Taxi People York Drive Hack Hailing Taking City

Taxi cabs are very common in New York City. Within the five "boroughs" (geographic parts) of New York City, only Yellow Medallion Taxicabs are allowed to pick up people who hail a cab on the street. To drive one of these taxis, the cabbies must have a taxi license, which is also called a "hack license" in New York City. People with a hack license can also drive "limousines" (very long, expensive cars often used by very rich people).

To be "eligible" (meeting the minimum qualifications to do something) to apply for a hack license, one must be at least 19 years old and a U.S. citizen, and have a regular U.S. driver's license. "Applicants" (people who are asking for the license) must have their doctor "fill out" (write information in spaces) a form saying that they meet the medical requirements. They have to pass a "drug test" (a medical exam to see whether one has been using drugs). They also have to be "fingerprinted" (one's fingers are put in ink to make an image on a piece of paper, so that the images can be compared to those of people who have broken the law).

Applicants must take a course in "defensive driving" (how to drive more safely by paying attention to what other drivers are doing). They also have to finish at least 24 hours of training in "customer service" (being nice to the people who ride in their taxi), "regulations" (laws) for taxis, and reading maps. Finally, they have to take an exam of English "proficiency" (ability to speak and communicate) and other tests.

It can be difficult to become a taxi driver in New York City, but people who have a hack license can make $1,000 each week, or more.