Sightseeing Bus License

The New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) issues a license for sightseeing buses. You need this license to drive a bus with eight or more paying passengers. This includes trips to places of interest or amusement or special trips starting in New York City.

• Get business certificates: You need to get the right business certificates. This depends 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 or Assumed Name Certificate
  • If you are part of a partnership: You need a Partnership Certificate. You might also need an Assumed Name Certificate
  • If you are part of a Corporation, Limited Partnership, Limited Liability Company (LLC) or Limited Liability Partnership (LLP): You must register and remain active with the New York State Division of Corporations. You can check your status at www.dos.ny.gov/corps

• You need to complete the basic license application: You need to fill out the Basic License Application. You will need:

  • Business information, including identification numbers (like EIN, SSN or 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 roster of sightseeing buses and request for inspection: You need to fill out Roster of Sightseeing Buses and Request for Inspection (PDF).

• You need to submit inspection certificates: You need to submit a copy of the New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) or Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) inspection certificate for each bus. The certificate must show that each bus passed inspection by DOT within the last six months or by DMV within the last year

• You need to submit vehicle registration: You need to submit a copy of the current vehicle registration for each vehicle listed on the roster of vehicles

• You need to submit rate schedule: You need to submit a rate schedule listing all rates for sightseeing bus services on your business's letterhead

• You need to complete the engine conformity affirmation form: You need to fill out the Affirmation (PDF)

• You need to submit certificate of conformity: You need to submit a copy of the Certificate of Conformity from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for each engine family

• You need to submit manufacturer's letter: You need to submit an original letter from the engine manufacturer stating the engine serial number and specifying the engine family for each sightseeing bus

• You need to submit monthly reporting form: You need to fill out the Local Law 41: DEP Monthly Reporting Form

• You need to submit compliance affirmation: You need to fill out the Compliance Affirmation

• You need to submit bus stop affirmation: You need to fill out the Bus Stop Affirmation. You can contact the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) General Permits Office at (646) 892-1242 for information about on-street bus stops

• You need to submit sightseeing bus stop permit: You need to submit a copy of each NYC DOT Authorized Sightseeing Bus Stop Permit, if applicable. For questions about permits, you can contact the NYC DOT General Permits Office at (646) 892-1242

• 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:

  • $100 license fee from April 1 to September 30 of even-numbered years
  • $75 license fee from October 1 of even-numbered years to March 31 of odd-numbered years
  • $50 license fee from April 1 to September 30 of odd-numbered years
  • $25 license fee from October 1 of odd-numbered years to March 31 of even-numbered years
  • 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, in-person only
  • Money order payable to NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, in-person only
  • Credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover)

Inspection of buses

• The Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) must check all sightseeing buses
• DCWP will email you to set up a time
• If you do not show all your buses, your license may be taken away
• You can contact DCWP's Business Compliance Counsel at bcc@dcwp.nyc.gov if you have questions

Notification of application status

Two weeks after the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (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 more information is needed: 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 up to two years. They expire on March 31 of even-numbered years

• 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 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.

• Bus inspections: Licensed sightseeing buses must be inspected at least once every four months:

  • DCWP will email you to set up a time

  • If you do not show all your buses, your license may be taken away

  • You can contact DCWP's Business Compliance Counsel at bcc@dcwp.nyc.gov if you have any questions

• Rate schedule updates: You need to submit any updates to rate schedules in writing to DCWP. New rates will go into effect after approval

• 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

• Accident and offense reporting: You need to submit the Sightseeing Bus Accident or Driver Offense Report within three business days of any accident or traffic violation. Also, you need to report if any driver is charged with an alcohol, drug-related or criminal offense involving a vehicle

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

• Review the requirements: You must review and gather all materials before clicking the Apply Online button. 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 lists the additional steps and materials required to complete the application. You must submit these materials within five business days if they were not uploaded online

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

• Schedule an appointment: You need to schedule 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.

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

• Before the license expires: DCWP will send you a renewal form and instructions before your license expires:

  • To keep operating, send 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.

• Before the license expires: DCWP will send you a renewal form and instructions:

  • To keep operating, send 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