The New York City Taxi & Limousine Commission (TLC) voted to approve three significant rule changes in late January, focused on passenger wait times for wheelchair-accessible for-hire vehicles (FHVs), interior advertising for FHVs, and insurance requirements for TLC-licensed vehicles.
Vehicle Insurance. The amendments, effective Jan. 1, 2026, bring a series of changes. First is a requirement that excess policies must be issued by a carrier authorized by the NYS Department of Financial Services. More comprehensive reporting to TLC will also be required, including submitting Vehicle Identification Numbers and Certificates of Liability. Following an initial hearing, the TLC removed provisions requiring carriers to be “solvent and responsible,” that there be a single policy, and imposed a name-matching condition on vehicle registrations.
Passenger Wait Times for Wheelchair-Accessible FHVs. Uber and Lyft – both TLC-approved accessible vehicle dispatchers – now serve over 96% of wheelchair-accessible vehicle (WAV) requests in under 15 minutes, up from 50% in 2019. TLC says that number still falls short of the service provided to non-WAV customers, so the new rules, effective March 1, will require accessible vehicle dispatchers to service 90% of requests for a WAV in under 10 minutes.
Interior Advertising Providers. The TLC’s finalized rules allow FHV drivers to earn extra income from interactive tablets that offer information, news, and entertainment for passengers. The rules create a licensing system for interior advertising providers, revenue tracking for driver compensation, and protections for drivers who opt not to install a tablet in their vehicle. The rules – which go into effect March 1 – define tablet standards (safety, privacy, security), passenger controls, pay standards for drivers, and tipping mechanisms.
According to Matthew W. Daus, Esq.: “The TLC’s new interior advertising provider rules differ from the IATR’s ‘Model Regulations Governing Interior and Exterior Digital Advertising for Taxicabs, Transportation Network Company (TNC) Vehicles, and Other For-Hire Vehicles.’ The IATR’s model regulations focus on ensuring safety and minimizing intrusiveness without extensive oversight, such as requiring regulatory approval for advertising tablets unless integrated with payment systems. IATR feels that regular vehicle inspections are enough to ensure everything meets safety standards, keeping the experience safe and user-friendly. The main concerns include keeping passengers safe by securely installing these devices and ensuring they do not cause injuries during sudden stops. To make rides more pleasant, passengers should also be able to easily control the screen’s brightness and volume or turn them off completely.”
Source: Windels Marx
