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Can I Still Hack Up a Non-Accessible Yellow Taxi?

No. Since Oct 18, 2024 every new yellow-taxi hack-up must be wheelchair accessible. What happens to the car you drive now, hybrids, and the grants that help.

  • Reviewed
  • 2 min read
  • 6 official sources
On this page (8)
  1. What the rule says
  2. Why it happened
  3. Cheaper ways to meet the rule
  4. Your situation
  5. Help with the extra cost
  6. What to do next
  7. FAQ
  8. Sources

Short answer: No. Since October 18, 2024, TLC requires every yellow-taxi hack-up to be a wheelchair-accessible vehicle (WAV), "even if you do not own an accessible medallion" (TLC hack-up page). A non-accessible taxi that is already on the road can keep working until its scheduled retirement date, but its replacement must be accessible.

What the rule says

TLC rule 67-06(a): "Only Accessible Taxicab Models may be Hacked-Up." Rule 67-05(d) protects cars already in service: "Any vehicle valid for use with any Medallion at the time the vehicle was Hacked-up can remain in use as a Taxicab until its scheduled retirement" (chapter 67).

Which accessible car depends on the medallion class (67-05):

  • Unrestricted and accessible medallions: any approved accessible taxi model.
  • Alternative-fuel medallions: an approved accessible model that is a hybrid or factory CNG vehicle. TLC's hack-up page puts it the other way too: you need an Alt-Fuel Restricted medallion to hack up an accessible hybrid.

Why it happened

In August 2024 a court ordered TLC to change its 50% hack-up rule to a 100% hack-up rule. The order set two targets: 50% of active medallions (on a car, not in storage) accessible by March 31, 2025, and 50% of all authorized medallions by December 31, 2028 (TIF report for 2025). TLC reported that by the end of 2025 there were over 6,000 accessible taxis in service, 56% of the taxis on the road (2025 Annual Report). Data on the fleet: wheelchair-accessible taxi statistics.

Cheaper ways to meet the rule

A brand-new accessible minivan is not the only option. TLC allows three routes into service:

  1. A new accessible model with fewer than 500 miles, from one of the maker's two latest model years (67-06(b)(1)).
  2. A used accessible vehicle whose make, model, year and converter are on TLC's approved list. With more than 500 miles it also needs a DMV inspection at Woodside (hack-up page).
  3. A used non-accessible car converted to accessible (67-06(b)(2)). Since October 25, 2025, NHTSA-approved vehicle modifiers, not only manufacturers, may do these conversions (2025 Annual Report).

The Taxi Improvement Fund pays the $20,000 hack-up payment only once per VIN, so a used WAV that already got one won't get another; it may still qualify for quarterly payments (TIF FAQ).

Your situation

What can I put on my medallion?

Answer a few questions · general information, not legal advice

Question 1Is your medallion already on a car that is working today?

Is your medallion already on a car that is working today?

  • Yes, a non-accessible car

    Note: What this means for you

    You can keep using it until its scheduled retirement date (67-05(d), 67-18). The next car must be accessible. If you need more time because of economic or personal hardship, you can ask TLC once for an extension of up to 6 months, in writing at least 30 days before the date (67-18(d)).

  • Yes, an accessible car

    Good to know: What this means for you

    An accessible taxi has no set retirement date while it keeps passing inspections (67-18). If it was hacked up less than four years ago, check that you are enrolled for Taxi Improvement Fund quarterly payments.

  • No, I need a new or replacement car

    Do you want a hybrid accessible vehicle?

    • Yes, a hybrid

      Is your medallion an alternative-fuel medallion?

      • Yes

        Good to know: What this means for you

        You can hack up an approved accessible hybrid (67-05(b)). Follow the hack-up steps and apply for TIF within six months.

      • No / not sure

        Watch out: What this means for you

        TLC says an Alt-Fuel Restricted medallion is required for an accessible hybrid. Pick an approved non-hybrid accessible model, or ask TLC (tift@tlc.nyc.gov) about your medallion's class.

    • No, a gas accessible model

      Good to know: What this means for you

      Any approved accessible model works on an unrestricted or accessible medallion. New cars need under 500 miles and one of the maker's two latest model years (67-06(b)).

Help with the extra cost

TLC's own Annual Report says WAVs come "with added costs for conversion, maintenance, and fuel". Two programs help owners:

If you lease your medallion to a driver, rule 58-21 also gives that driver a $77 a week credit on the lease while you receive the TIF accessible payments; see DOV taxi leases.

What to do next

Frequently asked questions

Do all NYC yellow taxis have to be wheelchair accessible now?

Every new hack-up does. Taxis that were hacked up before the change can keep working until their scheduled retirement date (rule 67-05(d)). So the fleet becomes accessible as older cars retire.

Why did TLC make this change?

TLC's reports say a federal court ordered it in August 2024 (Taxis for All Campaign v. TLC): 100% of hack-ups must be accessible, 50% of active medallions accessible by March 31, 2025, and 50% of all authorized medallions by December 31, 2028.

Can I hack up an accessible hybrid on my medallion?

Only on an alternative-fuel medallion. TLC's hack-up page says an Alt-Fuel Restricted medallion is required to hack up an accessible hybrid vehicle. Unrestricted and accessible medallions can use any approved accessible model.

When does my current non-accessible taxi have to retire?

A non-accessible taxi hacked up new must retire at its first scheduled inspection after 84 months from hack-up; a used one gets 84 months minus its age at hack-up (rule 67-18). You may ask once, at least 30 days before the date, for a hardship extension of up to six months (rule 67-18(d)).

Sources

Last reviewed against the official sources on .

  1. TLC: Yellow Cab Hack-Up nyc.gov
  2. TLC Rules Chapter 67 (§§67-05, 67-06, 67-18; updated Oct 24, 2025) nyc.gov
  3. Taxicab and SHL Improvement Funds Report for 2025 nyc.gov
  4. TLC 2025 Annual Report (Jan 2026) nyc.gov
  5. TLC: Taxi Improvement Fund Owner Program nyc.gov
  6. TLC: Taxi Improvement Fund FAQ 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.

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