Vehicle – Markings & Advertising.
35 RCNY § 58-32
in effect§ 58-32 Vehicle – Markings & Advertising.
(a) Approved Exterior Markings.
(1) An Owner of a Taxicab must apply to the exterior of the Taxicab markings approved by the Commission.
(2) An Owner of a Taxicab must obtain the approved Taxicab markings from a person or entity authorized by the Commission to print and distribute the decals. A depiction of the decals and a list of persons authorized to print and distribute the decals will be available on the Commission's website and/or through other means determined by the Commission and announced on its website.
(3) Authorized Stand-by vehicles must display SBV number decals in lieu of the Medallion number decals.
35 RCNY § 58-32(a)(1)-(3) Fine: $75 Appearance NOT REQUIRED
(b) Approved Emblems.
(1) An Owner must not display emblems on the Taxicab exterior, other than an emblem identifying:
(i) The Owner
(ii) An association of Owners
(iii) A Taxicab Drivers' union
(iv) The Taxicab manufacturer
(2) These emblems must conform to the Marking Specifications for Taxicabs and will be subject to the approval of the Commission.
(3) No more than two of the same emblem can be displayed on a Taxicab, unless otherwise authorized by the Commission.
35 RCNY § 58-32(b)(1)-(3) Fine: $200 Appearance REQUIRED
(c) Other Approved Markings. An Owner must not display any lettering, emblem, advertising or marking of any kind on the exterior of a Taxicab, including windows and exterior accessories, unless authorized by the Commission, except for the following:
(1) Markings, inscriptions and/or advertising specifically permitted or authorized by the Commission.
(2) Advertising that is authorized by the Commission on the Vehicle's Rate Card and for which the Owner has obtained a permit from the Commission
(3) Accessible Taxicab Insignia.
(i) The design for insignia that will identify the vehicle as an Accessible Taxicab will be provided by the Commission on its website or through other means presented on its website.
(ii) These insignia must be located on the exterior of the C-pillars of a sedan or an SUV or on the exterior of the D-pillars of a minivan, on both sides of the accessible Taxicab, and will be visible to passengers entering the accessible Taxicab.
(4) Clean Air Taxicab Insignia.
(i) The design for insignia that will identify the vehicle as a Clean Air Vehicle will be provided by the Commission on its website or though other means presented on its website.
(ii) These insignia must be located on the exterior of the C-pillars of a sedan or an SUV or on the exterior of the D-pillars of a minivan, on both sides of such Taxicab, and will be visible to passengers entering the clean air Taxicab.
35 RCNY § 58-32(c) Fine: $50 if plead guilty before a hearing; $75 if found guilty following a hearing. Appearance NOT REQUIRED
(d) Maintain in Good Condition. Required inscriptions and markings must be maintained in good condition.
35 RCNY § 58-32(d) Fine: $75 Appearance NOT REQUIRED
(e) Commercial Use Tax Stamp. An Owner must affix a current New York City commercial use motor vehicle tax stamp to the lower right side of the Taxicab windshield so as to be plainly visible.
35 RCNY § 58-32(e) Fine: $200 Appearance REQUIRED
(f) Approved Interior Markings. An Owner must not display inside a Taxicab any advertising or other notice not specifically authorized by these rules or the Commission's Marking Specifications for Taxicabs unless approved by the Commission, except for the following:
(1) Industry signage/logos of all credit/debit cards accepted by the Technology System, all of equal size.
(2) Advertising on the Technology System as set forth below in the Taxicab Marking Specifications table (35 RCNY § 58-32(i)) and in 35 RCNY § 67-15(d).
35 RCNY § 58-32(f)(2) Fine: $50 Appearance NOT REQUIRED
(3) Cyclist Awareness Decal. An Owner must equip all Taxicabs with decals provided by the Commission warning passengers to look for cyclists before opening the door. Such decals must be placed on the inside of both rear passenger doors.
35 RCNY § 58-32(f)(3) Fine: $50 if plead guilty before a hearing; $75 if found guilty following a hearing. No penalty for missing decal if condition is corrected within 10 days Appearance NOT REQUIRED
(g) Braille and Raised Lettering Plaques. An Owner must equip all Taxicabs with both of the following:
(1) A Taxicab Identification Braille Plaque.
(i) This plaque must be made of .040 gauge aluminum with a matte finish and measure 3 1/4 inches in length and 1 3/4 inches in height, with radius corners.
(ii) The plaque must state, in Raster Braille grade two:
A. The Medallion number centered on the first line,
B. The word "COMPLAINTS" centered on the second line, and
C. The telephone number "212 NYC TAXI" centered on the third line.
(iii) The plaque must be permanently affixed on the door armrest of the horizontal plane of the right rear door, or another location approved by the Chairperson.
(2) A Taxicab Identification Raised Lettering Plaque.
(i) This plaque must be made of 1/8-inch thick black acrylic plastic and measure 11 inches in length and five inches in height, with radius corners and four holes (one in each corner) for attachment with screws.
(ii) The plaque must state, in one inch high white Helvetica lettering that is permanently affixed:
A. The Medallion number centered on the first line,
B. The word "COMPLAINTS" centered on the second line, and
C. The telephone number "212 NYC TAXI" centered on the third line with appropriate spacing between the three words.
(iii) The plaque must be permanently affixed on the rear of the front right passenger seat or partition, not more than six inches below the lexan or polycarbonate portion of the partition.
35 RCNY § 58-32(g)(2) Fine: $100. No penalty for missing plaque, if condition is corrected within forty-eight hours Appearance N/A
(h) Special Markings for Clean Air Vehicles. Owners of a Clean Air Taxicab must display on the Taxicab's Personal Information Monitor information provided by the Commission that accomplishes the following:
(1) Identifies the Taxicab as a Clean Air Vehicle
(2) Includes the address of the Commission web page(s)
(3) Includes, to the extent practicable:
(i) Estimated air quality benefits associated with the use of the vehicle, and
(ii) The type of fuel used to power the vehicle.
35 RCNY § 58-32(h) Fine: $200 Appearance REQUIRED
(i) Marking Specifications for Taxicabs.
INSCRIPTION* LOCATION SIZE
(a) Rate of fare decals [Reserved]
(b) Taxicab logo decals (required) (Non-detachable type only.) Both front doors centered left to right and located in the upper half of the flat surface between the bottom edge of the door and the door handle. The base line of the Taxicab logo decal must be parallel to the bottom door edge. The size of the Taxicab logo decals must be determined by the Commission
(c) Medallion number (required) Front and rear of roof light. 2 3/4" to 3" high letters 1/2" thick.
(d) "Owner-Driver" (optional) Rear of taxi. 3" maximum height
(e) EMBLEMS (Optional) (1) Fleet Owner (2) Owner Association (3) Taxicab Drivers' Union insignia (4) Taxicab manufacturer On rear baggage compartment in lower right corner of deck lid. Consult the Commission if contour of lid requires another location on the lid. 2" high letters 1/4" thick. Avoid overcrowding
(f) Medallion number, interior (required). Can be one-piece decal or a stencil. The number must be of a color contrasting with the seat, to provide for easy legibility. On the back of the front seat. The top of the number must be located not more than two inches below the top of the front seat. Numbers and letter must be 3" minimum in height.
(g) Passenger Information Sign. (required) Must contain the information required by the Chairman or his designee. On the back of the front seat or on a safety partition, displayed in a manner that is clearly visible to the passengers in the back seat. If the taxi is equipped with a safety partition, the passenger information sign can be placed on the partition behind the Driver's head, but no higher than a headrest would be. Approximately 12" wide by 6" high.
(h) "Drivers Wanted" sign. Can include the telephone number of the Owner. (Optional) Rear of taxi. No more than 24" wide by 3" high.
(i) "If this taxi is parked for over 24 hours, please call Owner at (telephone number) . . ." (Optional) Rear of taxi or horizontal on dashboard. No more than 24" wide by 3" high.
(j) Telephone available, or similar language or symbol (optional) Exterior, on a door or a side window. 4" by 6", or smaller.
(k) Brand name Technology Service Provider On the bezel of the Technology System Not to exceed 1 1/4" in height and 4" in length
(l) "This vehicle is equipped with camera security. YOU WILL BE PHOTOGRAPHED." (Non-detachable decals only) On rear passenger window Letters must be at least one-half inch high.
(m) Medallion number decals (required). (Non-detachable decals only.) The decals must be applied to both rear quarter panels, just below the rear windows or following the line created by the bottom edge of the windows. On some vehicles, such as minivans, the Medallion number can be placed at the rear of the sliding door. The size of the Medallion number decals must be determined by the Commission.
(n) New York State symbol for accessibility, for Accessible Taxicabs. (optional) Front and rear of roof light, displayed on both sides of the medallion number.
(o) "Drivers are not allowed to use cell phones or handheld electronics." Decal or sticker shall be issued by the Commission Interior of passenger compartment in a location plainly visible to passengers As issued by the Commission
(p) "Turning? People are Crossing." The sticker must be obtained pursuant to instructions posted on the Commission's website or through other appropriate means announced on the website. (required) On the inside of the front windshield, in the center and adjacent to the top of the windshield directly behind the rearview mirror, placed in such a manner not to obstruct the driver's view. 3.5" wide by 2.5" high.
(q) "The choices you make behind the wheel matter." The sticker may be obtained pursuant to instructions posted on the Commission's website or through other appropriate means announced on the website. (optional) On the rear bumper of the vehicle. 15" wide by 4" high.
(r) "ATTENTION: Assaulting A Driver Is Punishable By Up to Twenty-Five Years in Prison." The sticker must be obtained pursuant to instructions posted on the Commission website or through other appropriate means announced on its website. (required) In Taxicabs with a partition, the sticker will be placed above the braille plaque on the partition. In Taxicabs without a partition, the sticker will be placed in a frame on the passenger seat headrest. 8.0 x 2.0 inches.
(s) "Taxi and Limousine Drivers Are Protected By New York State Law ATTENTION: Assaulting a driver is punishable by up to twenty-five years in prison." The sticker may be obtained pursuant to instructions posted on the Commission website or through other appropriate means announced on its website. (optional) On a rear passenger window. 3.5 x 3.5 inches.
(t) The decal will feature the International Symbol of Access for Hearing Loss, described as the profile of an ear with a wide diagonal line running from the bottom left to the top right. The symbol contrast shall be light on dark or dark on light. A "T" will be placed in the lower right-hand corner of each decal. The internal decal will include the language "Induction loop installed. Switch hearing aid to T-coil." Vehicles equipped with Hearing Induction Loop technology must place the decal on the outside of the vehicle as directed by the Chairperson, and inside the rear passenger compartment in a location plainly visible to passengers. The exterior B-pillar decal will be 3.000 x 3.000 inches; the interior passenger compartment decal dimensions will be as issued by the Commission.
(u) Cyclist Awareness Decals (required) Inside of both rear passenger doors As issued by the Commission
* Detachable signs suspended from door frames are not permitted.
(Amended City Record 1/28/2016, eff. 2/27/2016; amended City Record 9/22/2016, eff. 10/22/2016; amended City Record 5/17/2018, eff. 6/16/2018; amended City Record 2/12/2020, eff. 3/13/2020; amended City Record 9/25/2025, eff. 10/25/2025)
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/0-0-0-67492Fetched: 10/24/2026