Is Reckless Driving a Felony in Tennessee? What to Know

Updated October 2026 · Reviewed by Billy Forte

If you are asking is reckless driving a felony in tennessee, the answer is no: TCA 55-10-205 makes reckless driving a Class B misdemeanor. A related offense, aggravated reckless driving, is a Class A misdemeanor, which is still not a felony. Felonies can come only from separate crimes, such as reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon or vehicular homicide.

Key Facts

Reckless driving: a Class B misdemeanor for every violation, with no injury or first-offense tiers. See the short answer.
Aggravated reckless driving: reckless driving plus intentionally or knowingly impeding traffic, a Class A misdemeanor. See aggravated reckless driving.
Felonies are separate crimes: reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon and vehicular homicide by reckless conduct. See separate felonies.
Maximum penalties: set by offense class in TCA 40-35-111. See offense classes.
Points: reckless driving is 6 points in a car, and reckless endangerment by vehicle is 8. See points.

Is Reckless Driving a Felony in Tennessee? The Short Answer

No. Subsection (d)(1) of TCA 55-10-205 says: “A violation of this section is a Class B misdemeanor.” That is the whole class rule for the offense.

The statute has no first-offense tier and no injury tier. It does not move up a class for a second offense. It does not become a felony if someone is hurt.

The law adds one fixed item. Under subsection (d)(2), “the court shall assess a fine of fifty dollars ($50.00)” on top of the Class B penalty. Court costs are set by each court.

The case goes to the court named on the citation. With that court’s approval, a person may pay the fine and costs to the clerk instead of appearing (TCA 55-10-207(f)). If a person neither pays nor appears, the court may issue an arrest warrant or a forfeiture judgment (TCA 55-10-207(g)).

Reckless driving itself means driving “in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.” Our guide to what reckless driving is covers the full definition.

Tennessee Offense Classes and Their Limits

Tennessee sorts crimes into classes. TCA 40-35-111 sets the maximum penalty for each class. These are the classes that matter for reckless charges:

Class B misdemeanor: up to 6 months in jail, up to a $500 fine, or both.
Class A misdemeanor: up to 11 months 29 days in jail, up to a $2,500 fine, or both.
Class E felony: 1 to 6 years, and a fine of up to $3,000 may be assessed.

These are maximums. A court sets the sentence in each case, within the law.

The classes show why the answer is no. Reckless driving sits two levels below the lowest felony class named here. For how fines and court costs fit together, see our guide to what affects a ticket’s cost.

Where Reckless Driving Sits Among Traffic Charges

It helps to see reckless driving next to other driving charges. Each one has a class set by statute:

Class C misdemeanor: speeding by default (TCA 55-10-301(a)) and careless driving (TCA 55-8-136).
Class B misdemeanor: reckless driving (TCA 55-10-205).
Class A misdemeanor: aggravated reckless driving (TCA 55-10-209).
Felony classes: only separate crimes, such as the two covered below.

A Class C misdemeanor carries up to 30 days in jail, up to a $50 fine, or both. Speeding and careless driving are still crimes, even at the lowest class.

Reckless driving is one step above them. The aggravated form is one more step up, and it stays a misdemeanor. Our side-by-side guide to reckless driving vs a speeding ticket puts the two charges next to each other.

Aggravated Reckless Driving in Tennessee

Aggravated reckless driving is a separate offense in TCA 55-10-209. It took effect July 1, 2022. A person commits it by doing both of these:

First: committing reckless driving as defined in TCA 55-10-205.
Second: intentionally or knowingly impeding traffic. The law lists public streets, highways, alleys, parking lots, driveways and premises generally frequented by the public.

Subsection (b)(1) makes it a Class A misdemeanor. Subsection (b)(2) says the court may assess a fine of $2,500.

The extra element is impeding traffic. It is not injury, damage or a high speed.

So the word “aggravated” can mislead. It raises the charge by one misdemeanor class. It does not make the offense a felony.

Separate Crimes That Can Be Felonies

A driving case can involve other charges outside the traffic code. Two of them can be felonies under Tennessee law.

Reckless Endangerment (TCA 39-13-103)

This offense covers a person who “recklessly engages in conduct that places or may place another person” in imminent danger of death or serious bodily injury. The statute sets two levels:

Reckless endangerment: a Class A misdemeanor.
Reckless endangerment committed with a deadly weapon: a Class E felony.

The TDOSHS Schedule of Points Values lists “Reckless endangerment by vehicle (misdemeanor)” at 8 points.

Vehicular Homicide (TCA 39-13-213)

Vehicular homicide is “the reckless killing of another by the operation of an automobile.” One form is a death caused by conduct “creating a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury to a person.”

Vehicular homicide under subdivision (a)(1) or (a)(3) is a Class C felony.

Here is how the reckless-related charges compare:

Charge	Statute	Offense class
Reckless driving	TCA 55-10-205	Class B misdemeanor
Aggravated reckless driving	TCA 55-10-209	Class A misdemeanor
Reckless endangerment	TCA 39-13-103	Class A misdemeanor
Reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon	TCA 39-13-103	Class E felony
Vehicular homicide by reckless conduct	TCA 39-13-213	Class C felony

Which statute applies is a charging question for each case. The citation or charging papers name the law.

Five steps to tell a misdemeanor reckless charge from a separate felony charge in Tennessee

Points for Reckless Offenses

Points come from the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security (TDOSHS), not from the criminal statutes. The TDOSHS Schedule of Points Values lists these values:

Reckless driving, passenger car: 6 points.
Reckless driving, commercial vehicle: 7 points.
Reckless endangerment by vehicle (misdemeanor): 8 points.
Contributing to a crash resulting in another’s death: 8 points.

TDOSHS acts as points build. Per its Points Accumulation page, adults with 12 or more points in any 12 months get a notice of proposed suspension and a chance at a hearing. Drivers under 18 reach that step at 6 points.

So two reckless driving convictions in a car total 12 points. One reckless endangerment by vehicle conviction (8) plus a 6-15 mph speeding ticket (3) totals 11.

Points on the TDOSHS Schedule for reckless driving and related offenses

Effects on Your License and Record

A reckless driving conviction still counts on your driving record. Under TCA 55-50-102(16), “the payment of a fine or court cost” counts as a conviction. Paying a reckless driving ticket is a conviction for record purposes.

Commercial drivers face a federal rule. 49 CFR 383.51 lists reckless driving as a serious traffic violation. Two serious violations in 3 years bring a 60-day disqualification, and three bring 120 days.

For an offense in a personal vehicle, that federal rule applies only if the conviction leads to a license suspension, revocation or cancellation. Our guide to reckless driving penalties covers more of what a court can order.

Where Driver Courses Fit

A course does not change the class of any charge. The speeding point-removal law, TCA 55-8-207, covers speeding convictions only.

It removes up to 5 points for one speeding conviction when a department-approved course is finished within 90 days of the conviction. It works once in a four-year period, and the conviction stays.

A court may order a course in a reckless driving case under TCA 55-10-301(b)(1). It can be “in addition to or in lieu of any portion of other penalty imposed,” as the court decides. No Tennessee law says a course dismisses a ticket.

The TDOSHS Court Ordered Traffic Schools page asks drivers to confirm that the court will accept an online course before registering. The court course option does not apply to Class A, B or C license holders or to anyone driving a commercial motor vehicle.

What We Found on the Official Pages

On the official pages we checked on October 27, 2026, no source made reckless driving itself a felony. Three details stood out.

First, the TDOSHS Schedule, last updated August 12, 2025, labels the 8-point line “Reckless endangerment by vehicle (misdemeanor).” The label itself shows that line is for the misdemeanor form.

Second, the class rule in TCA 55-10-205(d)(1) has no exceptions. It applies to every violation of the section.

Third, the Remove Speeding Points page applies its course rule to a speeding conviction only.

Common Mistakes About Felony Reckless Driving

Each point below is checked against a Tennessee statute or official page:

Thinking injury makes reckless driving a felony. TCA 55-10-205 has no injury tier.
Thinking a second offense raises the class. The statute has no repeat-offense tier.
Reading “aggravated” as a felony. Aggravated reckless driving is a Class A misdemeanor.
Linking the aggravated offense to injury. Its extra element is impeding traffic.
Mixing up separate crimes. Reckless endangerment and vehicular homicide are in Title 39, not the motor vehicle title.
Missing the $50 fine. The court must add it to any reckless driving penalty.

Charges and sentencing depend on the facts of each case. For your own case, a Tennessee attorney or the clerk of the court on your citation is the right contact. General court information is on the Tennessee State Courts site.

How Requirements Can Vary

Tennessee point values, the Driver Improvement Program and the speeding point-removal rule come from state law and TDOSHS rules (TCA 55-50-505, TCA 55-8-207 and Rule 1340-01-04) and apply statewide. Whether a court orders a course for your ticket, which course it orders, and how your case is handled are up to the court on your ticket or the TDOSHS letter you received. Fines and court costs depend on the court and the charge.

Laws, rules and court practice can change. Check your ticket, any court order or TDOSHS letter, the TDOSHS website and the Tennessee Code before you enroll or pay.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is reckless driving a felony in Tennessee?

No. Reckless driving is a Class B misdemeanor under TCA 55-10-205. It carries up to 6 months in jail, up to a $500 fine, or both, plus a $50 fine the court must add.

What is aggravated reckless driving in Tennessee?

TCA 55-10-209 defines it as reckless driving combined with intentionally or knowingly impeding traffic. The class is a Class A misdemeanor, which is not a felony, and a $2,500 fine is possible.

Does reckless driving become a felony if someone is hurt?

The reckless driving statute has no injury tier. Separate crimes, such as reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon or vehicular homicide, can be felonies.

Is a second reckless driving charge a felony?

No. TCA 55-10-205 has no repeat-offense tier. Every violation is a Class B misdemeanor.

Is reckless endangerment a felony in Tennessee?

Reckless endangerment is a Class A misdemeanor. Reckless endangerment committed with a deadly weapon is a Class E felony (TCA 39-13-103).

Can reckless conduct behind the wheel lead to a felony charge?

Yes, under separate laws. Vehicular homicide by reckless conduct is a Class C felony under TCA 39-13-213. It is a different crime from reckless driving.

Does paying a reckless driving ticket avoid a conviction?

No. Under TCA 55-50-102(16), “the payment of a fine or court cost” counts as a conviction. TDOSHS then adds the points for that conviction.

How many points is reckless driving?

Reckless driving is 6 points in a car and 7 in a commercial vehicle. Reckless endangerment by vehicle (misdemeanor) is 8 points.

Conclusion

Reckless driving in Tennessee is a Class B misdemeanor, and aggravated reckless driving is a Class A misdemeanor, so neither one is a felony. Felonies come from separate crimes, such as reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon or vehicular homicide.

A driver education course fits only two cases here: a court order, or a separate speeding conviction under TCA 55-8-207. Ask the court whether an online course is accepted, or check the TDOSHS 4-hour list, before you take the Tennessee Driver Education Course online.

Sources

Billy Forte is the owner of Driving Logic, an online driver education course provider serving Tennessee and other U.S. states.

This article is general information, not legal advice. Tennessee course rules, point values, fines and penalties depend on your ticket, court, TDOSHS notice and case facts, and they can change. Use official TDOSHS, Tennessee Code and court sources, and consult a qualified Tennessee attorney for advice about your own case.