TLC 80-12(e): Threats, Harassment or Abuse Summons

In short: TLC rule §80-12(e) says that while working you must not threaten, harass or abuse any person, and must not distract or try to distract a service animal. The penalty is $350 to $1,000 and/or a 5- to 30-day suspension, plus 3 TLC points, and you must appear at the hearing. These summonses usually come from a passenger complaint about something said or done during a trip, so what you can show about the whole interaction matters most.

What the rule says

From the TLC rule book, chapter 80, §80-12(e), "Threats, Harassment, Abuse": "While performing the duties and responsibilities of a Licensee, a Licensee must not threaten, harass, or abuse any person, and must not distract or attempt to distract any Service Animal."

Three things to notice:

• "Any person." Passengers, pedestrians, other drivers, dispatchers, inspectors and officers are all covered.
• Three kinds of conduct. A threat is a statement or act suggesting harm. Harassment and abuse cover insulting, intimidating or demeaning behavior. The rule book does not define these words further, so the hearing officer applies them to the facts.
• Service animals. Distracting — or trying to distract — a service animal is part of this rule. Harming or using force against a service animal is a separate, heavier rule, §80-12(g).

Where 80-12(e) sits among the conduct rules

TLC grades conduct toward people by how serious it is. A summons may charge the higher rule if the facts support it, so it helps to see the whole ladder:

Penalty and points

The hearing officer chooses within $350–$1,000 and/or a 5–30 day suspension. The 3 points count in TLC's Persistent Violator Program for 15 months together with DMV points. TLC's discretionary-penalty rule, §80-02(d), also allows penalties up to revocation, a six-month suspension and/or a $1,000 fine in place of the specific penalty.

How often it is charged

A few hundred summonses a year list 80-12(e) first. The dataset has no descriptions or outcomes, so it can't show what was alleged or how the cases ended.

Common situations

• A fare or route argument that became heated, with insults or threats on one side or both.
• A dispute about a service animal — see our guide to service animals and accessibility. Refusing a passenger with a service animal is also a service refusal under §80-20, with mandatory penalties.
• Conflict with another driver or a dispatcher at an airport or terminal line.
• Words that a passenger heard as discriminatory. Discrimination can lead to separate complaints; see discrimination complaints.

What to do and defenses to discuss

1. Write down what was said, by whom, in order, as soon as you can. Exact words matter in harassment cases.
2. Save in-vehicle video and any app or base messages, including any report you made about the passenger.
3. Identify witnesses — another passenger, a dispatcher, a bystander.
4. Get representation. Appearance is required, and a suspension is possible.
5. Don't contact the complainant about the case. Let your representative handle communications.

Points to discuss with a lawyer or OATH-registered representative include whether the words or acts described actually amount to a threat, harassment or abuse; the context, including what the other person did; whether the complainant will testify; and whether the summons charges the right rule. Read passenger complaint summonses for how these cases usually start, and witnesses at an OATH hearing for bringing someone to support your account. This is general information, not legal advice.

Staying professional when a trip goes wrong

Nothing here is legal advice, but the rule itself suggests a practical approach: you are judged on what you said and did, not on whether the passenger was difficult. Ending a tense interaction calmly, contacting the base or app's support, and asking police for help if you feel unsafe all create a record that shows you did not threaten, harass or abuse anyone.

How the hearing weighs "he said, she said"

Many 80-12(e) cases have no video and two different accounts. The hearing officer decides which account is more believable, looking at detail, consistency and anything that supports either side. That is why a written account made soon after the trip, messages you sent the app or base at the time, and a calm, specific description at the hearing all matter. Vague denials are less persuasive than a clear timeline.

After the decision

Fines are due to TLC within 30 days of the decision unless you file a timely appeal (§80-02(c)). OATH appeals must be filed within 30 days of the decision, or 35 if mailed (OATH). If a suspension is imposed, don't drive until it ends and your status is clear — driving while suspended is a separate charge under 80-11(a)(1).

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