TLC Help
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How it works

How TLC Help handles your summons

TLC summonses are heard by the NYC Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH). Here's every step, from the photo on your phone to a closed case.

Start with a free scan

Your case at a glance

  1. 01

    Snap your summons

    Take a photo of the front and back. AI reads the summons number, charges and hearing date.

  2. 02

    Understand it

    We explain the charge in plain language, check the official OATH record and list your options.

  3. 03

    Open your case

    Pick fight, settle or pay. Upload the documents we ask for and sign the representation form.

  4. 04

    We handle the hearing

    A lawyer in our network takes your case. You track every step and message the team in your portal.

Step by step

Every stage of your case

  1. 01
    Scan

    Upload a photo of your summons. The AI reads it and we look up the official OATH record by summons number. Free, no account needed.

  2. 02
    Quote

    You see what the charge means, your options, the documents you'll need, and our service fee for that type of summons.

  3. 03
    Open your case

    Create an account, confirm the details, choose fight / settle / pay, and tell us your side of the story.

  4. 04
    Authorize

    Sign the representative authorization. OATH requires one for each person a representative appears for.

  5. 05
    Pay the service fee

    Your case is submitted. Fines and settlements are separate and are paid to TLC.

  6. 06
    Review

    A case manager checks the summons details and your documents. If anything is missing, you'll see a request in your portal.

  7. 07
    Lawyer assigned

    Your case is offered to an attorney or registered representative who covers your area and this type of charge.

  8. 08
    Hearing

    Your lawyer prepares the defense and appears for you at OATH — usually by phone or online.

  9. 09
    Decision

    You see the outcome in your portal: dismissed, reduced, settled, or sustained, with any amount owed and the due date.

  10. 10
    Pay & close

    If a fine is owed, pay TLC directly and upload the receipt, or have us pay it for you. Then the case is closed.

What you'll need

  • Photos of the summons (front and back)
  • Your TLC license and driver's license
  • Trip records from your app or base, if a trip is involved
  • Dashcam video or photos, if you have them
  • Registration, insurance or inspection papers for vehicle charges

We tell you exactly which documents your summons needs after the scan.

What you'll see in your portal

Your case status, hearing date and method, document requests, messages with your case team, the outcome, and any amount owed with its due date.

Start with a scan

Your summons photos and documents are private. Only you, your case manager, and the lawyer who accepts your case can open them.

Your options

Fight, settle, or pay on time

Fight it

A lawyer reviews the evidence and represents you at the OATH hearing.

Settle / reduce

We ask TLC for a settlement or a reduced penalty, where one is offered.

Help me pay

You plan to admit the charge. We confirm the amount and pay it on time for you.

Official information: TLC — Received a summons? · OATH — Hearings and defaults

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.