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Summons (TLC): What It Is and What It Must Contain

A TLC summons is the written charge that starts an OATH case. What the rules say it must include, how TLC can serve it, and why it is not a finding of guilt.

  • Reviewed
  • 2 min read
  • 4 official sources

Definition

Summons

The written charge (notice of violation) that the petitioner serves on the respondent and that starts a case at OATH.

On this page (6)
  1. Where to look on yours
  2. What TLC must put on it
  3. How it reaches you
  4. Your first three moves
  5. FAQ
  6. Sources

A summons is the paper (or email) that says TLC — or the police — is charging you with breaking a rule. It starts your case at OATH. OATH's rules define it as "the document, including a notice of violation, issued by Petitioner to Respondent, which specifies the charges forming the basis of an adjudicatory proceeding" (48 RCNY §6-01).

A summons is an accusation, not a verdict. TLC says: "A summons contains an allegation that you violated one or more TLC rules" (TLC). What you do next decides the outcome.

Where to look on yours

Reading a TLC driver summons

A simplified illustration. Real summonses differ by issuing agency and year, so fields may sit in different places.

NOTICE OF VIOLATIONILLUSTRATION · NOT A REAL SUMMONSSUMMONS NO.XXXXXXXXXX1RESPONDENTDRIVER NAMETLC LICENSE NO.00000002DATE · TIME OF OCCURRENCEMM/DD/YYYY · 00:00PLACE OF OCCURRENCESTREET & CROSS STREET, BOROUGH3RULE / LAW VIOLATED§ 80-XX(X)(X)DESCRIPTIONSHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE CHARGE4HEARING — OATH HEARINGS DIVISIONMM/DD/YYYY · 00:00HOWPHONE · ONLINE · IN PERSON5☐ APPEARANCE REQUIRED6PENALTY$ ___7ISSUING OFFICER · AGENCY · IDTLC / PORT AUTHORITY / NYPD8
  1. Summons numberThe unique number for this summons. Use it to check the official OATH record (or our summons lookup) and write it on anything you send.
  2. Respondent & licenseWho is charged and their TLC license number. Check both are yours and tell your representative about any error.
  3. Date, time & placeWhen and where the officer says the violation happened. Compare it with your trip records, app history and dashcam.
  4. Rule or law violatedThe TLC rule or NYC law you're charged under, such as §80-13(a)(2). Look the code up in the violation library or the summons decoder to see what it means and the listed penalty.
  5. Hearing date & methodYour OATH hearing date. You must respond by this date — by paying (where allowed) or by having your hearing — or OATH can enter a default. See hearing options.
  6. Appearance requiredSome charges can't simply be paid: you (or your representative) must have a hearing. Check whether this is marked on your summons.
  7. PenaltyIf an amount is shown, check it against the rule. Many TLC rules list a lower amount if you plead guilty before the hearing and a higher one if you're found guilty after it.
  8. Issued byWho wrote the summons: a TLC inspector, Port Authority police, or NYPD. The layout differs by issuing agency.

What TLC must put on it

TLC's Rule 68-06 lists the minimum contents of every summons (35 RCNY §68-06):

Check your summons has all of these

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If something is missing or wrong, note it and raise it at the hearing or with your representative. Don't assume an error makes the summons go away; a hearing officer decides what it means.

How it reaches you

TLC can serve a licensee by handing it to you or by first-class mail to the last mailing address you filed with TLC (§68-05(b)). Summonses for a vehicle owner can be handed to the driver, who must pass them on promptly. People without a TLC license are served in person or by mail to the address on their state driver's license or registration.

OATH's rules then say the hearing date must be at least 15 calendar days after service, unless the law requires another date or you waive notice and ask for a faster hearing (OATH rules).

Your first three moves

  1. Read the whole thing. TLC says the summons lists the rule, the penalties you face, the hearing details, how to settle and how to plead guilty and pay online.
  2. Write down the hearing date. If you can't make it, you can reschedule once.
  3. Check the record. Look it up by summons number — see check your TLC summons status.

New to all this? Start with got a TLC summons? or decode the codes with the summons decoder. You are the respondent; the issuer is the petitioner.

Frequently asked questions

What is a summons in a TLC case?

OATH's rules define a summons as the document, including a notice of violation, that the petitioner issues to the respondent and that lists the charges for the OATH case (48 RCNY §6-01).

Does a summons mean I'm guilty?

No. TLC says a summons contains an allegation that you broke one or more rules. If you choose a hearing, TLC must present evidence to prove it.

Can TLC mail me a summons instead of handing it to me?

Yes. TLC can serve a licensee personally or by first-class mail to the last mailing address on file with TLC (35 RCNY §68-05(b)). Keep your address current.

What if the rule number on my summons doesn't match the description?

TLC's rule says that when the rule cited and the description of the violation conflict, the description controls (35 RCNY §68-06(a)(3)).

How soon can my hearing be after I get the summons?

OATH's rules say the hearing date must be at least 15 calendar days after the summons was served, unless another date is required by law or you ask for an expedited hearing.

Sources

Last reviewed against the official sources on .

  1. OATH Rules, Subchapter A: General Matters (48 RCNY §6-01 Definitions) nyc.gov
  2. TLC Rule Book, Chapter 68 (§68-05 Service, §68-06 Contents of Summons, §68-08) nyc.gov
  3. OATH Rules, Subchapter C: Hearings (filing, notice and hearing dates) nyc.gov
  4. 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.

Related

GuideGot a TLC Summons? What to Do in the First 48 HoursJust got a TLC summons? Read it, check the hearing date, choose how to respond and start gathering evidence: a plain-English plan for NYC drivers.Read GuideHow to Check the Status of a TLC SummonsCheck a TLC summons hearing date and charges with our free OATH data lookup, then confirm the result and the balance with OATH, TLC UP or LARS.Read Free toolTLC Summons Decoder: What Your Rule Code MeansType the code printed on your TLC summons, like 80-13(a)(2) or 19-506(b)(1), to see which rule or law it is, which chapter it comes from and what it covers.Open tool RespondentThe person or business charged on a TLC summons — the side that answers the petitioner's case at OATH.PetitionerThe agency or person that issued the summons and prosecutes it at OATH — usually TLC in a driver case.RescheduleA request made to OATH before the hearing for a later hearing date; one per party per summons, no reason required.