Office of Hearings

About Us

The DOT’s Office of Hearings (OH) is located in Washington, D.C. The DOT’s OH Judges preside over formal civil regulatory adjudication throughout the nation, referred by DOT modal agencies that seek formal, on-the-record hearings under the Administrative Procedure Act (“APA”) (5 U.S.C. § 551 et seq.). Litigated issues vary widely, but typically involve government charges against private business or individuals for alleged violations of transportation regulatory law, as well as government requests for various sanctions against responding parties (e.g., money fines, cease and desist orders, etc.), and/or requests for other relief (e.g., upholding an “out of service” order against a business; etc.)

The Judges also preside over EAJA cases filed by responding parties, and provide certain non-APA adjudication services upon modal request. The Judges convene regulatory hearings both virtually and in person in U.S. District Court courtrooms throughout the United States and its territories (e.g., the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and Guam). These hearings are formal, court-reported, and often involve complex issues requiring expert testimony. The pre-hearing litigation proceedings are also court-reported, and usually involve the full panoply of federal civil discovery and motion practice. Each Judge’s Orders and Decisions are published by the DOT modes (www.regulations.gov); as well as by Westlaw (www.westlaw.com); and LexisNexis (www.lexisnexis.com).

Most Requested Information

• Law Student Internships -- [Under Construction]
• ALJ Decisions -- [Under Construction]