For-Hire Vehicle Bases - TLC

Taxi & Limousine Commission


Yellow CabGreen CabFor-Hire Vehicle BaseParatransit and Commuter Van Authority


For-Hire Vehicle Bases

There are four classes of FHV service in New York City: Community Cars (aka Liveries), Black Cars, Luxury Limousines, and High Volume For-Hire Services. For-hire service must be arranged through a TLC-licensed base and performed by TLC-licensed drivers in TLC-licensed vehicles.

Community Cars and Black Cars provide pre-arranged transportation throughout New York City. These bases range in size from small, neighborhood-based operations to large fleet-type companies that provide citywide service. Community Cars are required to offer passengers up-front flat fares.

Luxury Limousines provide pre-arranged premium transportation to clients throughout New York City.

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Get an FHV Base Owner License

Apply for a Black Car / Luxury Limousine Base License

A Black Car Base, also known as a "central dispatch facility," is a TLC Licensed For-Hire Base that dispatches all trips on a pre-arranged basis; more than ninety percent (90%) of the Base's business is on a payment basis other than direct cash payment by passengers; and all of the Base's vehicles are owned by franchisees of the Base, or are members of a cooperative that operates the Base.

A Luxury Limousine Base is a TLC Licensed For-Hire Base that dispatches all trips on a pre-arranged basis; the luxury limousine vehicles have a seating capacity of twenty (20) or fewer passengers; more than ninety percent (90%) of the Base's business is on a payment basis other than direct cash payment by passengers; and passengers are charged "garage to garage" service on the basis of a flat rate, time, or mileage.

Application for a New Black Car/Luxury Limousine Base License ;

Information and check-list for a New Black Car / Luxury Limousine Base License

Please first read: Instructions for filing an application for a new, renewal or change of status Black Car/Luxury Limousine Base License

Email the completed application and all required documents, in PDF format, to businessmr@tlc.nyc.gov.

TLC will review your submissions electronically; once TLC confirms your application is complete, you will be contacted to make an appointment to submit licensing fees in person.

All Base owners/stockholders (Black Car and Luxury Limousine) must be fingerprinted after filing a TLC application. To schedule an appointment visit IdentoGo. For a printable instruction sheet, see IdentoGo Fingerprint Request .

Note: Use the ORI number "156GQS" and your TLC license number to log in on the website to request a fingerprint appointment.

Apply for a Livery Base License

A Livery Base Station is a TLC Licensed For-Hire Base that dispatches Livery Vehicles from the Base on a pre-arranged basis; where Livery Vehicles are designed to carry five (5) or fewer passengers; and passengers are charged for service on the basis of a flat rate, mileage, or zones.

Application/Checklist for a New Livery Base License;

Email the completed application and all required documents, in PDF format, to businessmr@tlc.nyc.gov.

TLC will review your submissions electronically; once TLC confirms your application is complete, you will be contacted to make an appointment to submit licensing fees in person.

All Base owners/stockholders (Livery Base Stations and Street Hail Livery Bases) must be fingerprinted after filing a TLC application. To schedule a fingerprint appointment, visit IdentoGo. For a printable instruction sheet see IdentoGo Fingerprint Request .

Note: Use the ORI number "156GQS" and your TLC license number to log in on the website to request an appointment.

Supporting Documents, Affirmation, and Forms

Livery Base Off Street Parking Affirmation

Business Lease Affirmation

Dispatch App Disclosure

Name Reservation Request

Information Security and Use of Personal Information Policy affirmation

Comprehensive Operating Plan Instructions

Environment Assessment Statement

Licensed FHV Bases

Changing Base Status and Information

To change the name, physical location, or ownership of a TLC Licensed Base, the below application must be submitted to TLC. Please read the instructions that correspond to the appropriate type of base license before submitting this application.

Complete the application to change base ownership, location or name

Email the completed application and all required documents, in PDF format, to businessmr@tlc.nyc.gov.

TLC will review your submissions electronically; once TLC confirms your application is complete, you will be contacted to make an appointment to submit licensing fees in person.

Black Car and Luxury Limousine Bases

Instructions to the corporate name or D/B/A name of a Base Station

Checklist to change ownership, location, or name of a Black Car or Luxury Limousine Base

Livery Bases

Checklist to change ownership of a Livery Base

Checklist to Relocate a Livery Base

Checklist for a Livery Base name change

Instructions for a change of corporate name or D/B/A of a Base Station

Renew a Base License

Base License renewal applications and documents must be submitted by the expiration date of the license. If all requirements are not met by the expiration date, the license will not be renewed. Renewal payment and requirements can be submitted early to avoid delays in processing.

FHV Base licenses, Paratransit Base licenses, and SHL Endorsements must be renewed every three (3) years. Commuter Van Authority licenses must bs renewed every two (2) years.

Make all renewal application payments using LARS

Pay any outstanding parking, traffic, or TLC tickets;

Gather all documents listed in the Base License Renewal Checklist;

Scan, attach, and email documents to: businessmr@tlc.nyc.gov. Please, clearly and accurately label or name all attachments.

SHL Base Endorsements

A Street Hail Livery Base is a TLC Licensed For-Hire Base that is permitted to dispatch Street Hail Livery (SHL) vehicles. An SHL Base that also holds a TLC Livery Base License may also affiliate and dispatch non-SHL, TLC Licensed, For-Hire vehicles.

Email the completed application and all required documents, in PDF format, to businessmr@tlc.nyc.gov.

TLC will review your submissions electronically; once TLC confirms your application is complete, you will be contacted to make an appointment to submit licensing fees in person.

New / Renewal SHL Application

Checklist for SHL Base Endorsement Application

Terminating Affiliation

To terminate affiliation:

The Base must notify the vehicle owner, and/or SHL permit holder of termination in writing.

If the Base cannot obtain the vehicle owner/SHL permit holder's consent, the Base must provide written notice. A letter must be sent to the vehicle owner/SHL permit holder, by certified mail, to the address on file with the TLC. When requesting to terminate affiliation, the Base must provide proof that the notice letter was sent. Please see Sample Letter of Termination of Vehicle Affiliation for reference.

Complete the Termination of Affiliation Form .

Email the completed form to terminate@tlc.nyc.gov.

Related Information:

FHV Accessibility

FHV License Pause Guide

Trip Record Submissions

Current Community Car Service Bases - Sorted by TLC License Number (xls)

Current Black Car Bases - sorted by TLC License Number (xls)

Current Luxury Limousine Bases - Sorted by TLC License Number (xls)

For-Hire Vehicles (FHVs) (Open Data)

Current Bases (Open Data)