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Get a license to drive a taxi or livery vehicle

To drive taxis and other livery vehicles in New York State, you must be 18 years of age or older and you must have a driver license that is one of these classes

  • Class A commercial driver license (CDL)
  • Class B CDL
  • Class C CDL
  • Class E driver license 

To change from a Class D driver license to a Class E driver license

  1. take a completed Application for Permit, Driver License for Non-Driver ID Card (MV-44) to a DMV office
  2. show your current driver license as proof of identity and date of birth
  3. take the vision test or prove that you meet our vision requirements
  4. pay the fee for a Class E driver license (the fee depends on the expiration date of your current driver license - we cannot calculate your fee until you apply)
  5. surrender your Class D driver license to the DMV office

If you do not have a driver license, learn how to apply for your first driver license. Apply for a Class E driver license instead of a Class D driver license. The Class D license and the Class E license both require the same vision, written and road tests.

The New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (T&LC) regulates taxi drivers and livery drivers in New York City. If you plan to drive a taxi or livery vehicle in New York City, contact the Taxi and Limousine Commission.