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Only a few approved helpers. A yellow taxi driver may get passengers through a dispatcher at a public transportation terminal, a licensed e-hail app, or an accessible vehicle dispatcher, and no one else (TLC Chapter 80, §80-19(a)(1), current as of October 12, 2026). A friend, a relative, a doorman on commission or an airport "hustler" is not allowed. The fine is $50. Paying airport staff for fares is far worse: $10,000 and revocation.
Who may and may not find passengers for you
The exact words of §80-19(a)(1): "A Driver of a Taxicab must not use a person, other than a dispatcher at a public transportation terminal, licensed E-Hail Application, or an Accessible Vehicle dispatcher, to solicit Passengers. Use of any licensed E-Hail Application by the Driver is optional." Green cabs have the same rule in §80-19(b)(2)(iii), with one more approved helper: "a Street Hail Livery Base".
A passenger who simply asks a doorman or a friend to hail a cab, and you answer the hail, is not you "using" a person. The rule is aimed at drivers who arrange for someone to bring them riders. Where exactly that line falls is not defined; if you are charged, see the violation page 80-19(a)(1).
The airport gratuity ban
At airports and big terminals, the people who run the taxi line can seem to decide who gets a good fare. TLC removes any reason to pay them. Rule §80-12(a)(2) says a licensee "must not offer or give any gift, gratuity, or thing of value to anyone at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, LIRR, Metro-North, or any similar airport or other transportation terminal who is employed to do" any of these:
- ground transportation information services,
- dispatching service,
- security services,
- traffic and parking control, or
- baggage handling.
The Port Authority's own rules also protect the taxi line: "No person shall interfere with the taxi dispatch service operated by persons employed by, or employed pursuant to a contract with, the Port Authority" (PA Airport Rules, Section V.A). Section V.B bans soliciting ground transportation inside an air terminal, and operating a vehicle there "for the purpose of soliciting … or to attract ground transportation passengers". Those rules apply to everyone, including touts who are not drivers.
How often it comes up
In the OATH data from 2016 to October 12, 2026 (NYC Open Data), 80-19(a)(1) was the first charge on 48 summonses (46 by TLC, 2 by Port Authority Police). The green cab version, (b)(2)(iii), appears on 2. These are allegations, not findings. Small numbers do not make it safe: an airport hustling case can also bring the airport cruising charge, 80-19(a)(4)(i), which had 869 summonses in the same period. See where taxis may not cruise.
FHV drivers
FHV drivers have a stricter rule: every pickup must be pre-arranged through a licensed base (§80-19(c)(1)). There is no list of helpers at all. A person who finds riders for an app driver outside the app is arranging an illegal pickup.
What to do next
- Want more fares legally? Join the terminal taxi line, sign up with a licensed e-hail app, or (green cabs) take dispatches from your base.
- Never let someone else drive or log in for you: see can someone else drive my TLC vehicle and can someone else use my Uber account.
- Green cab drivers: can green cabs use taxi stands. Taxi stand rules: 80-19(d)(1). More on the places hub.
Frequently asked questions
Can my friend stand on the corner and wave passengers to my cab?
No. A yellow taxi driver must not use any person to solicit passengers except a dispatcher at a public transportation terminal, a licensed e-hail app or an accessible vehicle dispatcher. The fine is $50 (80-19(a)(1)).
Who is allowed to find passengers for a green cab?
A terminal dispatcher, a licensed e-hail app, an accessible vehicle dispatcher, or the green cab's own street hail livery base (80-19(b)(2)(iii)). Anyone else is not allowed; the fine is $50.
Can I tip the airport taxi dispatcher?
No. TLC rule 80-12(a)(2) bans giving any gift, gratuity or thing of value to airport or terminal staff who dispatch, give ground transportation information, or handle security, traffic, parking or baggage. The penalty is $10,000 and revocation, and you must appear.
Do I have to use e-hail apps?
No. The rule says use of any licensed e-hail application by the driver is optional.
Sources
Last reviewed against the official sources on .
- TLC Rule Book, Chapter 80 (updated June 6, 2025), §80-12(a), §80-19(a)–(c) nyc.gov
- Port Authority Airport Rules and Regulations (July 27, 2022), Section V: Ground Transportation panynj.gov
- NYC Open Data: OATH Hearings Division Case Status (jz4z-kudi), queried 2026-10-12 data.cityofnewyork.us
- NYC TLC: Trip Record Data 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.