Where to check your Tennessee driver license points
Tennessee tracks driver violation points through the Department of Safety and Homeland Security (DSHS). You can check your point balance three ways: online through the DSHS website, by phone, or in person at a Driver Services office.
The online method is fastest. Go to the DSHS Driver Services website, select "Check Your Driving Record," and enter your driver license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The system shows your current point total when ready.
If you prefer to call, contact the DSHS Driver Services line at 615-251-8590. Have your license number and date of birth ready. You can also visit any Driver Services office in person with your license and ask a staff member to print your record.
Key Takeaways
- Tennessee adds points to your license for traffic violations, and points stay on your record for different lengths of time depending on the violation type.
- You can check your current points online at the DSHS website, by phone at 615-251-8590, or at any Driver Services office.
- Accumulating 12 points in 12 months results in a 30-day license suspension; 18 points in 36 months results in a 60-day suspension.
- Points for minor violations drop off after three years; points for serious violations may stay longer.
How Tennessee's point system works
Every traffic violation in Tennessee carries a point value. A speeding ticket might be 3 points, a reckless driving charge might be 6 points, and a DUI is 12 points. The state adds these points to your record the moment the violation is recorded, not when you pay the fine or appear in court.
Points do not disappear when ready. Most violations stay on your record for three years from the violation date. Some serious violations, like DUI or driving with a suspended license, may remain longer. You can see the exact point value and retention period for each violation on your driving record.
Tennessee does not offer a way to remove points early through defensive driving courses or other programs. Points straightforward age off your record after the retention period ends.
What happens when you accumulate too many points
Reaching 12 points within a 12-month period triggers a mandatory 30-day license suspension. Reaching 18 points within a 36-month period triggers a 60-day suspension. These suspensions are automatic—you do not have to be convicted in court or receive a separate notice to lose your license.
When you hit the threshold, DSHS mails you a suspension notice. The notice tells you when the suspension begins and ends. You cannot drive during the suspension period, and driving with a suspended license is itself a violation that adds points and can result in criminal charges.
After your suspension ends, your license is reinstated automatically. You do not need to reapply or pay a reinstatement fee in Tennessee.
Understanding your driving record printout
When you request your driving record—whether online, by phone, or in person—you receive a list of violations, the date each occurred, the point value, and the date the points will drop off. The record also shows your current total and any active suspensions.
Your record includes only violations reported to DSHS. Parking tickets, toll violations, and some local ordinance violations do not appear. Only moving violations and criminal traffic charges add points to your license.
If you see a violation on your record that you believe is wrong, you can dispute it through DSHS. Contact the Driver Services office that issued your record and ask about the dispute process. You will need documentation showing the violation was dismissed, reduced, or incorrectly recorded.
Checking your record before it affects your license
Checking your points regularly helps you understand how close you are to suspension. If you have received multiple tickets in the past year, your point total may be higher than you realize. Knowing this in advance gives you time to plan for a possible suspension or to explore whether any violations can be dismissed or reduced through the court.
Some people check their record after receiving a ticket but before paying it, because paying a ticket usually means the violation is recorded and points are added. In Tennessee, you can sometimes contest a ticket in traffic court or negotiate a reduction to a lesser charge that carries fewer points. Checking your record first shows you how much room you have before suspension.
What to do if your license is suspended
If you reach the point threshold and receive a suspension notice, the suspension is effective on the date stated in the notice. You cannot drive during this period for any reason, including work or medical emergencies. Driving on a suspended license is a separate criminal offense.
After the suspension period ends, your license is automatically reinstated. You do not need to visit an office or submit paperwork. However, if you have other issues on your record—such as unpaid fines, child support obligations, or other suspensions—your license may not reinstate automatically. Contact DSHS to confirm your license is clear before driving.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to check my points online?
The online system shows your current points when ready after you log in and enter your information. You receive your driving record within seconds. If you call or visit in person, the wait time depends on how busy the office is, but most calls are answered within a few minutes.
Can I remove points from my license early?
Tennessee does not offer defensive driving courses, traffic school, or other programs to remove points early. Points drop off automatically after three years for most violations. Some serious violations remain longer. You cannot pay to have points removed.
What if I was found not guilty in court?
If a violation was dismissed or you were acquitted, the charge should not appear on your driving record. However, records sometimes take weeks to update after a court decision. If you see a dismissed violation on your record, contact the court and DSHS to request removal. Bring a copy of the court order showing the dismissal.
Do points from other states show up on my Tennessee license?
Yes. Tennessee participates in the Driver License Compact, which shares violation information between states. A speeding ticket you received in Georgia or Kentucky will appear on your Tennessee record and count toward your point total.
What happens if I get suspended twice in a short time?
Each suspension is separate. If you accumulate 12 points and serve a 30-day suspension, then accumulate 6 more points within the next 12 months, you reach 18 points in 36 months and face a 60-day suspension. The suspensions stack, and you serve them one after the other.