Traffic tickets in Tennessee: points, fines and traffic school
How Tennessee treats a traffic ticket: whether the points stick, whether a course can clear it, what the fine really costs, and which court or agency actually handles it. Prefer your own city? Jump to the 2 Tennessee city guides below.
1Do points matter in Tennessee?
Tennessee's Department of Safety runs a driver-improvement point system: 12 points in 12 months can bring a proposed suspension and a hearing. Points stay on your record for years, and it is the insurance effect that usually costs the most.2Can you keep it off your record?
Tennessee does let a course help, in two different ways. A court-ordered traffic school can get a citation dismissed if the judge allows it, and separately the Department of Safety will remove up to 5 points from a speeding conviction if you complete an approved 4-hour driver education course. Course providers must send your certificate to the Department within 30 days, so ask the school who files it.Compare how traffic school works in every state we cover →
3What will it cost?
A fine in Tennessee is set by statute or by the court named on your citation — never by the officer who wrote it. Here is where the real number comes from:
Fines and court costs vary by violation. Check the court's current fine schedule, and treat the amount printed on your court notice as the real number.4Who handles your ticket in Tennessee?
Tennessee tickets go to the court named on the citation. In Nashville, moving violations are handled by the Traffic Violation Bureau of the Davidson County Circuit Court Clerk.Check your licence status and driving record with Tennessee Department of Safety - driver services and points.
Pick your city in Tennessee
Same six questions on every page, in the same order: where to pay, whether to fight it, traffic school, and when a lawyer is worth it.
Common questions
Can a course help with a Tennessee ticket?
Yes, in two different ways. A court-ordered traffic school can get a citation dismissed if the judge allows it, and separately the Department of Safety removes up to 5 points from a speeding conviction if you complete an approved 4-hour driver education course. Providers must send your certificate within 30 days, so ask the school who files it.
How do points work in Tennessee?
The Department of Safety runs a driver-improvement point system: 12 points in 12 months can bring a proposed suspension and a hearing. It is the insurance effect that usually costs the most.
How much is a Tennessee ticket?
Fines and court costs vary by violation. Check the court's current fine schedule, and treat the amount printed on your court notice as the real number.
Informational only, not legal advice. Rules, deadlines and fine schedules change — always confirm the detail with the court or agency named on your ticket. Last checked 2026-10-12.