Got a TLC Summons? What to Do in the First 48 Hours

In short

A TLC summons is a formal charge that you broke a TLC rule or a city law. It is decided by OATH, the city's hearings tribunal, not by TLC. It can bring fines, penalty points, a suspension or even revocation of your TLC license. You have options, and the first 48 hours are about four things: read every page, confirm the hearing date, choose how to respond before that date, and start saving evidence. Ignoring it is the one choice that reliably makes things worse.

This guide is general information, not legal advice.

1. Read the whole summons

TLC says to read the entire summons first. It lists the rule you are charged with, the penalty, the facts TLC says happened, and when and where your hearing is (TLC: Received a Driver's License Summons?). Write down:

• the summons number
• the hearing date
• every rule code (for example 80-13(a)(2))
• whether it says "Appearance REQUIRED" or "Appearance NOT REQUIRED"

You can look up what each rule means in our violation library.

TLC's rules say what a summons must contain (§68-06): the date, time and place of the alleged violation; a description of it; the rule or code section; the hearing date, time and place (or how to schedule one); and whether you must appear in person. If TLC is seeking revocation, the summons must say so specifically. Read that part twice. If the rule number and the written description don't match, TLC's rule says the description controls.

Who wrote it matters. TLC inspectors write many summonses, but Port Authority Police (at the airports) and NYPD officers also write summonses that are heard as TLC cases. TLC notes that when a law enforcement officer writes the summons, the allegations are sworn, and the judge may accept them as evidence (TLC). OATH's rule goes further: any summons sworn or affirmed under penalty of perjury is admitted as prima facie evidence of its facts (48 RCNY §6-12). That doesn't mean you lose. It means you need your own evidence to answer it.

2. Check the status online

Confirm the hearing date and status with our free summons lookup, which reads the official OATH case data. You can also check your license and summonses in TLC UP on TLC Online.

Got it by mail? TLC can serve a licensee personally or by first-class mail to the last mailing address you filed with TLC (§68-05). If you moved and didn't update TLC, a summons can be validly served at your old address. Update your address now so you get the next notice, including any decision or suspension notice.

3. Decide how to respond — before the hearing date

You have four basic choices:

1. Plead guilty and pay. Some summonses can be paid in TLC's LARS system. Many TLC rules have a lower fine if you plead guilty before a hearing.
2. Ask about a settlement. TLC (not OATH) sometimes offers a reduced fine. See TLC settlement offers.
3. Fight it at an OATH hearing — by phone, by written online defense, or in person. See OATH hearings for TLC drivers.
4. Reschedule once if you need more time. See how to reschedule.

Paying is an admission. OATH's rule says paying the penalty in full instead of having a hearing "is deemed an admission of liability and no further hearing or appeal will be allowed" (48 RCNY §6-09). Check whether the charge carries points before you pay. Points add up under the Persistent Violator Program.

"Appearance REQUIRED" means a hearing. You can't simply pay; you or your representative must take part. Whether a hearing is required is set by the rule itself: TLC's chapter 80 says each rule's penalty section "also states whether the violator must attend a Hearing" (§80-02(b)). Our fine lookup shows it for each code.

Not sure which option fits? Our fight-or-pay tool walks through the questions that matter: the strength of the evidence, the full penalty, points, and your record.

4. Start gathering evidence now

Trip records, dashcam video, photos, receipts and witness names are easier to collect today than in three weeks. See documents to gather.

Write down your own account today, while you remember it: where you were, what happened, what was said, who was there. Note the time on your phone or app records so your account and your documents agree. If a passenger or witness saw what happened, get their name and number now.

5. Don't miss the date

If nobody responds by the hearing date, you will be found in violation by default, and a higher fine may apply (OATH: Hearings and defaults). Under OATH's default rule, the facts on the summons are treated as admitted and the penalty applies immediately. For TLC summonses you count as on time if you're ready within 90 minutes of the scheduled time (48 RCNY §5-01a). Sign up for OATH's text reminders by texting OATHreminder to 917-451-8829.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Waiting for a letter. The hearing date on the summons is the deadline. There may be no reminder.
• Paying without reading the points. A small fine can carry points that later trigger a suspension.
• Calling TLC for a settlement. TLC says settlement offers aren't given by phone; email Settlements@tlc.nyc.gov or visit TLC's Long Island City office.
• Assuming the app or base will handle it. A summons against your driver license is yours to answer. If that already happened, read missed your hearing?.

Want help?

Scan your summons and we'll explain it in plain language, check the official record, and — if you choose — match you with a lawyer or OATH-registered representative who handles TLC cases.