Wrong Rule Code on My TLC Summons: Is It Invalid?

On this page (6)

What every TLC summons must include
Which mistakes matter?
The codes you see in official data
What to do with an error you found
FAQ
Sources

A wrong rule number alone usually won't end the case. TLC's rule on summons contents says that when the rule or code section cited conflicts with the written description of the violation, "the description controls the final resolution of the issue" (TLC §68-06(a)(3)). In other words, the hearing is about what the summons says you did, not the number next to it.

Other errors can matter more. Here's what a TLC summons must contain, and how to check yours.

What every TLC summons must include

Under §68-06(a), a summons must contain at least:

Reading a TLC driver summons

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

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.
Respondent & licenseWho is charged and their TLC license number. Check both are yours and tell your representative about any error.
Date, time & placeWhen and where the officer says the violation happened. Compare it with your trip records, app history and dashcam.
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.
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.
Appearance requiredSome charges can't simply be paid: you (or your representative) must have a hearing. Check whether this is marked on your summons.
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.
Issued byWho wrote the summons: a TLC inspector, Port Authority police, or NYPD. The layout differs by issuing agency.

Required contents of a TLC summons (§68-06(a))

0 of 7 done

Date, time and location of the alleged violationCompare with your trip records, app history or toll records.
A description of the conductEnough to tell you what you are accused of doing.
The rule or Administrative Code sectionIf it conflicts with the description, the description controls.
Hearing date, time and locationOr instructions on how to schedule a hearing.
Whether you must appear in personIf appearance is required, you can't plead guilty online on LARS.
Revocation warning, if TLC seeks discretionary revocationA statement that a guilty finding could result in revocation.
Revocation warning, if the rule has mandatory revocationA statement that a guilty finding will result in revocation.

Saved on this device only.

Which mistakes matter?

The rules don't list which errors get a summons dismissed, and we won't invent a list. What the rules do tell you:

Code vs. description: the description wins (§68-06(a)(3)).
Old chapter numbers: TLC moved its driver rules from former chapters 54 and 55 into chapter 80. Its transition rule says no summons can be dismissed because it was written under the old chapters for conduct before the change (§80-28(c)(1)(iii)).
TLC must still prove the facts. A sworn summons is prima facie evidence of the facts it states, but TLC must prove those facts by a preponderance of the evidence (48 RCNY 6-12). If the date, time, place or description is wrong in a way your evidence can show, for example your trip log puts you somewhere else, that can go to whether TLC proved its case. See what TLC must prove at a hearing.

The codes you see in official data

The renumbering is visible in the official OATH record. The chart below shows which part of the rules the first charge on taxi and for-hire summonses came from, by year. The shift to chapter 80 reflects TLC renumbering its driver rules, not a change in what drivers do.

TLC summonses by rule chapter of the first charge

Taxi/FHV summonses filed at OATH, first-listed charge only. Older code formats are grouped as 'Other / older formats'; their meaning should not be guessed. A summons is an allegation, not a finding.

Summonses

Ch. 80 (TLC drivers)
Ch. 59A (FHV vehicles & owners)
Ch. 58 (medallion taxis & owners)
NYC Admin. Code §19-5xx
Ch. 59B (FHV bases)
Ch. 82 (street hail livery)
Ch. 54 / 55 (older driver chapters)
Other / older formats

Show data table

Label	Ch. 80 (TLC drivers)	Ch. 59A (FHV vehicles & owners)	Ch. 58 (medallion taxis & owners)	NYC Admin. Code §19-5xx	Ch. 59B (FHV bases)	Ch. 82 (street hail livery)	Ch. 54 / 55 (older driver chapters)	Other / older formats
2014	0	17,569	11,334	7,416	2,687	4,412	41,219	2,059
2015	74	18,250	7,638	12,828	2,843	6,892	51,495	1,175
2016	9,640	15,614	8,852	10,765	3,953	8,209	36,421	1,801
2017	52,537	20,596	10,315	8,971	6,458	4,818	304	329
2018	53,356	19,468	5,380	7,889	6,657	2,014	5	617
2019	57,291	25,149	6,189	9,944	3,526	2,698	0	214
2020	23,360	16,914	2,592	3,718	3,204	2,888	1	209
2021	40,823	14,237	587	2,691	1,526	916	4	83
2022	38,685	12,561	3,624	7,488	1,033	638	0	72
2023	36,043	12,462	6,577	4,486	626	811	0	23
2024	39,953	12,845	4,732	4,472	560	616	0	50
2025	33,003	15,340	5,350	5,593	758	403	0	29

Source: NYC Open Data: OATH Hearings Division Case Status (jz4z-kudi) · Data as of Oct 12, 2026. Counts are summonses filed at OATH by the agency, dated by violation_date (the date on the summons). A summons is not a finding of guilt. hearing_status, hearing_result, penalty_imposed, paid_amount and the charge descriptions are blank for taxi rows in this dataset, so it cannot show outcomes or fines. Counts use the first-listed charge (charge_1_code) only. Later charge columns mostly repeat the first code, so they are not counted. Codes are normalised for case (80-13(A)(2) and 80-13(a)(2) are the same). The shift from chapters 54/55 and older code formats to chapter 80 reflects TLC renumbering its driver rules, not a change in what drivers do. 'Other / older formats' includes codes like 1-11A, 2-21B and 506B used by older systems; their meaning should not be guessed.

If your summons shows a code you don't recognize, decode it with the summons decoder, and see which codes are cited most in most common TLC violations.

What to do with an error you found

Write it down and gather proof (trip records, photos, registration, license).
Raise it at the hearing, as part of your defense. Don't skip the hearing because of an error: missing it is a default.
Ask TLC to withdraw the summons if it was clearly written in error. The Chairperson may withdraw a summons written in error (§68-20(b)). See can TLC withdraw a summons.

New to all this? Start with got a TLC summons?.

Keep a copy of the summons exactly as you received it. Don't write on the original.

Frequently asked questions

Is a TLC summons invalid if the rule number is wrong?

Not automatically. TLC rule §68-06(a)(3) says that if the rule or code section cited conflicts with the description of the violation, the description controls the final resolution.

What must a TLC summons include?

The date, time and place of the alleged violation; a description of the conduct; the rule or code section; the hearing date, time and place (or how to schedule one); whether you must appear in person; and a revocation warning when revocation is possible or mandatory.

My summons cites an old chapter 54 or 55 rule. Is that a problem?

TLC's transition rule says no summons can be dismissed on the ground that it was written under former chapters 54 or 55 for conduct that occurred before chapter 80 took effect (§80-28(c)(1)(iii)).

Should I point out errors at the hearing?

Yes, if they matter to your defense. Errors in the date, time, place or description can affect whether TLC can prove its case. A lawyer can tell you how much weight a specific error may carry.

Can TLC fix or drop a summons with mistakes?

TLC's Chairperson may withdraw a summons written in error (§68-20(b)). That is TLC's decision.

Sources

Last reviewed against the official sources on Oct 12, 2026.

TLC Rules, Chapter 68: Contents of Summons (§68-06) nyc.gov
TLC Rules, Chapter 80: Transition (§80-28) nyc.gov
OATH Rules, Subchapter C: Hearings (48 RCNY 6-12) nyc.gov
NYC Open Data: OATH Hearings Division Case Status data.cityofnewyork.us

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.