TLC inspection: What you need to know
The Taxi & Limousine Commission (TLC) is the organisation responsible for licensing and regulating For-Hire Vehicles (amongst others) in New York City. As a For-Hire at some point or another, you’ll be required to have an inspection by the TLC carried out on your vehicle.
There are three instances where a TLC inspection is required:
- A new application
- A license renewal
- Or a plate transfer (changing vehicles during an FHV term)
Read more about each circumstance below.
How much does a TLC inspection cost?
A full inspection will cost you $75 which will be paid before the TLC gives you your appointment as it’s included in the application fee.
If you only need a visual inspection, it’s just $37 and can be paid by clicking here.
Where is the TLC inspection facility?
NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission
24-55 B.Q.E West
Woodside, NY 11377
- Licensee Information (718) 391-5501
- Inspection Information (718) 267-4559
Hours are Monday through Friday 5am to 9pm (excluding holidays)
- Inspections (5:30am – 9pm)
- Reinspections (5:30am-3pm)
- Corrected conditions (5:30am-9pm)
New For-Hire Vehicle License Applicant
New For-Hire Vehicle License applicants are required to be inspected at the TLC’s Woodside Inspection Facility as the final step of the vehicle license process.
Type of inspection is dependent on mileage:
- If the vehicle has 500 miles or more, you will receive a Full NYS DMV inspection appointment ($75)
- If the vehicle has fewer than 500 miles, you will receive a Visual Inspection Appointment ($37)
Renewing a For-Hire Vehicle License
TLC inspects For-Hire Vehicles every 2 years. Once all required documents have been processed and approved, TLC’s Licensing Division will email you an inspection appointment. The inspection will take place at the TLC’s Woodside Inspection Facility.
Type of inspection is dependent on mileage:
- If the vehicle has 500 miles or more, you will receive a Full NYS DMV inspection appointment ($75)
- If the vehicle has fewer than 500 miles, you will receive a Visual Inspection Appointment ($37)
For-Hire Vehicle License Transfers
After completing a Vehicle License Transfer, TLC’s Licensing Division will give you an inspection appointment. The inspection will take place at the TLC’s Woodside Inspection Facility.
Type of inspection is dependent on mileage:
- If the vehicle has 500 miles or more, you will receive a Full NYS DMV inspection appointment ($75)
- If the vehicle has fewer than 500 miles, you will receive a Visual Inspection Appointment ($37)
For-Hire Vehicle Base and Plate Transfers
After completing a Base and/or Plate Transfer at TLC’s Licensing Division, you will receive a Visual Inspection Appointment ($37) at TLC’s Woodside Inspection Facility. This process is the same for plate TLC storage removal.
On these occasions, the TLC will contact you with an appointment asking you to attend.
What happens if I fail my inspection?
You can try again! There is a compliance date listed on your Vehicle Inspect Report (VIR). You must have passed by this date and you have 4 attempts to do so. You will not require an appointment for a reinspection. You can go to the Woodside inspection facility for your reinspection without an appointment during the times listed for reinspections on the VIR.
Please note that all the information in this post is correct at the time of writing on 18th November 2020 but we cannot guarantee its reliability thereafter. All information has been sourced directly from the TLC here.
