The Mobile Food Vending License lets you make and sell food from a truck or pushcart. The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) gives this license as a photo ID badge. There are no waiting lists to apply for this license.

Important points

• You need this license before you can get a Mobile Food Vending Permit for your truck or pushcart.
• There are waiting lists for the Mobile Unit Permit unless you want a Restricted Area Food Vending Permit.

Application process

• You must apply for a new license in person.
• You cannot mail your application or send someone else to apply for you.
• You need to sign up and pay for a food protection course when you apply.
• You must pass this course to get your license.

License validity

• Mobile food vendors can get a full-term (FT) license.
• This license is valid for two years unless it is suspended or revoked.

This page explains how to apply for the license, follow the rules and pass inspections associated with the Mobile Food Vending License. This information only covers health-related aspects of the rules for the license. You should read all the linked documents to understand all the DOHMH rules.

• Food protection course
  You must pass the Food Protection Course for Mobile Food Vendors before getting your license. You must register and pay for the course when you apply for the license. You will get your license in the mail about a week after passing the final exam. You cannot start working until you get your license.

• Proof of home address
  You need to show proof of your home address. You can use one of these documents if it has your name on it:

  • Valid driver's license or non-driver's photo ID
  • Recent bank statement, credit card statement or utility bill (dated within 90 days of the application date)
  • Valid/current lease

• Affidavit of home address
  If you do not have proof of your home address, you must submit a completed Affidavit of Home Address form with your application.

• Social Security number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer ID
  You need to provide your SSN or an Individual Taxpayer ID.
  Application for an Individual Tax Identification Number

• Government-issued photo ID
  You must provide a valid government-issued photo ID (for example, driver's license, passport, employment authorization card).

• Clearance from Environmental Control Board
  You must be cleared by the New York City Environmental Control Board to ensure you owe no outstanding fines. You can submit a Food Vendor Invoice Search Request to the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH). OATH will notify you if you owe any fines. You must pay any outstanding fines before you can submit an application. You can pay fines at the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) Citywide Licensing Center at 42 Broadway in Manhattan, or at the Environmental Control Board/OATH at 66 John Street, 10th Floor, New York, New York 10038.

• No license fee for veterans
  There is no license fee if you present proof of honorable discharge from the U.S. Armed Services. This proof can be a New York State Peddler's Certificate or Form DD-214 (discharge document) from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. This benefit is also available to a surviving spouse or domestic partner of a veteran with this proof.

• List of fees

  • $50.00: full-term (two-year) license fee (debit or credit card, check, or money order), license Code H05
    • No fee for an honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. Armed Services or the surviving spouse or domestic partner of such veteran
  • $53.00: fee for Mobile Food Vendor Food Protection Course (debit or credit card, certified check, government check, or money order); payment for the course must be separate from the payment for the license application or any violations of the Health Code or Administrative Code
  • Payment for Health Code or Administrative Code Violation(s), if any (debit or credit card, certified check, or money order, only made payable to the Environmental Control Board); payment for any violations must be separate from the payment for the license application and the Food Protection Course

• Accepted payment methods

  • Personal check (made payable to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH); in person only)
  • Certified check (made payable to the DOHMH; in person only)
  • Government check (made payable to the DOHMH;in person only)
  • Money order (made payable to the DOHMH; in person only)
  • American Express (online and in person)
  • Discover (online and in person)
  • Mastercard (online and in person)
  • Visa (online and in person)

• You will go to the Mobile Vending Food Protection Course at the NYC Health Academy.
• After you pass the final test, they will take your photo for your license.
• You will get your license in the mail within one week.
• If you do not get your license within three weeks, call 311 for help.

You cannot start working on a food cart or truck until you get your license in the mail.

• Visit the NYC Health Department’s Mobile Food Vending webpage for all current rules.
• Compliance Guide: The Health Department’s guide helps you avoid violations and keep food safe. Download What Mobile Food Vendors Should Know (PDF).
  • Other languages: Español | 中文 | العربية | Русский | ελληνικά | اردو | বাংলা | हिन्दी | فارسى | Türk
• Obey Regulations: You must follow rules about vending on restricted streets. Download the Mobile Food Vending Restricted Streets Guide (PDF).
• License Expiration: A full-term license expires two years from the end of the month you applied. You will get a renewal notice in the mail.
• Valid Permit/Inspection Sticker: You cannot sell food from a pushcart, stand, or truck without a valid DOHMH Mobile Unit Permit/Inspection Sticker (decal), even if you have a Mobile Food Vending License.
• Other Regulatory Requirements: This license does not cover all City and state rules. You must get other permits and licenses as needed. Learn more about the Rules of the City of New York.

• Complete the application
  Fill out the Application for Mobile Food Vending License and required additional forms. Follow the instructions provided.

• Submit your application
  Submit the completed and signed application, your Certificate of Authority to collect sales tax, all additional required documents (copies only) and payment to the DCWP Citywide Licensing Center. You will also need to register and pay for a Mobile Food Vending Food Protection Course when you apply for your license. You must submit your application in person.

• Make an appointment
  You must make an appointment with the DCWP to submit your license application. To schedule an appointment, email licensingappointments@dca.nyc.gov or call 212-436-0441. A DCWP Licensing Center representative will respond to your request within two business days.

  • You must wear a face covering that covers your nose and mouth at all times while you are in the Licensing Center.
  • You must arrive alone for your appointment.
  • Please be prompt and bring all the needed paperwork. If you arrive late or your application is incomplete, your appointment may need to be rescheduled.

• You cannot renew online.

• You can renew at the DCWP Citywide Licensing Center. If someone else renews for you, they need an Authority to Act Form (PDF).

• Appointments required: You need an appointment. Email LicensingAppointments@dca.nyc.gov or call 212-436-0441. You can submit documents in Manhattan or Queens.

  • Wear a face covering at all times.
  • Come alone to your appointment.
  • Be on time and bring all needed paperwork. If you are late or your application is incomplete, you may need to reschedule.
    
    NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP)
    Licensing Center, 42 Broadway, Lobby
    New York, NY 10004
    Email: onlineappsdocs@dcwp.nyc.gov

• You will get a renewal packet in the mail about 90 days before your license expires. Read it carefully. The packet includes:

  • A summary of changes to the renewal process
  • The renewal application form
  • A checklist of required documents
  • NYC Health Department forms and a Clearance Request form
  • Mobile Food Vending License Renewal Packet (PDF)
    
    If you do not get your renewal packet, email MFVLicenseHelp@health.nyc.gov or call 311.

• Send your completed renewal form, documents (copies only), and fee (check or money order payable to NYC DOHMH) to:
  
  NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection
  42 Broadway, Licensing Division
  New York, NY 10004

If you update your address with your renewal and you also have a MFV license/permit to renew at another time, write the permit Record ID number (Permit #) next to the Record ID on the renewal notice. This updates your address for both records.

You can check your application status by emailing MFVLicenseHelp@health.nyc.gov. Allow a few weeks for processing.