What's on the TLC Driver Exam? Topics and Languages

The TLC Driver License Exam tests what the two required classes teach: the 3-day New TLC Driver License Course and the Passenger Assistance and Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) training. It has 80 multiple-choice questions on a computer, you need 56 correct (70%) to pass, and you have up to 2 hours. You can take it in English, Bengali, Urdu, Simplified Chinese, Russian, Arabic or Spanish. The only official study material is TLC's free study guide, practice exams and tutorial videos.

What the exam covers

TLC's Driver Education page says the exam "covers the topics covered in the 3-day course and WAV course." TLC does not publish a question-by-question breakdown. These are the topics TLC lists for each class:

From the 3-day course (24 hours):

• using TLC's online systems, LARS and TLC UP;
• how to get and keep a TLC Driver License in good standing;
• the differences between TLC industries and vehicle types (yellow, green, black car, livery and so on);
• vehicle requirements and maintenance;
• professionalism and dealing with passengers;
• customer service and preventing service refusals;
• proper conduct and following the law;
• safe driving practices;
• preventing violations.

From WAV training:

• the Americans with Disabilities Act and your duties as a driver;
• disability etiquette and "person-first" language, and why taxi and for-hire service is a public accommodation;
• the range of disabilities passengers may have and how to serve them;
• why you must carry service animals.

The rules add one more theme. TLC rule 80-04(f) says every applicant must be familiar with New York City geography, streets and traffic regulations, TLC rules, and the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law. In the exam room, PSI gives you a Geographia five-borough street atlas and a Manhattan address key, plus a blank sheet and a pencil or pen. Practice finding streets and addresses with an atlas before exam day. When you fail, PSI's results email lists topic areas to study, and PSI gives "geography" as an example.

TLC also suggests you finish WAV training before the exam "to receive the best score."

Which languages

If your language is not on this list, see TLC in your language for interpreter help and English classes TLC links to. There is no written English test for the TLC Driver License; see do I need English for a TLC license.

How to prepare

Don't use "real exam question" lists

TLC publishes official practice exams, but not the questions on the real test. PSI's bulletin says that copying or communicating exam content breaks your agreement with PSI and federal and state law, and "may result in the disqualification of exam results." Bringing a phone, smart watch or notes into the room gets your result thrown out on the spot. A disqualification is far worse than failing: TLC rule 80-08(c)(1)(v) lets TLC refuse your applications for three years from the exam date. See TLC application bans.

Exam day checklist

Where people get stuck

The exam is the item new applicants most often still have open. In TLC's application tracker on 2026-10-12, 2,540 of 2,967 incomplete applications (85.6%) still needed the exam (dataset tlc-driver-applications-missing-items; an application can be missing several items). Plan your dates with the 90-day application planner, and find a test center in the course and exam locations tool.

If you don't pass, read what happens if I fail the TLC exam: you can retake after 24 hours, paying $49 each time. For the whole application, see how to get a TLC license and the course details in the TLC driver education course guide. Not sure this is the right license? Try which TLC license do I need. Curious who else is taking this path? See who drives in NYC.