SHL Pilot Program Frequently Asked Questions - TLC

Taxi & Limousine Commission


About TLCData and ReportsTLC InitiativesContact TLC

Data
Pilot Programs
Reports
TLC Trip Record Data
Request Data

Data

Pilot Programs

Reports

TLC Trip Record Data

Request Data


SHL Pilot Program Frequently Asked Questions

Expand AllCollapse All

What are the next steps after I have submitted my Authorization Agreement?

TLC will review your Authorization Agreement and you will get an email from DocuSign stating whether your SHL Pilot Authorization Agreement was approved or rejected. If approved, your SHL Pilot Permit Number will appear in Exhibit B of the returned Authorization Agreement (on page 9) from DocuSign. When the Authorization Agreement is approved, the next steps are:

You will have 30 days from the date that TLC emails you your counter-signed Authorization Agreement to select a Base. Click here for the NYC Open Data list of TLC Licensed Bases.

The Base must submit a Base Affirmation for your application. The Base does NOT need to have an SHL endorsement to submit the Base Affirmation on your behalf. Any of the TLC licensed bases listed on the NYC Open Data list are eligible to submit a Base Affirmation for the SHL pilot program.

The Base Affirmation requires a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)—you must already know which Vehicle you will be using to submit your Base Affirmation.

Once the Base Affirmation is submitted, you will only have seven ADDITIONAL days to submit payment and application documents in LARS.

Once payment is made in LARS, you will have 45 ADDITIONAL days to submit any remaining documents.

More information on next steps is available here: Get an SHL Pilot Program License.

I have signed and completed the DocuSign agreement. What happens next?

TLC will confirm eligibility and countersign the Authorization Agreement; this process is expected to take 3 to 5 business days. If you are approved, TLC will notify you via DocuSign in an email and provide you with your SHL Pilot Permit Number. Once you are assigned an SHL Pilot Permit number, you will have 30 days from that day to start your for-hire vehicle license application. If you do not begin the process within 30 days, you will need to restart the process.

Why would I participate in this Pilot?

This is an opportunity for anyone with a TLC Driver License and a Hybrid, Wheelchair Accessible or Electric Vehicle to use their own Vehicle and provide trips to the riding public by pre-arrangement in Northern Manhattan, the four other boroughs and the New York City airports. Participants can provide Access-A-Ride and Medicaid-reimbursed brokerage trips anywhere in New York City.

Can TLC refund the fee for my current FHV License or credit the remaining time on that license toward the validity of my new FHV License?

No.

How do I place my existing SHL Permit in Storage?

Please complete the following steps:

Make an appointment to place the SHL Permit in storage by visiting this site.

Make sure you bring the following to the appointment:

A completed SHL Storage Receipt Form: click here for the SHL storage form receipt and click here for the NYC TLC online appointment system.

Your SHL Rate Card

Your State Driver License (DMV).

If Uber and Lyft will not participate in this program, which company will provide pre-arranged rides?

You must reach out to an individual Base to see if they are currently accepting drivers. Here is a list of active bases: NYC OpenData

How do I know if I submitted the Authorization Agreement in DocuSign?

If you received an email from DocuSign stating “Your SHL Pilot Authorization Agreement was submitted to the NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission for review” then you submitted the Authorization Agreement and you will receive a follow-up email through DocuSign once that review has been completed. If you did not receive this email then you did not complete the Authorization Agreement.

My Technology Provider is charging me a fee for de-installation and another fee for breaking my service contract for the meter. How can you help?

Please speak to your Technology Service Provider.

Which Base can I affiliate with?

You can affiliate with any Base.

Am I guaranteed rides from either Uber or Lyft if I join this Pilot?

No. TLC has no control over which drivers receive trips from Uber and Lyft.

Have Uber or Lyft indicated that they will participate in this Pilot?

You should not apply for these licenses under the assumption that you will get dispatches from Uber or Lyft. On May 12, 2023, Uber stated that '[a]t this time, Uber will not be affiliating or dispatching these Pilot SHLs.' Lyft has also indicated that it will not participate in the Pilot at this time.

I’ve been locked out by Uber in recent months. Will joining this Pilot make it less likely that I will be locked out?

TLC has no control over which drivers receive trips from Uber and Lyft.

How long until my FHV License expires?

Two years from the beginning of the Pilot (unless the Pilot is terminated).

If I have a WAV, shouldn’t I apply for an FHV License under the Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle exemption to the FHV Pause?

It is your choice whether to participate in the Pilot or pursue a WAV FHV License. Please check the Get a Paratransit Licence page for more information on how to apply for a FHV License using a WAV.

How long until my SHL Permit expires?

Two years from the beginning of the Pilot (unless the Pilot is terminated).

What happens if I accept a trip by pre-arrangement within the Exclusionary Zone?

You will be penalized under TLC Rule 80-19(b)(1)(first violation carries a $500 fine and suspension). Further, the Commissioner of the TLC reserves the right to revoke your SHL Permit.

What happens if I accept a street hail, anywhere in New York City?

You will be penalized under TLC Rule 80-19(c)(2)(first violation carries a $500 fine). Further, you will be in violation of the Pilot Authorization Agreement and the TLC may revoke your SHL Permit.

If I am a Base, what happens if I dispatch a Pilot Vehicle to pick up a trip within the pre-arranged exclusionary zone?

You will be penalized under TLC Rule 59B-23(f)($500 fine).

If I am a Base, how do I know which vehicles I cannot dispatch to the pre-arranged exclusionary zone under this program?

In Open data,The For Hire Vehicles (FHV) - Active report list will show "Pilot" in the wheelchair accessible column confirming participation in the pilot program and "WAV" in the VEH column in the event we have a SHL Pilot Permit associated to a FHV WAV.

What are the required markings to participate, and who will provide those markings?

A marking will be placed on each side-front door of each Pilot Participant Vehicle. TLC will provide these markings, with no cost to Participants.

Can I accept pre-arranged trips at New York City airports?

Yes, Pilot Participants can accept trips by pre-arrangement at the New York City airports.

How do I verify my identity for the Authorization Agreement in DocuSign?

Please use your state-issued DMV Driver License, and NOT your TLC Driver License, to complete identification process for the Authorization Agreement within DocuSign.