How to Schedule and Prepare for Your Taxi and Limousine Commission Appointment

What happens at a TLC appointment and how to book one

A Taxi and Limousine Commission appointment is where you meet with a TLC examiner or inspector to complete a required step in getting your license — whether that's passing a knowledge test, submitting documents in person, or having your vehicle inspected. The appointment type depends on where you are in the licensing process. You do not walk in; you must schedule ahead, and the wait time between booking and your appointment date varies by which office you contact and what time of year it is.

The TLC operates four offices across New York City: Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx. Each office handles appointments for different license types and services. You book by calling the office that serves your area or the one closest to where you plan to work. Some offices also accept appointments through their online system, though phone booking is more reliable if you need a specific date or have questions about what to bring.

Appointment availability changes week to week. During busy seasons — typically spring and early summer — you may wait four to eight weeks for an opening. In slower months, you might get in within two to three weeks. Call as soon as you know you need an appointment, because the date you book is not the date you become licensed; it is simply the date you show up to complete that one step.

Key Takeaways

• You must call the TLC office in your borough to book an appointment; walk-ins are not accepted for most services.
• Bring your confirmation number, valid ID, and all documents the TLC told you to bring when you booked — missing even one can mean rescheduling.
• Knowledge tests, vehicle inspections, and document reviews each require their own appointment, so plan for multiple visits if you are starting from scratch.
• Appointment wait times range from two to eight weeks depending on the season and which office you call.
• If you miss your appointment without calling to cancel, you may lose your spot and have to wait weeks for another opening.

Which TLC office to call and what information you need ready

The TLC has four offices, and you call the one in the borough where you live or plan to work. The Manhattan office handles appointments for drivers and owners across the city, but Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx have their own offices that also take appointments. If you are unsure which office to call, start with Manhattan — they can tell you if your appointment should be at a different location.

Before you call, have these items in front of you: your Social Security number, a phone number where the TLC can reach you, your driver's license number, and the type of license you are pursuing (for-hire vehicle, medallion taxi, black car, or green taxi). If you are already in the system from a previous application, have any reference or case number the TLC gave you. The person who answers will ask what step you are at — whether you need to take the knowledge test, submit documents, or schedule a vehicle inspection — and they will tell you what to bring to your appointment.

Write down your confirmation number the moment they give it to you. This number is how the TLC tracks your appointment, and you will need it when you arrive. If you do not get a confirmation number, ask for one before you hang up. Also ask the office staff what time to arrive — some offices ask you to come 15 minutes early, others do not.

Documents and items to bring to your appointment

What you bring depends on which step of licensing you are at. For a knowledge test appointment, you need your confirmation number, a valid photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID), and a pen. For a vehicle inspection, bring your confirmation number, the vehicle's registration, proof of insurance, and the vehicle itself — parked and ready to be inspected in the lot or street outside the office.

If you are submitting documents — such as your medical certificate, driving record, proof of residence, or tax returns — bring the originals plus two copies of each. The TLC will not accept photocopies of some documents, so ask when you book whether originals are required. Bring them in a folder or envelope so they do not get bent or lost. If any document is not in English, bring the original plus a certified English translation.

Do not assume the TLC has your documents just because you mailed them or submitted them online. Bring paper copies to your appointment. The office staff will tell you if they already have what you sent, but if there is any gap in your file, having the papers with you means you can hand them over on the spot instead of rescheduling.

What to expect during the appointment itself

Arrive 10 to 15 minutes before your scheduled time. Check in at the front desk with your confirmation number and ID. You will be called when it is your turn — wait times at the office can be 20 minutes to an hour even if you are on time, so bring something to do. The examiner or inspector will review your documents, ask you questions about your application, or administer your test depending on the appointment type.

For a knowledge test, you will sit at a computer or with paper and pencil and answer questions about traffic laws, passenger safety, and TLC rules. The test usually takes 45 minutes to an hour. You will find out your score before you leave. If you pass, the examiner will tell you the next step. If you do not pass, you can usually reschedule to take it again, though there may be a waiting period.

For a vehicle inspection, the inspector will walk around your car, check the interior, test the lights and horn, and verify that the registration and insurance match the vehicle. This usually takes 15 to 20 minutes. For a document review, the examiner will look through your papers, ask clarifying questions, and tell you if anything is missing or if you need to resubmit something.

If you need to reschedule or cancel your appointment

Call the TLC office as soon as you know you cannot make your appointment. Do not simply not show up. If you miss an appointment without canceling, you lose your spot, and you will have to call back and wait weeks for another opening. The office staff will ask why you need to reschedule and will offer you another date if one is available.

Cancellations are usually accepted up to 24 hours before your appointment. If you cancel with less notice, some offices may require you to wait longer before rebooking. If you have a legitimate emergency — a death in the family, a serious illness, a car accident — explain it to the staff. They have some flexibility for genuine hardship, though they cannot may provide a quick new date.

If the TLC cancels your appointment — which happens occasionally due to office closures or staffing issues — they will call the number you provided. Check your voicemail and return their call promptly to reschedule.

What happens after your appointment

The next step depends on what you completed. If you passed your knowledge test, the TLC will tell you what to do next — usually submitting documents or scheduling a vehicle inspection. If you had a vehicle inspection and it passed, you move closer to getting your license. If you submitted documents and they were accepted, the TLC will process them and contact you with the result.

Some steps take a few days; others take weeks. The TLC will contact you by phone or mail with updates. If you do not hear from them within the timeframe they gave you, call the office to check on your status. Have your confirmation number and case number ready when you call.

Keep your confirmation number and any paperwork the TLC gives you. You may need to show it at future appointments or to prove you completed a step if there is a delay in the system.

TLC office contact information and hours

The TLC offices are located in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx. Each office has its own phone number and hours. Manhattan is typically open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., with some evening hours on certain days. The other boroughs have similar hours but may close earlier or have different schedules.

Call ahead before you visit in person. Most TLC business is done by phone appointment, and walking in without a scheduled appointment will not get you served. The phone lines are busiest in the morning and early afternoon, so calling late afternoon or the next morning may mean a shorter wait.

If you cannot reach the office by phone, check the TLC website for the most current contact numbers and hours. Office numbers and schedules do change, and the website is the most reliable source.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reschedule my appointment online or do I have to call?

You must call the TLC office to reschedule. There is no online rescheduling system. Have your confirmation number ready when you call. The staff will tell you what dates are available and book you for the next opening.

What if I fail the knowledge test?

You can retake the test. The TLC will tell you when you can schedule your next attempt — there is usually a waiting period of a few days to a week. You do not have to pay again to retake it. Study the same material and call to book your next appointment.

Do I need to bring my vehicle to a document review appointment?

No. A document review is just paperwork. You only need to bring the vehicle if your appointment is specifically for a vehicle inspection. The confirmation number will say which type of appointment you have.

What if the TLC office is closed on a holiday?

The TLC offices are closed on federal holidays and some state holidays. If you try to call and cannot reach anyone, check the TLC website for the holiday schedule. You can call the next business day to reschedule or book a new appointment.

How long does it take to get my license after my last appointment?

It depends on which step you just completed. If your last appointment was a vehicle inspection that passed, you may get your license within two to four weeks. If you still have documents to submit or tests to pass, you have more appointments ahead. Ask the examiner at each appointment what the timeline is for the next step.