The Point System That Suspends Your TLC License

New York's Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) suspends your license when you accumulate 15 or more points within a 24-month period. The suspension is automatic — you do not receive a warning at 14 points. Once you hit 15, the TLC issues a notice and your license becomes invalid when ready, meaning you cannot legally drive for hire in New York City.

The point system exists because the TLC regulates safety and service standards for all for-hire drivers. Points stay on your record for 24 months from the date of the violation. This means a violation from January 2023 drops off your record in January 2025, but only if you do not accumulate new violations in the meantime.

The suspension itself lasts a minimum of 30 days, but the TLC can impose longer suspensions depending on the severity of your violations and your driving history. A first suspension is typically 30 days. A second suspension within three years is usually 60 days or longer.

Key Takeaways

  • Your TLC license suspends automatically when you reach 15 points within 24 months; there is no grace period or warning at 14 points.
  • Points come from TLC violations (like refusing a passenger or operating without proper documentation) and from traffic violations (like speeding or running a red light).
  • Each violation carries a specific point value, ranging from 1 point for minor infractions to 10 points for serious safety violations.
  • You can request a hearing to contest violations before points are added to your record, but you must do so within 30 days of receiving the violation notice.
  • Once suspended, you must complete the TLC's suspension requirements and pay any outstanding fines before your license can be reinstated.

Which Violations Add Points to Your Record

The TLC assigns points based on the type and severity of the violation. Traffic violations — like speeding, running a red light, or failing to yield — add points to your TLC record. A single speeding ticket can be 2 to 4 points depending on how far over the limit you were driving. Running a red light is typically 3 points.

TLC-specific violations also add points. Refusing a passenger without a legitimate reason is 5 points. Operating your vehicle without proper TLC documentation or with an expired license is 10 points. Driving while your license is suspended or revoked is 10 points. Failing to report an accident within 24 hours is 3 points. Overcharging a passenger is 5 points.

Criminal convictions related to your driving — such as a DWI or driving with a suspended license — result in when ready license revocation, not just points. These are separate from the point system and do not follow the 15-point suspension rule.

How Points Accumulate Over 24 Months

The TLC counts points only within a rolling 24-month window. If you receive a violation on March 15, 2024, that violation's points count toward your total until March 15, 2026. On March 16, 2026, those points drop off automatically, even if you have not paid the fine.

This means you can accumulate violations slowly and still reach 15 points. For example: a 5-point violation in January, a 4-point violation in April, a 3-point violation in July, and a 3-point violation in October all fall within the same 24-month window and total 15 points. Your license suspends in October, even though the violations were spread across the year.

If you receive multiple violations on the same date, all points from that date count toward your total. The TLC does not space them out or treat them separately for the purpose of reaching the 15-point threshold.

What Happens When You Reach 15 Points

When your point total reaches 15, the TLC mails you a suspension notice. This notice includes the effective date of the suspension, which is usually 10 to 15 days after the notice is mailed. On that date, your license becomes invalid. You cannot legally pick up passengers or operate any for-hire vehicle in New York City.

Continuing to drive after suspension is a serious violation. Operating a vehicle with a suspended TLC license can result in additional fines, criminal charges, and permanent revocation of your license. The TLC and NYPD actively enforce this rule.

The suspension notice also lists any outstanding fines you owe. You must pay these fines before the TLC will consider reinstating your license. If you dispute the violations that led to the suspension, you can request a hearing, but the suspension remains in effect while your hearing is pending.

Requesting a Hearing to Contest Violations

You have the right to request a hearing before the TLC to contest any violation. You must submit your hearing request within 30 days of receiving the violation notice. If you miss this important date, the violation becomes final and the points are added to your record permanently.

At a hearing, you can present evidence that the violation did not occur or that you have a legitimate defense. For example, if you were cited for refusing a passenger, you could argue that the passenger was intoxicated or abusive. If you were cited for speeding, you could present evidence that your speedometer was faulty.

The hearing is conducted by an administrative law judge employed by the TLC. The judge reviews the evidence and decides whether the violation stands or is dismissed. If the violation is dismissed, the points do not count toward your 15-point total. If the violation is upheld, the points are added and you can appeal the judge's decision to the TLC's appeals board.

Reinstating Your License After Suspension

To reinstate your license after a suspension, you must complete several steps. First, the suspension period must expire — a minimum of 30 days from the suspension date. Second, you must pay all outstanding fines related to the violations that caused the suspension. Third, you must submit a reinstatement request to the TLC, either in person at a TLC office or by mail.

The TLC will not reinstate your license until all fines are paid. If you cannot pay the full amount, contact the TLC to ask about payment plans. Some violations allow for a payment plan, though the TLC charges a processing fee and requires regular payments.

Once your reinstatement request is approved, the TLC mails you a new license. Your point total resets to zero on the date your license is reinstated. However, violations that occurred before the suspension remain on your record for the full 24 months from the violation date, so you can accumulate points again if you receive new violations.

Avoiding Suspension: Monitoring Your Point Total

You can check your current point total by contacting the TLC directly or visiting a TLC office in person. The TLC does not send automatic updates when points are added, so you must check your record yourself. Many drivers do not realize they are close to 15 points until they receive the suspension notice.

Request your record at least every six months, especially if you have received any violations. The TLC's website lists the address and phone number for each TLC office. You can also call the TLC's main office to ask about your point total over the phone, though you may need to provide your license number and other identifying information.

If you are approaching 15 points, consider requesting a hearing on any recent violations. Even if you think the violation is legitimate, a hearing gives you a chance to present your side. Dismissing even one violation can keep you below the 15-point threshold and prevent suspension.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive for a different company or platform while my license is suspended?

No. A TLC license suspension applies to all for-hire driving in New York City, regardless of the company or platform. You cannot drive for Uber, Lyft, a yellow cab, a black car service, or any other for-hire vehicle while suspended. Doing so is a criminal violation.

Do traffic violations from outside New York City count toward my TLC point total?

Yes. Any traffic violation you receive while driving, whether in New York City, New York State, or another state, can be reported to the TLC and added to your record. The TLC receives violation reports from the DMV and other agencies.

What if I pay a fine but the points are still on my record?

Paying the fine does not remove the points. Points remain on your record for 24 months from the violation date, regardless of whether you paid the fine. Paying the fine is required for license reinstatement after suspension, but it does not reduce your point total.

Can I get points removed early if I take a defensive driving course?

No. The TLC does not offer point reduction programs or defensive driving course credits. Points drop off automatically after 24 months. Your only option to reduce points before that is to win a hearing and have the violation dismissed.

How long does reinstatement take after my suspension period ends?

Reinstatement typically takes one to two weeks after you submit your request and all fines are paid. The TLC processes requests in the order they are received. If you submit your request by mail, allow extra time for processing and mailing of your new license.