NYC Violation Code 26: No Standing - For Hire Vehicle
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 for-hire vehicles. If you have a valid TLC license and were actively engaged in passenger service, document your TLC credentials and the pickup/dropoff activity.
When this ticket gets issued
Code 26 is issued to vehicles standing in a zone reserved for for-hire vehicles without a valid TLC for-hire vehicle license. These zones appear near hotels, airports, convention centers, and major transit hubs. The base fine is $115. A for-hire vehicle zone is distinct from a taxi stand (Code 13) and from general authorized-vehicle signage. Only vehicles licensed by the NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission as for-hire vehicles, actively engaged in passenger service, may stand. Delivery trucks and commercial vans receive Code 26 when they pull over in these zones for unloading or driver breaks.
How to fight code 26
Vehicle had a valid TLC for-hire vehicle license
Attach the current TLC FHV license for the ticketed vehicle along with the TLC plate photo. The license must have been active on the ticket date. If the vehicle is a black car, livery, or luxury limousine, reference the TLC base affiliation and include the dispatch confirmation for the trip at that time.
Evidence to bring: photo_of_permit, written_account
Driver was actively picking up or dropping off passengers
If your vehicle is TLC-licensed and the driver was engaged in a pickup or drop-off at the Code 26 zone, attach the trip log, dispatch record, or app screenshot showing the passenger ride at the ticket time. Include the driver name, TLC driver license, and a written account of the passenger activity.
Evidence to bring: written_account, photo_of_location
Signs were missing, damaged, or obscured
For Code 26, photograph every sign along the block. If the for-hire vehicle sign was missing, down, or covered by scaffolding sheeting, a commercial driver had no notice of the restriction. Include wide shots that show the full approach so the hearing officer can see the gap in signage.
Evidence to bring: photo_of_location, photo_of_sign
Vehicle was not at this location at the time
Pull GPS or dashcam records to prove the truck was on a different block when the Code 26 summons was written. Export the trip log for a 30-minute window around the ticket time and compare to the address on the summons. Attach the log and a written statement identifying the actual stop.
Evidence to bring: written_account
Wrong plate number on the ticket
Compare the plate on the Code 26 summons to your registration. FHV zones near hotels see heavy TLC plate traffic, and a single wrong character can assign someone else's ticket to your commercial vehicle. Attach your registration and a photo of the plate currently on the truck.
Evidence to bring: photo_of_plate, photo_of_registration
Ticket contains errors (wrong date, time, location, or vehicle description)
Examine the Code 26 summons for errors in make, color, body type, street address, or time. A box truck recorded as a sedan, or the wrong side of the street, can be basis for dismissal. List every field-level error in the written account and include the correct values.
Evidence to bring: written_account
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I am a Lyft or Uber driver using a rental vehicle with TLC plates?
If the rental carries valid TLC FHV plates and you were on an active dispatch, the FHV zone is permissible. Attach the trip log from the app covering the ticket minute, the TLC license, and the rental agreement showing you as the authorized driver. All three documents support the PERMIT_VALID and ACTIVELY_LOADING defenses.
How is Code 26 different from Code 13 for taxi stands?
Code 13 restricts the zone to yellow medallion taxis only. Code 26 is broader and reserves the curb for any TLC-licensed for-hire vehicle actively serving passengers. A black car or livery can stand at a Code 26 zone but not at a Code 13 taxi stand. Check the sign wording to confirm which restriction applies.
Can a delivery van ever stand legally in a for-hire vehicle zone?
No. Code 26 reserves the curb exclusively for TLC-licensed for-hire vehicles. Commercial delivery plates, including those with active loading activity, do not qualify. The ACTIVELY_LOADING defense applies only if the vehicle is itself a licensed FHV picking up or dropping off a passenger.
What this means for commercial fleets
Code 26 at $115 is a recurring cost for fleets operating near Manhattan hotels, LaGuardia, JFK, and major transit hubs. Delivery drivers often mistake FHV zones for regular commercial loading space because both are curbside and busy with turnover. Build a known-zone list from past ticket clusters, update routing apps to redirect drop-offs one block away, and train drivers that brief stops still count. For DSPs, capturing accurate driver assignment on the ticket date is critical because FHV-zone tickets tend to cluster on specific shifts.
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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 26 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.