Where to check your Tennessee driver license points
Tennessee keeps a record of every traffic violation and point on your driving record. You can see your own points through the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security (TDSH) website, by phone, by mail, or in person at a driver license office.
The fastest way is online through the TDSH public records portal. You'll need your driver license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The system shows your current point total, violations from the past three to five years, and suspension status if any applies.
If you don't have internet access or prefer to speak with someone, you can call the TDSH Customer Service line at 615-251-5221 during business hours. They can tell you your point total over the phone. You can also visit any Tennessee driver license office in person and ask for a copy of your driving record — staff will print it on the spot.
Key Takeaways
- Tennessee tracks points for traffic violations, and your total determines whether your license stays valid or gets suspended.
- You can check your points online through the TDSH website, by calling 615-251-5221, or by visiting a driver license office in person.
- Points stay on your record for three to five years depending on the violation type, and accumulating 12 or more points in a 12-month period triggers a suspension.
- A suspension in Tennessee lasts a minimum of three months and requires you to pay a reinstatement fee and pass a knowledge test before driving again.
How Tennessee's point system works
Tennessee assigns points to violations based on severity. A minor violation like speeding 1–5 mph over the limit costs 1 point. Speeding 26 mph or more over the limit costs 6 points. Reckless driving costs 8 points. At-fault accidents cost 4 points. Driving without a license or with a suspended license costs 12 points on its own.
Your points accumulate over time. If you reach 12 points within a 12-month period, the TDSH will suspend your license automatically. The suspension lasts a minimum of three months. If you accumulate 18 points within 24 months, the suspension is six months. If you reach 24 points within 36 months, the suspension is 12 months.
Points do not disappear when ready after a violation. Most violations stay on your record for three years. Some serious violations, like reckless driving or driving under the influence, stay for five years or longer. Even after points age off your record, they still count toward suspensions that happened while they were active.
What happens when you reach 12 points
When you accumulate 12 points in 12 months, the TDSH sends you a notice of suspension by mail. The suspension becomes effective 10 days after the notice is mailed. You cannot legally drive during the suspension period, even for work or medical emergencies.
To get your license back after suspension, you must pay a reinstatement fee (currently $150 for a first suspension) and pass the written knowledge test again. You do not have to retake the driving test unless the TDSH specifically requires it. Once you pay the fee and pass the test, you can drive when ready.
If you accumulate points again after reinstatement, the next suspension is longer and the reinstatement fee increases. A second suspension within five years costs $200 to reinstate. A third or subsequent suspension costs $300.
How to reduce points on your Tennessee license
Tennessee allows you to reduce points through a defensive driving course. If you complete an approved defensive driving course, the TDSH will subtract 3 points from your record. You can use this reduction once every 12 months, and you can reduce a maximum of 4 points per 12-month period using this method.
To take a defensive driving course, you must find one approved by the TDSH. The state maintains a list of approved providers on its website. Most courses are offered online and take four to six hours to complete. You pay the course provider directly — costs vary but typically range from $20 to $50.
After you finish the course, the provider sends your completion certificate to the TDSH. The points reduction appears on your record within two to four weeks. This reduction does not erase the violation itself — it only lowers your point total.
Understanding violations that carry the most points
Some violations carry so many points that a single incident can push you toward suspension. Driving with a suspended or revoked license costs 12 points — enough to trigger suspension on its own if you have no other points. Driving under the influence (DUI) costs 12 points. Reckless driving costs 8 points. Fleeing or eluding police costs 12 points.
Hit-and-run violations cost 12 points. Driving without a valid license (not suspended, but never obtained or expired) costs 6 points. Improper passing costs 4 points. Following too closely costs 3 points. These high-point violations are why checking your record regularly matters — one mistake can put you close to suspension even if your driving history was clean before.
What your driving record shows besides points
When you pull your Tennessee driving record, you see more than just points. The record lists every violation, the date it occurred, the fine amount, and whether you paid it. It shows any suspensions, revocations, or restrictions currently in effect. It displays your license class (like Class D for regular passenger vehicles) and any endorsements you hold.
Your record also shows if you have an SR22 filing on file — a certificate of financial responsibility required after certain violations like DUI or driving without insurance. If you have an SR22, it appears on your record and tells insurance companies you are a high-risk driver. The record shows the filing date and expiration date.
Insurance companies and employers can request your driving record with your permission. Some employers, especially those hiring drivers, check records as part of hiring. Insurance companies always check before quoting rates — violations and points directly affect your premiums.
Steps to take if you see errors on your record
If your record shows a violation you did not commit or a point total that seems wrong, you can dispute it. First, gather any documentation you have — court records, payment receipts, or correspondence about the violation. Then contact the TDSH in writing with your driver license number, the violation in question, and why you believe it is incorrect.
Mail your dispute to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, Driver License Division, 1150 Foster Avenue, Nashville, TN 37249. Include copies of your supporting documents. The TDSH will investigate and respond within 30 days. If the error is confirmed, they will correct your record and issue you a new driving record printout.
If a violation was dismissed in court, make sure the court sent the dismissal to the TDSH. Courts do not always report dismissals automatically. You may need to contact the court clerk and ask them to send an official dismissal notice to the TDSH. Once the TDSH receives it, they will remove the violation and recalculate your points.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to check my points online?
The TDSH online system is when ready. Once you log in with your driver license number, date of birth, and Social Security information, your current point total and violation history appear when ready. If you call or visit in person, you get the information the same day.
Do points from out-of-state violations count toward Tennessee suspension?
Yes. Tennessee counts violations from other states through the Interstate Compact agreement. If you get a ticket in another state, that violation and its points transfer to your Tennessee record. The point value may differ from what the other state assigned, but Tennessee will add it to your total.
Can I get points removed before three years?
Only through a defensive driving course, which reduces 3 points once per 12 months. You cannot petition to have points removed early otherwise. Points age off automatically after three to five years depending on violation type, but they still count toward any suspension that occurred while they were active.
What if I was found not guilty in court?
If you were acquitted or the charges were dismissed, the violation should not appear on your record. However, courts do not always report dismissals to the TDSH automatically. Contact the court clerk and ask them to send an official dismissal notice to the TDSH. Once received, the TDSH will remove the violation and recalculate your points.
Does paying a fine remove points from my license?
No. Paying the fine resolves the ticket with the court, but the violation and points remain on your driving record. The only ways to reduce points are to wait for them to age off (three to five years) or to complete a defensive driving course (reduces 3 points once per 12 months).