TLC License Suspension Thresholds in New York

A New York TLC (Taxi and Limousine Commission) license suspension happens when you accumulate 15 or more points within a 24-month period. The TLC uses a point system to track violations, and once you hit that threshold, your license is automatically suspended for a minimum of 30 days. This is a hard rule — there is no grace period or warning before suspension takes effect.

The 24-month window is a rolling period, meaning it moves forward as time passes. If you received 10 points in January 2024, those points stay on your record until January 2026. New violations added during that window push you closer to the 15-point threshold. Once you fall below 15 points again (because older violations age off), your license can be reinstated, but only after you complete the suspension period and pay the reinstatement fee.

Different violations carry different point values. A single violation might be worth 2 points, while a serious infraction could be 5 or more. The TLC publishes the full violation schedule, and you can request your current point total from the TLC directly by phone or through your TLC account portal.

Key Takeaways

  • Fifteen or more points accumulated within 24 months triggers an automatic suspension of at least 30 days.
  • The 24-month counting period is rolling, so violations age off as time passes, but new violations reset the clock on older ones.
  • Point values range from 2 to 5 or more depending on the violation type, and you can check your current total through the TLC portal or by calling the TLC directly.
  • Suspension is mandatory once you hit 15 points; there is no appeal or waiver process that stops the suspension itself, though you can challenge individual violations.
  • After serving the suspension and paying the reinstatement fee, your license is restored only if your point total has dropped below 15.

Common Violations and Their Point Values

The TLC assigns points based on violation severity. Minor infractions like failing to display your license plate or having an expired inspection sticker typically cost 2 points. More serious violations — such as refusing a passenger, operating without proper insurance, or being involved in an accident without reporting it — usually carry 4 to 5 points.

Criminal convictions or safety violations (reckless driving, DUI, driving with a suspended license) can result in 6 to 10 points or when ready license revocation, depending on the offense. A single major violation can put you halfway to suspension. The TLC violation schedule is available on the TLC website, and you should review it regularly if you drive for hire in New York City.

Traffic violations issued by NYPD or other law enforcement are separate from TLC violations. However, certain traffic convictions — particularly those involving safety or criminal conduct — are reported to the TLC and converted into TLC points. A conviction for speeding alone may not trigger TLC points, but a conviction for reckless endangerment will.

How the 24-Month Rolling Period Works

The TLC tracks violations on a rolling 24-month calendar. If you received a 4-point violation on March 15, 2024, that violation counts toward your total until March 15, 2026. On March 16, 2026, it drops off automatically. However, if you receive another violation on March 10, 2026 (before the first one ages off), both violations are still active and count together.

This rolling system means you cannot straightforward wait out a suspension. If you accumulate 15 points and serve a 30-day suspension, you will not automatically be reinstated on day 31 unless your point total has fallen below 15 in the meantime. If you still have 15 or more points after the suspension period ends, you remain suspended until enough time passes for older violations to age off.

You can request a point audit from the TLC at any time to see exactly which violations are currently on your record and when each one will age off. This is useful if you are close to the 15-point threshold and want to know how much longer you need to avoid new violations.

Suspension Process and Timeline

When you reach 15 points, the TLC does not send a warning first. The suspension takes effect automatically, and you will receive a notice in the mail or through your TLC account. The notice states the suspension start date, the minimum 30-day duration, and the reinstatement fee (typically $100 to $150, though this varies). You cannot drive for hire during the suspension period — doing so is a separate violation and can result in additional points or license revocation.

The suspension period begins on the date stated in the notice, not the date you receive it. If the notice says the suspension starts on a Monday, you are suspended starting that Monday, even if you do not open the notice until Wednesday. This is why checking your TLC account regularly is important — you may learn about the suspension before the physical notice arrives.

After the suspension period ends, you must pay the reinstatement fee and submit a reinstatement request through the TLC portal or in person at a TLC office. Reinstatement is not automatic. You will not be able to drive again until the TLC confirms your reinstatement and your point total is below 15.

What Happens If You Accumulate Points During Suspension

You cannot legally drive for hire while suspended, so you should not be receiving new violations during that time. However, if you are caught driving while suspended, that violation is recorded and adds points to your record. A violation for operating while suspended typically carries 5 to 6 points and can lead to license revocation rather than another suspension.

If you receive a traffic violation during your suspension period (for example, a speeding ticket while driving your personal vehicle), it does not directly add TLC points unless it is a criminal conviction. However, if you are convicted of that traffic violation and it is a safety-related offense, the TLC may add points to your record, which could keep you suspended even longer.

Challenging Violations and Requesting Hearings

You have the right to challenge individual violations before they count toward your suspension threshold. If you believe a violation was issued in error or you have evidence to dispute it, you can request a hearing with the TLC. The hearing must be requested within 30 days of receiving the violation notice, and you will have the opportunity to present your side of the case.

Winning a hearing removes the points associated with that violation. If you are already suspended and you successfully challenge enough violations to drop below 15 points, you can request reinstatement when ready without waiting for the full suspension period to end. However, the burden of proof is on you — the TLC will not overturn a violation without clear evidence.

Common grounds for challenging a violation include: the violation was issued to the wrong person, the violation notice contains factual errors, or you have documentation (like a repair receipt) proving you corrected the problem before the violation was issued. Traffic camera citations and passenger complaints are harder to challenge but not impossible if you have contradicting evidence.

Reinstating Your License After Suspension

Reinstatement requires three steps: serving the full suspension period, paying the reinstatement fee, and confirming that your point total is below 15. You cannot skip any of these steps. Even if your points drop below 15 on day 20 of a 30-day suspension, you still must wait until day 30 to request reinstatement.

To request reinstatement, log into your TLC account or visit a TLC office in person with your TLC license and proof of payment of the reinstatement fee. The TLC will verify your point total and process your reinstatement. If your points are still at or above 15, your reinstatement request will be denied, and you will remain suspended until enough violations age off.

After reinstatement, your point total resets to zero only if you have no violations on your record. If you still have violations that have not aged off, those points remain active. For example, if you were suspended with 15 points and one violation aged off during your suspension, you would be reinstated with 14 points still on your record. One more violation would put you back at risk of suspension.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive my personal car while my TLC license is suspended?

Yes. A TLC license suspension only prohibits you from driving for hire (as a taxi, Uber, Lyft, or other commercial service). You can drive your personal vehicle for personal use. However, if you are convicted of a traffic violation during this time and it is a safety-related offense, the TLC may add points to your record.

What happens if I get 15 points but do not receive the suspension notice?

The suspension takes effect on the date stated in the notice, regardless of whether you receive it. If you do not check your TLC account and you continue driving after the suspension date, you are driving while suspended, which is a separate violation. Check your account weekly to stay aware of your point total and any notices.

Can I get my suspension reduced from 30 days to less time?

No. The minimum suspension period is 30 days, and the TLC does not reduce it for hardship or other reasons. You must serve the full period before you are may be able to access for reinstatement. The only way to shorten the impact is to challenge violations before the suspension takes effect.

Do points from traffic tickets count toward my TLC suspension?

Only if you are convicted of the traffic violation and it is a safety-related offense (reckless driving, DUI, driving with a suspended license, etc.). A straightforward speeding ticket that you pay as a fine does not add TLC points. However, if you are convicted in court, the TLC may add points depending on the offense type.

How do I check my current point total?

Log into your TLC account on the TLC website, or call the TLC directly at the phone number listed on their website. You can also visit a TLC office in person with your license. The TLC will tell you your current total and which violations are on your record, including when each one will age off.