TLC Insurance: Your NYC Driving Guide

For thousands of professional drivers across New York City — from Uber and Lyft to yellow taxis, green cabs, black cars, and livery — your TLC license is the key to staying on the road. When that license becomes suspended, everything stops. The good news is that the Taxi & Limousine Commission (TLC) publishes its rules openly, so every driver can understand how suspensions work and how to prevent them. This guide explains the main reasons TLC may suspend a driver license, using language that is simple, accurate, and sourced directly from official TLC policies. 1. Drug Testing Requirements The TLC requires most drivers to complete regular drug testing. The rules apply both during annual compliance and during license renewal. Annual (Interim) Drug Test Drivers must take a drug test once every year. The test must be completed no more than 90 days before your license anniversary date. If you miss your annual drug test deadline, TLC may suspend your license until a passing test result i...

Simple, practical guidance for TLC-licensed drivers on passenger-time limits, how TLC tracks hours, and easy steps you can use to stay safe and compliant.   If you’re a TLC-licensed driver in New York City— whether you drive for rideshare platforms, black cars, or yellow taxis—you already know how demanding shifts can be. Long hours behind the wheel may look like the way to earn more, but pushing past your limits raises real safety risks. The Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) put its fatigued driving prevention rules in place to protect drivers and passengers from hazards caused by exhaustion. Why TLC focuses on fatigued driving Being tired while driving isn’t just feeling sleepy. Fatigue slows reaction time, reduces awareness, and increases the chance of a crash. The TLC’s program responds to these risks and supports New York City’s Vision Zero goal to reduce traffic deaths. Understanding the rules: daily and weekly limits Here are the main points every driver should know abou...

If you drive under a TLC-licensed base in New York City—whether it’s Uber, Lyft, or a smaller livery or black-car base—you’ve probably heard about wheelchair-accessible trips or “WAV” service. But did you know that every TLC-licensed base has a legal responsibility to make sure riders who use wheelchairs can get service just like anyone else? 🚗 What Are the FHV Accessibility Rules? Since January 14, 2019 , the TLC has required all For-Hire Vehicle (FHV) bases to provide service to passengers who use wheelchairs. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4} Every base must meet this requirement in one of two ways: Trip Mandate Rule – The base must send a minimum percentage of trips each year to Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs). Central Dispatch Exception – Instead of meeting the percentage, a base can work with an approved Accessible Vehicle Dispatcher that connects wheelchair users to available WAVs within certain wait-time limits. ⚙️ What the Trip Mandate Rule Means Under the Trip Ma...

 In New York City, every vehicle operating under the Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) must maintain active TLC insurance at all times. Whether you drive for Uber, Lyft, a yellow cab, green cab, or a black car, your TLC license and insurance coverage are directly connected. Failing to renew your insurance before it expires can cause serious disruptions to your ability to work — and in some cases, even result in license suspension. The Role of TLC Insurance TLC insurance is mandatory for all for-hire vehicles in New York City. It ensures that passengers, drivers, and pedestrians are protected in the event of an accident. The TLC requires all insurance carriers to submit proof of active coverage electronically through the FH-1 form. This allows the TLC to monitor every TLC vehicle’s insurance status in real time. If your insurance policy lapses, the TLC is immediately notified by your insurance company. Once that happens, your TLC vehicle license can be automatically suspended. Wi...

The life of a New York City taxicab is a tough one, with strict rules governing when a vehicle must be retired. But what happens when your taxi's retirement date is looming, and you simply can't manage the cost of a replacement? For medallion owners facing financial struggles, the NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) offers a potential lifeline: the Hardship Vehicle Retirement Extension. If you're struggling to replace your vehicle, here’s what you need to know about requesting an extension. Who Is Eligible for an Extension? This program is specifically designed to help smaller owner-operators. To qualify, you must: Own no more than one medallion. Be the owner, agent, or driver who owns the current vehicle and would be the one purchasing the replacement vehicle. Be experiencing a genuine "economic or other hardship" that makes it impossible to replace your vehicle on time. What Qualifies as a "Hardship"? The TLC provides clear examples of circumstan...

When daylight saving time ends and evenings arrive sooner, New York City roads become more challenging. The shift means you’re driving more often in low-light conditions, and that can raise the risk of incidents involving pedestrians and cyclists. According to NYC DOT, fall evenings when the sun sets early are among the most dangerous times of the year for pedestrians. As a licensed driver for hire in NYC, you’re in a unique position: you’re not just transporting passengers—you’re also sharing the streets with vulnerable road users in changing conditions. These tips will help you stay alert and confident when dusk hits. 1. Recognize When Visibility Changes Quickly The period right after sunset is when visibility drops dramatically. In NYC, this is the time when pedestrian crash rates climb. As daylight ends earlier, you may find yourself picking up passengers during this transition. Be consciously aware of this shift and adjust accordingly. Prepare before your shift: know that lightin...