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Only for a short time, and it depends on your place in line. If your cab is first or second on a taxi stand, you must stay in the driver's seat. Further back, you must stay within 15 feet of the cab unless you are off duty, and off duty or on a break you may stay on the stand for no more than one hour (TLC Chapter 80, §80-19(d)(5)–(6), current as of October 12, 2026). For a real break, park at a relief stand.
The limits and the fines
The two rules work together:
- §80-19(d)(5): "A Driver must only occupy a Taxi Stand when on duty or for no longer than one hour while on relief time or for Personal Use-Off Duty." Fine $50.
- §80-19(d)(6): the first two drivers "must remain in the driver's seat ready to accept Passengers. Any other Driver on a Taxi Stand must be no more than 15 feet from his or her Vehicle unless he or she is off duty." Fine $75.
So if you are fifth in line and need a restroom down the block, you have two choices: switch to off duty (and leave within the hour), or leave the stand. If you are first or second, neither works; you have to give up your spot. Neither fine carries TLC points under Chapter 80.
These summonses are not common. The OATH data lists 12 summonses with (d)(5) as the first charge and 29 with (d)(6) from 2016 to October 12, 2026 (NYC Open Data). Rare is not the same as allowed.
The relief stand alternative
That quote is from NYC DOT's relief stand page. DOT says its map "may not be reflective of all current posted regulations", so the sign on the street wins. TLC's rule for relief stands is §80-19(d)(7): you may take any vacant spot but must obey the posted vehicle types and maximum time ($50).
Where they are, from DOT's list on NYC Open Data (our count, October 12, 2026):
| Borough | Relief stands | Spaces |
|---|---|---|
| Manhattan | 69 | 351 |
| Queens | 26 | 142 |
| Bronx | 12 | 47 |
| Brooklyn | 3 | 7 |
| Staten Island | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 110 | 547 |
Of the 110, 69 are signed for taxis and FHVs and 41 for taxis only. Brooklyn has very few spaces and Staten Island has none, so plan breaks there differently. Search by street with the relief stand finder, or read the relief stand guide.
At airports and terminals: the holding-area rule
Stand rules also cover "special Taxi Stands and Feed Lines at air, rail, bus and ship terminals" (§80-19(e)(1)). Where a terminal has a taxi holding area, §80-19(e)(2) adds three steps:
- Park the cab in the holding area before you leave on relief.
- When you come back, join the end of the feed line, not your old place.
- Never bring passengers into a holding area.
The fine is $50. Leaving your cab in the feed line while you take a break is exactly what this rule is about.
What the numbers don't mean
The 1-hour limit on a taxi stand does not mean you may park there for an hour whenever you like. It applies only while you are on relief or off duty, and the seat and 15-foot rules still apply to on-duty drivers. And a relief stand's "1 HOUR LIMIT" is a parking limit, not permission to wait for fares there.
What to do next
- Got a summons? See 80-19(d)(5) or 80-19(d)(6).
- FHV driver looking for a break spot? Read can Uber drivers park at commercial meters.
- Definitions: relief stand. Daily rules for medallion drivers are on the yellow taxi page, and more curb topics on the places hub.
Frequently asked questions
Can I go to the bathroom while my cab is on a taxi stand?
Not if your cab is one of the first two; those drivers must stay in the seat. Further back, you must stay within 15 feet unless you are off duty, and off duty you may stay on the stand for at most one hour.
Can I leave my car at a relief stand?
Yes. Relief stands are DOT curbs where taxi (and, where signed, FHV) drivers may park and leave the car, usually for up to one hour. Follow the posted vehicle type, hours and time limit.
What are the fines?
Staying too long on a stand while on a break or off duty: $50 (80-19(d)(5)). Leaving the seat as one of the first two cabs, or going more than 15 feet away while on duty: $75 (80-19(d)(6)).
What about breaks at the airport or a train terminal?
Where the terminal has a taxi holding area, park there before you go on relief and rejoin at the end of the feed line when you come back. Breaking that rule is $50 (80-19(e)(2)).
Sources
Last reviewed against the official sources on .
- TLC Rule Book, Chapter 80 (updated June 6, 2025), §80-19(d)–(e) nyc.gov
- NYC DOT: Taxi and For-Hire Vehicle Relief Stands nyc.gov
- NYC Open Data: Taxi and For Hire Vehicle (FHV) Relief Stands (vqu8-xef9), counted 2026-10-12 data.cityofnewyork.us
- NYC Open Data: OATH Hearings Division Case Status (jz4z-kudi), queried 2026-10-12 data.cityofnewyork.us
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.