NEWS

NEW YORK CITY TAXI & LIMOUSINE COMMISSION INDUSTRY NOTICE 06-16
NEW TLC REGULATIONS TO BECOME EFFECTIVE

Licensing Term Change For New Taxicab And For-Hire Vehicle Driver Licenses

The New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission's (TLC) Board of Commissioners voted on October 25, 2006 to amend Rules 2-04(a), 2-10(a)(1), 2-11(a), 6-02(a) and 6-14(a) of Title 35 of the Rules of the City of New York.

These changes modify the term of a new applicant's initial Taxicab or For-Hire Vehicle (FHV) Driver license* from two years with a one year probationary period to a one year probationary license.

The probationary license will expire one year after the date the license is issued. The fee for the one year probationary license will be $60, which is half of the current two year licensing fee of $120. Following the successful completion of the probationary licensing term of one year licensees will receive a two year license for which they will be charged the $120 two year fee.

Applicants for a new taxicab driver's license must attend and complete an authorized course of training in taxi related subjects (also known as Continuing Education Course) no sooner than 60 days prior to and no later than the expiration of their probationary license.

These rules apply to all new applicants for a taxicab and FHV driver's license, and will assist in our ongoing efforts to ensure passenger safety by allowing for a comprehensive review of the licensee's activity during the probationary year as a prerequisite for renewal of their license for a two year term.

The rule will apply to all TLC taxicab and FHV driver's license applications received after December 2, 2006

* Commuter Van and Paratransit licenses are not affected.

New Hearing Procedures

At its public meeting held October 25, 2006, the New York
City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) Board of Commissioners voted to amend Rules 1-07, 1-10(d), 1-86, 2-12(b), 2-86, 4-06(d), 5-09, 6-22, 8-15, 8-16, and 8-17 of title 35 of the Rules of the City of New York.

These changes create procedures for suspending licenses prior to a hearing pending compliance with applicable rules as an alternative to the existing procedure for suspending licenses pending revocation of those licenses.

Under these rules, which apply to all TLC licensees, pre-hearing suspensions of TLC credentials will be imposed for rule
violations such as:

• operating an unsafe vehicle;
  
  
• operating with a suspended, revoked or expired DMV license;
  
  
• operating a vehicle without current registration;
  
  
• missing a required taxicab inspection; and
  
  
• tampering with a taximeter.

Rule 8-17(b) establishes procedures to:

• notify licensees of the summary suspension;
  
  
• inform them of their right to a hearing; and
  
  
• request an expedited hearing on the matter.

These rules will apply to all TLC licensees as of December 2, 2006. To clarify, after December 2, 2006 the TLC may impose a summary suspension for violations of rules 1-07(c), 1-10(b), 1-10(d), 1-23(a), 2-12(b), 4-06(d)(2), 6-11(b), and 6-15(a)(2).

In such cases, the TLC will confiscate the licensee's credentials (license, Medallion, decals, as applicable) pending compliance with the rule.

New Identification Requirements

At its public meeting held October 25, 2006, the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) Board of Commissioners voted to amend Rules 1-02(b), 2-02(a), 4-03(a), 4-04(a), 4-05(b), 5-02(a) and 15-03(b) of Title 35 of the Rules of the City of New York.

These changes standardize the identification requirements for applicants for certain license applicants. The TLC considers the verification of identity as being crucial to the completion of accurate background checks and fitness assessments and necessary to protect the public interest.

These rules, which apply to all new applicants for a TLC issued license in which proof of citizenship or residency status was previously required, will provide that each applicant must establish their identity by producing an original Social Security card and a government issued photo ID. These standards will apply to all applicants who are individuals and to partners, officers, members, and/or shareholders of applicants who are partnerships or corporations.

The TLC retains its ability to fingerprint applicants for the purpose of conducting criminal background checks.

The rule will apply to all TLC license applications received after November 30, 2006.

INDUSTRY NOTICE 06-17
NEW TAXICAB STICKERS

New Exterior Door and Flat Fare Stickers

Above is the new exterior door sticker reflecting the fare adjustment that will become effective as of November 30, 2006. At right is the required interior flat fare sticker, approved by the TLC at its most recent public meeting, which reflects the addition of a flat fare from Manhattan to JFK Airport that will also become effective on November 30. These stickers are available at licensed taximeter shops.

The fare adjustment unanimously approved by the TLC Board of Commissioners on October 25, 2006, will officially become effective as of 12:01 a.m. Thursday, November 30, 2006.

The fare adjustment modifies the taximeter component specific to traveling in stopped or slow traffic which must, as of November 30, reflect a charge of 40 cents per 60 seconds when not in motion or traveling at less than 12 miles per hour. This modification does not affect the initial charge, or the metered charge for mileage.

Also effective at the above mentioned time and date will be the TLC approved $45 flat fare for trips from any point in the Borough of Manhattan to John F. Kennedy International (JFK) Airport. This flat fare joins the already existing one from JFK Airport to any destination in the Borough of Manhattan.

Taximeters must be brought to a licensed taximeter shop.

A complete listing is available at:

http://www.nyc.gov/html/tlc/downloads/excel/current_taxicab_metershops.xls

A mile run and bench test must be performed as per rule # 15-31(a).

Door stickers will be available at licensed taximeter shops as will rate card stickers which will additionally be available at the TLC's Woodside Safety and Emissions and Long Island City Licensing facilities.

© 2015 TLC Magazine Online, Inc.