OATH is the New York City Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings. It is the court that decides your TLC summons. OATH calls itself "the City's central, independent administrative law court" (OATH). TLC brings the charge; OATH is the neutral side that hears both of you and decides.
TLC cases did not always go there. TLC summonses used to be heard at TLC's own tribunal; OATH says that after the City Council moved the Environmental Control Board under OATH in 2008, summonses issued by TLC and other agencies "would also come to OATH" within the next few years. TLC's rules now call the forum the "Taxi and Limousine Tribunal at OATH" (§51-03).
That split confuses many drivers, so keep it simple: TLC writes the summons, offers settlements and collects fines. OATH schedules the hearing, decides it and handles appeals.
Two divisions that see TLC cases
TLC's rules confirm the split: a Hearing Officer's decision is final subject to appeal, while an ALJ's decision in fitness, discretionary revocation and summary suspension matters is a recommended decision that the TLC Chair reviews (35 RCNY §68-09).
From summons to final word
OATH has its own rules for TLC cases in Chapter 5 of Title 48. They give you the right to confront a complaining witness when credibility matters, two years to move to vacate a default, and the right to appeal without paying the fine first.
Free help
OATH runs a Help Center for people without a lawyer, and you can text OATHreminder to 917-451-8829 for case reminders (OATH). Interpreters are free. OATH also publishes plain-language brochures on responding to a summons in many languages. OATH warns that its emails come from @oath.nyc.gov addresses, so treat any other sender claiming to be OATH with suspicion (OATH).
Where TLC Help fits: we are not OATH and not TLC. We help you read the summons, check the public record and, if you want, connect you with an independent representative. Learn the hearing itself in the OATH hearing guide and what to expect on a phone hearing. After a decision, see how to appeal. The people in the room are the petitioner and the respondent.
Frequently asked questions
What does OATH stand for?
The New York City Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings. It describes itself as the City's central, independent administrative law court.
Is OATH part of TLC?
No. TLC writes the summons and acts as the prosecuting side (the petitioner). OATH is a separate City agency that decides the case. TLC, not OATH, collects TLC fines and makes settlement offers.
Which OATH division will hear my TLC case?
Ordinary TLC summonses go to the OATH Hearings Division, where Hearing Officers decide them. Some license cases, such as fitness and summary suspension cases, are tried before Administrative Law Judges; OATH publishes a separate guide for TLC cases at the OATH Trials Division.
Does OATH offer free help?
Yes. The OATH Help Center gives free, non-legal guidance to people representing themselves. OATH also offers text reminders: text OATHreminder to 917-451-8829.
Sources
Last reviewed against the official sources on .
- OATH: About OATH nyc.gov
- OATH Rules, Chapter 5: TLC cases (48 RCNY) nyc.gov
- TLC Rule Book, Chapter 68 (§68-03, §68-09) nyc.gov
- OATH: Hearings and Defaults nyc.gov
- OATH: Taxi and TLC-Licensee Cases at the Trials Division (guide) nyc.gov
- TLC: Received a Drivers License Summons? nyc.gov
Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we'll check it against the official source.
TLC Help is not a law firm and is not affiliated with the NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission or OATH. Explanations on this site are general information, not legal advice. Legal representation is provided by independent attorneys and OATH-registered representatives in our network.