What Is Tennessee's Driving Record Point System?
Tennessee uses a point system to track traffic violations on your driving record. Points are added when you are convicted of a moving violation. Accumulating too many points within a 12-month period can result in a proposed license suspension. The 4-hour Driver Education Course can remove up to 5 points from your record for a qualifying speeding conviction.
How Points Are Assigned for Speeding
Speed Over Posted Limit | Points Added |
1–5 mph over | 1 point |
6–15 mph over | 3 points |
16–25 mph over | 4 points |
46+ mph over | 8 points |
Points for other violations vary. Speeding is one of the most common sources of point accumulation.
What Happens as Points Accumulate
The Tennessee DSHS Driver Improvement Section monitors driver records. When a driver accumulates 12 or more points within any 12-month period, the DSHS may:
Send a notice of proposed suspension
Offer the driver an opportunity to attend an administrative hearing
If the driver does not request a hearing, driving privileges may be suspended for 6 to 12 months. At a hearing, the driver may be offered the option to complete a driver improvement course instead of, or to reduce, the suspension period.
How the Driver Education Course Helps With Points
The 4-hour Driver Education Course can remove up to 5 points from your Tennessee driving record for a qualifying speeding conviction. This benefit:
Requires a DSHS eligibility letter (the DSHS contacts you — you cannot self-apply)
Applies only to speeding convictions
Must be used within 90 days of the conviction date
Is available only once every 4 years
Only the points are removed — the conviction itself stays on your record.
Points vs. Ticket Dismissal
These are two different outcomes from two different processes:
Ticket dismissal — the violation is not entered as a conviction at all; no points are ever added. Requires court permission before enrolling.
Point reduction — points are removed from a conviction already on your record. Requires a DSHS eligibility letter.
Completing the course can accomplish one of these depending on your situation. It cannot do both for the same violation.
Quick Facts
Detail | Information |
Points trigger for suspension risk | 12 or more points in any 12-month period |
Suspension length (if not contested) | 6 to 12 months |
Points removed by 4-hour course | Up to 5 (for qualifying speeding conviction) |
DSHS letter required | Yes — you cannot self-apply for point reduction |
Conviction removed | No — only points are removed |
Frequency | Once every 4 years |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find out how many points are currently on my record? Request a copy of your Tennessee driving record from the DSHS through TN e-Services or by mail.
Can I take the course to remove points before I receive a DSHS letter? No. You must receive the DSHS eligibility letter before you can use the course for point reduction. You may take the course voluntarily for an insurance discount without the letter, but that does not remove points.
Does the Driver Education Course help if I am close to the 12-point threshold? If you have received a DSHS eligibility letter for a qualifying speeding conviction, completing the course and submitting your certificate can remove up to 5 points — which may bring you back under the suspension threshold. Contact the DSHS directly if you are concerned about your record status.
What happens to points after 12 months? Tennessee's 12-point threshold is calculated within any rolling 12-month period. Points from older convictions eventually fall outside that window, but the convictions themselves remain on your record.