TLC Insurance in NYC: the 2026 Guide to Requirements, PIP & FH-1
Verified minimum coverage by vehicle class, the January 2026 rule change, the March 2026 PIP reduction, and the FH-1 / TLC UP filing flow — with links to every official NYC TLC and NY DMV source.
Last verified: April 2026 · Sources: NYC TLC, NYC Mayor's Office, NY DMV, NYC Rules portal
Recent regulatory updates
- January 1, 2026: Amended TLC insurance rule takes effect. Excess and split policies are permitted, 24/7 coverage is mandatory, and all carriers must be authorized to do business in New York State. NYC Rules portal
- March 1, 2026: Required PIP (no-fault) drops from $200,000 to $100,000 per person for taxis, for-hire vehicles, luxury limousines, and street hail liveries. The implementing TLC rule was adopted on September 17, 2025. Official TLC PDF
- July 1, 2025: Mayor Adams signed Local Law 90 of 2025 (Intro. 1050) authorizing the PIP reduction above. Mayor's office announcement
What is TLC insurance and who needs it?
TLC insurance is commercial auto insurance specifically required by the NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission for every licensed for-hire vehicle operating in New York City. Your personal auto policy does not satisfy TLC rules — even one paid trip makes you commercial.
Minimum coverage by vehicle class & capacity
Sourced from the NYC TLC vehicle insurance requirements. PIP amounts reflect the March 1, 2026 reduction to $100,000.
| Vehicle class | Passenger capacity | Liability minimum | PIP* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black car / Livery | 1-7 passengers | $100,000 / $300,000 | $100,000 |
| Luxury base | 1-7 passengers | $500,000 / $1,000,000 | $100,000 |
| Yellow / Green taxi | 1-7 (per TLC bands) | $100,000 / $300,000 + $10,000 PD | $100,000 |
| Black car / Livery | 8-15 passengers | $200,000 / $500,000 + $50,000 PD | $100,000 |
| Black car / Livery | 16-20 passengers | $500,000 / $1,000,000 + $100,000 PD | $100,000 |
| Luxury base | 8-15 passengers | $750,000 / $1,500,000 + $100,000 PD | $100,000 |
| Luxury base | 16-20 passengers | $1,000,000 / $2,000,000 + $200,000 PD | $100,000 |
*PIP drops from $200,000 to $100,000 per person on March 1, 2026 per Local Law 90 of 2025 and the implementing TLC rule adopted September 17, 2025. Liability and PD limits come from the NYC TLC vehicle insurance requirements on nyc.gov.
FH-1 certificate & TLC UP filing
The FH-1 is the electronic insurance filing that proves your vehicle has compliant TLC coverage. Your insurer files it directly with the TLC; in most cases it appears as active in TLC UP within a few hours to two business days. Start renewals 30 to 45 days before expiration — there is no grace period, and an expired FH-1 will block your vehicle license renewal.
Deeper walk-through: carrier request, common rejection reasons, VIN/base verification, and a downloadable checklist.
Step by step: getting TLC insurance and registering your vehicle
Typical end-to-end timeline is 6 to 10 weeks. As of late 2025, new NYC FHV license applications are limited to wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs); existing FHV plates can still be renewed on older vehicles. TLC FHV licensing page.
- 1
Get your TLC driver license
Complete the TLC driver application, drug test, medical exam, background check, and the required defensive-driving course.
2-4 weeks - 2
Confirm vehicle eligibility
New NYC FHV applications are WAV-only and the vehicle must be under 7 model years old. Renewals of existing FHV plates are not limited to WAVs.
1-2 weeks - 3
Shop TLC insurance quotes
Compare at least three NY-authorized carriers. Under the January 1, 2026 rule, excess and split policies are allowed if every carrier is authorized in New York State.
3-5 days - 4
Bind the policy
Confirm the declarations page meets or exceeds TLC minimums for your class and capacity, then pay and schedule the FH-1 filing with your insurer.
1-2 days - 5
FH-1 is filed with TLC
Your insurer submits the FH-1 electronically. It typically appears as active in TLC UP within hours to two business days.
Hours to 2 business days - 6
Register the vehicle with TLC
Submit the TLC vehicle license application, pay fees, and schedule the TLC safety inspection.
1-2 weeks - 7
Verify documents in TLC UP
Confirm the declarations page, FH-1, and inspection certificate are all uploaded and match VIN and plate exactly.
1 day - 8
Start driving
Once your TLC vehicle license is active, keep all documents in the vehicle and set renewal reminders 30-45 days before expiration.
Ongoing
Ready to price a compliant policy?
Get a same-day quote from NY-authorized carriers that meet every 2025/2026 TLC requirement.
Frequently asked questions
Do Uber or Lyft provide my TLC insurance in NYC?+
No. In NYC your own TLC commercial policy is always primary. Lyft does not procure insurance for TLC drivers at all, and Uber does not provide primary NYC coverage either. Uber drivers do receive Black Car Fund benefits (workers compensation, death and disability) funded by a passenger surcharge, but those are not auto liability insurance.
When does the $100,000 PIP reduction take effect?+
Local Law 90 of 2025 was signed by Mayor Adams on July 1, 2025. The TLC rule implementing the $200,000 to $100,000 PIP reduction was adopted on September 17, 2025 and takes effect on March 1, 2026 for taxis, for-hire vehicles, luxury limousines, and street hail liveries.
Can I split coverage between two insurance carriers?+
Yes, starting January 1, 2026. The amended TLC rule permits excess and split policies to meet the minimum limits, provided every carrier is authorized to do business in New York State. Before January 1, 2026 a single primary policy is still required.
How long does the FH-1 take to appear in TLC UP?+
Your insurer files the FH-1 electronically with the TLC. In most cases it appears as active in TLC UP within a few hours to two business days. Start renewals 30 to 45 days before expiration because there is no grace period.
Can I register a new TLC vehicle today?+
Generally no. New NYC TLC for-hire vehicle license applications are currently limited to wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs), and vehicles must be under 7 model years old. Existing FHV plates can still be renewed on older vehicles.
Official sources
- NYC Rules Portal - Amendment of TLC insurance requirements (effective Jan 1, 2026)
- NYC TLC insurance rule amendment (PDF, adopted Jan 29, 2025)
- NYC TLC PIP amendment PDF (adopted Sept 17, 2025, effective March 1, 2026)
- NYC TLC Vehicle Insurance (official requirements page)
- NYC TLC For-Hire Vehicle licensing (WAV-only new applications)
- Mayor Adams - Local Law 90 of 2025 PIP reduction announcement
- NY DMV - For-Hire Insurance Requirements
- Lyft Driver Insurance (confirms Lyft does not procure TLC insurance in NYC)
This guide provides general information and is not legal or insurance advice. Regulations change; verify current requirements directly with the NYC TLC and a licensed insurance professional. Coverage availability and rates depend on individual underwriting. Last verified: April 2026.