Basic Requirements

• You must be at least 19 years old, have a valid Social Security card and have a valid chauffeur's driver's license (Class A, B, C or E) from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania or Connecticut.
  
  

Clean Driving and Parking Record

• You cannot have any unpaid tickets. Specifically, you must have no judgments outstanding to the TLC, the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles Traffic Parking Violations Bureau, the Department of Finance Parking Violations or the Department of Finance Red Light Bureau. In addition, you cannot have more than seven DMV points in the 18-month period before the date you file your application for a TLC license.
  
  

Taxi School and Tests

• You must take a course at an approved taxi school after you submit your application to the TLC. You can choose to take a 24-hour course or an 80-hour course. Taking the longer course may increase your chances of passing the taxi exam, which you take at the same school where you attended the course. You must also pass a test in English proficiency.
  
  

Defensive Driving Course

• You must take a defensive driving course from a provider that's been certified by the New York State DMV. You may take the course in person or online.
  
  

Medical Exam and Drug Test

• You must have a doctor complete and sign a TLC Medical Certification Form. You must also take a drug test at a TLC approved lab.