The New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) was created in 1971 to license and regulate the city’s yellow medallion taxis and for-hire vehicles — including black cars, livery cars and luxury limousines. It licenses drivers, vehicles and dispatch bases, sets fares for taxis, and in recent years has regulated app-based services, including a cap on new for-hire vehicle licenses (2018) and minimum pay rules for app drivers.

At a glance
Created 1971
Replaced The police department’s Hack Bureau
Regulates Taxis, green cabs, for-hire vehicles (black cars, livery, luxury limousines), commuter vans, paratransit
Licenses Drivers, vehicles, bases

Before the TLC

Taxis in New York were regulated by the Hack Bureau of the police department. The Haas Act of 1937 created the medallion system that limited the number of yellow taxis. Read the NYC taxi medallion history.

The TLC’s role

The TLC was created to bring taxis and the growing for-hire industry under one civilian agency. It sets taxi fares, safety and insurance requirements, vehicle standards and driver licensing — including background checks, drug testing and training.

For-hire vehicle categories

The TLC recognizes different kinds of bases:

  • Black car bases — mostly corporate, non-cash work.
  • Livery bases — community car services dispatching pre-arranged rides.
  • Luxury limousine bases — chauffeured limousine service.
  • High-volume for-hire services — app-based companies.

Read the history of black car service in NYC and what is livery.

Green cabs

In 2013 the TLC introduced Boro Taxis (green cabs), which may pick up street hails in northern Manhattan and the outer boroughs — but not in central Manhattan or at the airports — to serve neighborhoods yellow cabs rarely visited.

The app era

App-based services grew rapidly in the 2010s. The TLC responded with a pause on new for-hire vehicle licenses in 2018 and a minimum driver pay standard for app-based drivers.

What it means for passengers

For passengers, TLC licensing means drivers have been screened and vehicles are inspected and insured. Trips that start or end in New York City in for-hire vehicles are also subject to surcharges such as the congestion surcharge and, since 2025, the Manhattan congestion pricing charge. Read NYC congestion pricing explained.