Rules for Street Hail Livery Hack-up and Maintenance

RCNY tit. 35, ch. 82, subch. B

in effect

35 RCNY § 82-46 Subchapter B: Scope of this Subchapter.

§ 82-46 Subchapter B: Scope of this Subchapter. (a) To establish the standards and requirements for preparing a vehicle for Street Hail Livery Licensing, and (b) To establish the standards and requirements for Street Hail Livery maintenance, inspection and retirement.

35 RCNY § 82-47 Penalties.

§ 82-47 Penalties. (a) This Subchapter is informational in nature and does not contain penalties. Penalties for failure to follow the rules established in this Subchapter will be found in Subchapter A of this Chapter and 35 RCNY Chapter 80 which establish specific requirements for Street Hail Livery Drivers and Licensees. (Amended City Record 9/22/2016, eff. 10/22/2016)

35 RCNY § 82-48 Definitions Specific to this Subchapter.

§ 82-48 Definitions Specific to this Subchapter. (a) Safety and Emissions Inspection means the required vehicle inspections conducted at the Commission's inspection facility.

35 RCNY § 82-49 Standard Specifications for Street Hail Liveries.

§ 82-49 Standard Specifications for Street Hail Liveries. [Reserved.]

35 RCNY § 82-50 Standard Specifications for Accessible Street Hail Liveries.

§ 82-50 Standard Specifications for Accessible Street Hail Liveries. (a) An Accessible Street Hail Livery must be designed for the purpose of transporting persons in wheelchairs or must contain a physical device or alteration designed to permit access to and enable the transportation of persons using wheelchairs in accordance with the Americans With Disabilities Act. (i) An Accessible Street Hail Livery must meet the safety and design specifications set forth in 35 RCNY § 59C-04. (b) An Accessible Street Hail Livery must also be equipped with restraints to secure a wheelchair in place in the vehicle. (Amended City Record 12/9/2020, eff. 1/8/2021; amended City Record 9/25/2025, eff. 10/25/2025)

35 RCNY § 82-51 Requirements for Hacking Up a Street Hail Livery.

§ 82-51 Requirements for Hacking Up a Street Hail Livery. (a) A vehicle that is currently licensed as a for-hire vehicle as of July 1, 2013 or thereafter can be hacked up for use as a Street Hail Livery. (b) Continuation in Service. Upon Hack-up, a vehicle may continue in service with the same Street Hail Livery License so long as the vehicle passes inspection pursuant to 35 RCNY § 82-30.

35 RCNY § 82-52 Requirements for Hack-up – Paint, Finish and Lighting.

§ 82-52 Requirements for Hack-up – Paint, Finish and Lighting. (a) Apple Green. The exterior of the vehicle must be painted Apple Green (paint codes Dupont – GS028 or PPG – 502757 or similar), except for the trim. Samples of paint color and code are to be submitted to the Chair for approval if not those specified. (b) Front Design. There must be no unnecessary projections such as rigid hood ornaments. (c) Signs. The vehicle must be provided with signs that conform to the marking specifications in 35 RCNY § 82-33. (d) Roof Light. The vehicle must be equipped with an approved Roof Light.

35 RCNY § 82-53 Requirements for Hack-up – Occupant Accommodation.

§ 82-53 Requirements for Hack-up – Occupant Accommodation. [Reserved.]

35 RCNY § 82-54 Requirements for Hack-up – Taximeters.

§ 82-54 Requirements for Hack-up – Taximeters. (a) Requirement. The vehicle must be equipped with a sealed, tamper-resistant Taximeter installed by a Licensed Taximeter Business according to the rules and regulations in 35 RCNY Chapter 64. The Taximeter must be installed in a location approved by the Chairperson which allows safe operation of the vehicle and visibility to the passenger. (b) Technical Specifications. The Taximeter must meet the specifications and tolerances published in the most recent National Institute of Standards and Technology Handbook, and must be approved for use in New York by the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets and by the Commission. Any new Taximeter model will be subject to a minimum three month test period before approval. (c) Other Technical Requirements. (1) The Roof Light must be controlled by engaging the Taximeter. (2) The Taximeter must be capable of calculating and displaying all required rates of fare. (3) The Taximeter must be capable of transferring data to the Technology System manufactured by any Commission-licensed Technology System Provider which has chosen to use the Taximeter. (4) The Taximeter and all connections must be secure and tamper proof. All switches, wiring and caps must meet applicable specifications of the Society of Automotive Engineers. (5) The Taximeter must not allow a Driver to use an unauthorized rate code in an unauthorized area. (6) The Roof Light must be unlighted when the Taximeter is detached from its bracket. (Amended City Record 5/17/2018, eff. 6/16/2018)

35 RCNY § 82-55 Requirements for Hack-up – Technology System.

§ 82-55 Requirements for Hack-up – Technology System. (a) Requirement. The vehicle must be equipped with a Technology System approved by the Commission pursuant to 35 RCNY Chapter 66 and installed by a Technology System Provider in accordance with 35 RCNY Chapter 66. (b) [Reserved.] (Amended City Record 5/17/2018, eff. 6/16/2018)

35 RCNY § 82-56 Requirements for Hack-up – Partitions.

§ 82-56 Requirements for Hack-up – Partitions. (a) Requirement. (1) Unless exempt under 35 RCNY § 82-36(b), the vehicle must be equipped with a partition that isolates the driver from the rear seat passengers or all passengers of the vehicle. (2) The purpose of the partition is to provide protection to the driver while ensuring passenger safety and enabling rear seat passengers to have a clear and unobstructed view of the TLC Driver License, Rate Card, and front windshield. (b) Technical Specifications. (1) The partition must extend from the ceiling to a specific point as recommended by the Chairperson and approved by the Commission, based upon the make and model of the vehicle. (2) The transparent portion of the partition must be constructed of a mar-resistant polycarbonate not less than 0.375 inches thick that will provide passengers and drivers with maximum visibility. (i) For a flat partition and a partition for a Street Hail Livery with factory installed curtain airbags, the transparent portion must extend from the ceiling to join or overlap with the protective plate of the partition. (ii) For an L shaped partition, on the side that is behind the driver, the transparent portion of the partition must extend from the ceiling to join or overlap with the protective plate of the partition. On the side that extends forward to back between the two front seats, the transparent portion of the partition must extend from the ceiling to join or overlap with the protective plate of the partition on the right side of the center console located between the two front seats. (3) The protective plate must join or overlap with the transparent portion of the partition and extend downward to the floor of the vehicle. The protective plate must be a plate of 0.085-inch thick bullet-resistant ballistic steel or its equivalent recommended by the Chairperson and approved by the Commission. The protective plate must be installed inside and covering the front seat's entire backrest. (i) The protective plate must extend from the point that the transparent portion joins it downward to the floor of the Street Hail Livery. (ii) If the transparent portion overlaps the protective plate, the protective plate must extend from the point of joinder with the transparent portion downward to the floor of the Street Hail Livery. (4) For an L shaped partition, the protective plate must also cover the right side of the center console between the two front seats. (5) The entire protective plate of each partition must have sufficient padding to prevent injury to any rear-seat passenger in case of a Collision or sudden stopping, and all surfaces must be free of sharp and rough edges. (6) There must be no opening or gap between the partition and the body of the vehicle larger than one inch, except for vehicles equipped with factory installed curtain airbags. In those vehicles, the partition shall allow a space of six inches on each side, sufficient to license proper deployment of the curtain airbags. (7) In addition to meeting all other technical specifications, a partition may be installed only if it does not impair passenger and driver safety and has the following features: (i) Allows passengers and drivers to communicate with each other (ii) Allows passengers in the rear passenger compartment to pay fares by cash or by credit card and to receive receipts for payments and transactions. (Amended City Record 9/22/2016, eff. 10/22/2016)

35 RCNY § 82-57 Requirements for Hack-up – Distress Signal Lights.

§ 82-57 Requirements for Hack-up – Distress Signal Lights. (a) Requirement. A Licensee must equip the Street Hail Livery with a help or distress signaling light system consisting of two turn signal type "lollipop" lights. (b) Technical Specifications. (1) One light must be mounted on the front center of the vehicle, either on top of the bumper or forward or behind the grill. A second light must be mounted on top of the rear bumper, to the left of the license plate. (2) Each light must be three to four inches in diameter, have a total rated output of 32 candle power, and be amber-colored or have an amber-colored lens so that the light output of the device is the color amber at 32 candle power. (3) The activator must be installed within easy reach of the driver, must be silent when operating, and must be fully solid-state. (4) The lights must be able to flash between 60 and 120 times per minute. (5) The wiring must not affect or interfere with, directly or otherwise, any wiring or circuitry used by the meter for measuring time or distance.

35 RCNY § 82-58 Requirements for Hack-up – In-Vehicle Camera System ("IVCS").

§ 82-58 Requirements for Hack-up – In-Vehicle Camera System ("IVCS"). (a) Requirement. When an existing IVCS is required to be replaced or when an IVCS system is installed (including, but not limited to, at Hack-up), it must be functioning and in good working order and meet the specifications and installation requirements below. (b) Technical Specifications. (1) Frequency. The IVCS must capture at least one image per second, or capture video, while the engine is running and for at least ten (10) minutes after the engine is shut off. (2) Quality. The IVCS must record sharp, undistorted, and clear images or video to enable the viewer to identify all passengers under all lighting conditions, including but not limited to dark and bright light, daylight, and backlight. (3) Scope. The IVCS must be able to capture the full face of all occupants of the vehicle, including the driver. (4) Stamping. The IVCS must record the following information on each image or video frame: (i) Date and time, (ii) Vehicle license number, and (iii) IVCS serial number. (5) Indicator. The IVCS must indicate when the camera is operational and when there is a malfunction. (6) Retention. The IVCS must retain images or video for at least thirty (30) days. (7) Stability. The IVCS must be fastened securely with tamper-resistant hardware. (8) Installation and repairs. Installations and repairs of IVCS may be performed only by: (i) Installers currently licensed by the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection or successor agency, or (ii) Taximeter Businesses. (9) Access. The IVCS must be accessible in the following ways: (i) The IVCS and its contents, including image or video, may only be accessible to the Vehicle Owner and the Taximeter Business or licensed installer that installed the IVCS. (ii) The Taximeter Business or licensed installer must provide image or video access to law enforcement agencies, including the New York City Police Department, the Vehicle Owner, and the Vehicle Driver, upon request, in standard digital formats. (10) Inspection and approval. Only IVCS models approved by TLC may satisfy the requirements of this section. (i) After an approved IVCS model is installed, the Vehicle Owner must provide for inspection a notarized affidavit that includes images taken by the camera within 14 calendar days after installation, or after repair or modification after an approved IVCS model is installed. (11) Recordkeeping. IVCS manufacturers must keep a record of the IVCS installed in each TLC licensed vehicle with the following information: (i) The name of the camera model, (ii) The name of the licensed installer, (iii) The date of installation, and (iv) TLC vehicle license number. (v) The data must be made available to the Commission on a regular basis as determined by S&E, and on demand. (Amended City Record 9/22/2023, eff. 10/22/2023)

35 RCNY § 82-59 Requirements for Hack-up – Credential Holders.

§ 82-59 Requirements for Hack-up – Credential Holders. (a) Requirement. A credential holder must be mounted behind the driver in the vehicle in a manner that does not block the driver's view. The holder will be on the partition if there is a partition, or on the headrest if there is no partition. (b) Technical Specifications. A credential holder frame mounted on the driver's side of the clear portion of the partition must conform to the following: (1) Be approved by the Commission. (2) Be secured by either rivet or screw at least two inches above the frame supporting the clear portion of the partition and centered on the vehicle's steering column or the headrest on the driver's seat facing the rear passenger's compartment. (3) The frame must have a drop-in or slide-in slot accessible only from the driver's compartment for the rate card and the driver's license. (4) The frame must have sufficient illumination so that the rate card and the driver's license are clearly visible from the rear seat after dark. (5) The frame must be sufficiently padded so as not to cause injury to the driver.

35 RCNY § 82-60 Requirements for Hack-up – Air Conditioning.

§ 82-60 Requirements for Hack-up – Air Conditioning. (a) Requirement. All vehicles must be equipped with an air conditioner. The air conditioner must be in good working condition from May 1st through September 30th each year. In vehicles equipped with a partition, the air conditioner must include an auxiliary unit for the rear seating area. (b) Technical Specifications. (1) The auxiliary unit must be either standard equipment or optional equipment built into the vehicle by the vehicle manufacturer. (2) The auxiliary unit must have controls that passengers may operate in the rear passenger area.

35 RCNY § 82-61 Scheduled Vehicle Retirement.

§ 82-61 Scheduled Vehicle Retirement. [Reserved.]

35 RCNY § 82-62 Vehicle Retirement Extensions.

§ 82-62 Vehicle Retirement Extensions. [Reserved.]

35 RCNY § 82-63 Authorized Rooftop Advertising Fixture.

§ 82-63 Authorized Rooftop Advertising Fixture. (a) Authorized Rooftop Advertising Fixture. (1) Upon payment of an annual Advertising Permit Fee as described in 35 RCNY § 82-08(j), a Street Hail Livery Licensee may install and maintain an authorized Rooftop Advertising Fixture. (2) A Street Hail Livery Licensee must not install or maintain a Rooftop Advertising Fixture that is not authorized, or no longer authorized, by TLC. (b) Requirements for Obtaining Commission Approval of a Rooftop Advertising Fixture. (1) The Rooftop Advertising Fixture must be tested and certified in accordance with the Department of Defense Test Standard MIL-STD 810f by a licensed Professional Engineer and documentation of testing and certification must be submitted to the Commission. (MIL-STD 810f can be found at http://www.dtc.army.mil/navigator.) (2) The Rooftop Advertising Fixture must be approved by the Commission's Safety and Emissions Division. (3) The Rooftop Advertising Fixture Provider may post advertisements on the Rooftop Advertising Fixture. Such advertisements: (i) must not exceed the physical dimensions of the advertising display surface of the rooftop unit (ii) Exception: An advertisement can exceed the dimensions of the advertising display surface of the rooftop unit by no more than 100 square inches if the certification by a Professional Engineer as required in paragraph one of this subdivision specifically states that the extension is safely supported upon the Rooftop Advertising Fixture. (4) The Rooftop Advertising Fixture must: (i) be two-sided, each side of a shape that is longer across and shorter in height, although not necessarily a rectangle; (ii) display advertising material to the sides of the vehicle, and (iii) not display advertising material to the front and back of the vehicle. (5) Variation in approved design. (i) If the Rooftop Advertising Fixture Provider wants to deviate from an approved design, it must inform the TLC of any material variation in the original, approved design before installing a modified fixture. (ii) The TLC shall, within fourteen (14) business days, inform the Rooftop Advertising Fixture Provider whether an additional authorization is required with respect to the modified Rooftop Advertising Fixture. (c) Maintenance of Rooftop Advertising Fixture. The Rooftop Advertising Fixture Provider must maintain the Rooftop Advertising Fixture in accordance with this Rule: (1) The Rooftop Advertising Fixture Provider must ensure that the Rooftop Advertising Fixture (i) is firmly affixed to each Street Hail Livery; (ii) is otherwise operating in a safe manner; (iii) is in good working order; this includes that the advertising displayed on the fixture is firmly affixed; and (iv) displays current advertisements. A current advertisement is one that includes, but is not limited to, a defined event (such as advertisements for movies, concerts or events which have fixed opening or running dates) and only remains current until 60 days following the completion or termination of the event, or promotes an existing business or consumer product. (2) (i) The Rooftop Advertising Fixture Provider must not display advertising that is offensive to public morals or is otherwise in violation of New York Penal Law Section 245.11. (ii) The Rooftop Advertising Fixture Provider must remove any advertising in violation of subparagraph (i) from public display within fifteen (15) days after a TLC request to remove such advertising. (d) Termination of Authorization of Rooftop Advertising Fixture. (1) The Chairperson may terminate authorization of a Rooftop Advertising Fixture if the provider has not complied with the requirements stated in this Rule. (i) Prior to terminating authorization, the Chairperson will give the Rooftop Advertising Fixture Provider notice of the Chairperson's intent to terminate authorization and shall provide detailed reasons for the action. (ii) The Rooftop Advertising Fixture Provider shall have 21 business days after the notice to cure any defect or to respond to any concerns set forth in the notice unless the TLC extends the cure period. (iii) If the Rooftop Advertising Fixture Provider fails to cure any defect or fails to respond to any concerns set forth in the Chairperson's notice to the satisfaction of the Chairperson within the time period allotted by the TLC, the Chairperson may promptly terminate authorization. (2) Notwithstanding the notice requirements of paragraph one, TLC may immediately terminate authorization of a Rooftop Advertising Fixture if the Chairperson determines there is an imminent threat to the health or safety of members of the public, drivers of Street Hail Liveries, or other individuals.

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/0-0-0-75900Fetched: 10/24/2026