Every TLC Rule Change in 2025, in Plain English

In short: TLC adopted twelve rule packages in 2025. For drivers, the big ones were: higher minimum pay and lockout protections for Uber and Lyft drivers (from August 1, 2025), tougher Vision Zero penalties with points and a remedial course for repeat traffic violations (June 6, 2025), the move from Accessible Dispatch to Accessible E-Hail for WAV taxis, and a cut in required PIP insurance from $200,000 to $100,000 (voted in 2025, in effect March 1, 2026).

This page lists every package with its vote date and start date as published in TLC's 2025 Annual Report, explains what each one means for your kind of license, and tells you where to read the real text. For this year's changes, see TLC rule changes in 2026.

All twelve packages

What changed, by package

Driver pay and lockouts (Uber and Lyft drivers)

The June 2025 package, in effect August 1, 2025, did three things the Annual Report describes: raised the minimum per-mile rate "to account for increased driver expenses," changed how utilization is calculated and applied, and limited "the ability of the HV companies to manipulate driver availability." It also expanded the data companies must report to TLC.

The lockout part is now rule 59D-22(c): an app must give 72 hours' notice before restricting your ability to take trips on a day, and must let you stay available for 16 hours after you start (the 16 hours restart after 8 hours offline). There are exceptions for licensing problems, TLC rule violations and company-policy violations, including excessive cancellations. The September 22, 2025 amendment adjusted the pay rules again. The current rates and formula are in FHV driver minimum pay.

Vision Zero penalties (all drivers)

From June 6, 2025, TLC increased penalties for "stationary and non-hazardous moving violations," adding points and a remedial driver education course after multiple violations. The Annual Report names examples such as blocking crosswalks, double-parking and obstructing bike lanes. TLC launched a Vision Zero and Accessibility Remedial Course in 2025 for repeat traffic violations and some accessibility violations (for example, not securing a passenger who uses a wheelchair). The same package lets TLC consider certain out-of-state convictions at fitness hearings. If you are near the point limit, see the most common TLC violations.

Accessible E-Hail and TIF (WAV taxi and green cab drivers)

The March 2025 packages replaced the single Accessible Dispatch vendor with WAV requests through licensed e-hail apps, plus a phone booking option. TLC said the old program would run through February 2026; Industry Notice 26-02 confirmed the switch on March 1, 2026. For drivers, rule 80-20(a)(6) now says that once you accept an e-hail at the metered fare in an accessible vehicle, you must not refuse the passenger; failing to serve after accepting counts as a refusal with mandatory penalties. Your Technology System must be on while you operate a WAV.

The TIF package raised the upfront WAV hack-up grant to owners from $14,000 to $20,000 and changed the driver incentive from $1 per trip to $10 for certain accessible trips booked through an e-hail call center (paid monthly by TIF from July 1, 2025, per Industry Notice 25-03). Details: accessible dispatch and WAV e-hail trips.

Insurance (vehicle owners)

Two insurance packages: the January package requires more reporting to TLC (such as VINs and certificates of liability) and insurers authorized by New York's Superintendent of Insurance, from January 1, 2026. The September package implemented Local Law 90 of 2025, cutting required personal injury protection (PIP) for taxis, FHVs, luxury limousines and green cabs from $200,000 to $100,000, from March 1, 2026.

Interior advertising (FHV drivers and owners)

Implementing Local Laws 33 and 56 of 2024, TLC created an Interior Advertising Provider license with rules on records, driver contracts and how the tablets work. Drivers are protected in the rule books: a vehicle lessor (59A-21(c)(5)) or a base (59B-18(f)(3)(iv)) must not charge, request or accept any fee from a driver for revenue from an interior advertising system.

Smaller packages

• WAV wait times: accessible dispatchers must serve at least 90% of WAV requests in under 10 minutes.
• COVID-19 livery vehicles: owners of FHV licenses that expired between March 7, 2020 and September 12, 2022 while affiliated with livery bases could renew them, with the same restrictions, and may not move them to Uber or Lyft.
• WAV conversion: NHTSA-approved vehicle modifiers, not only manufacturers, may convert vehicles to WAVs.
• Cyclist decals: under Local Law 78 of 2025, all taxis and FHVs must show "LOOK for Cyclists" decals inside the rear doors. TLC gives them out free at Woodside and Long Island City.

Impact by license type

Where to read the rule text

TLC posts each adopted package as a PDF on its Newly Passed Rules and Pilot Programs page. Each one starts with a Statement of Basis and Purpose in plain language, then the changed text: new words underlined, deleted words in brackets. The rule book chapters show the rule as it stands today (chapter 80 for drivers). When you prepare for a hearing, check which version was in effect on the date of the violation, because rules can change between the summons and the hearing; see evidence for a TLC hearing.

Mistakes that cost drivers money or points

• Assuming an old fine still applies. Vision Zero changes added points and a course for repeat violations.
• Accepting a WAV e-hail, then cancelling. After accepting, it is treated as a refusal.
• Ignoring the decal. It became required in late 2025.
• Reading news instead of the rule. Summaries leave out exceptions.

Not every 2025 change came from TLC. Congestion pricing and tax changes, such as the MCTMT threshold and the federal tips deduction, are covered in MCTMT for TLC drivers, no tax on tips and congestion zone trip statistics. For fares, see NYC taxi fare history. More on the driver rights hub.