Unlicensed TLC Activity Summonses: Data by Code

In short: The most common unlicensed-activity charge is NYC Administrative Code §19-506(b)(1): operating or offering a vehicle for hire without a TLC vehicle license. It was the first charge on 3,698 summonses dated 2025. In 2026 it had already reached 5,889 by October 12, more than all of 2025. Summonses for driving while a TLC license is suspended, revoked or expired (80-11(a)(1)) also jumped, to 1,420 in 2025. FHV street-hail summonses are far below their 2018 peak.

These are summonses, not findings. TLC rule 80-02(a) says unlicensed activity "can subject the violator to the seizure and possible forfeiture of the vehicle involved" (chapter 80), so the stakes go beyond the fine.

The codes on this page

Unlicensed vehicles: §19-506(b)(1)

This is a city law, not a TLC rule, which is why the code starts with "19-". It peaked at 6,506 in 2017, fell to about 1,400–1,700 a year in 2020–2021, and rose again to 3,698 in 2025. The 2026 count is the notable one: with months still to go, it is already about 60% above all of 2025. A partial-year count can only go up, so this is a real increase in summonses. The data doesn't say what is driving it.

The law covers anyone who "shall permit another to operate or who shall knowingly operate or offer to operate for hire" a vehicle without the required license. A completed paid trip is not required. Driving friends or family for free is not "for hire." Our unlicensed activity and street hail guide explains the details.

Licensed drivers whose TLC license lapsed

Under rule 80-11(a), the penalty is $350 for a first violation, $500 for a second within 36 months, and revocation on a third. Rule 80-11(b) says driving after your license expires and before the renewal is issued counts as unlicensed activity. Common reasons a license lapses include unpaid fines, a missed drug test, or a late renewal. If your license is suspended, stop driving and follow what to do when your TLC license is suspended.

The city-law version of the driver charge, §19-506(d), has fallen steadily. Meanwhile the TLC-rule version, 80-11(a)(1), has risen. That fits a shift in which code is used for similar situations, but the data can't confirm it.

FHV street hails

For-hire vehicles, including app-based, black car and livery cars, may only pick up passengers booked through a licensed base. Green street hail liveries are the exception within their zone. TLC can charge the driver under 80-19(c)(1) and the owner under 59A-25(a)(1). Inside Manhattan south of East 96th and West 110th Streets and at the city's airports, rule 80-19(c)(2) applies higher penalties, starting at $500.

The owner code used to be the bigger one, around 4,500–6,200 a year until 2019. Since 2023 both codes run at a few hundred a year. Details are on the 80-19(c)(1) and 59A-25(a)(1) pages. For drivers, the 80-19(c)(1) ladder is $200–$350 for a first violation, $350–$500 plus up to 30 days' suspension for a second within 24 months, and revocation for a third within 36 months.

What this data can and cannot tell you

It can tell you how often each unlicensed-activity code was the first charge on taxi/FHV summonses, by year.

It cannot tell you:

• How many vehicles were seized or forfeited. Seizures are not in this dataset.
• Outcomes or fines. Blank for taxi rows.
• Where. No usable location, so no airport or borough split.
• Whether the person was a TLC licensee at all. Some respondents never held a TLC license.
• Criminal cases. Only OATH civil summonses are counted here.