What does Class E allow?
Everything a Class D licence allows, plus transporting passengers for hire in a vehicle designed or used to carry 14 or fewer passengers. Vehicles classed as buses need a commercial licence whatever their seating.[1][2]
How do you get one?
Class D holders surrender their licence and pay for Class E at a DMV office; the fee depends on when the current licence expires. New drivers take the same vision, written and road tests as for Class D. The DMV lists the Class E renewal fee as $112.50, or $128.50 with the MCTD surcharge.[1]
What else does a taxi or livery business need?
For-hire vehicle registration with special plates and for-hire insurance. In New York City, taxi and for-hire drivers also need a Taxi and Limousine Commission licence: see NYC taxi and for-hire licensing.[1]
Frequently asked questions
Is Class E enough to drive in New York City?
No. NYC requires a TLC driver licence on top of the state licence for taxi and for-hire work.
Sources
Fees and rules change. Each source is the official page we read, with the date we read it; check it before you apply or pay.
- [1] New York DMV: Get a license to drive a taxi or livery vehicle (read 8 Nov 2026)
- [2] New York DMV: Driver license class descriptions (read 8 Nov 2026)
