In-Person OATH Hearings: Locations, Hours & How to Ask

Most TLC hearings happen by phone, but you have the right to ask for one in person. To do it, email livehearings@oath.nyc.gov at least five business days before your hearing date. OATH replies with the date, time and location (OATH: Hearing in person). OATH has a Hearings Division office in every borough. All are open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This guide lists the offices, explains how to ask, and tells you what to expect once you're in the building.

The five OATH Hearings Division offices

Don't pick an office yourself and show up. OATH tells you where to go in its reply email. The summons also lists a borough as the OATH hearing location. That's the borough you enter when you request a phone hearing (OATH).

Queens: OATH and TLC in one building

The Queens OATH office at 31-00 47 Avenue in Long Island City is the same building as TLC's customer facility, which is on the 3rd floor at 31-00 47th Avenue (TLC: Locations). OATH announced in 2017 that it had expanded there and that the 3rd-floor space had been used for hearings on summonses issued to vehicles for hire by TLC, NYPD and Port Authority Police (OATH press release, 2017). That is history, not a promise about where your hearing will be held today. Go where OATH's email tells you.

Being in the same building is handy for one reason. TLC's office takes settlement requests from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and payment plan requests from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays (TLC: Locations). Settlements are offered by TLC, not OATH (OATH). If you're thinking about one, read our settlement guide first.

Getting to Long Island City

TLC gives these directions for 31-00 47th Avenue (TLC: Locations):

• 7 train to 33 Street/Queens Boulevard.
• E, M or R to Queens Plaza.
• G to Court Square.

TLC also warns that free and metered parking nearby is limited. There are private garages, but leave extra time if you drive. If you're taking your own cab or FHV to the hearing, don't plan on finding a spot near the door.

For the other boroughs, OATH lists the street address and floors above. Use any transit app, and check the confirmation email in case OATH gives special instructions.

Questions before the day

If you'll represent yourself, OATH's Help Center offers sessions with a Procedural Justice Coordinator. They can explain the process and your options, but they can't give legal advice. OATH says all appointments must take place before your hearing day. To arrange one, call (212) 436-0845 (voicemail, someone calls back) or use the online contact form, but not both (OATH Help Center). For scheduling and payment questions, the Clerk's Office is at clerksoffice@oath.nyc.gov or 844-OATH-NYC.

Do you have to go in person?

Usually not. But check your summons. TLC's rules say a summons must state whether you must appear in person (35 RCNY §68-06(a)(5)). If yours says an in-person appearance is required, follow it, or call OATH at 844-OATH-NYC to ask how that applies today.

Why might someone choose in person?

• You want the hearing officer to see your documents and objects in the room, not only through email.
• Your witness prefers to come with you. OATH says witnesses may enter the hearing room with you (OATH).
• You don't have reliable phone or email access.
• You find it easier to explain yourself face to face.

There's a trade-off too. For a driver paid by the trip, a morning at OATH is a morning without fares, so weigh that cost honestly against what is at stake on the summons. You also have to travel, and TLC's representative will usually still be on the phone, not in the room (OATH).

How to ask, step by step

If you miss the five-day window, don't skip the hearing. You can still ask for a phone hearing up to 3 business days before. You can also use your one reschedule (reschedule guide), or call OATH.

On the day

Arrive early. For TLC summonses, you are on time if you are present and ready no more than 90 minutes after the scheduled time (48 RCNY §5-01a). Lines, security and elevators eat time, so don't use the window on purpose.

Check in. OATH says to report to the reception area and wait to be called (OATH). If you need an interpreter, tell the clerk right away (OATH FAQ). Interpretation is free at all hearings (our interpreter guide).

In the hearing room:

• Phones off. Recording devices aren't allowed. OATH records every hearing itself (OATH).
• Everyone testifies under oath and can be questioned by the other side (48 RCNY §6-11).
• Bring copies. Hand the hearing officer copies, not your only originals. Have one set for yourself too.
• Penalties aren't negotiable with staff. OATH says penalties are set by law, and OATH staff can't change or waive them (OATH). For TLC cases, a hearing officer may reduce a penalty in limited cases when the full penalty would be an injustice (48 RCNY §5-06(c)). That's a legal judgment for the hearing officer, not a deal with the front desk.

For which documents fit your charge, see documents for a TLC hearing and the evidence guide.

After the hearing

OATH says decisions are usually mailed within 30 days. If you wait at the location, you can ask the hearing officer whether you can get it the same day (OATH). If a fine is imposed, TLC's rules make it due 30 days after the finding (35 RCNY §68-02(c)). See paying TLC fines. If you disagree with the decision, see the appeal guide.

This page is general information, not legal advice.