§ 59A-28 Vehicles – Miscellaneous Requirements and Vehicle Retirement.
RCNY § 59
(a)Post-Manufacture Alterations.
(1)No For-Hire Vehicle can be altered after manufacture: (i) To increase its length, width, weight or seating capacity, or (ii) To modify its chassis and/or body design.
(2)Exception for all types of Vehicles. A For-Hire Vehicle can also be altered, after manufacture, provided that the Vehicle, as modified, meets all of the following: (i) The modification has been made under a program approved in advance by the original vehicle manufacturer, and (ii) The alteration has been performed by an entity approved and certified by the vehicle manufacturer to perform such alterations.
(iii)An original, unaltered, approved vehicle modifier's certification sticker must be affixed to the Vehicle on the left center post or hinge post.
(3)Exception for Vehicles seating 10 or more passengers (including the driver) and NOT exempt from NYS DOT Requirements. A For-Hire Vehicle can be altered, after manufacture, provided that the Vehicle, as modified, meets all of the following: (i) The Vehicle, as modified, has been approved by the NYS Commissioner of Motor Vehicles under Section 401(1)(b) of the NYS Vehicle and Traffic Law.
(ii)The Vehicle has passed inspection by the NYS Department of Transportation under 17 NYCRR § 720.
(iv)A modified For-Hire Vehicle must still pass a visual inspection at the Commission's Safety and Emissions Division at application and renewal as required by 35 RCNY § 59A-04(e) and (f).
(v)The For-Hire Vehicle must be properly registered with the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles and must have been re-registered after completion of the modification.
(vi)The Vehicle must carry the modifier's sticker certifying that the modification was conducted in accordance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
(vii)The modifier of the Vehicle must certify that it is registered with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
(viii)The modifier of the Vehicle must provide a warranty that the vehicle will be free from defects in material and workmanship, including that the chassis and frame will be free from defects for a period of 3 years or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first.
(ix)The modifier of the Vehicle must maintain a General Liability Insurance Policy in a minimum amount of $5,000,000.
(4)Exception for Vehicles seating 10 or more passengers (including the driver) and exempt from NYS DOT Requirements. A For-Hire Vehicle can be altered, after manufacture, provided that the Vehicle, as modified, meets all of the following: (i) The For-Hire Vehicle must be properly registered with the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles and must have been re-registered after completion of the modification.
(5)Exception for modified Vehicles seating 9 or fewer and exempt from NYS DOT inspection and operating authority requirements. A For-Hire Vehicle can be altered, after manufacture, even if the original vehicle manufacturer has not approved the program, provided that the Vehicle, as modified, meets all of the following: (i) The For-Hire Vehicle must be properly registered with the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles and must have been re-registered after completion of the modification.
(6)Exception for modified Vehicles seating 9 or fewer and NOT exempt from NYS DOT inspection and operating authority requirements. A For-Hire Vehicle can be altered, after manufacture, even if the original vehicle manufacturer has not approved the program, provided that the Vehicle, as modified, meets all of the following: (i) The Vehicle, as modified, has been approved by the NYS Commissioner of Motor Vehicles under Section 401(1)(b) of the NYS Vehicle and Traffic Law.
