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Short answer: No. TLC rule §59A-28(c) is one line: "No For-Hire Vehicle can be a two door vehicle." The penalty is suspension of the vehicle owner's license, and you must appear at the hearing. TLC's definition of a for-hire vehicle also says it "has three or more doors" (§59A-03(g)). And in 2026 the question rarely comes up for new plates anyway, because TLC only issues new FHV licenses to wheelchair accessible vehicles.
What the rules say about the body of the car
Source: TLC Rules, Chapter 59, updated February 27, 2026. The body rules apply to every FHV, whether the base is livery, black car, luxury limousine, Uber or Lyft.
Other ways a car can fail the body rules
Doors are not the only trap. A few more rules from the same chapter catch people who buy unusual cars:
- Aftermarket conversions. A car changed after it left the factory needs a manufacturer-approved program or NYS DOT approval. The modifier must be registered with NHTSA, put its sticker on the car, give a 3-year/60,000-mile warranty on the chassis and frame, and carry a $5 million liability policy (§59A-28(a)).
- Large or modified vans. A vehicle that was altered and seats 10 or more (counting the driver), unless exempt, must pass a NYS DOT inspection as well as TLC's visual inspection (§59A-04(e)(9)).
- Paint. No FHV may be any shade of taxicab yellow, in whole or in part, and only a valid green cab may be apple green (§59A-29(d); $350 for a first violation).
New licenses are WAV-only anyway
Today TLC accepts a new FHV application only if the vehicle is wheelchair accessible (Get a Vehicle License). Since July 20, 2024, the WAV must come from TLC's approved list (Accessible Vehicle Requirements). A two-door coupe can't be an approved WAV, so for a new license the answer is no on two counts. Read approved wheelchair accessible vehicles and the FHV license cap statistics.
If you already have plates and want to change cars
You can move an existing FHV license to another vehicle with a vehicle transfer ($25 plus a $75 inspection if the car has 500 miles or more). The new car must meet every rule above, so it can't be a two-door. If your license is WAV-restricted, the new car must also be an approved WAV. Check the car before you buy it, not at the inspection lane.
What to do next
- Choosing a car: see the models most used in the TLC fleet, with counts from TLC's own vehicle lists, in the vehicles hub.
- Car registered outside New York? TLC allows NJ, CT and PA registrations with taxi or livery plates; see out-of-state registered TLC vehicles.
- Taking a break while you change cars? Use FHV license storage.
- Renewal coming up? See can my car work while its renewal is pending?
- Terms: FHV and the license cap explained.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a two-door coupe for Uber in NYC?
Not as a TLC-licensed FHV. TLC rule 59A-28(c) says 'No For-Hire Vehicle can be a two door vehicle,' and TLC's definition of a for-hire vehicle requires three or more doors (59A-03(g)).
What is the penalty for a two-door FHV?
Suspension of the vehicle owner's license, with a required appearance at the hearing (59A-28(c)).
Does a car need rear shoulder belts to be a TLC car?
Yes. Rule 59A-27(c) requires shoulder belts for both outside rear passenger seats, in addition to seat belts for every seat and shoulder belts for both outside front seats. The fine is $100 to $250.
Sources
Last reviewed against the official sources on .
- TLC Rules Chapter 59 (§59A-03(g), §59A-27, §59A-28), updated Feb 27, 2026 nyc.gov
- TLC: Get a Vehicle License nyc.gov
- TLC: Accessible Vehicle Requirements nyc.gov
- TLC: Vehicle License 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.