Pedicab Business License

The New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) offers a license for pedicab businesses.

You need this license if you own, lease, control or operate or authorize the operation of pedicabs in New York City. You need a DCWP-issued pedicab registration plate to operate in New York City.

The City can only give new plates if there are fewer than 840 registered pedicabs. You should apply if:

• A licensed pedicab business agrees to give you a registration plate, and you are a new business or a licensed pedicab business with fewer than 30 registered pedicabs
• You get an offer to get a pedicab registration plate after applying for the Pedicab Registration Plate Lottery

• You need a business certificate: This is You need a Business Certificate based on your business's legal structure. You do not need to submit this document with your application, but DCWP may ask for it:

  • If you are a sole proprietor using a different name: You need a Business/Assumed Name Certificate
  • If you are part of a partnership: You need a Partnership Certificate. You may also need and maybe an Assumed Name Certificate

• If you are part of a Corporations, Limited Partnerships, Limited Liability Company (LLC)s, or Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)s: You must register and stay active with the New York State Division of Corporations. You can check your application status at www.dos.ny.gov/corps

• You need to complete the basic license application: You need to fill out the Basic License Application (PDF). It needs:

  • Business information, including identification numbers, such as Employer Identification number (EIN), Social Security number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification number (ITIN)

  • Contact information for the business location and owner

  • History of criminal or civil charges against owners, partners, shareholders and officers

  • Any DCWP license history for individuals named on the application and their relatives

• You need to complete the roster of pedicabs: You need to fill out the
  Roster of Pedicabs (PDF)

• You need to submit proof of sale: If you have fewer than 30 pedicabs, you need to show proof of purchase from a DCWP-licensed business:

  • This can be a bill of sale, sales receipt or sales contract

  • It must include the DCWP registration plate number

  • If you got an offer to get a pedicab registration plate through the pedicab registration plate lottery, you do not need to submit this form.

• You need to complete the transfer of pedicab registration plates affirmation: You need to fill out the Transfer of Pedicab Registration Plates Affirmation (PDF)

  • If you got an offer to get a pedicab registration plate through the pedicab registration plate lottery, you do not need to submit this form.

• You need to complete the ownership and family disclosure form: You need to fill out the Ownership and Family Disclosure Form (PDF)

  • If you got an offer to get a pedicab registration plate through the pedicab registration plate lottery, you do not need to submit this form.

• You need to submit insurance documents: You must provide a copy of the insurance certificate and the entire insurance policy:

  • The certificate must list each pedicab by Pedicab Identifying Number (PID) or DCWP registration plate number

  • The policy must cover all drivers and name the City of New York as an insured party. You can check the Insurance Agent List (PDF):

  • If you insure the whole business: $2,000,000 is the combined single limit for injury or death of one or more persons, with a maximum of $1,000,000 per accident

  • If you insure each pedicab:

    • $100,000 for personal injury or death of any one person resulting from one accident
    • $300,000 for personal injury or death of two or more persons resulting from one accident, with a $100,000 maximum coverage
    • $50,000 for property damage

  • If your insurance policy ended for any reason, you must let DCWP know within 14 days. You must send notification in writing and submit it in person or by mail to DCWP:

    • Attn: Special Applications Unit
      NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection
      42 Broadway
      New York, NY 10004

• You need to complete the insurance affirmation: You need to fill out the
  Insurance Affirmation (PDF)

• You need to complete the pedicab business license application affirmation:
  You need to fill out the Pedicab Business License Application Affirmation (PDF)

• If someone else will prepare and submit the application: You need to fill out the
  Granting Authority to Act Affirmation (PDF)

• You need to pay license fees: The fee details are as follows.

  • $110 new license fee for first pedicab (from November 2 to May 2). $60 for each additional pedicab
  • $85 new license fee for first pedicab (from May 3 to November 1). $60 for each additional pedicab
  • $55 reinspection fee per pedicab
  • $10 inspection fee per timer
  • You have to pay a nonrefundable 2 percent convenience fee for credit card payments

• You can pay by:

  • Check payable to NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, accepted only for in-person applications
  • Money order payable to NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, accepted only for in-person applications
  • Credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover)

• Inspection appointment: The Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) will contact you to set up an inspection for your pedicab(s). You must review the Pedicab Inspection Process (PDF) and the Inspection Checklist: Pedicab Businesses and Drivers (PDF)

• Notification by mail: Two weeks after the DCWP gets all your papers, they will send a letter. The letter will have the following details:

  • If your application is approved: DCWP will send you a license
  • If your application needs more information: The letter will explain what documents to send. Your application will be denied If you do not send the documents within 10 days
  • If your application is denied: DCWP will provide you with the reason. They will ask you to apply again

• License validity: Licenses are valid for one year. They expire on November 1 every year.

• Informing DCWP of changes:

  • If any information in your approved application changes, you must inform the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP).

  • You can call 311 or visit the DCWP Licensing Center. It is good to call 311 to check if you need to visit a center for any specific change.

  • You need an appointment to visit in person. You can only visit the Licensing Center if you have a disability and need to make an in-person visit. You can read this flyer to learn how to make an appointment.

• Informing DCWP about insurance policy changes:

  • You must inform DCWP within 14 days if your insurance is canceled, expired or ended.

  • This must be in writing. You can provide it in person or by mail to the DCWP Licensing Center.

  • You need an appointment to visit in person. You can only visit the Licensing Center if you have a disability and need to make an in-person visit. You can read this flyer to learn how to make an appointment.

• Required signs and information cards: You must post signs and give passengers a pedicab information card. You can check Pedicab Sign Templates.

• Accident reporting: You must submit a completed accident report to DCWP within 24 hours after an accident. You must fill out the Pedicab Accident Report (PDF).

• Follow all laws and rules: You must follow all New York City laws and rules, including the Consumer Protection Law and Rules. You can review the Public Access Portal.

• Review the requirements: You must review the requirements and gather all materials before selecting Apply Online. You will need a registered account with the City of New York to submit an online application

• Submit online: You must print the confirmation page after submitting. It will list the additional steps and materials needed to complete your application. You must submit these materials within five business days if not uploaded online

• Complete the required forms: You must complete the required forms and gather all necessary documents

• Schedule an appointment: You can only visit the Licensing Center if you have a disability and need to make an in-person visit. You can read this flyer to learn how to make an appointment.

• To renew your application: Select Renew Online. DCWP will mail you a renewal application and instructions before your license expires. To keep operating, you must send your renewal application at least 15 days before the license expires.

• To renew your application: DCWP will mail you a renewal application and instructions before the license expires:

  • To keep operating, you must submit your renewal application, required documents and fees at least 15 days before the license expires

  • You need an appointment to file in person at the DCWP Licensing Center You can only visit the Licensing Center if you have a disability and need to make an in-person visit. You can read this flyer to learn how to make an appointment.

• To renew your application: DCWP will mail you a renewal application and instructions before the license expires:

  • To keep operating, you must submit your renewal application, required documents and fees at least 15 days before the license expires

  • You can mail these materials using the orange return envelope to the DCWP Licensing Center.

  • Contact information: The address and email information for DCWP Licensing Center are as follows:

NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP)
Licensing Center,
42 Broadway,
New York, NY 10004

Email: onlineappsdocs@dcwp.nyc.gov