Tennessee Driving Laws



Information on Tennessee driving laws and Tennessee traffic laws...

Your Driving Privileges Can Be Taken Away

In accordance with Tennessee traffic laws, a driver license may be revoked or suspended for the following violations:

  • Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, including the failure to submit to a test to determine the blood/alcohol level (Implied Consent).
  • Allowing unlawful use of a driver license, including fraudulently altering a driver license or allowing another individual to use your license or identification.
  • Mental or physical difficulties that interfere with a driver's ability to safely operate a vehicle (e.g., Alzheimer's disease, seizures and loss of consciousness).
  • Leaving the scene of a personal injury or fatal crash; failure to stop and render aid in a vehicle crash.
  • Perjury, or giving false information on the use or ownership of a vehicle, or for the issuance of a driver license.
  • A felony that involves the use of a vehicle.
  • Evading arrest while operating a motor vehicle.
  • Manslaughter/vehicular homicide involving the operation of a vehicle.
  • Two (2) reckless driving violations within twelve (12) months.
  • Drag racing.
  • Habitual recipients of moving traffic violations.
  • Not complying with the terms of a judgment found against the driver for damages resulting from a motor vehicle crash.
  • Purchasing or possessing any alcoholic beverage, if under 21 years old.
  • Failure to comply with child support requirements.
  • Driving a motor vehicle away from a gas station without paying for dispensed gas or diesel fuel.
  • Failure to show evidence of vehicle insurance/financial responsibility to an officer when involved in a crash or charged with a moving violation.
  • Possession by a driver of five or more grams of methamphetamine in a vehicle.

Additionally, driving privileges of persons under the age of 18 may be lost:

  • for convictions of any drug or alcohol offense, whether or not the offense occurred while driving;
  • for dropping out of school (which is defined as having 10 consecutive or 15 total days in a semester of unexcused absences);
  • for failure to make satisfactory progress in school (which, in general, means passing three subjects per grading period); or
  • for weapons violations (possession within or outside a motor vehicle of any offensive/defensive instrument).


Points For Moving Traffic Violations And Crashes

The following values will be assigned to violations of Tennessee driving laws or contributing to the occurrence of crashes:

Speeding

  • Where speed is not indicated - 3 / Construction zone - 4
  • 1 thru 5 mph in excess of speed zone - 1 / Construction zone - 2
  • 6 thru 15 mph in excess of speed zone - 3 / Construction zone - 6
  • 16 thru 25 mph in excess of speed zone - 4 / Construction zone - 7
  • 26 thru 35 mph in excess of speed zone - 5 / Construction zone - 7
  • 36 thru 45 mph in excess of speed zone - 6 / Construction zone - 8
  • 46 mph and above in excess of speed zone - 8 / Construction zone - 8

Moving Traffic Violation - 8 Points

  • Operating without being licensed or without license required for type of vehicle being operated (under suspension)
  • Operating without being licensed or without license required for type of vehicle being operated (under suspension)
  • Driving while license canceled
  • Reckless endangerment by vehicle — misdemeanor
  • Adult driving while impaired

Moving Traffic Violation - 6 Points

  • Reckless driving
  • Passing school bus taking on or discharging passengers
  • 1st Offense violation of driver license restrictions
  • Fleeing law enforcement officer

Moving Traffic Violation - 5 Points

  • Leaving the scene of a crash (Property damage only)

Moving Traffic Violation - 4 Points

  • Signs and control devices — Failure to obey traffic instructions
  • Improper passing — Passing where prohibited
  • Wrong way, side or direction
  • Failing to yield right of way
  • Careless or negligent driving
  • Violation of bumper law

Moving Traffic Violation - 3 Points

  • Following improperly
  • Making improper turn
  • Speed less than posted minimum
  • Operating without being licensed or without license required for type of vehicle being operated (not under suspension)
  • Miscellaneous — Failure to maintain control, improper control, etc.

Moving Traffic Violation - 2 Points

  • Failure to signal change of vehicle direction or to reduce speed suddenly
  • Following emergency vehicles unlawfully

Crashes

  • Contributing to occurrence of a crash resulting in the death of another person - 8
  • Failure to Report Crash - 4
  • Contributing to occurrence of an crash resulting in bodily injury - 4
  • Contributing to occurrence of an crash resulting in property damage - 3

In accordance with Tennessee driving laws, drivers who accumulate 12 or more points within a 12-month period receive a notice of proposed suspension.

To keep drivers aware of the possibility of losing their driving privileges, an advisory letter is mailed to any licensee having six to 11 points on his/her driving record within any 12 months.

For more information on Tennessee driving laws, please visit the Tennessee Department of Safety.

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