are what a hearing officer will look at.

The bigger picture

TLC publishes crash counts for TLC-licensed vehicles. Involvement does not mean the TLC driver was at fault, and the sharp drop after 2019 looks partly like a change in reporting, so read the trend with care.