How to Get Your NYC TLC License in 2026: Complete Step-by-Step Guide
A plain-English guide for new drivers. We tell you what you really need, what it really costs, and how long it really takes — in 2026, in NYC, with every fact checked against the city's official TLC rules.
Spanish, Bengali, Urdu, Russian, Arabic, and Chinese speakers: the TLC course and exam are available in your language. We explain how below.
What you need, at a glance.
- You must be at least 19 years old.
- You need a NY State chauffeur's license (Class A, B, C, or E) before you apply to TLC. A regular driver's license (Class D) is not enough.
- The full cost is about $1,300–$1,400.
- The full process takes about 3–4 months from start to license-in-hand.
- You will take 3 courses, 1 drug test, 1 medical exam, fingerprints, and 1 written test.
Is a TLC license right for you?
A TLC license lets you drive paid passengers in New York City. With it, you can drive a yellow cab, green cab, livery, black car, or any for-hire vehicle (FHV) — including Uber and Lyft.
It is not the same as a regular driver's license. The state of New York gives you the right to drive. The TLC, which is part of the city, gives you the right to drive for money in NYC. You need both.
Good signs the TLC path is right for you
- You want to work for yourself, set your own hours, and keep most of what you earn.
- You have a clean driving record and no recent serious traffic tickets.
- You can save about $1,400 for the full upfront cost.
- You can spend about 3 to 4 months getting licensed before you can earn.
Be honest with yourself if any of these apply
- You have a recent DUI, multiple traffic-violation points, or a serious criminal record. The TLC reviews both your NY State and FBI records.
- You cannot pass a drug test. The TLC stopped testing for marijuana in 2021, but the test still checks for other drugs (cocaine, opiates, amphetamines, PCP). If you are unsure about any drug or medicine you take, call the TLC before you spend any money.
- You do not have work authorization in the U.S. The TLC requires a Social Security Number; an ITIN alone may not be enough. Contact the TLC at licensinginquiries@tlc.nyc.gov before applying if you are unsure.
If you are still here, you are probably a good fit. Keep reading.
Who can apply.
The TLC's basic rules are short. You must check every box on this list.
- 1 Be at least 19 years old. Not 21. The 19-year minimum applies to all TLC driver licenses.
- 2 Hold a valid NY State chauffeur's license. This is the part most new drivers get wrong — see the orange box below.
- 3 Have a valid Social Security Number. An ITIN (tax ID number) is not the same and may not qualify on its own.
- 4 Pass a drug test. See section 4 for the details.
- 5 Pass a TLC medical exam done by a licensed doctor.
- 6 Pay all open traffic and parking tickets. The TLC checks. Pay them first or your application stops.
The most common mistake is starting the TLC application before you have your NY State chauffeur's license. You cannot do that.
A regular driver's license is called Class D. That is not enough for the TLC. You need a chauffeur's license — that is Class A, B, C, or E. Class E is the standard for-hire chauffeur license that most new TLC drivers go for.
You get that from the New York State DMV, not from the TLC. Go to the DMV first. Get your Class E (or A, B, C). Then start the TLC application. Plan an extra 2 to 6 weeks for this step.
The DMV chauffeur's permit test is available in Spanish, Chinese, Russian, and many other languages — see the DMV language assistance page.
The real cost.
We will be straight with you. Most websites lowball this number. The real total in NYC right now is about $1,300 to $1,400. Plan for the higher end so you are not surprised.
Here is exactly where the money goes. Some fees are set by the city (you cannot avoid them). Others depend on the school or provider you choose.
| What it is | Cost (2026) | Who sets it |
|---|---|---|
| NY State chauffeur license (Class E, etc.) | $50–$150 | DMV |
| TLC license fee (3-year license) | $252 | TLC (fixed) |
| 24-hour TLC driver course | $245–$250 | Course provider |
| Defensive Driving Course (6 hours) | ~$250 | Course provider |
| Wheelchair (WAV) training | $50–$75 | Course provider |
| Drug test (LabCorp) | $34 | TLC (fixed) |
| Fingerprints (IdentoGO) | $104.50 | Fixed |
| Medical exam (doctor) | $100–$300 | Your doctor |
| TLC driver license written exam (PSI) | $49 | Fixed |
| Realistic total | $1,134–$1,465 | Plan for ~$1,400 |
These costs are based on current TLC, NYC, and provider pricing as of May 2026. The TLC fee, drug test, fingerprints, and exam fee are fixed by the city. Course prices vary — shop around. The TLC keeps a full list of approved providers on its driver education page.
Heads up: these fees are not refundable. If you change your mind halfway through, you lose what you paid. Be sure before you start.
The 8 steps, in order.
After you have your NY State chauffeur's license, the TLC gives you 90 days from the day you submit your online application to finish every step. If you miss the deadline, the TLC cancels your application and you lose your fees. Do not start the online application until you are ready to move fast.
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01
Start the application online.
Go to TLC UP, the city's online licensing system. Pay the $252 fee with an e-check (no processing fee) or a card (2.49% fee added). The clock for the 90-day window starts the day you submit.
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02
Take the 24-hour TLC driver course.
This is 3 full days (8 hours each) at a TLC-approved school. You learn city rules, customer service, geography, and how to handle the job day-to-day. Cost is about $245–$250.
Language note: Approved schools teach the course in English, Spanish, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese (Mandarin), Russian, and Urdu. When you call the school, ask which language they offer.
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03
Take the 6-hour Defensive Driving Course.
One day. Approved by the NY DMV. You will renew this every 3 years for as long as you drive. Cost is around $250.
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04
Take the Wheelchair (WAV) training.
Many drivers think this only applies to drivers of wheelchair vehicles. It does not. Every new TLC driver must finish WAV training. It teaches you how to safely help wheelchair passengers into and out of a vehicle. Cost is usually $50–$75.
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05
Take a drug test at a LabCorp.
Call (800) 923-2624 to book. The test costs $34. Results go straight to the TLC in about 3 business days. If you fail, the TLC denies your application. There is no second chance during this application. Be careful with anything you eat, drink, or take in the weeks before the test. If you use prescription medication, bring proof.
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06
Get fingerprinted at IdentoGO.
Book a fingerprinting appointment at any IdentoGO center in NYC. When you book, give them the TLC's ORI code: 156GQS. The cost is $104.50. Your prints go to NY State and the FBI for a background check.
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07
Get a medical exam and upload the form.
Any licensed doctor can do it. The exam cannot be older than 90 days when you upload the form. Cost is roughly $100–$300, depending on the doctor. Conditions like uncontrolled epilepsy, serious heart problems, or untreated bad vision may disqualify you — talk to your doctor before paying.
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08
Pass the TLC driver license exam.
The exam is run by PSI Services at 10 testing sites across NYC. 80 questions, you need 56 right to pass (70%). Cost is $49 per try. The test is offered in English, Spanish, Bengali, Urdu, Simplified Chinese, Russian, and Arabic.
The 24-hour course you took in step 2 covers most of what the exam asks. Study the course book again right before you sit.
Tip: finish your courses first (steps 2, 3, 4) before you submit the online application. That way you do not waste time inside the 90-day window. Some drivers spend a week on courses before they click "submit" so they have the full 90 days for the slower steps (fingerprints and background check).
Will I get approved? Common worries.
These are the questions new drivers ask us most often. Honest answers.
"I have an old traffic ticket. Will the TLC reject me?"
A few old tickets are usually fine, but they must be paid first. Open (unpaid) tickets will pause your application until you settle them. If your driving record has many recent points, the TLC may ask questions before approving. A single old speeding ticket from years ago is almost never a problem.
"What if I have an arrest in my past?"
The TLC looks at both NY State and FBI records. Some convictions (like serious crimes or repeat DUIs) can disqualify you. Many others do not. The TLC's Chapter 80 rules list which crimes matter. If you have any worry, contact the TLC at licensinginquiries@tlc.nyc.gov before you spend money on courses.
"Will the drug test check for marijuana?"
Good news. New York State made marijuana legal in 2021, and the NYC TLC no longer tests for marijuana on the new-driver drug test. Using marijuana on your own time will not stop you from getting your license.
The test does still check for other drugs — cocaine, opiates, amphetamines, and PCP. Stay clean of those before your test.
One important thing: driving high is still illegal. The TLC can take action against your license if you drive impaired after you are licensed. The change above is only about the pre-license drug test.
"What about prescription medication?"
If you take prescription drugs, bring proof to your test — the original bottle with your name on it and, if you have one, a note from your doctor. The lab will record it on your result. If a prescription you take could affect the result, talk to your doctor or the TLC before you test.
"I'm an immigrant. Can I apply?"
Yes, if you have legal work authorization in the U.S. and a Social Security Number. Lawful permanent residents (green-card holders) and people with valid Employment Authorization Documents qualify. An ITIN by itself is not work authorization. If your status is in doubt, email licensinginquiries@tlc.nyc.gov before you start.
"How long does the approval actually take?"
Once you finish everything — courses, drug test, fingerprints, medical, exam — the TLC reviews your file. The city does not publish an average review time; it depends on your background check, your DMV record, and whether your paperwork is complete. Clean applications often clear in a few weeks. Anything flagged for review can take longer. From the day you start the DMV chauffeur's license to the day you have your TLC license in your hand, plan for 3 to 4 months.
For a deeper look at how the city verifies driver and company records, see our note on how JobCabby verifies the bases and businesses on our marketplace.
After you get your license.
Your license arrives in the mail. Now you have to decide what to drive and who to drive for. There are three main paths.
Path 1: Use your own car
You need a TLC-plated car. Your personal car will not work without TLC plates and special commercial insurance. Owning is cheapest over time, but the upfront cost is high.
Path 2: Rent a TLC car
Many drivers rent a TLC-plated vehicle from a garage or fleet by the week. Insurance and the TLC plate are usually included. This is the fastest way to start, but the weekly rent adds up.
Path 3: Drive for a base or fleet
A base provides the car and dispatches you to trips. You typically split the fare or pay a weekly lease. Good for drivers who do not want to find their own riders.
About earnings: be careful what you read.
You will see many websites that promise "$2,000 a week" or "$100,000 a year." Be skeptical. The TLC does not publish a single official "average" earnings number because earnings depend on so many things — what you drive, how many hours, which borough, what shift, and how much you pay for the car each week.
Here is what the TLC does publish: the minimum pay rates for Uber and Lyft drivers, which set the floor for what those apps must pay you. Effective March 1, 2026:
- · Standard vehicle: $1.283 per mile + $0.681 per minute of waiting time.
- · Wheelchair (WAV) vehicle: $1.601 per mile + $0.681 per minute.
- · Trips that end outside NYC: about $1.757 per mile (non-WAV).
These are minimums, not promises. Your real take-home is the fares you earn, minus the cost of your car, gas, insurance, maintenance, and any fees. For a clear breakdown, the TLC publishes a driver pay calculator and a detailed expense model on its data page.
Once you have your license, the next big decision is finding the right base or rental setup. Take a look at our directory of vetted TLC vehicle rental, insurance, and other services for drivers — all in one place.
Your next move.
Getting your TLC license is the hardest part. Once you have it, you still have one more big problem: who will hire you?
Most NYC drivers find work the old-fashioned way — through a friend, a WhatsApp group, a flyer at a gas station, or by calling bases until somebody says yes. It works. But it takes time, and you often miss out on the best jobs.
We built JobCabby to fix that. We are a free marketplace where NYC TLC bases post real, open driver positions, and drivers like you create a profile once and get contacted by bases that match your shift, borough, and vehicle type.
Get hired the easy way.
Sign up free in 2 minutes. Add your TLC license number, tell us when and where you drive, and let NYC bases reach out to you with open shifts. No fees, no middlemen.
Have a question we did not answer? Email company@ariglabs.io — we read every message and keep this guide updated.
This guide is for general information only. It is not legal advice. The TLC's rules can change. For the official, most current rules, see nyc.gov/tlc or contact the TLC directly.