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Illegal Rides

We work hard to ensure all passengers reach their destinations safely in vehicles we license and inspect, with drivers that we train and license.  If your trip begins in NYC, both the driver and the vehicle must be licensed by the TLC—otherwise the ride is illegal. Illegal rides are uninsured and unsafe, and many illegal drivers don’t even have a DMV license. They also frequently overcharge passengers.

A person in a hoodie and a mask pointing at a car while finger is in front of mouth


How to Tell if a Ride is Illegal:

1) The driver or their partner is soliciting you.
TLC drivers are prohibited from asking people if they need a ride. Yellow and green cabs must be hailed on the street, via a taxi line, or through an app; all other trips must be prearranged through a licensed app or dispatcher. Even if the car and driver are TLC-licensed, odds are you’re being set up for an “off the books” trip with no protections.

2) The taximeter is off, or the driver’s name doesn’t match the one on your app.
If the meter’s not running, or you get into a vehicle you didn’t order yourself, the ride—and what you agreed to pay—is virtually untraceable. When taking a taxi to Westchester and Nassau Counties, the metered fare is double the amount from the city limit to your destination. Additionally, a message should appear on screen alerting the passenger of the rate change.

3) The driver or vehicle is not TLC-licensed.


How to identify TLC drivers and vehicles:

licence plate

T&LC is embossed at the bottom of the license plate


driver license

Every driver should have their TLC license on display - make sure their name matches the one in your e-hail app


Every TLC vehicle should have decal identifying the TLC license number and expiration


4) The base is not licensed.
All for-hire vehicles, such as rideshares, community car services, and luxury limos must be affiliated with a TLC-licensed dispatcher or base. You can check if the service is TLC-licensed at the link below:

Locations where illegal ride activity could be prevalent

Passengers should always be on the lookout for illegal rides, but here are some locations where they are more likely to occur:

  • Airports
  • Train stations
  • Concert venues
  • Sporting events
  • Tourist Attractions
  • Broadway shows
  • Hotels 


Illegal Commuter Vans

TLC licenses commuter vans on DOT-approved routes in New York City, but unlicensed vans operate illegally in many areas where public transportation is limited.

These illegal vans are a safety risk for the public: they are unlicensed, not properly insured, and have safety defects that put the riding public in danger.


Why are they unsafe?

  • Drivers are not licensed by the TLC and, in many cases, do not have a valid driver’s license.
  • These vehicles, which are not inspected by our Safety and Emissions team, often have:
    • Faulty or missing seatbelts
    • Emergency exits and windows that are blocked or do not open
    • Windows that do not open in case of an emergency
    • Rusted or deteriorating parts, such as bumpers, brakes, and wheels
  • Many of these vehicles are not properly insured or registered in New York State, which means passengers are at risk of not being properly covered in the event of an accident.


How can you tell if a van is licensed?

  • TLC-licensed vans have the base number and license number on the van itself
  • Look for the official TLC Commuter Van decal
  • Rides must be pre-arranged
  • New York State license plates (Out-of-state plates, like Connecticut, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, are a red flag)
  • Commuter Van Passengers’ Bill of Rights on the inside of the van


How to report illegal activity

You can report illegal street hails and other violations committed by TLC-licensed vehicles by calling 311 or going to https://portal.311.nyc.gov/.

Have more passenger questions? Click here: https://www.nyc.gov/site/tlc/passengers/passenger-frequently-asked-questions.page


Don’t Get Taken for a Ride.

Ride Safe!