TLC Reckless Driving Rule 80-14(a): Penalty & Hearing

In short: TLC rule §80-14(a) forbids driving a taxi or for-hire vehicle in any way that would violate NY Vehicle and Traffic Law §1212, the state's reckless driving law. The TLC penalty is a $350 to $1,000 fine and/or a suspension of up to 30 days, plus 4 TLC points, and you must appear at the hearing. If you are found guilty of this rule more than three times within 18 months, the penalty can be revocation. This is one of the TLC charges where you should have a lawyer, because the same facts can also support a criminal charge.

What the rule says

The TLC rule book, chapter 80, §80-14(a), "Reckless Driving Rule": "A Driver must not operate his or her Vehicle in a manner that would violate section 1212 of the NYS Vehicle and Traffic Law."

So the TLC rule doesn't write its own definition. It points to VTL §1212, which describes reckless driving as operating a motor vehicle in a way that unreasonably interferes with the free and proper use of a public highway (or certain parking lots), or unreasonably endangers the people using it. Under the state law, reckless driving is a misdemeanor.

Two words do the work in that definition: unreasonably and endangers. Ordinary mistakes — a missed sign, a rolling stop — are usually charged under the specific traffic codes in §80-13(a). Reckless driving is about the overall manner of driving.

Penalty, points and the revocation line

Unlike most traffic charges, there is no "plead before the hearing" price. The hearing officer chooses within the range, which is why preparation and representation matter. The 4 points join TLC's Persistent Violator Program for 15 months, added to DMV points. If you are also convicted of reckless driving on the DMV side, the DMV lists 5 DMV points (NYS DMV); TLC's program counts multiple violations from one incident as the one with the highest points (§80-27(a)(2)).

Three tracks the same incident can start

A reckless driving incident can start more than one case. Knowing which is which keeps you from making a mistake in one that hurts you in another.

The OATH hearing is administrative: it decides only what happens to your TLC license and the fine. But anything you say there is on the record. If criminal charges are pending, ask a lawyer how to handle the OATH hearing before you speak. If there was a serious crash, read about summary suspension and TLC fitness hearings.

Who it applies to

Every TLC-licensed driver while operating a taxi, green cab or FHV.

Common situations

TLC doesn't publish a list of what it charges as reckless driving, so we won't guess at patterns. In general, summonses under this rule describe a manner of driving rather than one moment: weaving across lanes at speed, racing, driving onto sidewalks or into crowds, or driving that forced others to take evasive action. Often the summons sits alongside more specific charges — speeding, unsafe lane changes or leaving the scene.

What to do and defenses to discuss

1. Get a lawyer early. Appearance is required, the fine range is wide, a suspension is possible, and there may be a criminal side.
2. Preserve all video — front, rear, interior. In reckless cases the full context of the drive matters, not just a few seconds.
3. Write a timeline of the trip while you remember it: where you started, where you were going, traffic, what other drivers did.
4. Identify witnesses: your passenger, other drivers, anyone who called it in.
5. Don't miss the date. A default on an appearance-required charge leaves the decision to the hearing officer without your side.

Points to discuss with your representative: whether the conduct described actually rises to "unreasonably" endangering others under VTL §1212 as opposed to a lesser traffic violation; whether the evidence is first-hand; and how any criminal case affects your strategy. Also check how many §80-14(a) findings you already have in 18 months. This is general information, not legal advice.

After the hearing

If the hearing officer finds you guilty, the decision sets the fine within the $350–$1,000 range and any suspension of up to 30 days. Fines are due to TLC within 30 days of the decision unless you file a timely appeal (§80-02(c)); unpaid fines lead to a suspension notice. OATH appeals must be filed within 30 days of the decision, or 35 if it was mailed — see appealing an OATH decision. Keep a copy of every decision under this rule: a fourth finding within 18 months is the revocation line, and revocation ends the license, so you would have to reapply.

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