TLC Rule 80-25(a): Driving Without the Technology System On

In short: The Technology System is the in-car system that records trips and takes card payments in yellow taxis and green cabs. Rule 80-25(a) says you must log in and operate it for each trip. Not doing so carries $250 and/or a 5–30 day suspension, and you must appear at the hearing. Related rules cover logging off with the right code (80-25(b)) and being "unavailable" when you're on a dispatch or app trip (80-25(c)).

What the rule says

From §80-25, "Vehicles – Technology System Operation," in the TLC Chapter 80 rule book:

"(a) A Driver is required to log in and operate the Technology System for each trip in a Taxicab or Street Hail Livery, including those Taxicab or Street Hail Livery trips that begin with the use of an E-Hail Application but otherwise excluding Street Hail Livery trips that are Pre-Arranged Trips, except for Flex Fare Trips." §80-25(a) Fine: $250 and/or minimum 5 day to maximum 30 day suspension. Appearance REQUIRED

TLC defines the Technology System as "an integrated system of Hardware and Software installed in a Taxicab or Street Hail Livery that complies with the technical requirements set forth in §66-24 of these Rules" (chapter 51). In practice it is the system that holds your trip records, links to the meter, and processes card payments — which is why several other rules depend on it.

All the Technology System rules for drivers

Why the system matters for other rules

Many chapter 80 rules assume the Technology System is on and working:

• Card payments. Taxis and green cabs must take cards through the Technology System or an approved e-hail app, not an outside device (80-17(e)(1)).
• Going home. The "returning to garage or home" exception in rule 80-19(a)(5) requires that you logged off and recorded it.
• Ending a shift. Refusing passengers at shift end is justified only if you have logged off and locked both rear doors (rule 80-20(b)(5)).
• Meter. The meter must be started for every hail trip (80-26(b)(1)), and the fare for e-payment trips must flow from the Technology System or meter to the app (rule 80-17(j)(4)).
• Accessible vehicles. Rule 80-20(a)(6)(iii) says you must not operate an accessible vehicle unless the Technology System is turned on.

So a summons for 80-25(a) can come with questions about these other rules too.

How often these rules are charged

The mix has changed. Summonses citing 80-25(c) were the most common until 2022, then dropped sharply. Summonses under 80-25(a) and (b) have risen: 80-25(a) went from 3 in 2023 to 54 in 2025. The data does not say why.

Who it applies to

Yellow taxi drivers on every trip, and green cab drivers on hail trips and e-hail trips. Green cab pre-arranged trips are excluded, unless they are Flex Fare trips. Paratransit drivers operating accessible green cabs are covered too, because chapter 80 applies to them when they drive a street hail livery (rule 80-02(f)). FHV and app drivers are not covered by this rule.

Appearance required — plan for it

Because the rule book says Appearance REQUIRED, plan to take part in the OATH hearing. TLC says hearings are generally by phone or by written online defense, with in-person hearings on request. A suspension is possible, so this is a summons to take seriously. See how to prepare for a TLC hearing.

Log-off and "unavailable" in plain words

Three statuses matter on the Technology System, and the rules attach different duties to each:

• Logged on and available. You are on duty and can take street hails. The roof light should be on when the meter is not in use (rule 80-26(e)).
• Logged on but unavailable. You have accepted an accessible dispatch, an e-hail, or a pre-arranged trip and are on your way. Rule 80-25(c) requires this status, and the roof light must be off. Green cab drivers in this status must not solicit or accept a hail trip (rule 80-19(b)(5)).
• Logged off. You have ended your shift or are out of service, using the correct off-duty code (rule 80-25(b)). Only the narrow going-home exception lets you take a passenger.

What to do now

1. Get your Technology System records for the day: log-in and log-off times, trip list.
2. Find out whether the system was working. Ask your Technology System Provider or garage for outage or repair records.
3. Identify the trip type — hail, e-hail, Flex Fare, or green cab pre-arranged trip.
4. Check other codes on the summons, especially card-payment and meter rules.

Points to discuss with your lawyer

• Was the trip one the rule covers (a green cab pre-arranged trip is excluded unless it was a Flex Fare trip)?
• Was the system down, and did you follow rule 80-25(e)?
• Do the system records show you logged in?
• Is suspension likely on your record, and what can reduce that risk?