Tennessee Traffic Violation Records

Records of traffic infractions and other violations of traffic regulations in Tennessee are maintained by the Department of Safety and Homeland Security. These records include speeding violations, which are common traffic violations in the state. In Tennessee, about 10.42% of drivers have a prior speeding ticket on their driving record. This is nearly at par with the national average of 10.54%.

Traffic violations have a significant impact on the driving records of violators as Tennessee adds demerit points to the driving records of violators as a deterrent. Tennessee enforces a Driver Improvement Program (DIP) to monitor and penalize drivers based on accumulated traffic violations. Each offense is assigned a specific point value, with more severe violations carrying higher points. If a driver accumulates too many points within a designated period, they may face penalties, including license suspension. The duration of the suspension varies based on the total points accrued and whether the driver is an adult or a minor.

Are Traffic Violations Records Public in Tennessee?

Traffic violation records are public in Tennessee. However, certain details, such as a driver's history of violations, may only be accessible to the record owners, employers, insurance companies, and law enforcement agencies. Also, the Federal Driver Privacy Protection Act prohibits the public disclosure of personal identifying information. Hence, sensitive personal information contained in traffic records may be exempt from public disclosure.

Some traffic records are maintained in Tennessee courts. These include traffic crimes or felonies such as DUI offenses or reckless driving leading to serious harm. These records are typically maintained by the general sessions courts. Since court records are generally public, individuals may obtain information on these records from the clerk of the court except where such records have been sealed or expunged by the court.

How To Look Up Traffic Tickets in Tennessee?

If you are authorized by the provisions of the Federal Driver Privacy Protection Act, you may use the Interactive Moving Violation Records portal provided on the Tennessee government website to look up traffic tickets. Alternatively, you must be a subscriber with a username and password on the portal to look up citation records.

If your ticket requires a court appearance, you may look up traffic tickets online via the local general sessions court in the county where the violation occurred. To perform the search, you need to provide your full name, ticket number, and license plate number.

In addition, since traffic violation records are public in Tennessee, interested persons may also find records through third-party databases like publicrecords.us.

Where Do I Pay Traffic Violations?

You may be able to pay Tennessee traffic violation fines online, by mail, over the phone, or in person. The exact payment options vary depending on the jurisdiction where the payment is due. Hence, you should contact the clerk of the court in the county where the ticket was issued for their acceptable payment options. Typically, courts or jurisdictions accept online payment via their websites. For instance, you may pay your traffic violation fine online in Nashville, while you may pay in-person, over the phone, or by mail in Knox County.

Note that for those unable to pay the fine in full, some Tennessee courts may offer payment plans or allow individuals to perform community service in place of payment.

How Much Does It Cost To Request Your Driving Records Online?

You may obtain a Tennessee driving recordonline, in person at a Driver Services Center, or by mail. Regardless of the means of request, the record costs $5. To request your driving record online, visit the Tennessee e-Services portal and select "Order a Motor Vehicle Report" in the Driver Services section. To complete the request, you will need to provide your name, date of birth, driver license number, and Social Security number.

If you are submitting your request by mail, send a written request including the required information and a cashier's check or money order made payable to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security to:

The driving record issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security shows the past three or ten years of driving history. The record contains information such as moving violations, traffic tickets, accidents, license suspensions, and other infractions over the specified period.

What Are Moving and Non-Moving Violations in Tennessee?

Traffic violations in Tennessee are classified into moving violations and non-moving violations, each carrying different legal consequences and penalties. Moving violations occur when a driver commits an offense while the vehicle is in motion. These violations may impact a person's driving record and often lead to higher insurance rates. Common examples of moving violations include:

• Speeding
• Running a red light or stop sign
• Reckless driving
• DUI
• Failure to yield
• Following too closely

Fines for moving violations, especially for first-time offenders, range from $50 to $500, depending on the violation. In addition, moving violations may add between three and eight demerit points to a driver's record, with 12 or more points potentially leading to a license suspension. Also, many moving violations lead to higher auto insurance premiums.

Non-moving violations occur when a vehicle is stationary or involves administrative issues rather than unsafe driving behaviors. Examples include:

• Parking violations
• Expired vehicle registrations or tags
• Failure to display a license plate
• Broken or missing vehicle lights
• Window tint violations

Penalties for non-moving violations include fines typically ranging between $10 and $200, depending on the specific violation. Unlike moving violations, non-moving violations do not add points to a driver's record. Some non-moving violations, such as an expired registration, may be dismissed if the driver provides proof of correction within a given period.

How Long Does DUI Stay on Your Record in Tennessee?

Tennessee considers DUI a serious offense and mandates that a DUI conviction remains on offenders' driving records permanently. The state records a relatively high rate of alcohol-impaired driving incidents, with about 349 DUI arrests per 100,000 drivers and 7.2 DUI road fatalities per 100,000 drivers.

For a first DUI offense, the offender may be punished with jail time ranging from 48 hours to nearly a year, fines between $350 and $1,500, a one-year license suspension, mandatory DUI education, and an ignition interlock device. A second DUI offense increases jail time to at least 45 days, fines up to $3,500, a two-year license suspension, mandatory treatment, and possible vehicle seizure.

A third offense results in at least 120 days in jail, fines up to $10,000, a six-year license suspension, mandatory treatment, and vehicle forfeiture. For a fourth or subsequent offense, classified as a felony, penalties include at least one year in jail, fines up to $15,000, an eight-year license suspension, and potential vehicle forfeiture.

What Are the Penalties for Breaking the Speed Limit in Tennessee?

Per Section 55-8-152 of the Tennessee Code Annotated, the maximum speed limits in the state are as follows:

• School zones: 15 mph
• Residential streets: 30 mph
• Undivided and two-lane roads: 55 mph
• Divided highways: 65 mph
• Interstates and limited access freeways: 70 mph

Speeding fines in Tennessee vary based on location and speed over the limit, generally costing up to $150, with fines reaching $200 on some local streets and $250 or more in construction zones. Additional local fees, court costs, and increased insurance rates may apply.

Also, a speeding violation adds points to a driver's record, with 12 or more points in one year leading to license suspension. Excessive speeding can also result in a reckless driving charge, a Class B misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and $500 in fines.

How Long Does a Speeding Ticket Stay on Your Record in Tennessee?

In Tennessee, a speeding ticket conviction stays on a driver's record for up to five years, but the demerit points may be removed after two years.

How To Appeal A Traffic Ticket?

If you have been issued a Tennessee traffic ticket and intend to fight it in court, you may represent yourself or hire the services of an experienced traffic ticket attorney in the state. If you plan to contest the ticket on your own, you may use the following defenses:

• Dispute the Police Officer's Personal Opinion: You may challenge a ticket based on an officer's subjective judgment, such as unsafe lane changes or speeding in states with flexible speed limits. Argue that your driving was safe given road conditions, traffic flow, or visibility limitations.
• Dispute the Police Officer's Presentation of Evidence: For clear-cut violations such as running a stop sign, you may challenge the officer's observation with eyewitness accounts, diagrams, or photos to prove their view was obstructed or inaccurate.
• Present Evidence of a 'Mistake of Fact': You may also argue that external factors such as faded lane markers and obscured signs led to an honest traffic error. Judges may dismiss tickets if you lacked reasonable notice, such as a newly installed stop sign.
• Argue That Circumstances Justified Your Driving: Admit the violation but prove it was necessary, such as speeding to evade a drunk driver or stopping abruptly due to a medical emergency. Supporting evidence such as a 911 call or hospital records may be used to strengthen your case.
• Challenging Procedural Errors: When issuing citations, law enforcement officers must follow strict protocols. If there are mistakes on the ticket, such as incorrect details about the time, location, or vehicle description, these errors can be grounds for having the ticket dismissed.

However, if you are facing multiple traffic violations, a reckless driving charge, or you are unsure about Tennessee traffic laws and court rules, you should hire an experienced attorney to defend you in court.

How To Resolve an Out-of-State Traffic Ticket?

In most cases, receiving a traffic ticket out of state is similar to getting one in your home state. You will be required to pay the fine, and the conviction will impact your driving record just like an in-state ticket. Because many states participate in the Driver's License Compact (DLC) and the Nonresident Violator Compact (NVC), traffic violation information is shared among member states, and violators are typically required to pay their penalties.

You may resolve an out-of-state ticket in the following ways:

• Check the County Court's Website: Many courts provide information on how to contest citations, and some may allow online submissions or provide specific instructions for out-of-state drivers.
• Contest the Ticket by Affidavit: Some jurisdictions permit drivers to contest tickets without appearing in person by submitting a written affidavit. This document typically includes your account of events and any supporting evidence.
• Contact the Local Prosecutor's Office: Reaching out to the prosecutor's office in the jurisdiction where you received the ticket can sometimes lead to a reduction or dismissal of charges, especially if you have a clean driving record. They may offer plea deals or alternative resolutions that minimize the impact on your record.
• Hire a Local Traffic Attorney: Hiring an attorney who is familiar with the local traffic laws and court procedures may be helpful in reducing or dismissing the charges.

How Do Tennessee Traffic Laws Differ From Other States?

Although many traffic laws are similar, some vary from one state to another. The following are some unique traffic laws in Tennessee:

• Move Over Law: Drivers must move over or slow down when passing any stationary vehicle with flashing hazard lights.
• Funeral Procession Law: According to the Tennessee Code Annotated 55-8-183, drivers must yield to funeral processions, not pass them, or drive between vehicles in the procession.
• Right Turn on Red: The state allows motorists to turn right on a red light. Drivers must come to a complete stop and yield to oncoming traffic.
• Slow Poke Law: It is illegal to drive in the left passing lane unless in situations where you are overtaking another vehicle