TLC Rule 80-13(a)(4): Leaving the Scene of a Collision

In short: If a collision involving your TLC vehicle hurts someone or damages their property, TLC rule §80-13(a)(4) says you must stop before leaving and, if the other party is there, show your licenses and give your name, license numbers, insurance carrier and policy number. Breaking this rule can mean a $350 fine and/or a suspension of up to 30 days, plus 3 TLC points, and you must appear at the hearing. A separate rule, §80-13(a)(5), requires you to tell the vehicle's owner about any collision right away.

This page is the "what to do at the scene" checklist as much as a summons explainer — because the best defense to this charge is doing the steps the first time.

What the rule says

From the TLC rule book, chapter 80, §80-13(a)(4), "Report Before Leaving Scene": a driver who knows or should have known that a collision involving the driver's vehicle resulted in personal injury to another or damage to another's property must stop before leaving the scene, and if the other involved party is present, must:

1. Show their Chauffeur's License and TLC License (and, where applicable, the Rate Card or Vehicle License) to the other party; and
2. Give the other party or the police their name, Chauffeur's License number, TLC Driver License number and any other vehicle and license type identification, plus the name of the vehicle's insurance carrier and the policy number.

Note the words "should have known." You can't avoid the rule by saying you didn't notice, if a reasonable driver would have.

At the scene: the steps the rule requires

Keep a card in the vehicle with your insurance carrier and policy number so you aren't searching for it after a crash. Our accident reporting guide covers the reports beyond this rule.

Who it applies to

All TLC-licensed drivers of taxis, green cabs and FHVs, and authorized paratransit drivers while driving an accessible street hail livery.

Penalty and points

Points from either rule go into TLC's Persistent Violator Program, which adds TLC and DMV points within 15 months. The DMV's own schedule separately lists 3 points for leaving the scene of an incident involving property damage and 5 for leaving the scene of a personal-injury incident on a DMV conviction (NYS DMV). The TLC rule also lists "leaving scene of an accident involving property damage or injury to animal" as a 3-point hazardous violation, §80-13(a)(3)(xv).

If someone was seriously hurt

Under §80-14(h), a Serious Crash is one where someone suffered critical injury or death. If you were charged with a traffic violation or crime in a Serious Crash, TLC may summarily suspend your license on a finding that your conduct was a substantial cause, review whether you are fit to hold a license, and revoke your license if you are convicted of a violation that caused the critical injury or death. That is a separate track from this summons and much more serious. See summary suspension and get a lawyer right away.

Common situations

• Minor contact in traffic where the other driver waved you on — you still have the duty to stop and exchange the required information.
• Clipping a parked car or mirror and driving on.
• A passenger or cyclist reporting that your vehicle touched them, sometimes after the fact.
• Disputes about whether you knew. The rule covers what you "should have known."

What to do and defenses to discuss

Because appearance is required, plan for a hearing — by phone or in person. Missing it can lead to a default. Points to discuss with a lawyer or OATH-registered representative include whether there was actually injury or property damage, whether you knew or should have known, whether you did stop and give the information (and how you can prove it), and whether the other party was present. If you gave the details to the police, the police report number helps. This is general information, not legal advice.

After the hearing

If you are found guilty, any fine is due to TLC within 30 days (§80-02(c)), and a suspension, if imposed, starts as the decision says. You can appeal to OATH within 30 days of the decision (35 if mailed) — see appealing an OATH decision. Keep the decision with your records: a fourth violation within 12 months can lead to revocation, so the dates matter.

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