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

Starting January 1, 2022, all TLC-Licensed Drivers must complete a continuing education course as a requirement for renewing their TLC Driver License. The purpose of the course is to provide professional and practical hands-on training to support their work as professional Drivers and enhance public safety.

Additional training topics include:

  • How to use TLC online services such as LARS and TLCUP;
  • What to do if a Driver gets a ticket;
  • Major rules and policies such as driver pay;
  • Tips for providing great service for customers;
  • Ways to help customers with disabilities and practicing wheelchair accessible vehicle operations.

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, Passenger Assistance and Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Training before you register for the TLC 24-Hour Driver License Course with any TLC-Approved Education Provider. 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 - You must file an application with the TLC before registering for the course. The course is available at TLC-Approved Education Providers. Your chosen education provider will notify the TLC when you have completed the course.
  • TLC Driver Education Course - You must file an application with the TLC before registering for the course. The course is available at TLC-Approved 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. .

Driver Education Transfer Policy

Applicants must complete all education requirements unless they qualify for the exemptions for the specific course below:

24- Hour TLC Driver Education Course

  1. Drivers eligible for the Life Experience Exemption (TLC Rule 80-04(j)(8)) are not required to complete the Driver Education Course and exam.
  2. Drivers previously licensed by TLC who completed and passed the Driver Education Course will not be required to retake the course and exam if the driver’s prior license expired within the previous five years.
  3. Drivers who completed the Driver Education Course within the prior 12 months will not be required to retake the course.

Passenger Assistance and Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Training

  1. Drivers who completed the WAV Course within the prior 12 months will not be required to retake the course.
  2. All other drivers must retake the Passenger Assistance and Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Training Course per TLC rules.

Late Renewal

Previously completed education requirements will remain valid during the 180-day late renewal period. If the licensee does not renew during the 180 days and files a new application, the licensee will have to complete the education requirements again unless the licensee qualifies for an exemption listed above.

License Status

Please note, the exemptions above are not available to any driver whose prior TLC -license was revoked (or whose license expired or surrendered while revocation charges were pending), renewal application was denied, or who was previously disqualified from the TLC Driver License Exam.

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 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 Training to get a license. TLC recommends that applicants complete this training before taking the TLC Driver License Exam.

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

TLC 24-Hour Driver Education Course

TLC Driver License applicants must complete the 24-Hour TLC Driver Education 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-Approved 24 Hour Education 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 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

Driver Education Services Provider Application Process

The TLC requires new applicants for a TLC Driver License and current TLC-licensed drivers to complete training courses as part of their licensure requirements. Training course are taught by TLC-authorized Driver Education Services Providers.

Any organization may apply to be an Authorized Driver Education Services Provider during the annual application period. The two-part application process takes approximately four to six months to complete. If you are interested in becoming an Authorized Driver Education Services Provider, please education@tlc.nyc.gov and we will send you the application manual for the specific course which includes curriculum standards and training requirements. Please note applications will only be accepted during the annual application period.

Teaching Eligibility Requirements

Once you have been granted authority to teach the 24-Hour TLC Driver License Education Course, you may also apply to teach the Passenger Assistance Wheelchair Accessible Training Course (WAV), Portable Electronic Device Course (PED) and the Behind the Wheel Course (BTW).

Teaching Eligibility Requirements Once you have been granted authority to teach the 24-Hour TLC Driver License Education Course, you may also apply to teach the Passenger Assistance Wheelchair Accessible Training Course (WAV), Portable Electronic Device Course (PED) and the Behind the Wheel Course (BTW).

The requirements to apply to teach the TLC Driver License Renewal Course are different. Organizations must be currently authorized to offer both the 24-Hour TLC Driver License Education Course and the Passenger Assistance Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Training Course in order to be eligible to apply for the TLC Driver License Renewal Course.

24-Hour TLC Driver License Education Course

  • Teaching Eligibility: Any organization may apply
  • Population: TLC Driver License Applicants

Passenger Assistance Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Training Course (WAV)

  • Teaching Eligibility: Organizations that are authorized to teach the 24-Hour TLC Driver License Education Course.
  • Population: TLC Driver License Applicants

Distracted Driving Portable Electronic Device Course (PED)

  • Teaching Eligibility: Organization that are authorized to teach the 24-Hour TLC Driver License Education Course.
  • Population: TLC-Licensed Drivers required to take course for remedial training.

Behind The Wheel Course (BTW):

  • Teaching Eligibility: Organizations that are authorized to the 24- Hour TLC Driver License Education Course.
  • Population: TLC-Licensed Drivers required to take the course for remedial training.

TLC Driver License Renewal Course

  • Teaching Eligibility: Organizations that are authorized to teach both the 24-Hour TLC Driver License Education Course and the Passenger Assistance Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Training Course.
  • Population: All TLC-licensed taxi and FHV drivers must take the continuing education course as a requirement to renew their license every three years.

Additional TLC-Approved Education Provider Resources