Check Your Tennessee Driver's License Points Guide

Understanding Tennessee's Driver's License Point System

Tennessee uses a point system to track driving violations and protect road safety. Every time a driver receives a traffic citation, points are added to their driving record. The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security manages this system, and points remain on your record for different lengths of time depending on the violation type.

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The point system works like this: minor violations add fewer points to your record, while serious violations add more points. For example, a speeding ticket might add 3 points, while reckless driving could add 6 points. If your point total reaches a certain threshold, Tennessee may suspend your driving privileges or require you to take defensive driving courses.

Points are not the same as fines. A fine is money you pay for breaking a traffic law. Points are marks on your driving record that can affect your driving status and insurance rates. You might receive both a fine and points for a single violation. Understanding how these points work helps you know where you stand with the state and what actions may follow.

Tennessee assigns points based on violation severity. Violations are categorized as moving violations or non-moving violations. Moving violations happen while your vehicle is in motion—like running a red light or unsafe lane changes. Non-moving violations include parking illegally or having an expired registration. Only moving violations add points to your license.

Practical takeaway: Check your driving record regularly to know your current point total. You can request your record from the Tennessee Department of Safety online or by mail. Knowing your points helps you understand what restrictions may apply and whether you're at risk of license suspension.

How to Check Your Current Points Online

The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security provides an online system where you can view your driving record and points. To access this information, visit the official Tennessee Department of Safety website and look for the driving records section. You'll need personal information to verify your identity before the system shows your record.

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To check your points online, have your driver's license number ready. The state may ask for additional identifying information such as your date of birth, Social Security number, or other details from your license. This verification process protects your privacy and ensures only you can view your driving record.

The online system displays several pieces of information about your driving history. You'll see each violation on record, the date it occurred, the points assigned, and when those points will be removed from your record. This breakdown shows you exactly which violations are currently affecting your license status.

Processing times vary. Some records update within days of a citation being issued, while others may take several weeks. Court records must be transmitted to the state before violations appear in the system. If you received a ticket recently but don't see it online yet, wait a few more weeks and check again.

If you cannot access the online system or encounter technical problems, you can request your record by mail. Contact the Tennessee Department of Safety directly and request a copy of your driving record. They will mail you an official record that shows your points and violation history. This process takes longer than the online method but provides the same information.

Practical takeaway: Set a reminder to check your record every six months. Regular checks help you catch errors, track when points will be removed, and stay aware of your license status. If you see violations you don't recognize or believe are incorrect, you can dispute them through the proper channels.

Point Values for Common Tennessee Traffic Violations

Tennessee assigns different point values to different violations. The more serious the offense, the more points you receive. Learning what violations cost in points helps you understand the impact of traffic tickets on your driving record.

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Speeding violations add 3 points to your record in most cases. However, speeding 26 miles per hour or more over the speed limit may result in 6 points instead. This higher point value reflects the increased danger of excessive speeding. If you were cited for speeding, check the exact speed differential on your ticket to confirm how many points were assigned.

Reckless driving carries 6 points. This violation applies to extremely dangerous driving behavior such as racing on public roads, weaving between lanes at high speed, or other conduct showing disregard for safety. Reckless driving is more serious than simple speeding and the point value reflects this.

Running a red light or stop sign results in 3 points. Failure to yield when required also adds 3 points. These violations show failure to follow traffic control devices and create intersection accidents. Unsafe lane changes add 3 points as well.

Driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while impaired (DWI) adds 12 points to your record. This is one of the highest point values because it represents extremely dangerous driving. A single DUI conviction can severely impact your license status. Hit-and-run violations also carry 12 points.

Driving with an expired license adds 2 points. Improper passing adds 4 points. Following too closely adds 3 points. Texting while driving adds 3 points. These point values help the state track patterns of unsafe driving and identify drivers who need intervention.

Practical takeaway: When you receive a ticket, check it carefully to understand how many points are assigned. The ticket should list the violation and point value. If points seem incorrect or you disagree with the citation, you have the right to contest it in traffic court before points are added to your record.

Point Accumulation Consequences and License Suspension

Tennessee suspends driving privileges when drivers accumulate too many points within a specific timeframe. The state uses a rolling three-year window to count points. This means points from violations within the past three years are added together to determine if suspension action should occur.

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Drivers who accumulate 12 points within three years face a 30-day license suspension. If you rack up 18 points in three years, your license is suspended for 60 days. Reaching 24 points or more in three years results in a 90-day suspension. These suspensions are automatic—the state calculates your points and notifies you by mail when suspension takes effect.

During a suspension period, you cannot legally drive. If you drive on a suspended license, you face serious criminal penalties including fines up to $500, possible jail time, and additional points on your record. A conviction for driving on a suspended license also goes on your permanent record and can affect future employment.

Before a suspension takes effect, Tennessee sends a notice to the address on your driver's license. This notice explains why your license is being suspended and when the suspension begins. You have a limited window to request a hearing if you believe the suspension is based on incorrect information. If you don't request a hearing, the suspension takes effect on the date specified.

After serving your suspension period, you must apply to have your license reinstated. You'll pay a reinstatement fee, which varies depending on the suspension length. The state may also require you to pass a written exam, vision test, or both before your license is restored. Check with the Tennessee Department of Safety for the specific requirements at the time you're eligible for reinstatement.

Practical takeaway: Monitor your point total and avoid accumulating violations. If you're approaching 12 points, focus on safe driving. Some violations can be contested in court—if you win your case, the violation and points won't be added to your record. This is why fighting certain tickets may be worth your effort.

Point Removal and How Long Points Stay on Your Record

Points don't stay on your Tennessee driving record forever. The state removes points based on time and traffic-related events. Understanding point removal helps you know when your record will improve and when you'll be further from suspension risk.

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In Tennessee, points are removed three years from the date of the violation—not from the date you paid your fine or went to court. This means a violation from January 1, 2021 will have its points removed on January 1, 2024. If you received multiple violations on different dates, points are removed at different times as each three-year period passes.

However, points are removed sooner if you complete a defensive driving course. Tennessee law allows drivers to remove up to 3 points from their record by successfully completing an approved defensive driving course. You can only use this removal method once every three years. If you have 15 points, you cannot reduce it to 12 points using the course—you can only remove 3 points, leaving you with 12.

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