TLC Meter Rule 80-26(b)(1): Not Starting the Taximeter

In short: As soon as a passenger gets into a yellow taxi — or a green cab on a hail trip — you must put the taximeter in the recording ("Hired") position and leave it there until you arrive. Not doing so breaks rule 80-26(b)(1): $200 and 1 TLC point. The point counts toward the Persistent Violator Program. The only time you must wait to start the meter is while helping a passenger with a disability get in.

What the rule says

From §80-26(b), "Taximeter Operation," in the TLC Chapter 80 rule book:

"(1) Setting Taximeter to Record. As soon as a Passenger enters the Taxicab or the Street Hail Livery on a Hail Trip, the Driver must immediately place the Taximeter in the recording or 'Hired' position and must keep it in that position until arrival at the destination." §80-26(b)(1) Fine: $200 · Points: 1 · Appearance NOT REQUIRED

Two duties are in that sentence: start the meter immediately, and keep it recording until the destination. Turning it off part-way is also covered.

Why a fixed fine and a point

Many TLC rules have a plead-guilty price and a higher after-hearing price. This one is a flat $200 either way, plus a point. Without a running meter, there is no metered record of the fare. A meter that was never started also makes it hard to prove later that the fare charged was correct, and fare disputes can turn into an overcharge charge with mandatory penalties.

The full meter sequence

Rule 80-26(b) sets out the meter from start to finish. Each step has its own penalty:

Out-of-city trips have a matching rule: the meter must record for the whole trip to Westchester, Nassau, Newark or anywhere else, even when the fare is a negotiated flat rate. See 80-17(f)(1).

When the meter breaks

Rule 80-26(a) covers a defective meter:

• (a)(1) Don't pick up or carry a passenger with a defective taximeter: $100 / $150, 1 point, appearance required.
• (a)(2) If the meter breaks during a trip, tell the passenger at once and offer either to continue at a mutually agreed reasonable fare, or to end the trip and pay what the meter shows: $100 / $150, appearance required.
• (a)(3) After ending a trip because of a defective meter, log off, lock the rear doors, record the defect, and take the car to the garage, base or a licensed meter shop: $75 / $100, appearance required.
• (a)(4) Tell the taxi owner about any meter defect right away: $75, appearance required.

And never touch the meter's seals or wiring: tampering under rule 80-26(c) is $50–$350 and/or up to 30 days' suspension, with 3 points.

How often it is charged

These summonses have risen overall since 2017: from 104 in 2017 to 387 in 2024 and 352 in 2025. The data does not explain the growth.

Who it applies to

Yellow taxi drivers on every metered trip, and green cab drivers on hail trips. It does not apply to FHV trips, which are priced by the base, or to Flex Fare trips, where the e-hail app sets a binding upfront price (rule 80-17(j)(3) exempts Flex Fare trips from the meter requirement).

Roof light and meter go together

Rule 80-26(e) ties the roof light to the meter. The roof light must be on when the meter is not in use and you are on duty and available. It must be off when the meter is in use, when you have logged off or are logged on but unavailable for street hail, or (for green cabs) when travelling to a pre-arranged pickup. The fine is $100 / $150.

So a passenger or inspector who sees your roof light on while someone is in the back seat has a simple reason to think the meter was not running. If the roof light control is faulty, report it — rule 80-26(f) says the roof light must be controlled only by the meter button or ignition switch, and tampering with it carries $50–$350 and/or suspension, plus 3 points.

What to do now

1. Pull the Technology System trip record for the time on the summons. Does it show the meter in Hired?
2. Check the trip type. Was it a Flex Fare or another app trip that doesn't use the meter?
3. Was a passenger with a disability boarding? Then the meter should have stayed off until they were settled.
4. Count your points. One point can matter if you are close to six in 15 months — use the points calculator and read about the Persistent Violator Program.

Points to discuss with your lawyer

• Do the Technology System records show the meter running?
• Was the trip a Flex Fare trip, or otherwise exempt?
• Was the meter defective, and did you follow the 80-26(a) steps?
• Was there a passenger on board at all at the time charged?