How to Become a NYC Taxi Driver

Yellow cabs are a common sight on the streets of New York.

There are almost 12,000 taxicabs in the city of New York. They serve the city's population by transporting passengers throughout the five boroughs to a variety of destinations, such as airports, train stations and shopping areas. The average cab ride lasts only 10 minutes, which results in a rapid turnover of passengers for drivers. Hack drivers, as cab drivers are also known, are often foreign-born, coming from countries such as Pakistan, India and Russia. Earning a cab driver's medallion in New York City requires a clean driver's license as well as the completion of a defensive driver's course.

Instructions

1. Obtain your driver's license. To become a cab driver in New York, you need a valid driver's license. It must be a class A, B, C or E license.

2. You must be a legal resident of the U.S. and at least 19. You will be required to prove both your residential status and age by showing a government-issued form of identification, such as U.S. passport, work permit, green card or birth certificate.

3. Complete a six-hour department of motor vehicle-certified defensive driving course. There are numerous courses that are available, and you can take the course in person or online. For instance, the National Driver Safety Services and the New York Defensive Driving Council both offer online courses.

4. Obtain a notarized child certification form. These are available from the New York City Office of Child Support Enforcement by calling 877-472-8411.

5. Obtain a copy of a signed medical history from your doctor.

6. File a completed Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) Driver License Application. Applications are available in pdf form (see Resources). Bring the completed form to 32-02 Queens Blvd., Long Island City, NY, 11101. The office is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

7. Attend a TLC-licensed taxi school. Students have a choice between a 24-hour or 80-hour class. The longer class, although more expensive than the shorter course, offers a higher pass rate on the licensing exam. For a list of schools, see Resources.

8. Take and pass the taxi licensing examination. The test is offered as part of the licensing course and is included in the tuition.

Tips & Warnings

• Your defensive driving class must be completed within six months before filing your application for a taxi driver's license.

References

• National Driver Safety Services
• The New York Defensive Driving Council
• NYC Department of Social Services

Resources

• TLC Driver License Application
• NY City Cab: TLC-Licensed Taxi Schools