Sightseeing and Tourism Company

You must have a Sightseeing Guide License to guide or direct people to any place or point of public interest. A business must have a Sightseeing Bus License if it arranges for the operation of one or more motor vehicles which seats eight or more passengers each, operating for hire either to bring passengers from a fixed point in the City of New York to a place(s) of interest or amusement or engaged in exclusive use for a specific or special trip or excursion from a starting point within New York City.

Before you file for a license, it is important to fulfill the general requirements for starting a business:

In order to obtain a Sightseeing Guide License, you may apply online through the Department of Consumer Affairs. Make sure to have the following prepared when you apply for the license:

Fees:

Sightseeing Guide License
License Term License Expiration Date If You File Your Application
Between These Dates:
Your License Fee is:
2 years March 31
Even years
From April 1 in an even year
to September 30 in an even year
$50
From October 1 in an even year
to March 31 in an odd year
$38
From April 1 in an odd year
to September 30 in an odd year
$25
From October 1 in an odd year
to March 31 in an even year
$13
OR
*$63