For-hire insurance requirements
What does for-hire mean?
'For-hire' is defined as the business of carrying or transporting passengers for compensation (direct or indirect). 1 For-hire also includes private rental vehicles that are leased or rented to an individual or organization who is not the title owner; while the registration remains in the owner’s name.
Do I need for-hire insurance?
If you have a for-hire vehicle, you must have for-hire vehicle insurance. The only exceptions are buses and ambulances that do not carry passengers for a fee. 2
How long does my registration and insurance policy period last?
For-hire registrations and insurance policy periods last one year. Refer to the chart below to find your registration expiration date and policy period.
| Vehicle Class Code | Vehicle Type | Registration Expiration | Policy Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| 53 OMF | Bus (franchise) | 02/28 | 03/01 - 03/01 |
| 56 OMR | Bus (regular) | 02/28 | 03/01 - 03/01 |
| 52 OMS | Rental (private daily) | 09/30 | 10/01 - 10/01 |
| 57 OMV | Rental (private daily vanity) | 09/30 | 10/01 - 10/01 |
| 19 SCL | School Car | 12/31 | 01/01 - 01/01 |
| 20 HIR | Hearse / Invalid Coach | 12/31 | 01/01 - 01/01 |
| 51 AMB | Ambulance | 12/31 | 01/01 - 01/01 |
| 54 OMT | Taxi | Staggered | Varies |
| 55 OML | Livery | Staggered | Varies |
What insurance documents do I need to register or renew my for-hire vehicle?
You must provide an Insurance Certificate (FH-1) or Corporate Surety Bond Certificate (FH-1B), unless your vehicle is a bus or ambulance that does not transport passengers for a fee. 3
How does DMV monitor the insurance status of my for-hire vehicle?
The insured status of for-hire vehicles is monitored through the Insurance Information & Enforcement System’s (IIES) insurer electronic reporting program.
What will happen if there is a lapse in my insurance coverage?
Any lapse of insurance coverage will result in a 30 day revocation of your vehicle registration and plates. 4
- 1. A direct fee would include the charge a person would pay to ride a bus or be driven in a taxi or rent a vehicle. An indirect fee would include the charge a daycare operator charges to take care of your child. Included with this daycare is the transportation of the children to a park or event in a vehicle owned by that business. That vehicle if used in this capacity must be registered and insured as a for hire vehicle.
- 2. Buses and ambulances that are not operated for-hire (no fees are charged for the transportation of passengers) are exempt from for hire insurance. In these instances, you must complete the Exempt Vehicle Certificate (PDF) (MV-197) form and present it to the DMV when you register the vehicle. The form can be downloaded from NY State DMV’s web site at www.dmv.ny.gov. You must provide your Insurance Identification Card (FS-20) in place of a FH-1 or FH-1B Certificate.
- 3. Taxi and livery classes do not need to present for-hire certificates at registration renewal since the registration expiration dates are staggered and the insurance policy does not need to expire at the same time as the registration. They still must have a current FH certificate in their vehicle.
- 4. Lapses of insurance coverage on For Hire class registrations are issued as revocations. The vehicle registration and plates must be surrendered to DMV for 30 days. After the revocation period has been served, you may obtain a new set of registration plates and pay a new registration fee.