TLC Rule 80-18(a): Checking the Car After Airport Trips

On this page (11)

What the rule says
Who it applies to
What to do with something you find
Who writes it and how often
Why airport trips get their own rule
Common situations
Does the summons fit?
Penalty and points
What to do
FAQ
Sources

In short: After every trip to JFK, LaGuardia or Newark, Rule 80-18(a) says you must immediately check the inside of the car, and the trunk if you used it, so the passengers leave with all their things. It applies to all TLC drivers: taxi, green cab, app and black car. The fine is $25, with no points listed and no appearance required. It is rarely written: OATH shows 8 summonses citing it first from 2016 to October 2026. The rules on what to do with anything you find carry bigger fines.

This page explains the rule. It is not legal advice.

What the rule says

Section 80-18 of TLC Chapter 80, "Operations – Lost Property":

(a) Inspection Following Trips to and from Airports. Immediately after completing a trip to Kennedy, La Guardia or Newark Airports, the Driver must inspect the interior of the Vehicle and the trunk compartment, if used, to ensure that Passengers have collected their property.

§80-18(a) Fine: $25 Appearance NOT REQUIRED

Notice three details:

"Immediately after completing a trip": the check is right at the drop-off, before you drive away or take the next fare.
"To Kennedy, La Guardia or Newark": the rule's text is about trips to the airports, where travelers are rushing to a flight. The heading says "to and from Airports", but the sentence itself names trips to them.
"The trunk compartment, if used": if bags went in the trunk, open it and look.

Who it applies to

Every TLC-licensed driver. Chapter 80 is the rule book for "Drivers of Taxicabs, For-Hire Vehicles and Street Hail Liveries", and 80-18(a) says "the Driver" without limiting it. That matters for app drivers. In TLC's trip records for September 2025 to August 2026, app trips ended at the three airports about 12.1 million times, against about 0.9 million for yellow taxis (trips-airport-dropoffs).

What to do with something you find

The inspection is the cheap part. The handling rules carry higher fines and require you to appear:

The lost property rules in 80-18

Rule	What you must do	Fine	Appearance
80-18(a)	Check the interior and trunk right after an airport trip	$25	Not required
80-18(b)(1)	Taxi: return property to the passenger if possible; otherwise take it without delay to a police precinct as directed by NYPD	$100	Required
80-18(b)(2)	FHV or green cab: return it if possible; otherwise take it without delay to a police precinct as directed by NYPD, or to the vehicle's base	$100	Required
80-18(c)	Don't demand or request payment for returning property	$100	Required
80-18(d)	If it isn't returned, promptly tell TLC what you found and where it is held	$25	Not required

The full process, including how passengers report lost items, is in our lost property guide.

Who writes it and how often

By year, OATH shows 2 in 2017, 4 in 2018, 1 in 2022 and 1 in 2024. A summons is an allegation, not a finding. OATH counts here use the first-listed charge only, so a summons that lists 80-18(a) second is not counted.

Why airport trips get their own rule

Chapter 80 has one inspection rule, and it is for airport trips only. For other trips, the lost property duties in 80-18(b)–(d) apply whenever you find something, but there is no separate inspection requirement. Someone you drop at an airport is often about to board a flight, so checking at the curb may be the only easy chance to hand an item back. The check takes seconds, and it is the cheapest way to avoid both the $25 summons and a lost-property complaint. It is also the easiest way to keep a later 80-18(b) problem from starting, because returning an item on the spot is the simplest kind of return.

Common situations

A passenger leaves a phone in the back seat on a JFK drop-off, and you notice it only at your next pickup.
You take bags out of the trunk for the passenger, but a small bag stays behind under the cargo cover.
You are waved on by airport traffic staff before you can check the car.
An app passenger reports a lost item, and the complaint leads to a summons.

Does the summons fit?

Questions to work through

Answer a few questions · general information, not legal advice

Question 1Was the trip to JFK, LaGuardia or Newark?

Was the trip to JFK, LaGuardia or Newark?

Yes
Did you check the interior (and the trunk, if used) right after the drop-off?
- Yes
  Good to know: What this means for you
  Write down what you checked and when. If you found and returned an item, keep any record (message, precinct receipt, base record).
- I couldn't: staff moved me on
  Note: What this means for you
  Note the location and the instruction. Port Authority rules require following lawful directions from its staff (rule VI.B.5). Discuss with a representative whether that matters in your case.
- No
  Watch out: What this means for you
  The facts may match the rule. The fine is $25. Make sure any property was handled under 80-18(b)–(d), which carry bigger fines.
No
Note: What this means for you
80-18(a) is about airport trips. For other trips, the lost property duties in 80-18(b)–(d) may still apply. Check the code on your summons.

Penalty and points

	Amount
Fine	$25
TLC points	None listed in Chapter 80
Appearance	Not required

What to do

Where to find the code and hearing date on your summons:

Reading a TLC driver summons

A simplified illustration. Real summonses differ by issuing agency and year, so fields may sit in different places.

Summons numberThe unique number for this summons. Use it to check the official OATH record (or our summons lookup) and write it on anything you send.
Respondent & licenseWho is charged and their TLC license number. Check both are yours and tell your representative about any error.
Date, time & placeWhen and where the officer says the violation happened. Compare it with your trip records, app history and dashcam.
Rule or law violatedThe TLC rule or NYC law you're charged under, such as §80-13(a)(2). Look the code up in the violation library or the summons decoder to see what it means and the listed penalty.
Hearing date & methodYour OATH hearing date. You must respond by this date — by paying (where allowed) or by having your hearing — or OATH can enter a default. See hearing options.
Appearance requiredSome charges can't simply be paid: you (or your representative) must have a hearing. Check whether this is marked on your summons.
PenaltyIf an amount is shown, check it against the rule. Many TLC rules list a lower amount if you plead guilty before the hearing and a higher one if you're found guilty after it.
Issued byWho wrote the summons: a TLC inspector, Port Authority police, or NYPD. The layout differs by issuing agency.

Make the check a habit at every airport drop-off: back seat, floor, seat pockets, trunk.
If you find something, follow 80-18(b): return it, or take it to a precinct (or, for an FHV, the base), and tell TLC under 80-18(d) if it isn't returned. Never ask for a reward.
If you got a summons, collect your trip record and any messages with the passenger, and answer by the hearing date.

Frequently asked questions

What does 80-18(a) require?

Immediately after completing a trip to Kennedy, LaGuardia or Newark airport, the driver must inspect the inside of the vehicle, and the trunk if it was used, to make sure passengers took their property.

What is the fine?

$25. Chapter 80 lists no TLC points for it, and you don't have to appear at the hearing.

Does it apply to Uber and Lyft drivers?

Yes. Chapter 80 covers all TLC-licensed drivers, and 80-18(a) says "the Driver" without limiting it to taxis.

What do I do if I find something?

Return it to the passenger if possible. Otherwise, a taxi driver must take it without delay to a police precinct as directed by NYPD. An FHV or green cab driver may take it to a precinct or to the vehicle's base (Rule 80-18(b), $100). You must not ask for payment to return it (Rule 80-18(c), $100).

Sources

Last reviewed against the official sources on Oct 12, 2026.

TLC Rules Chapter 80: Rules for all TLC-licensed drivers, §80-18 (PDF dated June 5, 2025) nyc.gov
NYC Open Data: OATH Hearings Division Case Status (jz4z-kudi), queried Oct 12, 2026 data.cityofnewyork.us
NYC TLC Trip Record Data (Sep 2025 – Aug 2026) nyc.gov

Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we'll check it against the official source.

TLC Help is not a law firm and is not affiliated with the NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission or OATH. Explanations on this site are general information, not legal advice. Legal representation is provided by independent attorneys and OATH-registered representatives in our network.