Tennessee suspends your license when you reach 12 points within a 12-month period
Tennessee's Department of Safety and Homeland Security tracks violations on your driving record using a point system. Each traffic violation carries a set number of points. When your total reaches 12 points in any 12-month rolling window, the state automatically suspends your license for at least 30 days.
The suspension is not optional and does not require a court order. Once you hit 12 points, the state mails you a notice of suspension. You cannot drive legally during the suspension period, and driving with a suspended license carries separate criminal charges.
Points stay on your record for different lengths of time depending on the violation. Most violations remain for three years from the date of conviction, though some serious violations stay longer. This means an old violation can still count toward your 12-point total if you receive new violations within the three-year window.
Key Takeaways
- Your license suspends automatically when you accumulate 12 points within any 12-month period; you do not need to wait for a hearing or court decision.
- Common violations like speeding carry 1 to 3 points, while reckless driving and DUI carry 6 to 12 points each.
- Points remain on your record for three years from the conviction date for most violations, so violations from two years ago can still count toward your total.
- The first suspension lasts at least 30 days, but repeat suspensions within five years result in longer suspension periods and higher reinstatement fees.
- You can request a hearing before the suspension takes effect, but you must do so within 10 days of receiving the notice.
How points are assigned to different violations
Tennessee assigns points based on the severity of the violation. Speeding violations carry 1 to 3 points depending on how far over the limit you were driving. Speeding 1 to 5 miles per hour over the limit is 1 point; 6 to 10 miles per hour over is 2 points; 11 or more miles per hour over is 3 points.
More serious violations carry higher points. Reckless driving is 6 points. Driving under the influence (DUI) is 12 points on its own — meaning a single DUI conviction will suspend your license when ready. Leaving the scene of an accident is 6 points. Driving with a suspended or revoked license is 6 points.
Some violations do not carry points at all. Parking tickets, equipment violations (like a broken taillight), and seat belt violations do not add to your point total. However, if you fail to pay a fine or miss a court date, the court can suspend your license separately, outside the point system.
| Violation Type | Points Assigned |
|---|---|
| Speeding 1–5 mph over limit | 1 point |
| Speeding 6–10 mph over limit | 2 points |
| Speeding 11+ mph over limit | 3 points |
| Reckless driving | 6 points |
| Leaving the scene of an accident | 6 points |
| Driving with suspended/revoked license | 6 points |
| DUI (first offense) | 12 points |
When the 12-month window resets
Tennessee uses a rolling 12-month period, not a calendar year. This means the state looks back 12 months from today's date, not from January 1st. If you received a violation on March 15, 2023, and another on March 16, 2024, both violations count toward your total on March 16, 2024. On March 17, 2024, the first violation drops off and no longer counts.
The rolling window is important because it means you cannot straightforward wait until January 1st for your points to disappear. If you accumulate 8 points in November and 4 more points in February, you will hit 12 points in February even though you are in a new calendar year. The violations are still within 12 months of each other.
Points do not disappear from your record after 12 months — they remain visible on your driving history for three years. The 12-month window only determines whether they count toward suspension. After three years, the violation is removed from your record entirely and no longer appears on background checks or insurance reports.
How to check your current point total
You can view your driving record through the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security website or by visiting a local driver services center in person. Online, you will need your driver's license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The online system shows your current points and lists all violations from the past three years.
Checking your record is free and takes about five minutes online. You can also order an official copy of your driving record to mail to an insurance company or employer, though that service has a small fee. Many people check their record after receiving a ticket to understand how many points they have accumulated and how close they are to suspension.
If you see a violation on your record that you believe is incorrect, you can dispute it through the same department. You will need to provide documentation — usually a copy of the court dismissal or acquittal. Disputed violations are removed from your record once the department verifies the correction.
What happens when you reach 12 points
When you accumulate 12 points, the Department of Safety and Homeland Security mails you a notice of suspension. The notice includes the suspension start date, the length of the suspension, and instructions for reinstatement. The suspension typically begins 10 days after you receive the notice, giving you time to request a hearing if you choose to do so.
During the suspension, you cannot legally drive. Driving with a suspended license is a criminal offense in Tennessee and can result in fines, jail time, and additional points on your record. A first offense for driving with a suspended license can cost you $100 to $500 in fines and add 6 more points to your record.
The first suspension lasts at least 30 days. If you receive a second suspension within five years, the suspension period increases to 60 days. A third suspension within five years results in a one-year suspension. Each suspension also requires you to pay a reinstatement fee to the state before you can get your license back.
How to request a hearing before suspension
You have the right to request a hearing before your license is suspended. You must submit your request within 10 days of receiving the suspension notice. The hearing is held before a hearing officer from the Department of Safety and Homeland Security, not a judge.
At the hearing, you can present evidence that the violations on your record are incorrect or that there are circumstances the department should consider. However, the hearing officer can only overturn the suspension if they find that the violations were recorded in error. They cannot reduce your points or suspend the suspension based on hardship or other reasons.
To request a hearing, contact the Department of Safety and Homeland Security using the phone number on your suspension notice. You can also submit a written request by mail to the address listed on the notice. If you do not request a hearing within 10 days, your suspension takes effect automatically and you lose the right to a hearing.
How to reinstate your license after suspension
To reinstate your license after the suspension period ends, you must visit a driver services center in person with your driver's license and proof of payment of the reinstatement fee. The fee varies depending on whether this is your first, second, or third suspension within five years. First suspension reinstatement typically costs $100 to $150; second and third suspensions cost more.
You cannot reinstate your license online or by mail. You must appear in person at a driver services center. Bring your current ID, proof of payment, and any other documents requested in your suspension notice. The reinstatement is processed when ready, and you can drive legally as soon as you leave the center.
If you have other issues on your record — such as unpaid fines, child support arrears, or a separate court-ordered suspension — the driver services center will not reinstate your license until those issues are resolved. Ask the center staff to review your full record before you pay the reinstatement fee so you know whether there are other barriers to reinstatement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get points removed from my record before three years?
No, points cannot be removed early through the point system itself. However, if you were convicted of a violation and later had it dismissed or acquitted on appeal, you can request that the violation be removed from your record. You will need to provide court documentation of the dismissal or acquittal to the Department of Safety and Homeland Security.
Does a defensive driving course reduce my points?
Tennessee allows you to reduce your points by one point if you complete an approved defensive driving course within 30 days of receiving a ticket. You can use this reduction only once every three years. The course does not remove the violation from your record, but it lowers your point total by one.
What if I get a ticket while my license is suspended?
Driving with a suspended license is a separate criminal charge that adds 6 points to your record and can result in fines and jail time. If you accumulate more points while suspended, those points will count toward a future suspension once your current suspension ends and your license is reinstated.
Do out-of-state violations count toward my Tennessee suspension?
Yes, violations you receive in other states are reported to Tennessee through the Interstate Compact system and appear on your Tennessee driving record. They carry the same points as they would in the state where you received them and count toward your 12-point suspension total.
Can I get my license suspended for violations other than points?
Yes. The state can suspend your license for unpaid fines, missed court dates, failure to pay child support, or a court order. These suspensions happen outside the point system and do not require you to reach 12 points. You must resolve the underlying issue before your license can be reinstated.