Drivers will receive traffic tickets in Tennessee for committing minor offenses and misdemeanors while operating motor vehicles on public states. Motorists may decide to fight traffic citations in TN by pleading “not guilty” at the proper court.

An immediate ticket payment may be done by drivers who consider themselves guilty of charge. Find out the steps for the ticket defense procedure, or learn how and where to pay fines by reading the sections below.

Fighting a Tennessee Ticket

The procedure of fighting traffic tickets in Tennessee requires drivers to plead “not guilty” of the offenses they are charged with. Therefore, motorists are encouraged to dismiss traffic citations by the due date on their ticket, if they consider themselves innocent.

They may be required to appear in court on the scheduled date of their court hearing. Failure to dispute tickets will require drivers to pay certain fines. Hiring a traffic lawyer can help you in your ticket dispute and may even help you reduce your penalty.

Paying a Tennessee Ticket

Drivers holding traffic citations in Tennessee will be required to either fight them or pay the applicable traffic fines. The available payment methods in TN are online, by mail or in person at the proper court. Paying tickets online is the most convenient and fastest method for drivers who do not want to miss their due date.

Lost Tickets in Tennessee

Drivers who want to dispute traffic citations in Tennessee or pay the applicable fines need the information written on their tickets. Losing a traffic ticket will prevent you from choosing which way you want to settle your specific situation.

Motorists need to contact the proper court in order to obtain the information written on their tickets. Requesting details will require you to provide personal information such as the citation number, the amount of the fine, the mandatory court appearance date or the due date written on your ticket.

Tennessee Fines and Penalties

Failure to dismiss traffic tickets in Tennessee will require you to pay applicable fines and maybe additional fees. The finesse may differ based on the type of offense committed. Minor traffic violations such as speeding one to five miles above the allowed speed limit will require you to pay a fine of $42.75. The highest fine is $82.75, for failing to yield.

Apart from these fines, drivers may be required to appear in court for offenses such as reckless driving, speeding in school zone, failing to report an accident and others. Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, commonly referred to as a DUI, carries much heavier penalties and may be difficult to dispute.

Points in Tennessee

Getting traffic tickets in Tennessee may bring you demerit points on your driving record for committing traffic offenses. Each traffic violation has a determined number of points that go with it. The following list outlines various traffic offenses and their corresponding penalty points:

• Child endangerment – 8 points
• Reckless driving – 6 points
• Failure to yield right of way – 4 points
• Improper passing – 4 points
• Speeding – 1 to 8 points

Motorists dealing with traffic tickets and demerit points have the option to attend a hearing and discuss the points assigned, before the DOS takes a specific action against their license. The department also mails advisory letters to licensees who are at risk of exceeding the point limit. Motorists who wish to avoid driving license suspensions in Tennessee or reduce the allotted penalty period may choose to enroll in traffic school.

How Tickets Affect a Tennessee Drivers License

Tennessee traffic tickets may affect driver’s licenses issued by the state DOS. Drivers who are 18 years of age or older will receive a notice of driver’s license suspension if they amass 12 or more demerit points on their driving transcript within any 12-month period. Minors will also be handed down a TN suspended driver’s license for the accumulation of six or more points on their record within a period of 12 months.

In general, suspended drivers licenses are issued to motorists for an excess of negative points on their driving records. If they request a hearing, however, they may have the option to attend a defensive driving course, thus preventing a Tennessee driver’s license suspension. Note that you may attend such course only once in a period of five years.

Tennessee Car Insurance Fines and Violations

Committing Tennessee traffic violations may raise your car insurance rates. Drivers who receive tickets are considered unsafe motorists, which increases their insurance rates. Licensees who graduate from a traffic school may also earn other benefits, including the possibility to reduce their vehicle insurance premiums.

California Privacy R. Request

California Opt-Out