NYC Violation Code 04: No Standing Except Authorized Vehicles (Taxi Stand)
Parking violation · $115 base fine · 5-stage penalty escalation
Fine Breakdown
Base Fine
$115
Maximum (before judgment)
$215
Penalty Escalation Timeline
Base Fine
$115
At issue
+$10 Late Penalty
$125
After 30 days
+$30 Late Penalty
$155
After 60 days
+$60 Late Penalty
$215
After 75 days
Judgment Entered
$215
After 90 days
Quick Tip
This space is reserved for authorized taxis. If you are a licensed taxi or for-hire vehicle with valid TLC plates, bring your TLC license documentation to the hearing.
When this ticket gets issued
Code 04 covers standing in a taxi-stand-only zone by a vehicle without a valid TLC medallion or for-hire license. These zones appear in front of hotels, transit hubs, and major event venues. Enforcement checks for TLC plates (T-plates) and medallion visibility. Non-TLC commercial vehicles that pull into a taxi stand to load or unload passengers or freight receive the $115 fine. The signs typically read 'No Standing Except Taxis' with 24-hour enforcement. A licensed for-hire vehicle on an active trip invokes the exception, but deadheading through a taxi stand does not.
How to fight code 04
Vehicle had a valid TLC for-hire vehicle license
Attach the TLC license, active medallion number, and proof the vehicle was engaged in a passenger trip at the ticket time. Include a dispatch record or trip-sheet entry matching the summons timestamp. Deadhead standing in a taxi stand is not protected even with a valid license.
Evidence to bring: photo_of_permit, written_account
Signs were missing, damaged, or obscured
Photograph the taxi-stand sign and any adjacent posts. Some taxi stands have signs that fade during renovation or event setup. Document any missing pole, covered sign, or ambiguous curb paint. Conflicting signs (e.g., a partial commercial-loading sign on the same block) also support dismissal.
Evidence to bring: photo_of_location, photo_of_sign
Vehicle was not at this location at the time
Pull GPS telematics for the exact ticket timestamp and attach a map snapshot. Taxi stands cluster near recognizable landmarks (Penn Station, Port Authority, JFK curbs), so a route trace a few blocks away is usually conclusive.
Evidence to bring: written_account
Wrong plate number on the ticket
Compare the summons plate character-by-character against your registration. Include plate photo and DMV registration. If the summons shows a T-plate pattern but your truck carries commercial plates, flag the discrepancy directly.
Evidence to bring: photo_of_plate, photo_of_registration
Ticket contains errors (wrong date, time, location, or vehicle description)
Check the vehicle body type, color, make, and whether the address is genuinely a taxi stand. Taxi stand boundaries are often only a few vehicle lengths, and a ticket written outside that boundary fails notice. Flag any blank or mismatched mandatory field.
Evidence to bring: written_account
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a courier or delivery truck briefly use a taxi stand to drop a package?
No. Taxi stands are reserved 24 hours a day for licensed taxis and TLC for-hire vehicles engaged in passenger service. Even a 30-second freight drop triggers the $115 fine, and there is no loading exception for non-TLC commercial vehicles in these zones.
What if my TLC driver was picking up a pre-booked passenger and got ticketed anyway?
If the driver held a valid TLC for-hire license and the pickup is logged in the dispatch system, the ticket is defensible. Attach the dispatch record, passenger pickup time, and TLC credentials. Unmatched standing without an active trip is not protected.
How can I tell the difference between a taxi stand and a regular no-standing zone?
Taxi stands carry signs that specifically read 'Taxi Stand' or 'No Standing Except Taxis,' often with yellow curb paint. If a driver sees only a generic 'No Standing' sign, the ticket will use a different code (often 14) with different defense options.
What this means for commercial fleets
Code 04 mostly hits corporate shuttle operators, airport livery fleets, and high-end car services that deadhead through taxi stands near hotels and transit hubs. At $115, the per-ticket exposure is manageable, but the reputational risk of a TLC-licensed fleet accumulating code 04 tickets invites TLC scrutiny. Non-TLC fleets should treat taxi stands as no-go zones at all hours. Dispatch should route around Penn Station, Port Authority, and Grand Central taxi stands entirely, since the 24-hour enforcement leaves no safe window.
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Disclaimer: Clear Plates is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. The information on this page is general educational content about NYC violation code 04 and is not a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney. Defenses, evidence strategies, and hearing outcomes depend on facts specific to each ticket. For legal advice about a specific violation, consult a qualified attorney licensed in New York.