For visitors and locals alike, it can be a challenge just trying to determine whether a New York City cab is off duty or on duty, let alone whether it is already carrying passengers.

A perhaps-too-complicated lighting system has led to much confusion over the years, a problem often compounded after a few cocktails. However, folks arriving on flights to New York City could soon encounter a much simpler system.

With the new Taxi of Tomorrow set to roll out in 2013, cab and limousine officials in NYC are taking a long look at the lighting system to see if there is a way to simplify life for cabbies and their tipsy travelers.

Confused by the current system? Here’s a crash course, courtesy of the Wall Street Journal:

• If the off-duty light is off and the medallion light is on, then the cab is available for passengers.
• If the off-duty light is off and the medallion light is off, the cab is on-duty but has passengers.
• If the off-duty light is on and the medallion light is on, then the cab is off-duty, but may still be available for trips. Worth a shot!
• If the off-duty light is on and the medallion light is off, then the cab is off-duty but currently carrying a passenger.

Flickr: Alex E. Proimos