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What is NYC RCNY § 59?

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(a) Prohibited Use of "Taxi." A High-Volume For-Hire Service must not hold itself out for business as a "taxi" or "taxicab" service or in any way use the word "taxi," "taxicab," "cab," "hack," or "coach" to describe the business. 35 RCNY § 59D-20(a)Fine: $250Appearance NOT REQUIRED (b) Advertising of Commission Licens

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Effective: 1/10/2019Last amended: 3/6/2025

§ 59D-20 Operations – Miscellaneous Operating Requirements.

RCNY § 59

(a)Prohibited Use of "Taxi." A High-Volume For-Hire Service must not hold itself out for business as a "taxi" or "taxicab" service or in any way use the word "taxi," "taxicab," "cab," "hack," or "coach" to describe the business. 35 RCNY § 59D-20(a)Fine: $250Appearance NOT REQUIRED (b) Advertising of Commission License.

(1)A High-Volume For-Hire Service must clearly state that it is licensed by the Commission in all Passenger-facing advertising, whether print, broadcast, electronic or Internet, and in all handbills, fliers, websites, smartphone applications, or other promotional materials and on all business cards and receipts.

(2)All of the advertising and materials listed in paragraph (1) of this subdivision must include the High-Volume For-Hire Service License number. 35 RCNY § 59D-20(b)Fine: $100Appearance NOT REQUIRED (c) Passenger Complaint Notification. Upon receipt of a complaint related to a Driver, a High-Volume For-Hire Service must provide the Passenger with the "311" Commission complaint telephone number and inform the Passenger that only the TLC can suspend or revoke a Driver's TLC License. 35 RCNY § 59D-20(c)Fine: $250Appearance NOT REQUIRED (d) Receipts. A High-Volume For-Hire Service must provide a Passenger a receipt for a trip containing the following information: (1) The Dispatching Base License number; (2) Vehicle License number; (3) Vehicle's affiliated Base License number; (4) Driver's TLC License number; (5) Total amount due; (6) Itemized fees charged (if any) including any price multiplier or variable pricing policy in effect for the trip; (7) The "311" Commission complaint telephone number; and (8) The public access information the Base has on file with the Commission pursuant to 35 RCNY § 59D-16.

(e)No Other For-Hire Base Licenses. A High-Volume For-Hire Service shall not hold any For-Hire Base License other than a High-Volume For-Hire Service License. Once a Black Car Base, Livery Base, or Luxury Limousine Base is required to and obtains a High-Volume For-Hire Service license, the Commission shall revoke all For-Hire Base Licenses other than a High Volume For-Hire Service License from any High-Volume For-Hire Service.

(f)Business Requirements – Interior Advertising Systems.

(3)Tipping. If a High Volume For-Hire Service is integrated with an Interior Advertising System, gratuities facilitated through the Approved Tablet must be paid to the Driver through the payment mechanisms provided in Chapter 59B of 35 RCNY Chapter 59. A High Volume For-Hire Service cannot integrate with an Interior Advertising System capable of collecting payment information from a Passenger through any tablet. 35 RCNY § 59D-20(f)Penalty:First Violation: $1,000 fineSecond Violation: $1,000 and/or Suspension for up to 30 daysAppearance NOT REQUIRED (Added City Record 12/11/2018, eff. 1/10/2019; amended City Record 6/30/2021, eff. 7/30/2021; amended City Record 2/4/2025, eff. 3/6/2025)

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