Ticket Fines and Penalties in Tennessee

Tennessee Traffic Ticket Fines and Costs

Traffic ticket fines vary throughout Tennessee. This means a fine for running a stop sign in Knoxville will not be the same in Jackson.

In most cases the fine will be listed on the citation. Direct fine amount questions to the court listed on the traffic ticket.

If you've lost your citation, our Lost Traffic Ticket page details the steps to take.

Increased Auto Insurance Rates

Increased car insurance premiums usually follow traffic ticket convictions, compounding the citation's financial hit. If rates exceed your personal budget shop online for a new provider.

Tennessee Traffic Ticket Penalties

In addition to fines, you'll also be tagged with penalties, usually in the form of points and the loss of driving privileges.

TN Driver's License or Suspension

Suspended and revoked are the two most common terms associated with loss of driving privileges.

Suspended License: The temporary loss of your TN driver's license. All driving privileges will be restored once all reinstatement requirements have been met.

Revoked License: The termination of your Tennessee driver's license. After the revocation period passes and all reinstatement requirements have been met, you must reapply for a new license.

Your TN driver's license may be suspended or revoked for:

• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol (DUI).
• Drag racing.
• Repeat traffic violation convictions.
• Committing a motor vehicle-related felony.
• Two reckless driving convictions in 12 months.
• Fleeing an officer/avoiding arrest.
• Failing to provide assistance/aid in the event of an accident.
• Leaving the scene of an accident.

Tennessee Point System

With traffic ticket convictions come points. The Department of Safety (DOS) adds points to driving records based on the severity of the infraction, ranging from one to eight. Points will remain on your driving record for 24 months.

Accumulate 12 or more points within a 12-month period and the DOS will send you a proposed suspension letter, giving you the opportunity to attend an administrative hearing. Refuse and your TN driver's license will be suspended from six to 12 months. Accept and you'll be given the chance to complete a court-approved defensive driving class. The court will then either waive off suspension or reduce the suspension time.

Read more in our Point Reduction page.

Points and Teen Drivers

Drivers younger than 18 have less leeway. If you have:

• Six points, you'll receive a proposed suspension letter and be required to attend a Driver Improvement class.
• Between six and nine points and driving privileges will be suspended three to six months.
• 10 or more points and you'll face a six-month suspension.

Penalties for Drivers Younger Than 21

In addition to the violations described above, you'll lose your TN driving privileges for one year if convicted of purchasing, attempting to purchase, or possessing any alcoholic beverage. Whether or not you were driving has no bearing on this law.

Penalties for TN Commercial Drivers

Remember, in addition to paying the fine, you must also:

• Notify your employer within 30 days of the traffic ticket conviction. This applies to all vehicles―including your home car―regardless of state.
• Notify the DOS within 30 days if convicted of a traffic violation outside of Tennessee.
• Notify, if applicable, your employer within two days of having your CDL suspended, revoked, or cancelled.

Major Offenses

You will lose your Tennessee CDL for one year if convicted of any of the following offenses:

• Driving any vehicle with a blood alcohol count (BAC) of 0.08% or higher.
• Driving a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) with a BAC of 0.04%.
• Refusing to submit to a sobriety test.
• Leaving the scene of an accident.
• Using the vehicle to commit a felony.
• Driving a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) with a suspended, revoked or canceled CDL.
• Causing a fatality through negligent driving.

Serious Offenses

These violations include:

• Speeding 15 mph over the posted speed limit.
• Reckless driving.
• Improper lane changes.
• Following a vehicle too closely.
• Driving a CMV without holding a CDL.
• Driving a CMV without having your CDL in your possession.
• Driving a CMV without the proper CDL endorsement.
• Violating a state law of texting while driving.

A second conviction of any combination of these violations will lead to the loss of your driving privileges for 60 days, or 120 days for a third or subsequent conviction of any combination of these offenses.

CDL Disqualifications

Your CDL will be disqualified from anywhere from 180 days to one year for the following convictions:

• Violating a driver or vehicle out-of-service order while transporting nonhazardous materials.
• Violating a driver or vehicle out-of-service order while transporting hazardous materials required to be placarded, or while driving a vehicle designed to transport 16 or more passengers.

For more on traffic violations and penalties, consult the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.