TLC Rule 80-19(d)(6): Leaving Your Cab at a Taxi Stand

In short: On a taxi stand, the drivers of the first two cabs must stay in the driver's seat, ready to take a passenger. Every other driver on the stand must stay within 15 feet of the car, unless off duty. That is rule 80-19(d)(6), and the fine is $75, with no TLC points listed and no appearance required. It does not apply at relief stands. TLC wrote almost all of the 29 summonses in the OATH data since 2016.

What the rule says

Section 80-19(d)(6) of the TLC Chapter 80 rule book reads:

The Drivers of each of the first two Vehicles on a Taxi Stand, (other than a relief stand), must remain in the driver's seat ready to accept Passengers. Any other Driver on a Taxi Stand must be no more than 15 feet from his or her Vehicle unless he or she is off duty.

Penalty line: "Fine: $75. Appearance NOT REQUIRED."

The idea is simple. A passenger who walks up to a stand should find a driver at the front, ready to go. Cabs further back must be able to move up quickly.

Your position decides the rule

A few points the text makes clear:

• "Remain in the driver's seat." Standing next to the car, even right beside it, is not the same as sitting in the seat. For the first two cars, being close is not enough.
• "Ready to accept Passengers." The rule expects the car to be ready to move. It does not mention the engine; note that idling more than three minutes is a separate $25 rule, §80-22(a).
• "Unless he or she is off duty." Only drivers behind the first two get this exception. The sentence about the first two cars has no off-duty exception.
• 15 feet is roughly the length of one car.

Where it does not apply

Relief stands. The rule says "other than a relief stand". DOT puts it the same way: relief stands "allow drivers to park and leave their vehicles for up to one hour" and "are not taxi stands – taxi stands require drivers to stay in their cars while waiting to pick up passengers" (NYC DOT). If you need to leave the car, go to a relief stand; the relief stand finder lists them.

Someone else in your seat. Asking a friend to "hold" your place by sitting in the driver's seat does not help. During your shift, rule §80-11(f)(2) says you must not let another person "operate the Vehicle or occupy the Driver's seat, except in the event of an emergency" ($50).

Who writes it and how often

Almost all of these are TLC summonses, which suggests city street stands more than airport lines, though the data has no usable location field to prove it. The numbers are small. Compare line-jumping, 80-19(d)(4), at 1,842 in the same period. The taxi stand and cruising summonses page puts all the stand codes side by side.

Common situations

• You are first in line and step out to buy coffee across the street.
• You are second and stand at the curb talking to the first driver. You are near the car but not in the seat.
• You are sixth and walk around the corner to a restroom while still on duty.
• You let a friend sit in your seat to hold the place while you step away.

Does the summons fit what happened?

Penalty and points

What to do and points to discuss with your lawyer

General questions, not legal advice:

• Your place in line. The seat rule covers only the first two cars. If you were third or further back, the test is 15 feet, or off duty.
• Your duty status. Your Technology System log can show whether you were off duty.
• Distance. If the inspector says you were more than 15 feet away, measure where you were and photograph it.
• The stand. Was it signed as a taxi stand, and was it in effect at that hour?

TLC explains your options on its summons page.

Related rules

Time limits on a stand: 80-19(d)(5). FHV pickups at a stand: 80-19(d)(2). Cruising within 100 feet of a stand: 80-19(a)(4)(ii). Who may take a spot: 80-19(d)(1). Planning a break? Read can I leave my cab at a taxi stand. Yellow cab drivers will find all their daily rules on the yellow taxi page. More on the places hub.