Important Information if You are Transporting Passengers
Introduction
Vehicles that transport passengers, such as buses, ambulettes, limousines, liveries, taxis, and school vehicles, and the drivers of those vehicles may have to meet additional requirements. For example, NYSDOT operating authority, NYSDOT inspection, a Commercial Driver License, and/or 19-A enrollment.
Failure to comply with the Transportation Law/Regulations may result in a civil penalty of up to $10,000 per violation.
Article 19-A: Do you need to enroll?
School Bus Transportation
School bus transportation includes all motor vehicles transporting passengers:
- Under the age of 21
- To and from schools
- For hire, or owned and/or operated by school districts or any public or private school
See the DOT website for more information about school bus transportation.
Article 19-A of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law created standards for vehicles carrying passengers for hire, organizations (carriers), and their drivers.
Who Needs to Enroll?
- Carriers of school buses or vehicles that have a seating capacity of 11 or more in addition to the driver and which are used to transport persons under 21 or disabled persons of any age to school, daycare, or religious instruction.
- Companies with vehicles that are required to have NYSDOT or USDOT operating authority as a common carrier or contract carrier.
- City regulated bus lines
- Regulated van services
- Transit Authorities
See "Article 19-A Information" for more information and forms related to Article 19-A.
DOT Authority
Generally, the Transportation Law requires a carrier to obtain “Operating Authority” from NYSDOT when transporting passengers for compensation within New York State.
See the DOT website for more information about operating authority.
NYSDOT Bus Inspection Program
Vehicles that are registered by carriers to transport passengers must pass NYSDOT inspection before they are registered by DMV. All vehicles subject to inspection by NYSDOT must be inspected at least every six months. The operator is responsible for providing an adequate inspection facility.
See the DOT website for more information about the Bus Inspection Program.
Heavy Vehicle Inspection
Motor vehicles and trailers that have a maximum gross weight of over 10,000 pounds may require a Heavy Vehicle inspection.
See the Heavy Vehicle Inspection Checklist for more information.
Stretched/Altered Vehicle Policy
Stretched/altered vehicles must pass NYSDOT inspection and cannot be inspected by certified inspectors at a DMV-licensed inspection station without an NYSDOT exemption letter.
See the DOT website for more information on stretched and altered vehicle policy.
Exemptions from NYSDOT Authority
Certain for-hire passenger carriers are exempt from obtaining NYSDOT operating authority.
See the DOT website for more information on exemptions from NYSDOT authority.
Taxicab, Livery, and Stretch Limousines
Chapter 2 of the Laws of 2020 amended the Vehicle and Traffic Law regarding drug and alcohol testing for drivers of for-hire vehicles having a seating capacity of nine or more passengers including the driver.
507-a of the Vehicle and Traffic Law requires that all motor carriers conduct pre-employment and random drug and alcohol testing on all drivers of any for-hire vehicle having a seating capacity of nine or more passengers including the driver, in conformance with testing procedures set forth in Part 382 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations. For hire vehicles shall mean taxicab, livery, and altered motor vehicles commonly referred to as “stretch limousines”. The drug and alcohol testing requirements apply to all drivers of such vehicles, regardless of license class.
Every motor carrier must submit an affidavit to DMV attesting to compliance with this section no later than August 3rd of each year. The “Drug and Alcohol Testing Passenger Motor Carrier Affidavit of Applicability” webform can be found at For Hire AFCO. Failure to submit an affidavit pursuant to the law may result in adverse actions on the motor carriers’ vehicle registrations.
The Vehicle and Traffic law can be found online through the New York State Legislature.