How to learn about your Tennessee license is suspended right now
The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security maintains a database of all suspended and revoked licenses in the state. You can check your status yourself without waiting for a letter or a traffic stop. The fastest way is to visit the TDSH online license status lookup at tdosh.tn.gov, enter your driver's license number and date of birth, and see your status when ready.
If you do not have internet access or prefer to speak with someone, you can call the TDSH Driver License Section at 615-251-8590 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central Time). Have your license number and date of birth ready. They will tell you whether your license is suspended, why it is suspended, and what you must do to restore it.
A third option is to visit a TDSH driver license office in person. Bring your current ID and your license number. Staff can look up your status on the spot and sometimes provide information about next steps, though they cannot always explain the reason for the suspension if it involves a court or another agency.
Key Takeaways
- You can check your license status online at tdosh.tn.gov using your license number and date of birth, or by phone at 615-251-8590 during business hours.
- Tennessee suspends licenses most often for unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, unpaid child support, or medical reasons (such as a seizure disorder).
- The reason for your suspension determines what you must do to restore your license — paying a fine, appearing in court, or submitting a medical clearance.
- Once you resolve the underlying reason, you must request reinstatement through TDSH, which usually takes one to two weeks after approval.
The most common reasons Tennessee suspends licenses
Traffic-related suspensions are the most frequent. If you received a ticket and did not pay the fine or did not appear in court on the scheduled date, the court can request that TDSH suspend your license. This is called a failure to appear suspension or a failure to pay suspension. The court sends the suspension order to TDSH, and your license becomes suspended within days.
Child support arrears also trigger suspensions. If you owe back child support and the state's child support enforcement office has not received a payment in a set period, they can request a license suspension. This applies to both driver's licenses and professional licenses.
Medical suspensions occur when TDSH receives a report from a doctor, hospital, or law enforcement that you have a condition that makes driving unsafe — such as a seizure disorder, severe dementia, or a loss of consciousness. You cannot drive until you submit medical clearance from a licensed physician stating that the condition no longer poses a risk.
Administrative suspensions can result from accumulating too many points on your driving record within a certain time frame, or from being convicted of certain offenses such as driving under the influence or reckless driving.
What happens when you drive on a suspended license in Tennessee
Driving with a suspended license is a separate criminal offense in Tennessee, distinct from whatever caused the suspension in the first place. If you are stopped by law enforcement, you face arrest, a fine, and possible jail time depending on whether it is your first, second, or subsequent offense.
A first offense for driving with a suspended license is a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $500. A second offense within five years is a Class A misdemeanor, with up to 11 months and 29 days in jail and a fine up to $2,500. A third or subsequent offense can result in felony charges.
Your vehicle can also be impounded, and you will be responsible for towing and storage fees. If you are involved in an accident while driving on a suspended license, your insurance may deny your claim, leaving you personally liable for all damages.
Steps to restore your license after suspension
The process depends on why your license was suspended. For a traffic-related suspension, you must resolve the underlying ticket or court case first. Contact the court that issued the suspension order, pay any outstanding fine, or appear for your scheduled court date. Once the court confirms the matter is resolved, they notify TDSH, and your suspension is lifted.
For a child support suspension, contact the Tennessee Child Support Enforcement office or the local child support office in your county. Bring your case number and ask what amount you must pay to have the suspension lifted. Some offices will lift the suspension once you make a substantial payment or agree to a payment plan; others require the full amount. Once the office confirms the arrangement, they send a release to TDSH.
For a medical suspension, you must obtain a letter from a licensed physician stating that your condition no longer prevents you from driving safely. Submit this letter to TDSH along with a reinstatement request form. TDSH will review the medical documentation and notify you of approval or denial within two to three weeks.
After the underlying reason is resolved, you may need to request reinstatement formally. Some suspensions lift automatically once TDSH receives notice from the court or agency; others require you to submit a reinstatement request. Check with TDSH or the agency that caused the suspension to confirm whether you need to take this step.
Reinstatement fees and timelines
Tennessee charges a reinstatement fee of $100 for most suspensions. This fee is separate from any fines, child support payments, or other costs related to the original violation. You pay the reinstatement fee when you request reinstatement, either online, by mail, or in person at a TDSH office.
After you pay the fee and TDSH processes your request, your license is usually restored within one to two weeks. During that time, you are still not permitted to drive. Once TDSH notifies you that your license is reinstated, you can resume driving when ready.
If you need to drive before reinstatement is complete, you can request a temporary driving permit in some cases, though this is granted only in limited circumstances — typically for work or medical appointments — and requires approval from TDSH. Call 615-251-8590 to ask whether a temporary permit is available for your situation.
What to do if you cannot pay a fine or child support right away
If you owe a traffic fine, contact the court that issued the ticket and ask about a payment plan. Most courts allow you to pay in installments rather than in full upfront. Explain your financial situation to the judge or court clerk; many courts will work with you to set a manageable schedule. Once you are on a payment plan and making regular payments, the court may request that TDSH lift the suspension even before the fine is paid in full.
For child support arrears, contact your local child support enforcement office and ask about a payment plan or modification of your support obligation. If your income has changed, you can request a modification hearing to adjust the amount you owe going forward. In the meantime, ask whether the office will lift the suspension if you begin making payments on a plan.
If you are facing a medical suspension and cannot afford a doctor's visit, contact TDSH and ask whether they have resources or referrals to low-cost clinics. Some counties have health departments that provide affordable evaluations for licensing purposes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a suspension stay on my record?
A suspension is removed from your record once it is lifted and you complete reinstatement. However, the underlying violation — such as a traffic conviction or child support case — may remain on your driving record or court record for a longer period. Ask TDSH or the relevant court how long the violation itself will appear on your record.
Can I get a hardship license while my license is suspended?
Tennessee does not issue hardship licenses for most suspensions. However, you can request a temporary driving permit for essential purposes such as work or medical appointments. Call TDSH at 615-251-8590 to ask whether you are may be able to access and what documentation you must provide.
What if I moved out of state — does my Tennessee suspension follow me?
Yes. Tennessee reports suspensions to the National Driver Register, which other states can access. If you move and explore for a license in another state, that state will likely discover your Tennessee suspension and may refuse to issue you a license until it is resolved.
Can I check someone else's license status?
No. The online lookup and phone inquiry system require your own license number and date of birth for privacy reasons. You cannot check another person's status unless you are their legal representative or guardian.
What if I think my license was suspended by mistake?
Contact TDSH at 615-251-8590 or visit a driver license office with your ID and license number. Ask them to review the suspension order and explain the reason. If you believe there is an error — for example, you paid the fine but the court did not report it — ask TDSH to contact the court or agency that requested the suspension and verify the current status.