Tennessee assigns points to your license based on the violation, and you lose your license when you reach a threshold

Tennessee's point system is straightforward: the state assigns a specific number of points to each traffic violation, those points accumulate on your driving record, and your license is suspended when you hit a certain total. The threshold depends on your age. If you are 18 or older, you lose your license after 12 points in a 12-month period. If you are under 18, the threshold is 6 points in a 12-month period. Points stay on your record for three years from the date of the violation, then drop off automatically.

The point value assigned to a violation reflects how serious the state considers it. A minor infraction like speeding 1 to 5 miles per hour over the limit costs 1 point. Reckless driving costs 6 points. A DUI costs 12 points on its own — meaning a single DUI conviction will trigger a suspension for drivers 18 and older. Serious violations like hit-and-run or driving with a suspended license cost 8 points.

Key Takeaways

  • Tennessee suspends your license at 12 points in 12 months if you are 18 or older, or at 6 points in 12 months if you are under 18.
  • Points remain on your record for three years from the violation date, then disappear automatically without any action on your part.
  • A single DUI conviction adds 12 points and triggers an when ready suspension for drivers 18 and older.
  • You can check your current point total through the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security website or by mail.

Common violations and their point values

Most everyday traffic stops result in 1 to 3 points. Speeding violations are tiered: 1 to 5 mph over the limit is 1 point, 6 to 10 mph over is 2 points, 11 to 15 mph over is 3 points, and 16 mph or more over the limit is 4 points. Improper lane change, following too closely, and running a red light each cost 3 points.

Mid-range violations that cost more points include reckless driving (6 points), driving with a suspended or revoked license (8 points), and hit-and-run (8 points). Driving under the influence costs 12 points. Vehicular assault costs 12 points. These higher-point violations can push you toward suspension much faster, especially if you already have points on your record.

The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security maintains the official point schedule. If you received a citation and are unsure of the point value, the citation itself should list the violation code, which corresponds to a specific point total. You can also contact the department directly to confirm.

How to check your current point total

You can view your driving record and current points through the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security. The easiest method is online: visit the department's website, select the driving record request option, and follow the prompts. You will need your driver's license number and personal information. The online system shows your record when ready.

If you prefer not to request online, you can request a copy of your driving record by mail. Send a request to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security with your name, date of birth, driver's license number, and a check or money order for the record fee. The department will mail your record to you within a few business days.

Your record shows every violation on file, the date of each violation, the point value, and your current total. This is the official document that determines whether you are at risk of suspension. If you see an error — a violation you do not believe you committed, or a point value that seems wrong — you can dispute it through the department.

What happens when you reach the suspension threshold

When your points reach 12 (or 6 if you are under 18), the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security sends you a notice of suspension. The suspension takes effect on the date specified in the notice, usually 10 days after the notice is mailed. You cannot drive legally once the suspension begins, and driving on a suspended license is itself a violation that adds 8 points to your record.

The length of your first suspension depends on how far over the threshold you went. If you reached exactly 12 points, your suspension lasts 3 months. If you accumulated 13 to 18 points, the suspension is 6 months. If you reached 19 or more points, the suspension is 12 months. Subsequent suspensions carry longer periods.

You cannot straightforward wait out the suspension and resume driving. To reinstate your license, you must contact the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, pay a reinstatement fee (currently $150), and sometimes complete a defensive driving course or other requirements depending on the reason for suspension. Only after reinstatement can you legally drive again.

How points drop off your record

Points automatically fall off your driving record three years after the violation date. You do not need to request removal or take any action. The state removes them automatically when the three-year window closes. This means a violation from January 2022 will drop off in January 2025, regardless of whether you have accumulated other violations since then.

The three-year clock runs from the date of the violation itself, not the date you paid the fine or completed any court requirement. If you received a citation on March 15, 2023, the points from that violation will drop off on March 15, 2026. Checking your driving record will show you the violation date for each infraction, so you can calculate when each one will disappear.

This automatic removal is why timing matters if you are close to the suspension threshold. If you have 10 points and a violation from three years ago is about to drop off, you might avoid suspension by waiting a few weeks. However, if you receive another violation before the old one drops off, you could cross the threshold when ready.

Defensive driving courses and point reduction

Tennessee allows you to reduce points on your record by completing an approved defensive driving course. You can remove up to 3 points from your record once every 12 months by taking and passing such a course. The course must be approved by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security — not all defensive driving programs may have access to.

To use this option, you must take the course before you are suspended. Once your license is suspended, you cannot reduce points through a course; you must first reinstate your license. The course typically takes 4 to 8 hours and can often be completed online. After you pass, you submit proof of completion to the department, and the 3-point reduction is applied to your record.

This is a practical tool if you have accumulated 9 to 12 points and want to avoid suspension. Taking a course removes 3 points, bringing you below the threshold. However, you can only use this option once per 12 months, so it is not a permanent solution if you continue to receive violations.

Violations that result in automatic suspension

Some violations trigger an when ready suspension regardless of your current point total. A DUI conviction results in an automatic license suspension separate from the point system. The suspension period for a first DUI is one year, and you cannot reduce this suspension through points removal or defensive driving courses.

Driving with a suspended or revoked license also carries serious consequences. If you are caught driving while suspended, you face an additional 8-point violation, criminal charges, and possible jail time. Reckless driving convictions can lead to suspension depending on the circumstances and your driving history.

Habitual traffic offender status is another automatic suspension trigger. If you accumulate three major violations (DUI, reckless driving, hit-and-run, or driving with a suspended license) within five years, Tennessee declares you a habitual traffic offender and suspends your license for a minimum of one year. This is separate from the point system and carries harsher penalties.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get points removed from my record before three years?

You can reduce points by completing an approved defensive driving course, which removes up to 3 points once every 12 months. You cannot remove points any other way before the three-year period ends. After three years, points drop off automatically without any action needed.

Does paying a fine or going to traffic school reduce my points?

Paying a fine does not reduce points — it only settles the financial penalty. Traffic school or defensive driving courses can reduce points, but only if the course is approved by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security. Not all traffic schools may have access to, so confirm before enrolling.

What happens if I get suspended while I already have a suspension?

If you accumulate enough points for a second suspension before your first one ends, the suspensions stack. Your license remains suspended for the longer period, and you must meet all reinstatement requirements before you can drive again. Driving during any suspension is illegal and adds more points.

How long does a suspension last after I reinstate my license?

A suspension lasts only as long as the department specifies — typically 3, 6, or 12 months depending on how many points triggered it. Once you pay the reinstatement fee and meet any other requirements, your license is restored when ready. However, the violation and its points remain on your record for three years.

Do out-of-state violations count toward my Tennessee point total?

Yes, Tennessee counts violations from other states through the Interstate Compact agreement. If you receive a ticket in another state, that violation and its points transfer to your Tennessee record. The point value may differ slightly by state, but Tennessee honors the violation and applies it to your suspension threshold.