Is Your TLC License at Risk? How to Check and Protect Your Driving Privileges

In most states, you just need a driver’s license to drive for Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare services. In New York City, the rules are a little different. Because taxis, limousines, rideshare vehicles, and other vehicles for hire are such an important part of daily life, New York City established the Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) to license and regulate these vehicles. If you’re a full-time rideshare driver and your TLC license is suspended, you could lose access to your livelihood. When you know how to monitor the status of your license, you may be able to take action to prevent suspension.

What Is the TLC and Why Does It Matter?

The New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission was created in 1971 to regulate taxis, limousines, commuter vans, and other for-hire vehicles. It works to keep city roads safer for everyone through several different initiatives:

Requiring drivers to take several courses, pass a background check, and pass a medical exam before licensing
Requiring annual drug testing for drivers
Limiting the number of hours drivers can work in a 24-hour period
Inspecting vehicles for safety
Issuing penalties to drivers who break traffic laws
Suspending or revoking the TLC licenses of unsafe drivers

The TLC also caps the number of for-hire vehicles that may be on the road. It does this to reduce traffic congestion and ensure drivers on the road earn fair wages.

A Quick Overview of the TLC Point System

The TLC point system, much like the New York Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) driver’s license point system, assigns drivers a set number of points for certain violations. Once your license reaches a certain threshold, it will be suspended.

However, because the TLC is meant to hold professional drivers to a higher standard, it takes far fewer points to suspend your TLC license than to suspend your regular driver’s license. The New York DMV will suspend your driver’s license if you accumulate 11 points in 18 months. Under the TLC’s Persistent Violator Program, your TLC license can be suspended or revoked if you reach the following point totals:

Suspension: 6 points in 15 months
Revocation: 10 points in 15 months

To get an idea of how easily your TLC license can be suspended or revoked, consider these point values for common infractions:

Stop Sign/Red Light Violations: 3 points
Failure to Yield: 3 points
Improper Use of Cell Phone: 5 points
Reckless Driving: 5 points

Notably, while the New York DMV generally won’t count out-of-state infractions toward your license points, the TLC will.

How to See if Your TLC License Is Suspended

Not sure if your TLC license is current or not? Fortunately, it only takes a few moments to check. Here’s how to do it:

Visit the NYC TLC website. Click “check license status” under “licensees.” This will take you to the TLC Upload Portal (TLC UP).
Enter your TLC license number, mailing zip code, and last five digits of your SSN or EIN.
Once you sign in, you’ll be able to see if your license is active, suspended, or revoked. You can also see how many violation points, if any, you have on your license.

If your license is suspended, you should get a TLC notice in the mail. However, notices can get lost, and if you drive on an already-suspended license, you’ll only make the problem worse. Even if you don’t suspect anything, it’s not a bad idea to periodically check on your status.

Other Reasons Your TLC License May Be Suspended

Accumulating too many points in 15 months is a common reason for TLC license suspension. However, your license may be suspended for several other reasons as well.

Arrests for Certain Crimes

If you are arrested for DWI, assault, or any other crime that may put passengers or the general public at risk, TLC may suspend your license. It doesn’t have to wait until you’re found guilty in court to do so.

Failed Drug Tests

If you fail a TLC drug test, your license may be suspended or revoked.

Accidents

Being involved in and injured in an accident doesn’t automatically mean your license will be suspended or revoked. While your immediate concern might be your physical recovery and filing for workers’ compensation, the TLC will focus on the cause of the crash. If you were found to be negligent, the accident led to injury or death, or you were driving without insurance, you’re more likely to face suspension.

Failure to Pay Fines

If you owe the TLC a fine or fee and fail to pay it on time, your license will typically be suspended until you pay. Because it’s easy to forget to pay fines and fees, it’s generally wise to pay them immediately.

What Happens Once Your License Is Suspended?

You may receive a summons from the TLC when you’re notified of a suspension. The summons sets the date for a hearing where you may argue against the suspension. It’s almost always a good idea to have an attorney with you.

Point-based TLC license suspensions generally last up to 30 days. Revocations are far more serious. If your TLC license is revoked, you must wait three years before applying for a new one. There is one exception. In limited circumstances, you may be able to ask the TLC to accept an early application. You must do the following:

Wait at least a year from the date of your summons
Have accumulated no more than three DMV points over the past three years

If your early application is accepted, that doesn’t mean your license will be automatically reinstated. The TLC will need to thoroughly review your application to verify that you meet all requirements for licensure.

How to Protect Your TLC License

Even two minor traffic violations can result in a license suspension, and that could mean you’re prohibited from working for 30 days. To reduce your risk of a suspension, consider taking the following steps:

Fight Tickets

If you receive a traffic ticket for a minor infringement, it might seem like the best course of action is to pay it and avoid the hassle. However, paying a traffic ticket is tantamount to admitting guilt. As soon as you pay, the point value of the infraction will be added to your driving record.

Fighting traffic tickets can take time and energy (and sometimes money), but it can be an effective way to protect your TLC license. If you or your attorney can successfully argue for the ticket to be reduced to a lesser charge or dismissed, you may end up with fewer points on your license or, ideally, with no points at all.

Take Defensive Driving Courses

Taking a TLC-approved defensive driving course is a great way to reduce points. When you complete a course, the TLC will remove three points from your license. However, you should keep these things in mind: You can only get one point reduction every five years. You must complete the course before receiving a persistent violator court summons. This is another reason it’s important to monitor your license. If you’ve accumulated a few points, taking a defensive driving course now means your next violation is less likely to lead to a suspension.

When Safeguarding Driving Privileges, Be Proactive

Having your TLC license suspended or revoked is serious. If you want to ensure you don’t lose the ability to work in New York City, it’s important to be proactive. By regularly monitoring your license status, taking defensive driving courses before you need them, and making a sustained effort to obey traffic laws, you can protect your driving privileges and your livelihood.