Driver Education

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Driver Education

The TLC is committed to providing safe, efficient, and accessible for-hire transportation. A fleet of well-trained and knowledgeable drivers is the key to providing this level of service. TLC-Approved Education Providers, drivers, bases, fleets, and industry members can use this page to access education resources.

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TLC Driver License Renewal Course

All TLC-Licensed Drivers must complete a continuing education course as a requirement for renewing their TLC Driver License. The purpose is to provide practical training for drivers' careers as professional drivers, as well as improve safety and customer service of the taxi and for-hire vehicle industries in New York City.

After receiving feedback from thousands of TLC-licensed drivers and focus groups with instructors who are also TLC-licensed drivers, TLC launched an enhanced Driver License Renewal Course at TLC-Authorized Education Providers in March 2024. 

The updated course includes video content that is scenario-based with enhanced technology to make the lessons more engaging and relatable for drivers. The scenarios will help teach students new information as they roleplay experiences that they are likely to have in their professional driving careers. The updated renewal course emphasizes anti-discrimination content for drivers, particularly the importance of serving and providing excellent customer service to all New Yorkers. 

Training topics in the renewal course include:

  • Using LARS, TLC UP, and Open Data
  • Rules and responsibilities that drivers must follow
  • Responding to a summons 
  • Interacting with law-enforcement
  • Policies and resources regarding electric vehicles
  • Bribery prevention
  • Safe driving practices and Vision Zero
  • Providing safe, excellent customer service to the riding public
  • Preventing discrimination based on race, disability, use of service animals, geography, and sexual orientation
  • How to successfully secure a passenger who uses a wheelchair or other mobility devices
  • Assisting a passenger with vision impairment or who is hard of hearing
  • Driver responsibilities under the American with Disabilities Act
  • Using gender-neutral language

The course requires licensees to complete every step of the physical, hands-on training. You will need to use your arms to push a passenger that uses a wheelchair into the vehicle and bend down to connect the floor straps to the wheelchair.

View a list of TLC-Authorized Education Providers that offer the TLC Driver License Renewal Course.

For more information, please read Frequently Asked Questions about the TLC Driver License Renewal Course.

TLC Driver License Education Requirements

  • All Education requirements must be completed within 90 days after applying for a TLC Driver License.
  • You must apply for your TLC Driver License before you register for the TLC Driver Education (“24 Hour”) Course with any TLC-Authorized Education Provider. You should complete Passenger Assistance and Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Training before you register for the TLC Driver License Exam. Content from both courses will be included on the exam.
  • You must pass the TLC Driver License Exam with a 70% or higher at an approved testing location.

Requirements:

  • New York State Department of Motor Vehicles 6-hour Defensive Driving Course - All applicants must complete NYSDMV 6-hour Defensive Driving Course within three (3) years prior to filing an application online. Visit Defensive Driving for more information.
  • Passenger Assistance and Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Training (WAV) - You must file an application with the TLC before registering for the course. The course is available at TLC-Authorized Education Providers. Your chosen education provider will notify the TLC when you have completed the course.
  • TLC Driver Education ("24 Hour") Course - You must file an application with the TLC before registering for the course. The course is available at TLC-Authorized Education Providers. It is offered in Arabic, Bengali, English, Mandarin, Russian, Spanish, and Urdu. Your chosen provider will notify the TLC when you have completed the course.
  • TLC Driver License Exam - You must pass the TLC Driver License Exam with a score of 70% or higher at a PSI Services Test Center. This means you must answer 56 out of 80 questions correctly to pass.

Paratransit and Commuter Van Driver Applicants Education Requirements

All Education requirements must be completed within 90 days after applying for a TLC Van Driver License

NYSDMV 6-hour Defensive Driving Course - All applicants must complete NYSDMV 6-hour Defensive Driving Course within three (3) years prior to filing an application online. Visit Defensive Driving for more information.

Passenger Assistance and Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) Training

Earn More Money through Accessibility Programs

Read Accessible and E-Hail Trips: What Drivers Need to Know to learn more about how TLC Licensed Drivers can earn more money and help passengers with disabilities through different programs.

Authorized Training Providers

TLC Driver License applicants must complete the Passenger Assistance and Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) Training to get a license. TLC recommends that applicants complete this training before taking the TLC Driver License Exam. The course requires applicants to complete every step of the physical, hands-on training. You will need to use your arms to push a passenger that uses a wheelchair into the vehicle and bend down to connect the floor straps to the wheelchair.

Download TLC-Authorized Passenger Assistance and Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) Trainers for a list of TLC-Authorized Education Providers that offer Passenger Assistance and Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) Training. A map, along with list of providers is also available on TLC Authorized Wheelchair Passenger Assistance Training Provider (Map) (OpenData).

Passenger Assistance and Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) Training Transfer Policy

  1. Applicants for a TLC Driver License that were previously denied and have reapplied for a TLC Driver license within six months after completing the Passenger Assistance and Wheelchair Accessible (WAV) Training will not be required to retake the course.

TLC Driver Education Course

TLC Driver License applicants must complete the TLC Driver Education ("24 Hour") Course The course covers the following topics: TLC rules and regulations, Vision Zero, safe driving skills and traffic rules, geography, customer service, and providing equitable service to all.

List of Authorized Education Providers

View TLC-Authorized Driver Education Driver Education (“24 Hour”) Course Providers for a list of TLC-Authorized Education Providers that offer the TLC Driver Education Course in Arabic, Bengali, Mandarin, Russian, Spanish, and Urdu. A map, along with a list of provider locations is also available on TLC Driver Education 24 Hour Course Provider (Map) (OpenData).

TLC Driver Education (“24 Hour”) Course Transfer Policy

  1. Applicants that are eligible for the Life Experience Exemption (TLC Rule 80-04(j)(10)) are not required to complete the TLC Driver Education (“24 Hour”) Course and exam.
  2. Applicants for a TLC Driver License that were previously denied and reapplied for a TLC Driver License within six months after completing the TLC Driver Education (“24 Hour”) Course will not be required to retake the course.
  3. This policy does not apply to any applicant who was previously disqualified from the TLC Driver License Exam.

TLC Driver License Exam

The exam is made up of 80 multiple-choice questions. You must get a grade of 70% or higher (you must answer 56 out of 80 questions correctly to pass). The exam is given on a computer by PSI Services. You will be allowed to take the exam as many times as needed to pass during the ninety (90) day application period.

PSI Services has 10 locations within New York City with one location in each of the five boroughs. See TLC Driver Exam Testing Center Locations for a complete list. A list of provider locations is also available on TLC Driver Exam Testing Center Locations List (OpenData).

After you complete the TLC 24-Hour Driver Education Course, PSI will send an email to the email address you have registered with the TLC.

The email will contain a link to register for an exam appointment time. Read PSI’s NYC TLC Candidate Bulletin to learn how to register, sign up for an exam appointment time, and what to expect on your testing day.

Free PSI Exam Tutorial Videos:

Study Guide, Practice Exams, and Additional Education Resources

English Language Resources

TLC Word on the Street

TLC Word on the Street is a free video series and workbook that can help drivers and anyone who wants to become a professional driver practice their English. These short videos show drivers and passengers as they move around New York City. The stories in the video focus on how drivers can help passengers, ask questions, and give great customer service using everyday language.

Use the workbook to build vocabulary, practice common phrases, and understand what happens in different situations when driving.

TLC Word on the Street Videos

The Taxi Line: Penn Station

A passenger goes to the taxi line at Penn Station to get a taxi to take him to his destination.

A Snowy Day: Manhattan

Jonah and his service animal, Riley, want to go to Tribeca. Watch and see how they order their car and travel in Manhattan on a snowy day.

Taxi! Taxi! Queens

It’s too cold to walk to the subway! Watch how a passenger hails a green boro taxi in Queens to go to Manhattan. What’s the fastest way to get there?

Uptown

Ann and Kossim use Accessible Dispatch to call a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV). See how Darien, their driver, helps Ann and Kossim get to Harlem.

Vision Zero

A passenger in a rush learns from his driver how important it is to drive safely and stay under the speed limit. Watch the video to learn about Vision Zero and the role drivers and passengers play in keeping New York City streets safe.

TLC Word on the Street: Workbook

Use this workbook to build vocabulary, practice common phrases, and understand what happens in different situations when driving.

English Language Resources

Learn how to become a TLC-Approved Education Provider

Education Services Provider Application Process

To become a TLC-Authorized Education Provider, you will need to submit an online application during the Open Application Period which will begin next year, January 13 through January 24, 2025. Please check back during this time to submit your online application.

if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact TLC Licensing Education Unit at: Education@tlc.nyc.gov

Additional TLC-Approved Education Provider Resources