TLC Rule 58-15(i)(1): Medallion Owner Ignored TLC Directive

What the rule says

Section 58-15 of chapter 58 covers an owner's personal conduct. Subdivision (i), "Cooperate with the Commission", has two parts:

The key word in (i)(1) is directives. TLC sends owners directives for many reasons: to submit proof of insurance, to bring a cab in for inspection, to produce records, or to answer an investigation. Ignoring or only half-answering one is what this rule punishes.

Who it applies to

Taxicab medallion owners — the individuals or business entities licensed under chapter 58, including those that use an agent. For-hire vehicle owners have a parallel rule, 59A-13(j)(1), and bases have 59B-13(j)(1).

How often it appears

The yearly count swings a lot — over 3,000 in 2014 and 2017, under 300 in 2021–2024, then 535 in 2025. The public data does not record what each directive was about or how cases ended.

Common situations

• A letter or email went to an old address. TLC rules require owners to keep contact information current, so "I never got it" is harder to argue if the address on file was out of date.
• The owner sent part of what was asked, such as one document out of three.
• An agent handled it and didn't follow through. The owner is still the licensee.
• A DOI inquiry about a medallion transfer or business interest went unanswered.

The mailing-address trap

Many 58-15(i)(1) cases start with a letter the owner says never arrived. Chapter 58 makes that argument hard. Under §58-23(a), every owner must designate a mailing address (it can be the agent's address, but not a P.O. box), and "any communication from the Commission is sufficient if sent to the Mailing Address furnished by the Owner." Owners must also keep a personal mailing address, email and direct phone number on file, and must report a change of mailing or email address within ten days, in person or by registered or certified mail. Each of those is its own $100 violation.

So before the hearing, check what address and email TLC actually has for you. If TLC sent the directive somewhere you had properly replaced, your proof of the change is important. If your record was out of date, fix it now — it won't erase the summons, but it prevents the next one.

Your agent's mistakes are still yours

Many owners use a licensed agent to run the medallion. Chapter 58 allows that, but §58-18(b) is blunt: using an employee or agent "will not relieve an Owner of any obligation under these rules", and the owner "remains fully accountable" for violations committed by the agent in operating the medallion. If your agent received a directive and sat on it, you are the respondent. Ask the agent for every letter and email from TLC about the medallion, and get copies of whatever they sent back.

After the hearing

If you are found in violation, chapter 58 says the fine is due within 30 days of the decision (later if you file a timely appeal). If it is not paid, TLC sends written notice that the license will be suspended in 10 business days until the fine is paid. That payment suspension is separate from the "suspension until compliance" in this rule — you can face both. Our paying TLC fines guide explains how to pay.

What to do now

Defenses to discuss with a lawyer (general information)

Not legal advice. A representative will usually want to know: Was there an actual directive or question, and what exactly did it ask? Was it sent to the contact information TLC had on file? Did it give a deadline, and did you meet it? Did you comply before the summons was written? Because the penalty includes "suspension until compliance", proof of compliance matters even if you are found guilty. Read what TLC must prove.

Documents to gather

The summons; the directive or letter; your reply and proof of sending; any TLC UP screenshots; and correspondence with your agent. If your medallion is already suspended, read what to do when your TLC license is suspended and how to lift a suspension. For general hearing steps see the OATH hearing guide.