To drive a for-hire vehicle (FHV) in New York City, you need to be licensed by the Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC). TLC plates are an essential part of the licensing process, signaling that your vehicle has passed required inspections and is authorized to carry fare-paying passengers. This guide walks you through the six simple steps to obtain your TLC plates and get your vehicle ready for the road.

Step 1: Purchase or Lease an Approved Vehicle

The first step in getting your TLC plates is securing a vehicle that meets TLC requirements. Since August 2018, the TLC has stopped issuing new licenses for standard for-hire vehicles, with two key exceptions:

• Vehicles that are wheelchair accessible
• Vehicles in a lease-to-own agreement

Before making your purchase, consider factors like vehicle accessibility, budget, and fuel efficiency. If you’re driving for a rideshare platform like Uber or Lyft, make sure your vehicle meets the specific criteria of those companies. You can find a list of vehicle requirements on Uber’s platform.

Don’t forget to keep your bill of sale or lease agreement handy, as you’ll need it for insurance purposes.

Step 2: Affiliate with a TLC-Approved Base

To legally operate your vehicle, you must affiliate with a TLC-approved dispatch base. This could be a traditional for-hire business or a rideshare platform like Uber, Lyft, or Gett, which each have their own TLC-registered black car bases.

Once you’ve chosen your base, you’ll need to request a “base letter” from them. This certified document confirms the base you’ll be working with. After receiving your base letter, you must submit your vehicle license application to the TLC within seven days. Be sure to have proof of insurance ready when you apply, and act quickly to get insurance cover.

Step 3: Purchase the Required TLC Insurance

To meet TLC insurance requirements, your vehicle must carry the following minimum coverage:

• Bodily injury liability: $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident
• No-fault coverage: $200,000
• Property damage liability: $10,000

While these are the minimum required coverage levels, it’s a good idea to consider higher limits for additional protection. Collision coverage is not mandatory by TLC standards, but you may want to include it depending on your situation.

Once you secure insurance, you will receive essential documents like an FH1 (for-hire vehicle certificate), a certificate naming the TLC as a certificate holder, and a declaration page showing your coverage details.

Step 4: Prepare Your TLC Vehicle License Application

Next, gather all the required documents to complete your TLC vehicle license application. The necessary paperwork includes proof of vehicle ownership, insurance, and your base letter. You can find the full list of required documents here.

Step 5: Submit Your Application to the TLC

The TLC no longer accepts in-person document submissions. Instead, you’ll need to submit your application and supporting documents online at the official TLC Licensing and Registration System (LARS).

Choose “Apply for a new license” and select “Vehicle” from the options. Once your application is processed, you will receive a plate letter through the TLC UP portal. This letter allows you to register your vehicle at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to obtain your TLC plates.

Step 6: Register Your Vehicle and Schedule an Inspection

With your plate letter in hand, visit the DMV to register your vehicle and receive your TLC plates. Make sure to bring your plate letter, proof of insurance, and other required documents. Once you have your plates, file the Plate Notification Form on the TLC UP portal to inform them of your registration.

If your vehicle has over 500 miles on the odometer, you’ll need to schedule a mechanical inspection. The TLC will notify you of your inspection appointment, and inspections are conducted at the TLC’s Woodside facility. Be sure to have your Vision Zero sticker and, if applicable, a Green NYC sticker on your vehicle.

Maintaining Your TLC Plates

Once your vehicle is licensed and registered, it’s crucial to maintain insurance coverage to keep your TLC plates active. We offer quick insurance quotes at Asian Insurance to help keep your vehicle compliant and ready for the road.

In Summary: Your Path to TLC Plates

1. Purchase or lease an approved vehicle (consider accessibility options).
2. Affiliate with a TLC-approved base (Uber, Lyft, or a traditional base).
3. Purchase TLC-required insurance (consider higher coverage options).
4. Prepare your TLC vehicle license application (gather all required documents).
5. Submit your application online at the TLC Licensing System.
6. Register your vehicle at the DMV and schedule an inspection if necessary.

Once you complete these steps, you’ll have your TLC plates and be ready to hit the road as a licensed for-hire driver in NYC!