FHV Owner Duties: Daily Inspection, Plates, VIN Match

In short: If you own a for-hire vehicle (FHV), TLC rules make you responsible for the car even when someone else drives it. Every day it works, you must personally inspect it (brakes, lights, signals, belts). The plate, registration, tax stamp and decal numbers must match, and the decals must show the last six digits of the VIN. Report replacement plates within 48 hours, keep the registration valid, and never let an unlicensed driver take a dispatch. Most of these carry fines whether or not you were behind the wheel.

All rules below are from TLC's chapter 59 (updated February 27, 2026). Fines are the rule book's amounts; OATH decides each case. For insurance, inspections and base affiliation, which have their own pages, see the links at the end.

The daily check (rule 59A-27(e))

The rule: an owner "must not permit a For-Hire Vehicle to be operated without daily personal inspection and reasonable determination that all equipment, including brakes, lights, signals, and Passenger seatbelts and shoulder belts, are in good working order" and meet the NYS Vehicle and Traffic Law and TLC rules.

Penalty: $150 if you plead guilty before a hearing, $200 if found guilty after one. No appearance is required. See the violation page for 59A-27(e).

If you rent the car to a driver, the rule still names the owner. Agree in writing how the daily check gets done and recorded. A short checklist you keep, dated, helps show you did it.

Why it matters: TLC officers and police can stop any FHV for an on-street inspection and order it to the inspection facility (59A-26(b)). A broken light or belt found there can lead to a defect notice, an equipment summons and a 59A-27(e) summons for the owner, all from one stop.

Plates, decals and VIN: the numbers must match

Mismatches usually happen after a change: new plates, a new car, or new decals that were never put on. Whenever plates or the car change, follow the transfer steps (see TLC plates for FHVs) and make sure Woodside puts on new decals. Decals must be applied by TLC staff (59A-29(a)(1)(iii)).

Registration must stay valid

Rule 59A-11(d): an FHV license is valid only while the state registration is valid. If you operate without a valid registration, the license is summarily suspended. If the registration expires, is restricted, suspended or revoked, you must surrender the FHV license to TLC immediately. Penalty: $400 and suspension until you comply; appearance required.

Watch the DMV registration date as closely as the TLC license date. They are separate, and one lapsing can stop the other. Vehicles that need NYS DOT authority (10+ seats or modified) are valid only while that authority stays valid (59A-11(g)).

Equipment and the car itself

• Rear shoulder belts. Every FHV needs shoulder belts in both outside rear seats, in addition to belts for every seat and the front outside shoulder belts (59A-27(c), $100–$250).
• No two-door cars. "No For-Hire Vehicle can be a two door vehicle" (59A-28(c)). Penalty: suspension of the owner's license.
• No unapproved alterations. Changing the length, width, weight, seating or body after manufacture is allowed only under strict conditions. An unapproved alteration costs $10,000 and suspension, or revocation if not fixed within 30 days (59A-28(a)). See modified and large FHVs.
• Unsafe vehicles. If TLC or DMV finds the car unsafe and directs you to remove it from service, it can't work. If a DMV station finds it unsafe, return the decals to TLC within 72 hours (59A-27(a)).
• Defect notices. Obey every TLC notice to fix a defect (59A-27(d), $50 and suspension until fixed).

Who drives your car

You are responsible for who takes dispatches in your car (59A-11):

Penalty points add up. An FHV license that collects four penalty points in one license term is revoked (59A-35(a)). Points for violations before a renewal can be added after it.

Summonses reach you through your drivers

When you apply for an FHV license, you must designate every driver of your car as your agent to accept TLC summonses and defect notices (59A-04(d)). Handing the summons to the driver counts as notice to you. TLC also sends a copy to you and to your base. So ask every driver to tell you the same day about any summons or notice, and check your mail. A missed hearing can mean a default decision. Keep your mailing address current with TLC (see your TLC mailing address).

The other ongoing duties

These have their own guides:

• Insurance at all times, and changes reported within 7 business days: how to send TLC new insurance.
• Inspections three times a year: TLC vehicle inspection and the Woodside facility guide.
• Base affiliation: FHV base affiliation.
• Not letting the license go unused: 60 days without a base, insurance or inspections means revocation. See non-use revocation and the storage program.
• Renewal every two years: renewing FHV plates. New licenses: how long it takes to get TLC plates and new WAV licenses.

For how often owner summonses are written, see TLC vehicle owner summons statistics. This page explains TLC rules; it is not legal advice. If you face a suspension or revocation, consider talking to a lawyer who handles TLC cases.