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Driver questionPassengers & service rules

Can a Passenger Change the Destination Mid-Trip?

Yes. TLC rule 80-16(b) says drivers must accept a new destination or early stop unless it is impossible or unsafe. How the fare works for taxis and FHVs.

  • Reviewed
  • 2 min read
  • 2 official sources
On this page (8)
  1. How the fare works after a change
  2. "Impossible or unsafe" — what that means in practice
  3. Route requests
  4. Extra stops
  5. When the new destination is outside the city
  6. Appearance is required
  7. FAQ
  8. Sources

Yes. A passenger can change where they are going, or end the ride early, at any point in the trip, and you must go along with it unless doing so is impossible or unsafe. That is TLC rule §80-16(b). What changes is the fare, and that depends on how the trip was priced.

How the fare works after a change

Fare after a destination change or early stop (rule 80-16(b))

Type of tripPassenger changes destinationPassenger ends the trip early
Taxi or green cab — street hail, meteredMeter keeps running; they pay what it shows at the endThey pay what the meter shows when the trip ends
Taxi or green cab — Flex Fare (upfront price)Can result in a different fareCan result in the complete quoted fare
Green cab — pre-arranged base tripCan result in a different fareCan result in the complete quoted fare
FHV (app, black car, livery)Can result in a different fareCan result in the complete quoted fare

For FHV trips, rule §80-17(a)(2) bars charging more than the base's quote or estimate unless the passenger changed the destination after the quote. In practice, the app or base recalculates the fare. Do not collect anything extra in cash on the side; that risks an overcharge charge with mandatory penalties.

"Impossible or unsafe" — what that means in practice

The rule does not list examples, so use judgment and be ready to explain it. Situations that are plausibly unsafe or impossible include a request to stop in a live traffic lane, on a highway shoulder, or where stopping is prohibited. In those cases, offer the nearest safe, legal place instead and say why. A request that is simply inconvenient for you — a longer drive, an area you dislike — is not a reason to refuse.

Route requests

Rule §80-16(a) adds two duties:

  1. Follow every reasonable and lawful routing request from the passenger.
  2. If the passenger does not ask for a route, take the shortest reasonable route.

The fine is $100 if you plead guilty before a hearing or $150 after. Riders who think they were taken the long way can file complaints; a GPS trace and the trip record are your best evidence. See the passenger complaint process.

Extra stops

TLC's passenger FAQ tells riders that drivers are not permitted to refuse passengers with more than one stop. Treat an added stop like a destination change: comply, and let the meter or the app handle the fare. How taxi riders pay at each stop is covered in taxi payment rules. Refusing could be treated as a refusal of service — see service refusal rules.

When the new destination is outside the city

If a taxi passenger changes the destination to somewhere outside New York City, different charges apply (§80-17(f)): trips to Westchester or Nassau use the meter inside the city and double the meter outside it, Newark Airport adds a $20 surcharge plus tolls, and other out-of-city trips need a flat rate agreed with the passenger. Before you cross the city line, tell the passenger how the fare will be calculated. For Newark details see do taxis have to go to Newark Airport.

Appearance is required

Unlike many passenger-service charges, an 80-16(b) summons requires you to appear at the OATH hearing. If you receive one, prepare your explanation of why the change was impossible or unsafe, with any records you have.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to accept a new destination halfway through a trip?

Yes, unless it is impossible or unsafe. Rule 80-16(b) says passengers may ask to change their destination or end the ride during the trip, and drivers must comply. The fine is $50 if you plead guilty before a hearing or $100 after, and you must appear.

What does the passenger pay if they get out early in a taxi?

On a hail trip, the passenger pays the amount on the taximeter or information monitor when the trip ends (80-16(b)).

What if the trip had an upfront price?

For a pre-arranged FHV trip, a pre-arranged green cab trip, or a taxi or green cab Flex Fare trip, a change can mean a different fare, and ending early can mean the full quoted fare (80-16(b)).

Can the passenger choose the route?

Yes, if the request is reasonable and lawful (80-16(a)(1)). Without a request, you must use the shortest reasonable route. Fine: $100 before a hearing, $150 after.

Can I refuse a passenger who wants more than one stop?

TLC's passenger FAQ says drivers are not permitted to refuse passengers with more than one stop.

Sources

Last reviewed against the official sources on .

  1. TLC Rules, Chapter 80: Drivers (§80-16, §80-17) nyc.gov
  2. TLC: Passenger Frequently Asked Questions 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.

Related

GuideTLC Overcharging Rules: Fares, Tolls & the $10 LineWhat counts as overcharging under TLC rule 80-17 for taxis, green cabs and FHVs: wrong rate codes, tolls, out-of-town fares, and the $10 revocation rule.Read GuideTLC Service Refusal Rules: When You Can Say NoThe 15 reasons TLC rule 80-20(b) lets a driver refuse a passenger, what counts as a refusal, and the mandatory $350 to revocation penalty ladder explained.Read GuideTaxi Trips Outside NYC: Westchester, Nassau, Newark & BeyondHow to charge a taxi trip that leaves NYC: double meter to Westchester and Nassau, $20 plus return tolls to Newark, negotiated flat fares, MTA tax counties.Read §80-17(a)(1)Overcharging a passenger (taxi or green cab)Mandatory penalties (§80-02(e)): first violation $350 if you plead guilty before a hearing, $500 if found guilty after a hearing; second within 24 months $700 / $1,000 and possible suspension up to 30 days; third within 36 months $750 / $1,000 and revocation.GuideHow TLC Passenger Complaints Work, Step by StepFollow a passenger complaint from the 311 report to TLC review, settlement or an OATH hearing where the rider testifies. What each stage means for drivers.Read Driver questionDo NYC Taxis Have to Go to Newark Airport?Yes. Newark is a mandatory destination for NYC taxis and green cabs. The meter-plus-$20 fare, tolls both ways, the one long-shift exception and refusal fines.Read