What are Tennessee Traffic Tickets?

Tennessee traffic tickets are official notices issued to motorists following a traffic violation. Tickets typically feature information regarding the offense as well as details of its severity and the consequent penalties. These violations include reckless driving, illegal u-turn, racing on a highway, improper passing, drinking & driving violations, and other acts as contained in Tennessee Code Title 55. Generally, these tickets are issued by law enforcement officials in Tennessee. However, the Tennessee Department of Safety is in charge of driving-related violations and records in the state. As such, issues concerning traffic tickets in the state may be resolved by contacting the department or law enforcement agency in the county.

Public records in Tennessee may also be accessible through third-party websites. These websites are a convenient alternative to official sources since they typically aggregate records from various geographical locations and enable remote access to them simultaneously. To search these sites, users are usually expected to provide:

• The name of the person involved in the record, unless said person is a juvenile
• The location or assumed location of the record or person involved. This includes information such as the city, county, or state that person resides in or was accused in.

Third-party sites are generally operated independent of government sources and agencies. Consequently, record availability, accuracy and validity on third-party sites may vary.

What Does a Traffic Citation Mean?

A traffic citation, often regarded as a ticket, is a legal document issued by a local law enforcement agent requesting an individual to appear in court due to traffic violations. While the terms ‘traffic ticket’ and ‘traffic citation’ are used interchangeably, they may have varying implications. While a traffic ticket typically gives an offender the opportunity to resolve the issue after payment, a citation may require the appearance of the offender in court. Traffic citations in Tennessee can come in different colors (pink, green or yellow). This will determine the type of traffic court that has been cited. Other features of a citation include:

• Name of the law enforcement agent that issued the ticket
• The date the ticket was issued
• The citation number
• The charges or violations
• When the offender is expected to appear in court

How Do I Pay a Traffic Ticket in Tennessee?

Offenders who are issued a traffic ticket may be required to pay the fines within the specified date indicated on the ticket. In Tennessee, the Municipal Courts and General Sessions Courts are in charge of hearing traffic violation cases. Therefore, offenders can contact local court clerks to pay their ticket fines in person or via mail. Some counties provide online platforms for easy payments. Failure to pay fines within the stipulated time may lead to stiffer punishments which can include driver’s license suspension. Note that payment of ticket fine automatically means admission of guilt. Therefore, making this decision may result in additional penalties, such as points being added to the motorist’s driving record. Contesting a citation in court is an alternative to paying ticket fines.

Can You Pay Tennessee Traffic Tickets Online?

Yes, Tennessee traffic tickets can be paid online. The online payment is provided by different counties in Tennessee. Motorists who have been issued a ticket may choose to pay online or contact the county court clerk to challenge the ticket. Some online third-party providers offer to resolve and respond to tickets of offenders. Information required to use these sites include

• The offender’s full name, location/state, and birth information
• The date and location of the offense
• The offender’s license information
• The citation number of the ticket or the DL number

How Do I Pay a Ticket Online in Tennessee?

Offenders can pay ticket fines online by visiting the county clerk webpage. Generally, each county in the state provides this service on its website. Knoxville County, for instance, offers a secure online payment system for offenders who are issued traffic tickets or citations. Tickets within the jurisdiction of the county can be resolved using any of the information below:

• Date of birth
• Citation number
• Drivers license number
• Social security number
• Vehicle tag number

Note that a $2.25 convenience fee may be added to the ticket fine when using the online option. Also, payments can be made using a master or visa card.

What is The Tennessee Traffic Ticketing System?

The traffic ticketing system in Tennessee is created by the Department of Safety and implemented by the various law enforcement agencies of the state. The system, known as the driver improvement program, is similar to the federal driving point system. It is used to determine the different fines for specific driving offenses. Also, the system helps law enforcement agencies to know the extent of crimes committed by the motorist and if it is sufficient to suspend the driver’s license.

According to the program, motorists above 18 years old who have accumulated 12 points within a year may be notified of proposed license suspension. Failure to request for a hearing may lead to suspension of license for six or twelve months. Motorists below 18 years who have accumulated six points on their record may also be notified of proposed license suspension as well. In Tennessee, points may be reduced when the offender requests and attends an administrative hearing. At the hearing, defendants get a chance to avoid license suspension by choosing to attend an approved defensive driving school in the state. Types of offenses and their point values are contained in the Schedule of Points Values provided by the Department of Safety.

How Do I Know If I Have a Traffic Ticket in Tennessee?

Generally, motorists in Tennessee who have been issued a ticket can expect to receive a letter of notification at their residence. However, residents who miss this mail may find out if they have unresolved traffic tickets by requesting for their driving record. The Tennessee driving record, also known as the moving violation report, can be gotten online, via mail, or by visiting a driver service center located in Tennessee.

Online access to an individual’s moving violation report costs $7. Requesters should have a printer connected to a computer to save the report which is typically available in pdf formats. The report may be accessible using details such as the driver’s name, birth date, and driver license number. Note that credit cards such as mastercard, visa, discover, and American express are accepted for this service. Requesters can also obtain the report via mail, which costs $5 but may take longer to process. To use the mail-in service, interested persons can send a request including details such as the driver’s name, birth date, and driver license number to:

Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security
MVR Request
P.O. Box 945
Nashville, TN 37202

Acceptable modes of payment for this service are cashier check and money order payable to ‘Tennessee Dept. of Safety & Homeland.’ Interested persons may also use online case citation search tools to view any unresolved traffic ticket.

How Can I Find a Lost Traffic Ticket in Tennessee?

Residents in Tennessee may find lost traffic tickets and citations by contacting the clerk of the traffic court located in the county where the ticket was issued. Information such as the ticket citation number, fine, and deadline is usually required to facilitate ticket search. As such, offenders are advised to take note of the citation number, place of the ticket, the name of the issuing officer, and the violation for which they were charged.

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

In Tennessee, a traffic ticket can remain on an offender’s driving history for 12 months to five years, depending on the nature and severity of the offense committed. Generally, speeding tickets in Tennessee can stay on record for up to one year while other grievous crimes may stay for five years.

Is a Summons Worse Than a Ticket in Tennessee?

A court summons is an order given to a traffic offender to appear at a general sessions court or municipal court. On the other hand, tickets can be settled through payments made in person, via mail, or online. In Tennessee, court summons may be issued for severe traffic violations while tickets are given to offenders who commit less serious traffic crimes.