Commuter Van Authority

To apply for a TLC Commuter Van Authority license, follow these instructions. If your application is not complete upon submission, it will not be accepted.

Step 1:  Pay & clear all outstanding fines.

• All fines, suspensions, judgments, and tickets owed to TLC, Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), Department of Finance (DOF), or other City / State agency must be cleared.
• Outstanding judgments, fines, or suspension(s) on an existing or prior TLC license must all be cleared and paid before an application can be submitted.

Step 2: Complete & submit the Business Name Reservation request.

• The Business name reservation request form must be submitted (and approved by TLC) before submitting the TLC base license application.
  • Email the completed form to Name-Reservation@tlc.nyc.gov.
• Once approved, the base name is reserved for use by the base for forty-five (45) days. If the TLC base license application is not submitted after 45 days, the name reservation request form must be resubmitted and reapproved by TLC.

Step 3: Collect & complete the below listed commuter van base application requirements.

1.  Complete the New Application for Commuter Van Authority
2. Name Inquiry / Name Reservation Request - Copy of approved Name Inquiry Form.
3. Valid government issued photo ID for all owners, principals, members, and managers; - A valid government issued identification.
4. Fingerprint Receipts:

1. 1. All owners, stockholders, and members must be fingerprinted when submitting a TLC base license application. To schedule a fingerprint appointment, visit IdentoGo.
   2. Download the IdentoGo fingerprint instructions.
   3. Note: use the ORI code, “156GQS” to log into the IdentoGo website and schedule your appointment.
   4. TLC will review the application, including any person named on the application, to determine fitness to hold a TLC base license.

5. Commuter Van Authority License for the NYC Department of Transportation Bureau of Traffic Operations Application –Must be filled out completely. (Please note: Application will be forwarded to NYC DOT for approval). DOT General Instructions for Commuter Van Authorities.doc.
6. Certificate of Workers Compensation Insurance - Bases are required to provide documentation reflecting Workers Compensation Insurance Coverage or exemption from providing this coverage.
7. Proof of EIN / SSN. Corporations, partnerships, and sole proprietors must submit proof of EIN / SSN (IRS issued CP-575 Notice or a 147-c letter).
8. Business records disclosing all partners, owners, members, officers, and principles; and the number of shares (or percent) owned:
   • Corporations submit a certificate of incorporation, the NYS filing receipt, and meeting minutes specifying the names and shares (or percent) owned.
   • LLCs submit articles of organization, NYS filing receipt, operating agreement, and list of all owners/members and the shares (or percent) owned.
   • Partnerships submit a partnership certificate, NYS filing receipt, and a list of all partners and shares (or percent) owned.
   • Sole proprietors submit a business certificate.
9. Proof of business status- If a corporation, you must produce a Certificate of Incorporation and a filing receipt. If a partnership, you must produce a Partnership Certificate. If a sole proprietor, you must produce a Business Certificate.
10. Lease Affirmation TLC will review whether the proposed location is appropriately zoned for a base; TLC may request the base obtain a letter of no objection from the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) for confirmation.

11. Minimum of one (1) commuter van vehicle ready to affiliate to the Commute Van Authority.

Step 4: Email the completed Commuter van authority application and all documents to NewBusinessApp@tlc.nyc.gov.

• All documents must be submitted in PDF format. Please clearly and accurately label or name all attachments.
• TLC will review your submissions electronically; once TLC confirms your application is complete, you will be contacted to make an appointment to submit fees in person.

Step 5: Attach Vehicle.

• Once the review is complete and application fees paid, the base will be required to attach a minimum of 1 Commuter Van vehicle.

Once the vehicle requirement is met, the record will be final-approved; the TLC base license will be issued and sent by certified mail to the base address provided.

When submitting a new application or requesting a change of ownership, applicants/licensees must provide a complete disclosure of the entity's ownership structure.

If the applicant base / business is owned, in whole or in part, by a parent company, holding company, or another legal entity, you must submit a clear breakdown of that parent organization's structure. The New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission requires the names, addresses, and identifying information of all individuals or entities holding a 10% or greater ownership interest in the parent organization.

For example, if a parent entity like ABC Inc. owns 100% of the applicant business, you must provide a breakdown identifying every individual or entity that holds a 10% or higher stake in ABC Inc.

Failure to provide this complete ownership breakdown will delay the processing of your application and result in a denial.

• A Street Hail Livery (SHL) endorsement is a TLC licensed base that is permitted to dispatch SHL vehicles. An SHL base that also holds a TLC Commuter Van Authority license may also affiliate and dispatch non-SHL, TLC licensed, Commuter Van vehicles.
• To apply for an SHL endorsement, complete the SHL endorsement application. 
• Collect & complete the below listed SHL Endorsement application requirements:

• Pay & clear all outstanding fines.
• Rate Schedule - Please provide a copy of your most current rate schedule.
• Original Surety Bond of $5000 for the benefit of the City of New York.
• Dispatch App Disclosure
• Privacy and Security Policies

• Email the completed SHL endorsement application and all requirements, in PDF format, to NewBusinessApp@tlc.nyc.gov. TLC will review the documents electronically and will contact applicants to make an appointment to submit licensing fees in person.

• Five hundred and fifty dollars ($550.00) for a (2) year Commuter Van Authority license.
• If also applying for a Street Hail Livery (SHL) endorsement, applications must be submitted by email to NewBusinessApp@tlc.nyc.gov.
  • There is an additional three thousand-dollar ($3000.00) fee for a three (3) year SHL Endorsed base, submitted in person, by appointment only.

• Lease Affirmation
• Dispatch App Disclosure
• Name Reservation Request
• Information Security and Use of Personal Information Policy affirmation
• SHL Endorsement Application

TLC base license renewal fees and required documents must be submitted by the expiration date of the base license. If all requirements are not met by the license expiration date, the license will not be renewed. Renewal requirements and payment can be submitted early to avoid delays.

Commuter Van Authority licenses must be renewed every two (2) years.

To renew a Commuter Van Authority license, follow these instructions:

Step 1: Pay & clear all outstanding fines.

• All fines, suspensions, judgments, and tickets owed to TLC, Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), Department of Finance (DOF), or other City / State agency must be cleared before renewal can be completed.

Step 2: Make all renewal application payments online, using LARS.

Step 3: Collect and complete the below listed Commuter Van Authority renewal requirements:

1. Valid government issued photo ID for all owners, principals, members, and managers;
2. Certificate of Workers' Compensation Insurance
3. Lease Affirmation;
4. Copy of the base's most recent phone bill, showing base phone number, name, and address;
5. Must have at least one (1) affiliated vehicle attached to the base.
6. If Street Hail Livery (SHL) endorsed, the SHL renewal application and requirements must be submitted by email to BusinessMR@tlc.nyc.gov . 

• Download the SHL endorsement renewal application.

Step 4: Email all required documents to BusinessMR@tlc.nyc.gov.

• All documents must be submitted in PDF format. Please clearly and accurately label or name all attachments.
• TLC will review your submissions electronically upon completion of the renewal application requirements. If approved, the renewal license will be issued and sent by certified mail to the base address.

• Five hundred and fifty dollars ($550.00) to renew a two (2) year Commuter Van Authority license.
• If SHL endorsed, three thousand-dollar ($3000.00) fee to renew an SHL endorsed base; the fee is submitted in person, by appointment only.

To change the name, physical location, or ownership of a TLC Licensed Base, the below application must be submitted to TLC. Please read the instructions and checklist carefully before submitting this application.

Completed applications and all required documents should be emailed, in PDF format, to businessmr@tlc.nyc.gov. TLC will review applications and documents electronically. Once TLC confirms an application is complete, the licensee will be contacted to make an appointment to submit licensing fees in person.

• Application to Change Ownership, Location or Name of a Commuter Van Authority (PDF)
  
• Checklist for a Change Application for a Commuter Van Authority (PDF)
• Instructions for a Change of Corporate or DBA of a Base Station (PDF)

When submitting a new application or requesting a change of ownership, applicants/licensees must provide a complete disclosure of the entity's ownership structure.

If the applicant base / business is owned, in whole or in part, by a parent company, holding company, or another legal entity, you must submit a clear breakdown of that parent organization's structure. The New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission requires the names, addresses, and identifying information of all individuals or entities holding a 10% or greater ownership interest in the parent organization.

For example, if a parent entity like ABC Inc. owns 100% of the applicant business, you must provide a breakdown identifying every individual or entity that holds a 10% or higher stake in ABC Inc.

Failure to provide this complete ownership breakdown will delay the processing of your application and result in a denial.

To terminate affiliation:

Step 1: Base must notify the vehicle owner and SHL permit holder (if applicable), in writing, that the base is terminating the vehicle's affiliation.

• Request that vehicle owner sign the Consent of Termination (page 2) of the Termination of Affiliation form.

Step 2: If the base cannot obtain the vehicle owner's / SHL permit holder's consent, the base must provide written notice to the vehicle owner (SHL permit holder), by certified mail, to the address on file with the TLC. To terminate affiliation, the base must provide the TLC with proof that the notice letter was sent to the vehicle owner and SHL holder (if applicable).

• Sample letter to terminate vehicle affiliation

Step 3: Complete the Termination of Affiliation form.

Step 4: Email the completed termination of affiliation form (and proof of notice letter terminating vehicle affiliation, if applicable) to Terminate@tlc.nyc.gov.