TLC Failure to Yield 80-13(a)(3)(vi): Fine & 3 Points

In short: §80-13(a)(3)(vi) is TLC's code for failing to yield the right of way — not letting a pedestrian, cyclist or another vehicle go first when the traffic law required you to. It is a hazardous moving violation: $300 if you plead guilty before the hearing, $400 if you are found guilty after one, and 3 TLC points. Many of these summonses involve turning across a crosswalk, which is exactly the kind of situation TLC's Vision Zero safety work focuses on.

What the rule says

TLC rule §80-13(a) requires TLC drivers to obey all traffic laws and lets TLC add its own penalties. Paragraph (3) lists the hazardous ones, each with TLC points; item (vi) is "Failing to yield right of way — 3 points" (TLC rule book, chapter 80). The fine for every item on that list is $300 before a hearing or $400 after. Appearance is not required.

The TLC rule doesn't spell out who has the right of way — that comes from the traffic laws it adopts. What you need to know is which situation the officer described, because "failure to yield" covers several different moments.

Situations that lead to this charge

Read the description box on your summons and match it to one of these rows. If the officer wrote that a pedestrian "had to stop" or "jump back," that detail is what the hearing will test against your video and your account.

Who it applies to

All TLC drivers — taxi, green cab, black car, livery, luxury limousine and app-based FHV — and authorized paratransit drivers while driving an accessible street hail livery.

Penalty and points

Points last for 15 months in TLC's count, starting from the conviction date. Two hazardous convictions in that time — for example this and a red light — already put you at six. Check your total with the points calculator before you decide how to respond.

How often it is charged

When there was a crash

A failure-to-yield summons is sometimes written after a collision. If anyone was hurt, three other rules can come into play:

• Report before leaving the scene. You must stop and exchange license and insurance information (§80-13(a)(4)). See 80-13(a)(4).
• Tell the vehicle owner about the collision right away (§80-13(a)(5)).
• Serious crashes. If someone suffered critical injury or died, §80-14(h) lets TLC summarily suspend your license on a finding that your conduct was a substantial cause, review your fitness, and revoke the license if you are convicted of a violation that caused the injury or death.

If any of this applies, the stakes are far higher than a $300 fine. Talk to a lawyer before the hearing, and read accident reporting for TLC drivers.

What to do and defenses to discuss

1. Preserve video immediately. In yield cases the timing — seconds — decides everything. Dashcam footage from the front and side is ideal. See dashcams in TLC vehicles.
2. Map the scene. Photograph the crosswalk, the signals, parked vehicles that blocked your view, and the lighting at that hour.
3. Get passenger contact details if your passenger saw what happened and is willing to be a witness.
4. Respond before the hearing date — plead, ask for a phone hearing, send an online written defense if eligible, or request an in-person hearing. Doing nothing leads to a default.

Points to raise with a lawyer or OATH-registered representative include whether the pedestrian or vehicle had actually entered your path, what you could see, and whether the summons details match the scene. This is general information, not legal advice.

If you are found guilty

The fine — $300 or $400 — is paid to TLC and is due within 30 days of the decision unless you file a timely appeal (§80-02(c)). If it is not paid on time, TLC sends written notice that your license will be suspended 10 business days later until you pay. See paying TLC fines. If you believe the decision is wrong, OATH says appeals must be filed within 30 days of the decision, or 35 days if it was mailed; see appealing an OATH decision.

Why TLC treats this as hazardous

TLC's Vision Zero outreach focuses on protecting people walking and cycling. The rule book doesn't state its reasons, but in practice this charge carries points from the very first conviction, while general moving violations under 80-13(a)(2) only start adding points on the second one in 15 months. For a driver, the practical lesson is that a "minor" turn at a corner is treated as seriously as a red light.

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