Nassau County Taxi & Limousine Commission

Rules and Regulations

§ 1-01  Applicability

            These rules and regulations shall apply to all for-hire vehicles operating in Nassau County.  Including Taxi, Livery, Black-Car, Limousine and Commuter-Vans.

• The violation of any of these regulations shall be a violation of the Nassau County Administrative Code Unfair Trade Practice provisions, which prohibit deceptive and unconscionable trade practices.  In addition, any violation of the regulations may result in the suspension or revocation of the Nassau County For-Hire Vehicle Registration and the D.M.V. vehicle registration.

• For-hire vehicle owners shall be responsible for the acts of a driver who operates the registered vehicle as the agent of the owner.

• The following practices shall be deemed a deceptive trade practice:

• Permitting the operation of a for-hire vehicle in Nassau County without any license or registration to perform such services.

• Operating a for-hire vehicle in Nassau County without any license or registration to perform such services.

• Permitting the operation of a for-hire vehicle in Nassau County operating point to point within Nassau County without any license or registration to perform such services.

• An owner / operator must respond in writing to all complaints, directives, tickets and hearings issued to the owner / operator as required by the NCTLC. 

• A driver of a FHV is required to carry on his person at all times while working a current / valid hack license, as well as a current / valid D.M.V. drivers license.

            4.         The following practices shall be deemed an unconscionable trade practice:

• Permitting the dispatch of any vehicle not a limousine as defined in the Nassau County Administrative Code when a limousine is specifically requested.

• Permitting the operation of a for-hire vehicle without the proper hack license issued by the jurisdiction wherein the driver is operating.

• Permitting the operation of a for-hire vehicle in Nassau County with inoperable basic safety equipment.

• Permitting the operation of a for-hire vehicle in violation of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law, Nassau County local law, and any other applicable ordinances, rules or regulations.

§ 1-02  Definitions

• Agent.  An individual, partnership, or corporation that acts by employment, contract or otherwise on behalf of one or more owners to operate or provide for the operation of a registered vehicle in accordance with the requirements of these rules.  An agent shall not include an attorney or representative who appears on behalf of the vehicle owner before the Commission.

• Chauffeur’s License.  A valid Chauffeur’s License issued by New York State or a valid driver’s license of a similar class from another state of which the Licensee is a resident.

• Commission.  The Nassau County Taxi and Limousine Commission.

• Commissioner.  The Commissioner of the Nassau County Office of Consumer Affairs.

• Decal.  A sticker issued by the Commission evidencing the registration of a for-hire vehicle.

• Dispatch.  A request for a driver by a base to provide transportation to a passenger who has previously arranged for that transportation with a base.

• Driver.  A person who drives a for-hire vehicle.

• For-Hire Vehicle.  A motor vehicle carrying passengers in Nassau County and required to be registered with the Commission.

• Mailing Address.  The address designated in the Registration Application for the mailing of all notices and correspondence from the Commission and for service of summonses and under which the vehicle owner is registered with the Commission.

• Passenger.  A person who has engaged a for-hire vehicle for the purpose of being transported to a destination, or a person who is awaiting the arrival of a dispatched for-hire vehicle.

• Person with a disability.  An individual with a physical impairment or incapacity, including any person who uses a wheelchair, three-wheel scooter, crutches, other mobility aid or service animal, who can transfer from such mobility aid to a for-hire vehicle with or without reasonable assistance.

• Service animal.  A guide dog or any other animal trained specifically to work or to perform tasks for a person with a disability, including but not limited to guiding individuals with visual impairments, pulling a wheelchair, or retrieving items.

• Trip record.  A document known as a trip sheet carried by a driver and setting forth the origin and destination of each trip, as well as other information required by the Commission.

• Vehicle Owner.  An individual, partnership or corporation in whose or which name a vehicle is titled, or the lessee of such vehicle from the titled owner.  Service shall be deemed proper service on the vehicle owner if sent to the registrant or the lessee of the vehicle.

• Weapon.  Any firearm (as defined in the New York Penal Law) for which a license has not been issued as provided in the Penal Law and the Nassau County Administrative Code or any instrument or thing whether real or simulated and capable of inflicting or threatening bodily harm, including but not limited to any other weapons, the possession of which is prohibited pursuant to the New York Penal Law.

• NCTLC license plate.  A license plate which only authorized FHV licensees within Nassau County may receive and is issued by the NYS DMV with a TLC authorization form.

§1-03   Terms of Registration

• A registration shall expire one year subsequent to the date the registration was issued. The Commissioner may, in his discretion, extend the expiration date of such registration by up to an additional thirty-one days.

• Out of County for-hire vehicles.  All out of County for-hire vehicles will be registered on a bi-annual basis beginning with the 2008 registration renewal period at the bi-annual rate. 

• A renewing applicant must file a completed application on or before the expiration date of the registration but no later than the date on the TLC notification is required.

• A person who engages in for-hire vehicle activity after the expiration date of a registration and before the issuance of a renewal registration may be subject to penalties pursuant to local law.

• No owner may register or renew a registration of a for-hire vehicle unless and until all outstanding fines or fees owing to the County of Nassau or a municipality within the County are paid.

• Any for-hire vehicle owner registering a for-hire vehicle with the DMV and the Commission with a declared seating capacity less than the vehicle actually has, as evidenced by the actual number of passengers found in the vehicle or by measurement, may have the Commission registration of such vehicle revoked immediately at the time the actual seating capacity is determined, subjecting such vehicle to impoundment as an unregistered for-hire vehicle and such vehicle owner to all applicable penalties therefor.

§1-04   Registration and Administrative Fees

• The fee for an original registration or a renewal thereof shall be paid at the time of filing the application and shall not be refunded in the event of a disapproval of an application.

• There shall be an additional fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for the late filing of a registration renewal application where such filing is permitted by the Commission.

• An additional fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) shall be paid for each replacement registration required during the registration period

§1-05   For-Hire Vehicle Owner Registration

            A for-hire vehicle owner shall be responsible for obtaining the for-hire vehicle registration from the Commission and for compliance with the following rules:

• A for-hire vehicle registration shall be valid only while the New York State registration of the vehicle remains valid.  Operation of a vehicle without a valid New York State registration is operation without a Taxi and Limousine Commission registration in violation of the Nassau County Administrative Code, regardless of whether such registration has previously been obtained while a New York registration was valid.  A for-hire vehicle owner shall immediately surrender his for-hire vehicle registration to the Commission upon the expiration, restriction, suspension or revocation of the New York State vehicle registration.

• An owner of a for-hire vehicle shall not dispatch nor permit another person to dispatch such vehicle unless it is registered with the Taxi and Limousine Commission.

• An owner of a for-hire vehicle shall not dispatch nor permit another person to dispatch such vehicle with more than one Nassau County Taxi and Limousine Commission Registration decal affixed to the windshield.

• A for-hire vehicle owner shall comply with the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law and the New York State Insurance Law regarding coverage by bond or policy of liability insurance and all other forms of insurance required by law.

• A for-hire vehicle owner, who receives notice that his liability insurance is to be terminated, shall surrender his for-hire vehicle Registration Certificate and decal to the Commission on or before the termination date of the insurance, unless the owner of the vehicle submits proof of new insurance effective on the date of the termination of the policy

• Within seven days, exclusive of holidays and weekends, a for-hire vehicle owner shall notify the Commission in writing of any change in insurance carrier or coverage, specifying the name and address of the insurance carrier, new and former, and the number of the policy for each vehicle and submit proof of such coverage.

• A for-hire vehicle owner shall immediately report to his insurance carrier in writing all accidents involving his for-hire vehicle, which are required to be reported to the insurance carrier.

• A for-hire vehicle owner shall immediately report to the Commission in writing when the registered for-hire vehicle is removed permanently from for-hire service.

• Registration Certificates and decals shall be maintained in a neat condition in the registered vehicle.
• No unauthorized entry shall be made on either the for-hire vehicle registration certificate or decal nor shall any entry on either the for-hire vehicle registration certificate or decal be changed or defaced.

• An unreadable for-hire vehicle decal shall be immediately surrendered to the Commission for replacement.

• A for-hire vehicle owner shall immediately notify the Commission of the theft, loss or destruction of a for-hire vehicle decal and shall furnish the Commission with an affidavit or such information as may be required, and shall replace the decal.

• Effective July 1, 2006, all for-hire vehicle owners of vehicles licensed by a municipality within Nassau County must at the time of DMV registration renewal for each vehicle or prior convert each vehicle’s license plate to a new Nassau County T&LC license plate.  All for-hire vehicle owners required by a municipality within Nassau County to have a “taxi legend” or other similar form necessary to procure a license plate from DMV must bring that form to the Nassau County Taxi and Limousine Commission in order to receive the NCT&LC license plate authorization form.  A one time $10.00 administrative fee will be charged for each plate conversion hereby required.  Exemption: Any NYCTLC Tier I licensed for-hire vehicle that is required to have a NYCTLC license plate is exempt from this rule.         

• A for-hire vehicle owner shall be responsible for ensuring that the replacement of any lost or stolen New York State license plates is reported to the Commission within forty-eight hours, exclusive of weekends and holidays after obtaining such plates.

• A for-hire vehicle owner shall designate each and every driver who operates the vehicle for acceptance of service from Commission or Office of Consumer Affairs personnel of summonses or notices to correct defects in the vehicle.  Delivery of such summonses or notice to a driver shall be deemed proper service of the summons or notice on the vehicle owner.  The Commission shall send a photocopy of any summons or notice to correct defects to the vehicle owner.  An applicant for a for-hire registration shall designate the vehicle operator or driver as agent for service of process from the Taxi and Limousine Commission, which may be issued against the titled owner, registered owner or lessee.

• A for-hire vehicle owner shall notify the Commission in person or by first class mail, within seven days, exclusive of weekends and holidays, of any change in mailing address.  Any notice from the Commission shall be deemed sufficient if sent to the last mailing address furnished by the for-hire vehicle owner.

• No for-hire vehicle shall be a two-door vehicle.

• A for-hire vehicle owner shall comply with all Commission notices and directives to correct defects in the registered vehicle.

• A for-hire vehicle owner shall not permit a for-hire vehicle to be operated without a daily personal inspection and a reasonable determination that all equipment, including but not limited to, air conditioning, heating, brakes, lights, signals, and passenger seat belts and shoulder belts, is in good working order, the vehicle is clean inside and out, and the vehicle meets all equipment requirements of the Vehicle and Traffic Law and these rules.

• A for-hire vehicle owner shall maintain on file with the Commission a current telephone number, which must be connected to an answering machine or recording device, a pager number, an answering service telephone number or similar means of telephone contact so that the owner may be reached by the Commission on a twenty-four hour basis.

• A for-hire vehicle owner must respond to any telephone pager contact from the Commission within forty-eight hours, seven days a week.

• If a for-hire vehicle owner is unlicensed by a municipality because of no such requirement to be licensed by a municipality wherein the owner operates as a for-hire vehicle, such owner shall be permitted to register with the Taxi and Limousine Commission.

a.         The Taxi and limousine Commission shall require a background check of the owner and any driver of the vehicle, including but not limited to a current fingerprint and Department of Motor Vehicle license check, the cost of which shall be borne by the applicant.

                        b.         The owner shall submit proof of current insurance.

• All required for-hire vehicle owners failing to renew their NCTLC registration within 30 days after the expiration date is subject to tickets, vehicle seizures and may have their NYS DMV registration suspended or revoked for having no local registration.

• A for-hire vehicle owner/driver shall pay all fines and penalties assessed against  him/her by the Nassau County Office of Consumer Affairs Taxi and Limousine Commission within the time allotted by a Hearing Officer and/or the Commissioner.

• If an individual for-hire vehicle owner/driver fails to pay any fines owed to the Nassau County Office of Consumer Affairs Taxi and Limousine Commission all owned for-hire vehicle are subject to seizure and may be held until all monies owed are paid in full.  In addition, a driver’s NYS DMV license may be suspended until all monies owed are paid in full.

§1-06   For-Hire Vehicle Conditions of Operation

1.         No registered for-hire vehicle shall operate in for-hire service unless the vehicle is in compliance with the following:

•       A valid Taxi and Limousine Commission Registration decal is affixed to the front right side of the windshield of the vehicle so as to be plainly visible.

•       A valid registration sticker from an authorized state motor vehicle department is affixed to the left front windshield so as to be plainly visible.

•       A valid New York State Department of Motor Vehicles inspection sticker is affixed to the front left side of the windshield so as to be plainly visible. For-hire vehicles shall be inspected annually, and at any other time the Commission has reason to believe that the vehicle is unfit or unsafe for   use.

•       The vehicle identification number (VIN) on the state registration and the Commission decal shall match the VIN of the vehicle.

•       No for-hire vehicle shall be used in the course of operation as a for-hire vehicle unless the following documents are present in the vehicle:

• New York State vehicle registration certificate or photostat thereof,

• Nassau County for-hire vehicle registration certificate or photostat thereof, and

• Valid insurance card or photostat thereof.

• No for-hire vehicle owner shall allow the registered vehicle to be dispatched unless the driver’s chauffeur’s license is valid.

• No for-hire vehicle owner shall allow a registered vehicle to be dispatched unless the driver’s hack license and vehicle permit is valid.

• No for-hire vehicle owner shall knowingly allow a registered vehicle to be dispatched where the driver is under the influence of any drugs or alcohol or whose driving ability is in any way impaired.

• No for-hire vehicle owner shall allow a registered vehicle to operate as a for-hire vehicle when the Commission or the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles has determined that the vehicle is unsafe or unfit for use as a for-hire vehicle and the vehicle owner has been directed to remove such vehicle from service.

• No for-hire vehicle owner shall allow a registered vehicle to operate as a for-hire vehicle unless all seat belts and shoulder belts are clearly visible, accessible and in good working order.  Each for hire vehicle shall be equipped with shoulder belts for both outside rear seat passenger positions and shall be in compliance with NYS Vehicle and Traffic Law §375(51)(a) and (b) – “Adam’s Law”, requiring legible and conspicuous posting to all passengers in all seating positions the following notice: “Seatbelts must be available for your use.  Please buckle up.”

• For-hire vehicles based outside of Nassau County properly registered with the Nassau County Taxi and Limousine Commission are authorized to pick-up a passenger in Nassau County for a destination outside of Nassau County, or drop-off a passenger from outside the County to a destination within the County, provided that such operation is not in violation of local town, city or village law.  The Nassau County Taxi & Limousine Commission does not authorize any point to point trips within the County of Nassau for out of County Registered for-hire vehicles.