Frequently Asked Questions

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I request a certified driver’s record online?
Tennessee residents are unable to request certified online driving records due to the private nature of the information on certified driving records. To obtain a certified driving record, residents must visit a local TN Driver Service center and put in a personal request for a full driving record. The fee for driving records in person is $5 (fees may vary).

For more information: Driving Record

Do I need to attend traffic school if I get a speeding ticket?
Tennessee residents who have received traffic ticket fines are only obligated to take defensive driving courses if they have received a court-order to do so after having their license suspended or revoked. However, it is recommended that drivers who have received traffic fines elect to attend traffic school, as successful completion can reduce or eliminate the amount of points assessed to a drivers license following traffic ticket fines.

For more information: How to Pay a Traffic Ticket in Tennessee

How can I pay for my traffic or parking ticket?
Paying traffic tickets is considered an admission of guilt for the violation that resulted in traffic fines. This can result in various consequences, from higher car insurance rates to points assessed on the resident s driver s license. To dispute a traffic ticket, follow the directions on the traffic fines documentation. To pay traffic tickets, residents can choose between online, mail or in person payments. To pay online, visit the associated website for the local county clerk office. To pay by mail, send the traffic fines along with the payment to the address listed on the traffic fines documentation. To pay in person, visit a local county clerk office with the payment.

For more information: How to Pay a Traffic Ticket in Tennessee

How do I file a complaint when I believe someone has illegally accessed my DMV record?
Tennessee residents who believe their driving records have been accessed against their will should visit a local TN Driver Service center to file a formal complaint. However, Tennessee driving records are never released with personal identifying information from driver s licenses and car registrations without express permission from the driver.

For more information: Driving Record

How do I get a copy of my driving record?
The quickest and easiest way to check driving records is online. Tennessee s online driving records cost $7. Residents may also request to check driving records at a local TN Driver Service center where the fee is $5. Residents who can t conduct an online driving record check and can t request a driving record in person can also mail a request to the following address:

Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security

MVR Request

PO BOX 945

Nashville, TN 37202

The fee for mailed requests is $5 (fees may vary). Requests should include the driver s name, birthday and Tennessee driver s license number.

For more information: Driving Record

How do I get a traffic ticket dismissed?
Tennessee residents who have been assessed traffic ticket fines can elect to either pay traffic ticket fines or dispute the ticket. When paying the ticket, drivers will be assessed points on their license that can add up and cause license suspensions. Drivers who believe they were given traffic fines in error can dispute the ticket, and they will receive a court date to appear for the dispute. At court, drivers can argue their case in front of a judge. Once finished, the judge will decide whether the traffic fines are justified or not, at which point the driver will either have to pay for the ticket or have it dismissed. Traffic ticket fines can be dismissed if the evidence against the driver is clear and accurate.

For more information: How to Pay a Traffic Ticket in Tennessee

How do I obtain a copy of someone else’s driving record?
Under the Federal Driver Privacy Protection Act, only certain individuals and organizations are allowed to access a driver s official driving record. These organizations include:
  • Government agencies
  • Employers
  • Insurance companies
  • Law enforcement

Residents of Tennessee who would like to check driving records of another individual will need to provide the driver s name, birth date and Tennessee driver s license number. There are three ways to check driving records in Tennessee:

  • Online Driving Records requests
  • Driving record check in person at a local TN Driver Service center
  • Mail request to:

MVR Request

PO BOX 945

Nashville, TN 37202

Fees for driving record checks are $5 for mail/in-person and $7 for online (fees may vary). Requests made in person must be accompanied by a notarized statement from the driver authorizing their driving record to be released.

For more information: Driving Record

How do I reinstate my license if I refused to submit a breath/urine/blood test?
By applying for and receiving a drivers license, Tennessee drivers have agreed to implied consent concerning blood alcohol concentration (BAC) testing during traffic stops. Drivers who refuse to take a BAC test when asked by a law enforcement official will automatically have their drivers licenses suspended and may still be assessed a DUI citation if the officer is able to prove intoxication through other methods. Suspension periods for refusing BAC tests are as follows:
  • First offense: One-year suspension
  • Second offense: Two-year suspension

Drivers must wait the entire suspension period before applying to reinstate their drivers license.

For more information: DUI/DWI Information for Tennessee

How do I remove points from my driver’s license?
Tennessee residents who have received traffic ticket fines have a few options for resolving traffic fines. Disputing a ticket will give the driver a chance to argue their case in front of a judge and possibly have the ticket dismissed. However, if the ticket is not dismissed, the driver will have to pay the ticket and any associated court fees.

For drivers who would just like to pay traffic tickets, they can do so online, by mail or in person through their local county clerk office. When paying traffic ticket fines, drivers will be assessed points based on the DOS s Schedule of Point Values. To reduce the amount of points assessed, drivers can take an approved driving school course.

For more information: How to Pay a Traffic Ticket in Tennessee

How many points can I get on my driving record before my driver’s license is suspended?
Tennessee drivers are subject to the Tennessee driver point system which assesses points to a driving record for moving violations committed in the state. For adult drivers, accumulating 12 or more points in a 12-month period will receive a suspension ranging from six months to one year. For minors, six or more points in a 12-month period will be assessed a suspension period determined by the court the case is assigned to.

For more information: Driving Record

How many times can I attend a traffic school course to remove points from my driving record?
Tennessee drivers who have accumulated 12 or more points on their driving record in a 12-month period have the opportunity to attend an administrative hearing before receiving a suspension. At these hearings, drivers are typically ordered to attend driving school in lieu of the suspension. Upon successful completion of the course, the suspension is lifted and the driver can resume activities. However, Tennessee also has a Frequent Traffic Violation Suspension policy in which drivers that continuously violate traffic laws will have their licenses suspended indefinitely.

For more information: Driving Record

If I lost my traffic or parking ticket, how can I find the information again?
Tennessee residents who have lost their traffic ticket fines documentation have a couple of options for retrieving the information. Depending on the Tennessee county the traffic fines were received in, residents may be able to visit the local county clerk office website and find the information online. Many counties also allow residents to pay traffic tickets online. For residents without internet access, there is also the option of visiting a local county clerk office in person and asking them to look up the traffic ticket fines documentation on the Department of Safety (DOS) computer database. At the local county clerk office, residents may also dispute or pay traffic tickets.

For more information: How to Pay a Traffic Ticket in Tennessee

If my driver’s license was confiscated at the time of my DUI/DWI arrest, how do I get it back?
Residents of Tennessee who have had a license confiscated due to DWI or DUI citations must fulfill all suspension/revocation periods and other requirements before they will be allowed to reinstate drivers license privileges. Once the requirements are fulfilled, the driver must pay the drivers license reinstatement fee which varies based on the level of the initial DUI or DWI offense.

For more information: DUI/DWI Information for Tennessee

What are the different types of driving records?
Tennessee residents conducting a driving record check can receive one type of driving record from the DMV. Otherwise known as a Moving Violation Report (MVR), Tennessee driving records include a variety of information on a driver, including: revocations/suspensions, accidents and points accrued, traffic violations and any license endorsements/classifications. No personal identifying information is included on an MVR unless the driver requests that it be released on the report.

For more information: Driving Record

What are the penalties of being convicted of driving under the influence?
Tennessee residents stopped by law enforcement officials and found to be over the legal limit of blood alcohol content will be arrested and assessed DUI citations. DUI citations carry a number of different penalties ranging in severity depending on how many prior offenses the driver has had. Penalties include:
  • Jail time (from two days to 30 years depending on whether or not there was an injury or death resulting from the incident).
  • Driver s license revocation (from one year to lifetime revocation).
  • Required to participate in Alcohol and Drug Treatment program.
  • Fines ranging from $350 to $15,000 (not including license reinstatement fees).
  • Ignition Interlock Device requirement in vehicle.

For more information: DUI/DWI Information for Tennessee

What happens if I get traffic ticket fines and I have a CDL?
Drivers with commercial driver s licenses in the state of Tennessee are subject to stricter restrictions regarding their driving habits in the state. For instance, any alcohol-related incidents where the driver is behind the wheel of a commercial vehicle with any amount of alcohol in their system even if it is below the legal limit will be decommissioned from driving the vehicle for at least 24 hours. Likewise, most violations that result in CDL suspensions will result in a lifetime CDL revocation for a second offense. CDL disqualifications are possible even when the driver is behind the wheel of their own personal vehicle.

For more information: How to Pay a Traffic Ticket in Tennessee

What information does a driving record contain?
Tennessee residents requesting a driving record check will receive either a physical driving record (if the request was submitted by mail or in person) or an online driving record (if the request was submitted online). Driving records include the following information:
  • Revocations or suspensions
  • Accidents and points from moving violations
  • Traffic violations, fines and citations
  • License endorsements and classifications

For more information: Driving Record

What is considered the legal alcohol limit?
What is the cost of a DUI?
Tennessee drivers assessed DUI citations incur a number of costs throughout the process of clearing up the DUI. First offense DUI citations can force a driver to pay for towing, an attorney, bail, new insurance (high-risk comes with higher premiums), court costs, traffic school and drivers license reinstatement fees. The total can come up to nearly $5,000. If the judge in charge of the case orders the driver to install an IID on their vehicle, there will also be an added $1,000.

For more information: DUI/DWI Information for Tennessee

What is the cost of a traffic ticket?
Residents of Tennessee who have received traffic ticket fines can be charged a wide range of dollar amounts based on the violation they are being charged with and the count they are being charged in. Residents with traffic fines should check the ticket documentation for the cost of the traffic violation. To pay traffic tickets, drivers can choose to visit the online website of the county they received the ticket in, mail in their payment to the address on the traffic ticket fines documentation, or go in person to a local county clerk office.

For more information: How to Pay a Traffic Ticket in Tennessee

What is the cost to get a driver record?
Tennessee residents looking to obtain driving records must pay a small fee that varies depending on the manner in which the DMV driving record was requested. Online driving record requests cost $7, while mail or in-person driving record checks cost $5 (fees may vary).

For more information: Driving Record

What is the DUI penalty for a CDL driver?
Commercial Drivers License holders in Tennessee are subject to stricter driving laws than non-commercial drivers in the state. Therefore, CDL drivers are assessed stricter penalties when arrested and given DUI citations. CDL drivers are prohibited from operating vehicles with a BAC of 0.04 percent or higher. Penalties for CDL drivers given DUI citations include:
  • One-year suspension for BAC above 0.04 percent
  • One-year suspension for refusing BAC test
  • One-year suspension for driving under the influence of any controlled substances
  • Three-year suspension if a DUI happens while transporting hazardous materials

All the above penalties are for first offenses. CDL drivers with a second offense will have their license revoked for life. Drivers found to have any detectable alcohol under 0.4 percent will be jailed for 24 hours.

For more information: DUI/DWI Information for Tennessee

What is the DUI penalty for a minor?
Minors are subject to stricter laws and penalties than legal adult drivers in the state. Minors assessed for DUI citations in Tennessee will see penalties that include:
  • Drug and/or alcohol offenses (whether driving or not)
    • One-year suspension (or until 17, whichever is longer) for first offense
    • Two-year suspension (or until 18, whichever is longer) for second offense
    • Eligible for restricted license after 90 days on first offense
  • Driving while impaired
    • License revocation for one year (no restsricted license privileges)
    • $250 fine (fines may vary)
    • Possible public service work

For more information: DUI/DWI Information for Tennessee

What must I do to reinstate my driver’s license as a result of a DUI/DWI?
Depending on the severity and whether or not it is a first violation, Tennessee residents who have received DWI or DUI citations must meet a wide range of requirements before having their drivers licenses reinstated. Penalties include:
  • Jail time (from two days to 30 years depending on whether or not there was an injury or death resulting from the incident).
  • Driver s license revocation (from one year to lifetime revocation).
  • Required to participate in Alcohol and Drug Treatment program.
  • Fines ranging from $350 to $15,000 (not including license reinstatement fees).
  • Ignition Interlock Device requirement in vehicle.

For more information: DUI/DWI Information for Tennessee

Where can I find more information about an ignition interlock device?
In certain cases, Tennessee drivers who have received DWI or DUI citations may be required to install ignition interlock devices (IIDs) on their vehicles. IIDs are devices meant to detect when a driver has ingested alcohol, shutting down the vehicle s ignition in the event that alcohol is detected on the driver s breath. To find out more about the IID program, refer to the Rules of Ignition Interlock Device Program.

For more information: DUI/DWI Information for Tennessee

Where can I find my traffic or parking ticket information online?
In Tennessee, traffic ticket fines are handled locally within each county. Tennessee drivers who have received traffic fines can find their ticket information online by visiting the website of their local county clerk office. In the event of a lost traffic ticket, residents may use the online service to check due dates and opt to dispute the traffic fines. Depending on the county, residents may also be able to pay traffic tickets online as well.

For more information: How to Pay a Traffic Ticket in Tennessee

Why doesn’t a recent traffic ticket I received appear on my driving record?
Depending on when the driving record check was conducted, Tennessee residents may or may not see their updated driving record. This could mean that the copy received does not have any recent violations. However, residents who believe that there is an error on their driving record should contact the Tennessee Department of Safety locally at 615-253-5221 or toll-free at 866-849-3548.

For more information: Driving Record

Will I have points against my driver’s license if I get a ticket?
Tennessee drivers cited with traffic ticket fines will have points assessed to their drivers license based on the DOS s Schedule of Point Values. Assessments range from one point for minor offenses to eight points for major offenses such as reckless endangerment by vehicle and driving 36 mph or more above the speed limit. Drivers who receive 12 or more points (six or more for minors) in the space of 12 months will have their drivers licenses suspended between six months and one year. This suspension can be reduced or eliminated by taking a driving school course. Likewise, points assessed to driver s licenses can be reduced by taking a driving school course.

For more information: How to Pay a Traffic Ticket in Tennessee

Will I have to take an alcohol awareness class to reinstate my driver’s license?
Tennessee residents assessed DUI citations have a wide range of penalties to deal with before they can have their driver license reinstated. Depending on the county, court system and judge on the case, one of the penalties may include a required Drug and Alcohol treatment program. Drivers who need to attend a Drug and Alcohol treatment program to fulfill DUI requirements can contact the Tennessee Department of Mental Health s Division of Substance Abuse Services.

For more information: DUI/DWI Information for Tennessee