§ 80-04 Licensing – Requirements.
RCNY § 80-04
(a)Age. An Applicant for a TLC Driver License must be at least 19 years of age.
(b)Identification. An Applicant for an original TLC Driver License must produce both of the following proofs of identity: (1) A Valid Government-issued photo ID.
(2)A Valid Social Security number.
(c)Chauffeur's License. An Applicant must have a Valid Chauffeur's License.
(d)Summary of Driving Record. An Applicant whose driver's license has been issued by a state other than New York or who has held a driver's license issued by a state other than New York within the two years prior to the date of the Application, must provide the Commission with an abstract of his or her driving record from the state that issued the Applicant's driver's license, dated no more than 90 days prior to the date of the Application, covering at least the two years prior to the date of the Application.
(e)Physical and Mental Fitness for the Job.
(1)The Applicant must be of sound mental and physical condition and fit to safely operate a vehicle and fulfill the duties of a licensee.
(3)The Commission can, for good cause, require the Applicant to be examined by a licensed physician chosen by the Commission.
(4)An existing License can be suspended or revoked if the Driver fails to be examined for a physical or mental condition.
(f)Familiar with New York. Applicant must be familiar with the following: (1) The geography, streets and traffic regulations of the City of New York (2) The rules and regulations of the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (3) The Vehicle and Traffic Law of the State of New York.
(g)Pass Drug Test.
(h)Fingerprinting for the Purpose of Determining Good Moral Character.
(5)The Applicant will pay any processing fee required by the State.
(i)Agreement to Accept Legal Notices or Processes.
(j)Training. The Commission requires that Applicants complete the required courses and pass all prescribed tests, both oral and written, as administered by the Commission or at its direction. All training and courses must be completed at a TLC Authorized Driver Education Services Provider except for the Defensive Driving Course.
(ii)Applicants for a renewal TLC Driver License must hold a current certificate of completion that was issued no more than three years prior to the renewal application date for the required hours of instruction in a New York State DMV Approved Defensive Driving Course.
(6)Point Reduction Course. Driver may voluntarily attend and complete the Point Reduction Course to reduce the Driver's Persistent Violator Program points prior to the adjudication of the Persistent Violator summons.
(7)Sex Trafficking Awareness Training.
(iii)Continuing Sex Trafficking Awareness Training. Applicants who have previously completed the Sex Trafficking Awareness Training at least once and have certified that they have done so as required by subparagraphs (i) and (ii) of this paragraph, are not required to do so again, provided that they do all of the following: A. The Applicant must obtain and review the Continuing Sex Trafficking Awareness Training materials approved by the Commission, and B. The Applicant must certify to the Commission as part of his or her application that he or she has obtained and reviewed Continuing Sex Trafficking Awareness Training material provided by the Commission. C. For applicants who qualify to use this exception, review of the written Continuing Sex Trafficking Awareness Training materials and certification of obtaining and review of such materials are conditions for the issuance or renewal of a license.
(8)Vision Zero and Accessibility Remedial Education Course. A driver convicted of a third or subsequent 35 RCNY § 80-13(a)(1) or (a)(2) violation must complete the Vision Zero Remedial Education Course no later than 60 days after the date of conviction.
(9)Military Exemption. Any Applicant for a License who previously held a Valid TLC Driver License, a Taxicab Driver License or a For-Hire Driver License will not be required to take the TLC Driver License Education Course, provided that the Applicant meets the following conditions: (i) The Applicant's previous Driver License expired solely because the Applicant was not available to renew his or her License because he or she was engaged in active military service.
(iv)The Applicant provided proof of the dates of active military service.
(v)The Applicant meets all other requirements for obtaining a new License.
(10)Exemption for New York City Police Officers. Any Applicant for a License who is a New York City Police Officer will not be required to take the TLC Driver License Education Course, provided that the Applicant meets the following conditions: (i) Applicant must present a letter from his or her commanding officer approving the application.
(11)Life Experience Exemption. Any Applicant for a License will not be required to take the TLC Driver License Education Course, provided: (i) The Applicant previously held a Taxicab Driver License, For-Hire Driver License or TLC Driver License.
(vi)The Applicant had no outstanding fines when the Applicant's prior Taxicab Driver License, For-Hire Driver License or TLC Driver License expired unless such fines have been paid at the time of application.
(k)Authorized Driver Education Services Providers. Providers of training and courses required by this Chapter must be approved by the Commission, must administer the curriculum required by the Commission, and must comply with all requirements set forth by the Commission.
(l)Application Submission. Applicants must complete the application forms provided by the Commission and must file the applications as directed by the Commission.
(m)Address. An Applicant must give the Commission the Applicant's current Mailing Address and a current and valid E-mail Address.
(n)Payment of Fines and Fees.
(o)Material Changes in the Application. The Applicant must inform the Chairperson of any material change in the information submitted as part of the Application while the Application is pending. Material changes include, but are not limited to: (1) Changes in Applicant's Chauffeur's License status; (2) Changes in mailing address or E-mail address; (3) Additional criminal convictions; (4) Additional DMV convictions, including convictions for the offense of operating a motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs; or (5) Any change to the information provided or submitted with the Application. (Added City Record 9/22/2016, eff. 10/22/2016; amended City Record 6/15/2017, eff. 7/15/2017; amended City Record 12/9/2020, eff. 1/8/2021; amended City Record 5/10/2023, eff. 6/9/2023; amended City Record 6/20/2024, eff. 7/20/2024; amended City Record 5/7/2025, eff. 6/6/2025)
