A set of more detailed instructions are available on the instructions form and the application form at our facilities and on our website (or in PDF).

1) You must be at least 19 years of age.

2)  You will need a chauffeur’s license or equivalent (in NYS, classes A, B, C and E are acceptable). If you have a NYS class D driver’s license, you can obtain a class E license at your local DMV for a fee of between $5 and $40.  The fee depends on how old your current license is.

3) The TLC requires that all applicants owe no outstanding obligations to the DMV, NYC PVB, or NYC TLC.

4) The TLC requires ALL applicants for a TLC driver’s license to file a notarized Child Support Certification form from the NYC Office of Child Support Enforcement.

5) An original Social Security card.

6) You must present a valid form of photo identification issued by the United States, any state or territory thereof, or any political subdivision of such state or territory. (A valid state DMV license bearing a current photograph will fulfill the requirement for photo ID.)

7) Complete a NYS DMV certified defensive driving class no more than 6 months before filing the application.

8) You must have a primary address in the United States. This requirement can be fulfilled by providing one of the following: DMV driver’s license (with current address), copy of lease, original utility bill or credit card statement.   All documents must display both your name and address. 

9) You must be examined by a doctor and have the doctor sign and date the medical history form (form B) attesting to your medical fitness to drive a taxicab. Medical Certification form must include an official stamp or seal from the physician. (Medallion license applicants only.)

10) Complete the TLC driver application and have the form (form A) notarized. The form is available at the TLC’s website, at either of the TLC’s two licensing facilities (32-02 Queens Boulevard, Long Island City, NY 11101 or 1893 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island, NY 10302), or by calling 212-TLC-INFO to have a form mailed to you.

More information here [bottom of page 1] (in PDF):
To get a Taxi license, you must purchase 3 money orders:

1) Medallion and For-Hire Applicants: 1-year TLC licensing fee -) no cash, money order only - payable to "NYC TLC"  $60.00

Note 1:  All Medallion and For-Hire Vehicle Driver applicants who are approved for a TLC   license will be issued a "Probationary" license valid for a period of one (1) year.  Please carefully review TLC Rules and Regulations; Medallion §2-04 and For-Hire Vehicle §6-14 (a),(b)(1-9), and (c).  TLC Rules are available on the TLC website http://www.nyc.gov/taxi.

2) Paratransit and Commuter Van Applicants: 2-year TLC licensing fee -  no cash, money order only - payable to "NYC TLC"   $120.00

3) Fingerprinting - (All Applicants) no cash, money order only – payable to: "NYC   TLC/NYS DCJS   $75.00

4) Drug test fee: A money order in the amount of $25.50 and made payable to  "LabCorp."

5) You must complete a New York State DMV-certified defensive driving course no more than six (6) months before filing your application. The certificate of completion cannot be more than six (6) months old. The course is six (6) hours long and costs approximately $50. To find a course provider near you, consult the TLC's Web site for "Listing Of Defensive Driving Courses," or call 311. You must have the original certificate of completion; copies will not be accepted

6) If you have a Class D license, you can obtain a Class E driver’s license for a fee of between $5 and $40, depending on how many years remain on your Class D license.  Find your local NY, NJ, CT or PA DMV.

7) You must attend one of three TLC-approved taxi schools and complete either an 80-  hour or 24-hour course. Taking the 80-hour course increases your chances of passing the taxi exam because it covers all material that will appear on the test. Applicants must contact each taxi school directly to register for a course. This requirement may not be completed before filing your application with TLC; you must bring your TLC receipt to enroll in the school. Payment is made directly to each school; the cost is $325 for the 80-hour course and $150 for the 24-hour course. In addition to this cost, applicants must pay $25 for each reserved date of testing to take the taxi and English proficiency test.

A detailed list of authorized taxi schools are available on the Driver Requirements Checklist form at our facilities and on our website (or in PDF).

• All “Yellow’ Taxicab Drivers MUST complete a four (4) hour Continuing Education Course by the expiration date of your probationary (first year) license.  If you do not complete this course, you will not be issued a renewal license.
• You MUST call and schedule an appointment with one of the schools listed below.
  
  Continuing Education Schools

• You MUST complete the course before renewing your TLC driver’s license.  

• If you completed taxi school after January 4, 1999, you will not be required to attend taxi school again in order to obtain a new license.
• If you completed taxi school before January 4, 1999, or never attended taxi school, you are required to complete taxi school.  You may take either an 80 hour or 24 hour course.  In addition, you will need to pass the English proficiency exam and score a 70 or above on the Written exam. You MUST call and schedule an appointment with any one of the schools listed below.
  
  Listing of Taxi Schools
  
  
• If you are successfully issued a new one year probationary license you will be required to take a four (4) hour continuing education course by the expiration date of your probationary license.  There are NO EXEMPTIONS from the four (4) hour continuing education course.
  
  Listing of Continuing Education Schools

After completing the application process you have four (4) months to complete the following:

1. Register and attend the Taxi School of your choice and successfully pass the English proficiency and written with a score of 70 or above. IMPORTANT NOTE: All “yellow” taxicab driver applicants must complete the taxi school course before taking the exam. You must take the exam at the same taxi school where you completed the course. Click here for more detailed instructions.
   
   
2. Must take a drug test and pass from an approved lab site. Click here to see Lab Site Listings Information Sheet.

A- You let the TLC know by filling out a Change of Address Form and bringing it in to our Long Island City facility.

Here’s how you get the form:

1. First, click on the Change of Address Form. Once the form comes up you can type in the required information directly on the form on the computer. Once you have completed filling out the form, you can then print it out. Or, if you want, you can also print out the blank form and fill it out in ink. Note: You will be able to save the form to your personal computer.

Or,

2. You can pick up a Change of Address Form at our Long Island City facility located at 32-02 Queens Blvd., 2nd floor, LIC, NY 11101, or our Staten Island facility, located at 1893 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island, NY 10302, between 8am and 4pm, Monday to Friday.

You MUST bring the completed Change of Address Form along with all required documents to our Long Island City facility. A TLC staff member will review the documents and then enter your new address in our system.

1. If you hold a TLC Driver’s License you must bring the Change of Address Form and Your TLC Driver’s License.
   
   
2. If you hold a TLC Medallion you must bring Change of Address Form, your Rate Card, and your Current Vehicle Insurance (FH1) with updated address.
   
   
3. If you hold a TLC FHV Decal (Vehicle Owner License) you must bring Change of Address Form, Vehicle Registration with updated address, Certificate of Liability with updated address, current Vehicle Insurance (FH1) with updated address, and proof of new address (utility bill, bank statement, lease or other mailed item).
   Note: The address on all documents must match your new address.

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1. Submit your completed request form to one of our TLC representatives at Window 9, 10 or 11 at the Medallion Section located on the 2nd floor at our Long Island City facility 
   
2. Fax your request to (718) 391-5695, Attn: Medallion Ownership Letter Request
   
   
3. Mail in your request to:
   
   NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission
   Attn: Medallion Ownership Letter Request
   32-02 Queens Boulevard, 2nd Floor
   Long Island City, NY 11101-2324

NOTE: A TLC staff member will call you to notify you of a date to pick up your request form(s).

To learn more about the Rule changes affecting For-Hire Vehicles operating as “Black Cars,” affiliated with Black Car Bases, please click on Black Car information Sheet.