how to become a taxi driver

How to become a New York Taxi Driver

By: Drivers.com staff

Date: Monday, 23. August 2010

Over the coming months we will be running a series of articles on different driving jobs around the world, and the various requirements you will need to meet to qualify for these jobs. In this article we are looking at the job of the New York City Taxi Driver.

Because of very high turnover rates in the industry, there is a constant demand for new taxi drivers in New York City. Salary levels vary as tips can account for up to 40% of the income of these drivers. According to Terry Gelber , a Licensed New York City Taxi Driver, drivers can expect to earn 'from less than a hundred dollars per shift to as much as three hundred fifty dollars per shift'.

If you are interested in becoming a Taxi Driver in New York, our step-by-step guide below will take you through the process.

Steps to becoming a NYC taxi driver:

Step 1: the basic requirements

New York City Taxi Driver licenses are issued by the Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC). The license is issued for a probationary period of one year and can be renewed for two-year periods thereafter.

To apply for a Taxi License you need to have a valid New York State DMV Chauffeurs License and be at least 19 years old. You can obtain a chauffeur's license by visiting your local New York, New Jersey, Connecticut or Pennsylvania DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles). This license must be the equivalent to a New York state class A, B, C or E license.

Your license should have no more than 7 DMV points within the 18-months preceding your application.

Step 2: prepare the paperwork

Submit a copy of your driving history from your local DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles). This Certified Abstract (State Driver Record) must be stamped or sealed and cannot be older than 30 days from the date you submit your application.

You must also submit your Social Security card (copies and laminated Social Security Cards are NOT accepted).

Applications must include a TLC medical form completed and signed by a medical doctor. It must NOT be older than 6 months from the date you submit your application and must include an official stamp from the medical practitioner.

Step 3: your finances

You will be required to show proof that you do not have any outstanding fines to the DMV for traffic violations or parking tickets. If your license is from New Jersey, Connecticut or Pennsylvania, you need a certified statement from your local DMV stating that you have no outstanding fines. You must also fill out a Child Support Certification Form even if you don't have children - this indicates that you do not have any outstanding child support payments.

Step 4: the training

All potential New York Taxi Drivers must complete a defensive driving course. The course will be 6 hours in length and cost around $50 and must be completed within 6 months of filing your application.

All applicants must attend an approved taxi school for either the 80-hour or the 24-hour course. According to the Taxi and Limousine Commission 'taking the 80-hour course increases your chances of passing the taxi exam because it covers additional material not covered in the 24-hour course'.

After completing this course you must pass the English proficiency test and the written exam based on the course. The taxi course must be completed before you can take the test and both must be completed in the same taxi school.

Step 5: the application

Complete the Taxi & Limousine Commission (TLC) driver application and have Form A notarized.

Remember to bring:

Fees (1 year License Fee of $60 Money order made payable to: NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission or Visa, Master Card, AMEX or Discover - check TLC website for updates.
Original completion certificate of the defensive driving course
Your DMV license (which must have a photograph)
Certified Abstract (State Driver Record)
Social Security card
TLC medical form completed and signed by a medical doctor
Documentary proof that you have attended an approved taxi school and successfully completed the relevant exams.

You can file your application in either of the locations below:

LONG ISLAND CITY OFFICE
32-02 Queens Boulevard,
Long Island City, NY 11101
Open: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Monday through Friday
No Appointments Required

STATEN ISLAND OFFICE
1893 Richmond Terrace,
Staten Island, NY 10302
Open: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Monday through Friday
Appointment Required
Call (718) 815-3734 or 815-3735

Step 6: the drug test

Drug testing is mandatory for all New York Taxi License applicants and testing can only be carried out in a TLC approved clinic. Drug testing can only be done after submitting your TLC application and instructions will be given to you when you file your application.

If you have any tips/ questions or general comments about New York Taxi driver licensing, please post them below.

Driving jobs
Taxi exam sample

Further comments to this article have been disabled.

Showing 1 - 22 comments

kevin,

Hello my name is kevin and im 21 years old and im very interested in becoming a nyc taxi driver can u please give me more info of how to become a taxi driver I really need your help..I love to drive. Around..thank u

Yeshi,

Hi my name is Yeshi from Tibet
I been drive my car 3 years now in NYC but now I want to be can driver in NYC so help me my phone no is 646-479-7273 thanks lots

Blanca tibocha,

I interested in become a taxi driiver. Where can I go in order to do each requirement. If some body can help me to my dream came truth, I would be realy greatful. I have been driving for 25 years.
Thank for your help

Blancalsaenz@hotmail.com

Blanca tibocha,

I interested in to take all requieremts to become a drive taxi. Where can I go, in order to do each requirement. I live in Howard Beach. Thank you

priyankar das,

I am an Indian and I am a taxi driver by profession.My driving licence has been issued in 28.04.05 and I am engaged in the driving profession since then.How Can I become a taxi driver in New York.
Regards,
Priyankar Das
cont no- 9933711807
email- dpriyankar85@gmail.com

Francisco Guedes,

hello, i am Francisco, i am 19 years old and since 8 months taxi driver in portugal, i`ve got made a 550hours formation in lisbon to be a taxi driver. i am a multilingual speeker. the point is , i have the dream to work in the usa, and because of my experience i am schore that taxi driver would be a god experience, please could somebody help me by sending me some clear steps? i would be realy greatful. is it possible to drive a cab outside my country with my portuguesse taxi driver licence? thank you

xguedes.1992@hotmail.com

Rajpal singh,

sir my name is .Rajpal singh. pls job my i am driver uae house work my expri..3 yars my aj 21 old pls sir work me my number 00971566126961 (0566126961)

pargat singh,

hello sir i am pargat singh i am working in kawat and qater driving licenes 3yera old my Email id kaur.stat.harvinder@gmail.com my cont number 09711909864 /9711706889 india plz cont me sir thak

pargar singh,

i am pargat singh i am driver car van bus taxi drivr eixp 2 year kawat 30 month qater plz jobs driver for me

Doghor Jonathan,

hello sir,am jonathan from nigeria,30yrs old,172 height,am a driver in a reputable transport company here in warri,can one become a taxi driver in the USA even if he has someone to purchase one for him?,if yes then how do one go about it...email me at (jonathandoghor2012@yahoo.com)

Doghor Jonathan,

Roger,

Whats it like to be a nyc taxi driver

Anthony,

Hi I'm looking for a job in New York!

shafiuddin,

hello sir iam fist toll u iam i driver in uae iam fist working in sharja txai some sharja tronsport iam driving license 5 years in uau driving licence my email shafiuddinswat@yahoo.com.sir tell date iam working in dubai house driver private sir

shafiuddin,

hello sir how r u sir iam shafiuddin s/o salahuddin from to pakistan sir iam driver in the uae daubai iam hear taxi driver iam like a taxi driving. but this time iam house driver private driver sir u wanat driver palce u tell me iam com place sir i wanat taxi driving. Thinks sir for you .

afsar patel,

helo sir i was dreem for working in new york city.plz give me a job.i have 5 years expirence for driving.

waseem haider,

dear sir
dear sir i have come to know throuhreiable that some posts mentioned above arelying vacant under your kind control. i offer my services for the same. i working from the last 5 years with shaeen airport services islamabad pakistan my duties of the operating of following equipment drivering my qualifcation; FA ,spoken english.sir i am very poor man. plz give me job. plz do somethink.my contact 00923215114983

zahid,

Looking night shift in jersey city near communepaw +kennedy blvd.switch shift manhattan or jersey. u can reach 917-215-4185

Drivers staff,

Hi Salou, for driving jobs sign up for the free newsletter on http://jobs.drivers.com

salou Maliki,

i am call Salou Maliki and i live in west African a Country call Ghana, New York has my dream place, so how can i join the drivers list?? i wil be grateful to be part of New york Taxi drivers list, If there is anything u can do to help. thank u so for your time u spent read my comment.

drivers.com staff,

Hi Lee - according to the TLC the 80 hour course-$325 and 24 hour course-$175 - check out the links in the article for approved training centers for more details

Lee,

How much is taxi driver training?