Operations – General Rules During Operation of Vehicle.
35 RCNY § 56-15
in effect§ 56-15 Operations – General Rules During Operation of Vehicle.
(a) No Weapons. A Driver must not carry a weapon while operating a Paratransit Vehicle without the Commission's written authorization.
35 RCNY § 56-15(a) Fine: $100 and/or suspension up to 30 days. Appearance REQUIRED
(b) Driver Neat & Clean. A Driver must be clean and neat in dress and person and present a professional appearance.
(c) No Smoking. A Driver must not smoke when transporting a passenger, or while assisting the passenger in or out of the vehicle.
35 RCNY § 56-15(c) Fine: No Penalty Noted. Appearance NOT REQUIRED
(d) [Reserved.] No Locking Rear Doors.
(e) [Reserved.]
(f) [Reserved.] Have E-Z Pass.
(g) No Overcharges.
(1) A Driver must not charge or try to charge a fare above the approved rate of fare established by the owner and filed with the Commission.
(2) A Driver must not charge or try to charge any additional fees for transporting a person with a Paratransit Disability, a Service Animal, or a wheelchair or other mobility aid.
35 RCNY § 56-15(g)(1)-(2) MANDATORY PENALTIES: See 35 RCNY § 56-02 Appearance REQUIRED
(3) A Driver must give passengers the correct change.
35 RCNY § 56-15(g)(3) Fine: $25 - $150. Appearance REQUIRED
(4) A Driver must not ask or in any way indicate to a passenger that a tip is expected or required.
35 RCNY § 56-15(g)(4) Fine: $50. Appearance REQUIRED
(h) [Reserved.] Non-Paying Customers.
(i) No Overloading Vehicle. A Driver must never carry more passengers than the capacity of the vehicle as determined by the State Department of Transportation.
35 RCNY § 56-15(i) Fine: $25. Appearance NOT REQUIRED
(j) [Reserved.] Use of Front Seat.
(k) Luggage.
(1) A Driver must not refuse to transport a passenger's wheelchair, crutches or other property.
35 RCNY § 56-15(k)(1) MANDATORY PENALTIES: See 35 RCNY § 56-02 Appearance REQUIRED
(2) When necessary or if the passenger requests it, the Driver must load or unload the passenger's luggage and other property, within reason.
35 RCNY § 56-15(k)(2) Fine: $50-$100. Appearance REQUIRED
(l) [Reserved.] No Transporting Property Only.
(m) No "Marketing" to Passengers. A Driver must not sell or advertise any service or merchandise to the passengers without prior written approval from the Commission.
35 RCNY § 56-15(m) Fine: $50. Appearance NOT REQUIRED
(n) Assist Passengers to Board Vehicle.
(1) A Driver must provide all necessary and reasonable assistance to passengers to board the vehicle, to be secured inside, to be delivered to their destination, and to depart from the vehicle.
(2) The Driver must assist all passengers whether the passenger is ambulatory, or uses a wheelchair or other mobility aid.
(3) The Driver's assistance must also include ensuring that a service animal has entered and exited the vehicle.
(4) The Driver is not required to assist passengers up or down the steps.
35 RCNY § 56-15(n)(1)-(4) Fine: $100 - $340 and/or suspension up to 30 days and possible revocation (OATH). Appearance REQUIRED
(o) Be Punctual. A Driver must be diligent and on time in picking up and transporting passengers.
35 RCNY § 56-15(o) Fine: $25. Appearance NOT REQUIRED
(p) Find Alternate Transportation if Vehicle Breaks Down.
(1) If the Paratransit Vehicle becomes inoperable while a passenger is in the Vehicle, the Driver must try to find comparable transportation for the remainder of the passenger's trip.
(2) This does not apply if the passenger wants to find his or her own transportation.
35 RCNY § 56-15(p) Fine: $50 - $150. Appearance REQUIRED
(q) Courtesy. A Driver must be courteous to passengers.
35 RCNY § 56-15(q) Fine: $200 if plead guilty before a hearing; $300 if found guilty following a hearing. Appearance NOT REQUIRED
Source: City of New York, Charter, Administrative Code and Rules (American Legal Publishing XML export, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/newyorkcity/latest/NYCrules/0-0-0-66018Fetched: 10/24/2026