How Many Phones Can I Mount in My TLC Vehicle?

It depends on the vehicle. In a yellow taxi you may use one phone with an e-hail app, besides the taxi's own Technology System. In an FHV (app or base car) you may use one or two mounted devices for dispatches on top of your base's dispatch equipment — two only if your base's own equipment cannot take dispatches from other bases. Every allowed device must be mounted, not hand-held, and while moving you may use only voice or one-touch buttons. The limits are in TLC rule §80-22.

Why the count matters: it decides what "use" means

TLC's cell phone rule, §80-14(g)(1), bans using an electronic communication device while the vehicle is moving. TLC defines "use" broadly in §80-03(c)(8): operating any function of the device, or even having a hands-free device in or near your ear. You may use a phone only while the vehicle is lawfully standing or parked.

There are two carve-outs:

1. Using a device in the way §80-22 permits — the right number of devices, mounted, voice or one-touch — is not "use" under the cell phone rule.
2. For FHV and green cab drivers, a short business call with your base about a dispatch is not "use" if it is on a two-way radio or a mounted device, by voice or one-touch.

So a third phone, a phone in your hand, or scrolling and typing on a mounted phone can turn a $100 equipment issue into a cell phone charge.

The suspension for 80-14(g)(1) is deferred for 60 days and does not take effect if you complete the Distracted Driving Portable Electronic Device Course in that time; the course is required within 60 days after a conviction in any case (§80-14(g)(2)). Points count toward the Persistent Violator Program.

Emergencies

There is one more defense in the cell phone rule. Under §80-14(g)(3), you can defend a charge if all of these are true: you were calling an emergency response operator, you were reporting an imminent threat to life or property, you could not safely stop to make the call, and you have documentary proof of the call. Keep a record (for example, your phone's call log) if you ever call 911 while driving.

Practical setup

• Mount every device you use for work in a fixed holder before you start the shift.
• Turn on auto-accept or voice features where the app allows, so a single tap or voice command is enough.
• Pull over to a legal spot to message passengers, change settings or navigate in detail.
• Dashcams are a separate question with their own rules — see dashcams in TLC vehicles.

For the full cell phone rule and defenses, read the TLC cell phone rule guide. App drivers will find more in rules for Uber and Lyft drivers.