In 2016, the Council of the District of Columbia passed the Transportation Reorganization Amendment Act of 2016. In addition to establishing the Department of For-Hire Vehicles (DFHV), this legislation also formed the DFHV Office of Hearings and Conflict Resolution (OHCR). By statute, OHCR is tasked with serving as the administrative court of the agency, as well as handling all forms of conflict resolution; including mediation and complaints against drivers and vehicle inspection officers. Contact the office at [email protected]. 

OHCR consists of two offices: the Office of Hearing Examiners and the Office of Complaints.

OFFICE OF HEARING EXAMINERS

The Office of Hearing Examiners is tasked with overseeing all hearings, adjudications, appeals, and any form of conflict resolution (with the exception of consumer complaints). Hearing examiners serve as the agency’s primary administrative law judges, ombudsmen, and mediators.

Although the Office has broad authority to oversee any contested cases pertaining to DFHV matters, the Office currently refers certain matters to the Office of Administrative Hearings while presiding over cases that involve any vehicle-for-hire license suspensions, revocations, or denials. The Office also offers complimentary mediation services for any disputes within the vehicle-for-hire industry (i.e., taxicabs, Uber/Lyft drivers, vehicle-for-hire companies, and payment service providers). Please see the For-Hire Vehicle Mediation and VIO Complaint Process for more information on mediation and VIO complaint process.

OFFICE OF CONSUMER COMPLAINTS

The Office of Consumer Complaints manages intake, investigation and resolution of all complaints filed against vehicle-for-hire industry participants.  In accordance with Title 31 of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations, the Office has a 30-day complaint resolution process consisting of four stages.  Please see the For-Hire Vehicle Complaints for more information about the DFHV complaint process.