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Get an Electric Vehicle License

The Statement of Interest form has been closed. We appreciate your interest. The TLC will evaluate the interest in EV licenses based on the information collected today which will help inform future licensing decisions.

Beginning March 29, at 10am, 400 Electric Vehicle (EV) licenses will be available to anyone (including drivers) and applicants will be limited to 25 licenses per Social Security Number (SSN) or Employer Identification Number (EIN) on a first-come, first- served basis. Applicants can submit up to 25 Statements of Interest one at a time under one SSN or EIN. 

If you successfully submit a Statement of Interest for one of the 400 licenses, you will receive an email the same day confirming that you can apply for an EV License. When you receive this email, you should keep a copy for your records. If you submit a Statement of Interest after all 400 licenses have been claimed, you will receive an email stating that you have been placed on the waiting list.

The waiting list will be used in two ways: 1) the TLC will use this to evaluate interest in EV Licenses; and 2) In case an applicant does not complete the application for one of the 400 licenses.

Below is the information you will need to complete of the Statement of Interest Form. Please make sure you have all your information on hand.

Image of check list items for the form

For more details see “Open to the Public – 400 licenses available – Information and Statement of Interest Form,” below.

Please be Aware of the Following Important Facts as You Begin this Process:

  • Your vehicle must be a fully electric vehicle, powered only by electric batteries and not gasoline. The vehicle cannot be a hybrid.
    • If you are a TLC licensed driver applying for one of the 600 licenses, you must have an EV within 120 days from the date you receive your eligibility email
    • If you are applying for one of the 400 licenses for anyone, you must have an EV within 30 days of the date you receive your eligibility email
  • If you must replace your vehicle at a future date, you must replace your vehicle with another electric vehicle.
  • You may not be able to change your application information during the license process.
  • No vehicle transfers will be permitted until after the vehicle you apply with passes its first inspection.

For more information, email LicensingInquiries@tlc.nyc.gov.

Click on the tabs below for more information.

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TLC Licensed Driver Only – 600 licenses available – Information

  • Any active TLC licensed driver and does not have an active TLC vehicle license in their name can submit a statement of interest form for one of these 600 Electric Vehicle Licenses.
  • Title and Registration must be in the name of the TLC licensed driver that submits the Statement of Interest and subsequent application.
  • Only one Statement of Interest submission per Social Security Number will be accepted
  • The TLC licensed driver that submits the Statement of Interest and subsequent  application may not have any other active TLC licensed For-Hire vehicles in their name. 
  • You should log into your account at www.nyc.gov/tlcup and verify that your:
    • TLC Driver License is active.
    • Social Security Number (SSN) is correct.
    • Email and mailing address are correct.
  • If your Social Security Number and email address does not match our records, you may not be able to continue your application for an electric vehicle license.
  • If you are found eligible to apply you have 120 days from the date you receive your eligibility email to have a Base Affirmation submitted by a Base on your behalf.
  • For more information, email LicensingInquiries@tlc.nyc.gov.

TLC Licensed Driver Only - How to Apply for new Electric Vehicle license

  1. Pay any outstanding parking, traffic, and/or TLC tickets.
  2. Confirm the status of your TLC Driver License and contact information using www.nyc.gov/tlcup. 
  3. Submit your Statement of Interest form
  4. Next steps, if found eligible:
    • You will receive an email with your unique authorization code for Base Affirmation, you will have 120 days to submit your base affirmation with your unique authorization code, otherwise the unique code will expire and you will be required to resubmit another Statement of Interest
    • Purchase your electric vehicle.
    • Save a copy of this email for your records. You should safeguard your authorization code because this code can only be used once.
  5. Your Base must submit a Base Affirmation for your vehicle using the authorization code in your email and the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
    • Once the affirmation is submitted online, you will receive an email confirming the submission. If you have not received the email confirmation, you will not be able to submit the application in LARS and must contact the base.
  6. You have seven (7) days to submit your online license application and payment in LARS.
  7. Gather the following documents and complete the online application and make the application payment using LARS:
    • The name and TLC license number of the Base to which you will affiliate your vehicle;
    • Vehicle information (VIN, insurance);
    • Applicant information (name, address that is not a PO box);
    • You must use the email address that was used to submit your Statement of Interest;
    • A valid Social Security Number (SSN) or Employer Identification Number (EIN);
    • A checking account, debit card, or credit card to pay the application fee. If you pay by E-Check, you will not be charged a fee. The City of New York also accepts credit and debit cards, and you will be charged a fee of 2% of the payment amount. The application fee is not refundable.
  8. Submit all required documents using TLC UP within 45 days of making the application payment in LARS.
  9. Once TLC reviews and processes your application, a DMV plate letter will be posted on TLC UP (if you already have for-hire plates from outside of the NYC, skip to step 11). You will also receive an email with the copy of plate letter.
  10. Take your plate letter/email to a NYS DMV office to receive “TC” (TLC) For-Hire plates and registration.
  11. Notify TLC of your plate by filing the Plate Notification Form found on TLC UP.
  12. TLC will email and post on TLC UP your vehicle inspection appointment date. Visit Vehicle Inspections. webpage for the For-Hire Vehicle inspection requirements.
  13. Bring your vehicle to your scheduled inspection appointment. Once the vehicle passes inspection, your vehicle license will be activated within 48 hours.

For more information, email LicensingInquiries@tlc.nyc.gov.

Open to the Public – 400 licenses available – Information

  • Any member of the public or TLC Licensee (including any TLC license holder) may apply for one of these licenses.
  • You must provide a valid email address.  
  • Up to 25 Statements of Interest and subsequent applications can be submitted under one SSN / EIN.
  • If you are found eligible to apply, you have thirty (30) days from the date you receive your eligibility email to have a Base Affirmation submitted by a Base on your behalf.
For more information, email LicensingInquiries@tlc.nyc.gov.

How to Apply for New Electric Vehicle license / Statement of Interest

  1. Pay any outstanding parking, traffic, and/or TLC tickets.
  2. Submit your Statement of Interest form.  You do not need to have vehicle or insurance information at this time.
  3. Next steps, if found eligible:
    • You will receive an email with your unique authorization code for Base Affirmation, and you will have 30 days to submit your base affirmation with your unique authorization code, otherwise the unique code will expire, and you will be required to resubmit another Statement of Interest
  4. Your Base must submit a Base Affirmation for your vehicle using the authorization code in your email and the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
    • Once the affirmation is submitted online, you will receive an email confirming the submission; If you have not received the email confirmation, you will not be able to submit the application and must contact the base
  5. You have seven (7) days to submit your online license application and payment in LARS.
  6. Gather the following documents and complete the online application and submit the application fee using LARS:
    • The name and TLC license number of the Base to which you will affiliate your vehicle:
    • Vehicle information (VIN, insurance);
    • Applicant information (name, address that is not a PO box);
    • You must use the email address that was used to submit your Statement of Interest;
    • A valid Social Security Number (SSN) or Employer Identification Number (EIN);
    • A checking account, debit card, or credit card to pay the application fee. If you pay by E-Check, you will not be charged a fee. The City of New York also accepts credit and debit cards, and you will be charged a fee of 2% of the payment amount. The application fee is not refundable.
  7. Submit all required documents using TLC UP within 45 days to complete the application process.
  8. Once TLC reviews and processes your application, a DMV plate letter will be posted on TLC UP (if you already have for-hire plates from outside of the NYC, skip to step 11). You will also receive an email with the copy of plate letter.
  9. Take your plate letter/email to a NYS DMV office to receive “TC” (TLC) For-Hire plates and registration.
  10. Notify TLC of your plate by filing the Plate Notification Form found on TLC UP.
  11. TLC will email and post on TLC UP your vehicle inspection appointment date. Visit Vehicle Inspections(link to page) webpage for the For-Hire Vehicle inspection requirements.
  12. Bring your vehicle to your scheduled inspection appointment. Once the vehicle passes inspection, your vehicle license will be activated within 48 hours.

Required Documents and Fees

Required documents:

  • Applicant Identification: Government issued photo I.D. of applicant.
  • Proof of Vehicle Ownership - One of the following in the applicant’s name: Current DMV registration, or Certificate of Title (Front and Back), Certificate of Origin and Bill of Sale, Leasing Agreement.

Note: Vehicles licensed outside of NYS must provide DMV registration showing seating capacity. If vehicle is financed, please confirm with your Financial Institution that you will be able to register the vehicle as a For-Hire Vehicle

  • Insurance Certificate - Current For-Hire Insurance Certificate (FH-1) in the applicant’s name.
  • Insurance Certificate of Liability - Current Insurance Certificate of Liability directly from your insurance company showing levels of insurance coverage. Coverage must meet the minimum Insurance Requirements.
  • Partnership, Corporate, or LLC filings (if applicable) - Photo identification and social security numbers of all stockholders or members or managing members, whichever is applicable
    • Partnership
      • Certificate of Partnership
    • Corporations
      • Certificate of Incorporation
      • Corporate Minutes listing the names and shares of officers or members
      • An IRS issued CP-575 Notice OR a 147-C letter
    • Limited Liability Companies (LLCs)
      • Articles of Organization
      • Operation Agreement
      • List of Members
      • Election of officers' forms are not acceptable
Costs
  • $550 – Two-year license fee
  • $75 – Inspection fee if the vehicle has been driven 500 miles or more
  • $800 – Commercial Motor Vehicle Tax (CMVT)Tax for vehicles registered outside of New York City.
All TLC fees are non-refundable - no exceptions!