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Short answer: T&LC plates (often called "TC plates") are New York State DMV license plates embossed with "T & LC", for Taxi and Limousine Commission. TLC rule §59A-28(b)(3) says every for-hire vehicle registered in New York must have them. You can't simply request them at the DMV: TLC first gives you a plate letter, and you take it to a DMV office to get the plates and registration.
In plain words
- TC plates are the metal plates and the DMV registration that go with them.
- An FHV vehicle license is TLC's license for the car, shown by TLC decals. Drivers often call the whole package "TLC plates."
- You need both. The license is only valid while the state registration is valid (§59A-11(d)), and a New York car can't be dispatched without T&LC plates.
How you get them
Steps from TLC's Get a For-Hire Vehicle License page. For the full timeline, see how long does it take to get TLC plates?
Rules about the plates themselves
| Rule | What it requires | Penalty listed in the rule |
|---|---|---|
| §59A-28(b)(3) | NY-registered FHV must carry NYS plates embossed "T & LC" | $100–$350 and suspension until compliance |
| §59A-11(a)(1)(i) | Owner may not let a NY-registered car be dispatched without T&LC plates | $350 and 1 penalty point |
| §59A-28(b)(1) | Plate number must match on the tax stamp, registration, TLC decals and the plates | $200 if you plead guilty before a hearing; $300 after |
| §59A-28(b)(2) | Last 6 VIN digits on decals, registration and car must match | $100 |
| §59A-10(d) | Report replacement of lost or stolen NY plates to TLC in writing within 48 hours of getting new plates (weekends and holidays not counted) | $50 |
Source: TLC Rules, Chapter 59, updated Feb 27, 2026. Penalty points matter: four in one license term means revocation (FHV penalty points).
Lost, stolen or damaged plates
This is a plate transfer in TLC UP, with a $25 fee. TLC's transfers page says: if both plates are lost or stolen, get a police report (form MV-78B) and surrender it at a DMV office for an FS-6T receipt; if only one plate is lost, surrender the remaining plate at the DMV. TLC then sends a new plate letter.
When plates go back to the DMV
You must surrender T&LC plates to the DMV if the FHV license is revoked, expires or is denied (§59A-11(f)). To come out of storage, you get new plates through a plate transfer (or a vehicle transfer if you change cars), per TLC's storage page.
Related terms
- FHV: a for-hire vehicle licensed by TLC.
- FHV license cap: why new licenses are WAV-only; see also are new TLC plates available? and when will TLC lift the cap?
- TLC plates for FHVs: the full guide to getting, replacing and surrendering plates, and FHV renewal.
- Owner checks: FHV owner daily duties. Buying a car: buying or leasing a TLC vehicle. More: vehicles hub.
Frequently asked questions
What does TC or T&LC on a license plate mean?
It stands for Taxi and Limousine Commission. TLC rule 59A-28(b)(3) says a for-hire vehicle registered in New York must have New York State plates embossed with the legend "T & LC".
Can I just go to the DMV and ask for TC plates?
No. You first need an FHV vehicle license application approved far enough that TLC posts a DMV plate letter on TLC UP. You take that letter to a NYS DMV office to get the plates and registration.
Are TC plates the same as TLC plates people rent?
People often say 'TLC plates' to mean the whole FHV vehicle license. The TC plates are only the DMV part. The license itself stays attached to the owner's SSN or EIN and cannot be sold or transferred.
Do cars registered in New Jersey need TC plates?
No. TLC lets FHVs be registered in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut or Pennsylvania. Out-of-state vehicles must already have their state's taxi or livery plates and follow that state's plate rules (59A-11(a)(1)(ii)).
What happens if I hand my TC plates back to the DMV?
Voluntarily surrendering the state plates ends the FHV license early, and it cannot be renewed or reinstated (59A-06(d)). The one planned exception is surrendering plates to enter TLC's 90-day storage program.
Sources
Last reviewed against the official sources on .
- TLC Rules Chapter 59 (§59A-06(d), §59A-10, §59A-11, §59A-28(b)), updated Feb 27, 2026 nyc.gov
- TLC: Get a For-Hire Vehicle License nyc.gov
- TLC: Vehicle, Plate and Base Transfers nyc.gov
- TLC: Vehicle License Frequently Asked Questions nyc.gov
- TLC: For-Hire Vehicle License Storage 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.