How does a livery car service work?
Passengers call or book a local base, which dispatches a livery car for a pre-arranged trip. In New York City livery bases are TLC-licensed and price by flat rate, time, mileage or zone, with cars designed for fewer than six passengers.[1][2]
Livery vs taxi vs black car: what is the difference?
A taxi can be hailed; a livery car cannot, and is booked through its base. Black cars are also pre-arranged but are dispatched by central dispatch facilities whose work is overwhelmingly non-cash, typically account clients.[1][3]
Where does the word 'livery' come from?
From livery stables, which hired out horses and carriages. Today it survives in US regulations for pre-arranged hired vehicles, while in the UK 'livery' usually means a vehicle's paint scheme or branding.
Frequently asked questions
What is a livery vehicle plate?
A licence plate some US states issue to vehicles used for hire on pre-arranged trips; the rules and plate types vary by state, so check your state's motor vehicle agency.
Can a livery car pick up street hails in NYC?
No. Livery cars may only carry pre-arranged trips dispatched by their TLC-licensed base.
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] NYC TLC: Livery bases (read 2 Nov 2026)
- [2] NYC Business: Livery car base license (read 2 Nov 2026)
- [3] NYC TLC: Black car bases (read 2 Nov 2026)