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Tennessee Traffic Fines


Tennessee Traffic Law

Tennessee Traffic Fines detailed laws concerning the operation of vehicles and other rules of the road.  Most Tennessee Traffic Fines fall under a Class C misdemeanor, but some violations do stand as Class B and Class C violations.  

Criminal Penalty

The fines vary according to the degree of misdemeanor.  In Tennessee, the following penalties are associated with different misdemeanors:

Class A TN Traffic Fines

Up to 11 and a half months of incarceration and fine of $1,500

Class B in TN Traffic Fines

Up to six months of incarceration and fine of $500
Class C in TN Traffic Fines

Up to 30 days in jail and fine of $50

Tennessee Point System

Tennessee traffic fines come with different degrees of points.  If you acquire 12 points in any one-year period, you may lose you license.  The following lists of violations are mostly Class C violations and come with distinct point values:

1) Speeding- 1 to 5 over equals 1 point; 6 to 15 over equals 3 points; 16 to 25 over equals 4 points; 26 to 35 over equals 5 points; 36 to 45 over equals 6 points, 46 or over equals 8 points. Point increase if speeding in construction zone. 

2) Operating without license- if your license is suspended, you will receive at least 8 points and the crime is a Class B Misdemeanor 

3) Operating special vehicle without require license- 8 points regardless if your license is suspended or not

4) Driving While Impaired- up to 8 points

5) Reckless endangerment- at least 8 points

6) Passing school bus taking or letting off passenger- at least 6 points

7) Fleeing Law Enforcement- at least 6 points 

8) Leaving Scene of Accident with property damage only- up to 5 points

9) Failure to Obey Traffic Signs or Control Devices- up to 4 points

10) Improper Passing and Passing where Prohibited- up to 4 points

11) Driving the wrong way or on wrong side of the road- up to 4 points

12) Failure of Right of Way- up to 4 points

13) Careless of Negligent Driving- up to 4 points

14) Violation of Bumper Law- up to 4 points

15) Following Improperly- up to 3 points

16) Making Improper Turn- up to 3 points

17) Driving Under Posted Minimum Speed- up to 3 points

18) Failure to Maintain Change of Vehicle Direction- up to 2 points

19) Failure to Maintain Control- up to 3 points

20) Unlawfully Following Emergency Vehicles- at least 2 points

21) Failure to Report Accident- at least 4 points

22) Contributing to an Accident Causing Death- at least 8 points

23) Contributing to an Accident Causing Injury- at least 4 points

The Tennessee traffic fines listed above are not a complete list of all traffic violations within the state.  If you want a complete and detailed list of all Tennessee traffic fines, you should visit the state’s official judiciary website and official DMV website.  

Additionally, you always have the right to appeal a traffic fine in the state of Tennessee.  There are usually costs associated to court costs, but you may be able to reduce the number of points on your license.  

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