How Much Does a TLC License Cost in Total?

A new TLC Driver License (taxi, green cab, Uber/Lyft) costs $745.25 to $875.25 in the fees TLC lists, if you pass the exam on the first try. Add $49 for each exam retake, plus your doctor's fee for the medical form and any DMV fee to get a Class E license — neither has a fixed price. A paratransit or commuter van driver license is cheaper: TLC lists $367.25. TLC plates (a for-hire vehicle license) are a separate cost: $0 to $875 for a new wheelchair accessible vehicle license. All fees below are as of October 12, 2026, and TLC fees are non-refundable.

TLC Driver License: every fee

Sources: TLC's Get a TLC Driver License cost table and application guide; the totals are our arithmetic. The $252 fee matches rule 80-07(a), which sets the TLC Driver License fee at $84 a year for a three-year term. If you already have a defensive driving certificate no older than three years, you skip that cost.

Exam retakes add up

PSI's candidate bulletin says you pay $49 for every attempt, must wait 24 hours between attempts, and may test as many times as you like until the application expires. You also lose the $49 if you cancel less than 2 days ahead, miss the appointment, arrive late or bring the wrong ID.

Costs outside TLC's table

• DMV Class E. If you have a regular Class D, the DMV converts it to Class E. The DMV says the fee depends on your current license's expiration date, so there is no fixed number. See Class E chauffeur license.
• Medical exam. A licensed physician completes TLC's medical form; the price is set by your doctor.
• Out-of-state abstract. If your license is from another state, your state may charge for the driving record. The ID-5 photo at the NYS DMV is free.
• Old tickets. Unpaid DMV, parking, camera or TLC fines must be paid before TLC licenses you.

Paratransit and commuter van driver licenses

TLC plates: the vehicle license is a separate cost

A driver license lets you drive. The vehicle needs its own license — often called "plates." Many new drivers rent or lease a car that already has plates, so they never pay this. The difference is explained in TLC license vs TLC plates.

Two things to know. First, TLC only accepts new FHV applications for wheelchair accessible vehicles, so the "new" column is the only way to get new plates today — see new TLC plates for a WAV and do WAV owners pay TLC vehicle fees. Second, TLC's two pages describe the $800 tax differently: the new-license page says vehicles registered in NJ, PA or CT; the renewal page says vehicles registered outside New York City. Ask TLC which applies to your registration. Renewal steps: FHV vehicle license renewal. Taking the car off the road for a while? Read about FHV license storage.

What is non-refundable

TLC's pages say "All TLC fees are non-refundable — no exceptions!" and rule 80-07(c) says TLC does not refund fees when it denies an application. The exam fee is paid to PSI: you get a full refund only if you cancel at least 2 days before the appointment. Course fees are paid to schools — ask about their refund policy before you pay. The biggest avoidable loss is a denied application: if you miss the 90-day deadline, you pay the $252 again. Plan with the 90-day planner.

After you are licensed

Budget for the license staying active, too: a $34 drug test every year (TLC requires one within the 90 days before each anniversary, and one before renewal), the renewal fee (rule 80-07(a): $84 a year) plus $25 if you renew late, $25 to replace a lost license, and fines if you get summonses — check them with the TLC points calculator and TLC license and DMV points. Comparing renting and buying a car? Try lease vs buy. Every TLC fee in one place: TLC fees list.