§19-507.1(c): TLC License Revocation at 10+ Points

In short: §19-507.1(c) is the top step of the Persistent Violator Program. If you are found guilty of violations adding up to 10 or more points within 15 months, counting TLC and DMV points together, the law says your TLC license shall be revoked. This is the most serious points case a driver can face. Check every point and date, and get advice before the hearing.

What the law says

Admin Code §19-507.1(c): "Any taxicab or for-hire vehicle driver who has been found guilty of violations such that a total of ten or more points have been assessed by the commission against his or her commission-issued driver's license or by the New York state department of motor vehicles or an equivalent licensing agency of the driver's state of residence against the driver's license issued to such taxicab or for-hire vehicle driver by such department or agency within any fifteen-month period shall have his or her commission-issued driver's license revoked."

TLC's own rule, 80-27(a)(1)(ii), says the same thing: "The Commission will revoke the TLC Driver License of any Driver who has within a 15-month period accumulated a total of 10 or more TLC Points or DMV Points or both combined, counting from the date of conviction." Paratransit drivers have a matching rule in chapter 56 (56-13(b)).

How fast points reach 10

TLC points are listed next to each rule's penalty. A few examples from chapter 80: a red-light or stop-sign violation is 3 points; phone use while driving is 3 for the first and second offense in 15 months. DMV points come from state traffic convictions. Put together, a handful of moving violations can cross 10.

The illustration uses point values from TLC's chapter 80 penalty table; the DMV points for a speeding conviction depend on the speed and the state schedule. Use the TLC points calculator with your own record.

How often it appears

These summonses cluster in 2022 (982) and 2023 (407). Since then, PVP revocation summonses cite TLC rule 80-27(a)(1)(ii) instead. Before 2020 there was also a separate "Critical Driver Program" (§19-507.2), which a 2020 local law repealed; see critical driver program history.

What can change the count

There is also an affirmative defense if "the act which formed the basis for the violation was beyond the control and influence" of the driver (§19-507.1(f)). Whether that applies is a question for your lawyer.

What revocation means

OATH's guide for TLC cases defines revocation as "the loss of a TLC license" and says a driver "has to wait a period of time to apply to TLC for a new license," with "no guarantee that TLC will give you a new license." Reapplication happens at TLC, not OATH. See TLC license revocation.

Hearing, appeal and default rules that help you

The Admin Code gives TLC respondents some protections that matter most in license cases:

• Faster appeals. "The administrative tribunal shall expedite any appeal involving a suspension or revocation" of a TLC license (§19-506.1(c)). A timely appeal also stays any fines until the appeal is decided.
• The hearing recording. If you ask in writing for the recording to prepare an appeal, it must be produced within 30 days; if TLC cannot produce it in time, the determination being appealed is dismissed without prejudice (§19-506.1(d)).
• Defaults. If you miss the hearing, you have two years from the default determination to move to vacate it and ask for a new hearing (§19-506.1(e)). Don't wait that long; see motion to vacate a default.
• Complaining witnesses. When a witness's credibility matters and TLC can't bring them in person, TLC must try to make them available by video or phone, or explain its efforts (§19-506.1(a)). This matters more for the underlying tickets than for the points count.

Appeals go to the OATH Appeals Unit; read the deadline on your decision. Our appeal guide walks through it.

What to do now

• Don't default. A revocation case decided without you is very hard to undo.
• Get both records: TLC and your DMV abstract.
• Ask about a course only if it is still possible to complete it before the summons is decided.
• Talk to a lawyer. Revocation ends your income from driving.
• Keep driving carefully while the case is open. Every new conviction adds points, and a summons decided before your hearing can push the total higher.
• Watch your DMV record too. Points from state tickets count the same way; a defensive driving course can only remove DMV points once every 18 months.