TLC Rule 56-13(b)(1): Paratransit Driver Points Suspension

In short: Paratransit drivers have their own TLC rule book, chapter 56, and their own version of the Persistent Violator Program. Rule 56-13(b)(1) says that if you collect 6 to 9 points within 15 months, TLC points and DMV points combined, TLC will suspend your Paratransit Driver's License for up to 30 days. At 10 points, rule 56-13(b)(2) means revocation. A course can take 3 points off if you finish it before your case is decided.

What the rule says

Rule 56-13(b)(1), "License Suspension": "If, within a 15-month period, a Driver accumulates a total of at least six but fewer than ten TLC Points or DMV Points or both combined, the Commission will suspend the Driver's Paratransit Driver's License for up to 30 days."

Chapter 56 applies to Paratransit Drivers, who hold a separate TLC license to drive paratransit vehicles (vehicles used to carry people with disabilities). TLC lists "Renew a Paratransit Drivers License" as its own process, apart from the standard TLC driver license. Our paratransit drivers page covers the license in more detail.

Where paratransit points come from

Chapter 56 sets its own traffic-law penalties in rule 56-13(a). TLC points come from the violations that carry them, and DMV points come from state convictions. The rule lists these as hazardous moving violations with a $300 fine if you plead guilty before a hearing, or $400 if found guilty after one: speeding, failing to stop for a school bus, tailgating, inadequate brakes, failing to yield, traffic signal and stop sign violations, yield sign and railroad crossing violations, improper passing, unsafe lane change, driving left of center, driving the wrong way, and leaving the scene of a collision with property damage or injury to an animal.

How the 15 months are counted

Rule 56-13(b)(4) says TLC counts "backwards 15 months from the date of the most recent conviction for the violation carrying points that is cited in the summons." Rule 56-13(b)(5) says DMV points count "as of the date of conviction." So ticket dates don't decide the window; conviction dates do.

If several violations came from one incident, rule 56-13(b)(6) says only the single violation with the highest points counts toward suspension or revocation.

The course credit, and its timing trap

Rule 56-13(b)(7) lets you remove points by voluntarily completing a course:

• Point Reduction Course: removes 3 TLC points. TLC will not reduce TLC points more than once in any five-year period.
• Defensive Driving Course: removes 3 DMV points, at most once in any 18-month period.
• Timing: "the course must be satisfactorily completed prior to the adjudication of the Persistent Violator summons." Finish it after, and it only counts after you serve the suspension.
• Proof: you must give TLC proof of when you took the course and that you completed it. Drivers with a license from another state must also send a recent driving abstract.
• No course available? If no Point Reduction Course is available when you try to enroll, a Defensive Driving Course can remove three points from your PVP total, whether TLC or DMV points.

How often it appears

This is a small, quiet charge: 484 summonses in total, peaking at 96 in 2014 and in single digits since 2021.

Paratransit drivers in green cabs

TLC rule 80-05 lets paratransit drivers drive accessible street hail liveries. When they do, rule 80-02(f) says chapter 80's SHL operating rules apply to them and they can be summonsed under chapter 80. If your summons came from driving an accessible SHL, check whether it cites chapter 80 (for example 80-27(a)(1)(i), the chapter 80 points suspension) or chapter 56, and ask your representative which rules apply. The City-law version for taxi and FHV drivers is §19-507.1(b).

Other chapter 56 rules that can take your license

Points are not the only path to losing a paratransit license. Two other parts of chapter 56 are worth knowing:

• Fitness review. Rule 56-13(b)(3) says TLC "can at any time review the fitness of a Driver to continue to be licensed following any moving violation, Collision, or other driving-related incident," and can seek additional or more severe penalties.
• Open summonses. Rule 56-02(d)(4) says the Chairperson "will automatically revoke the License of any Licensee who has 5 or more summonses that remain open and outstanding for 12 months," counting from the date the earliest one was issued. Answering every summons, even small ones, protects you.
• Mandatory penalties. Rule 56-02(d) lists violations with fixed escalating penalties, including refusing service, refusing to carry equipment for passengers with disabilities, overcharging, and providing service that is not prearranged: $100–$350 for a first violation, $350–$500 for a second within 24 months, and revocation for a third within 24 months.

What to do now

The persistent violator guide and the points calculator can help you check your count.