Is Reckless Driving a Felony in Tennessee? What to Know

Updated June 2026 · Reviewed by Billy Forte

No, reckless driving is usually not a felony in Tennessee: it is generally a Class B misdemeanor under Tennessee law. Under Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-10-205, the offense means driving with willful or wanton disregard for the safety of people or property. A reckless driving charge can still carry jail time, fines, court costs, and 6 demerit points on your Tennessee record through the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security.

This article covers Tennessee requirements only.

Key Facts

Reckless-driving standard: Tennessee law focuses on willful or wanton disregard for safety.
Felony question: Reckless driving is not automatically a felony; facts like injury, death, or related charges can change risk.
Criminal risk: Reckless driving can be treated differently from a standard speeding ticket.
Course role: A driver education course may help only if the court accepts or orders it.
No guarantee: The course does not erase charges, convictions, points, or court requirements.

Tennessee speeding ticket and traffic court paperwork

The short answer is simple: standard reckless driving in Tennessee is not a felony. In most cases, it is charged as a Class B misdemeanor. That matters because a misdemeanor is a criminal offense, while a basic traffic infraction is usually less serious.

For many drivers, that distinction gets missed. A Tennessee traffic ticket for reckless driving may look like just another citation, but the charge can create a criminal record if you are convicted. So even though it is not a felony, it is still much more serious than an ordinary speeding ticket.

Tennessee courts may also see reckless driving filed under a local ordinance in some places. Even then, the conduct is still not treated as a felony offense. The bigger point is this: not a felony does not mean minor.

Why does that matter to you?

A misdemeanor can show up on background checks
Insurance companies may treat it as a major violation
The conviction can add 6 points to your record
CDL holders may face job-related problems

So if you are asking, is reckless driving a felony in Tennessee, the accurate answer is no in the normal case. But you should also know that related facts, like injury, death, or other charges, can make the situation far worse.

Tennessee law defines reckless driving in TCA § 55-10-205. The statute says a person commits reckless driving by driving “in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.”

Those words matter. The state is not saying you made a small mistake. It is saying your driving showed a serious disregard for safety. That is why reckless driving is a criminal misdemeanor and not just a routine ticket.

In plain terms, prosecutors often look for conduct such as:

Very high speed
Racing or aggressive lane changes
Tailgating in a dangerous way
Ignoring traffic conditions or clear hazards
Driving in a way that puts people or property at obvious risk

The law does not require one exact speed number in every case. A driver can get a speeding ticket for going over the limit, but reckless driving usually requires more than simple speed alone. The state tries to show the driving was dangerous enough to be willful or wanton.

If you want the official source, check the Tennessee General Assembly’s code site or a current Tennessee Code Annotated source. Court process details are also available through the Tennessee court system.

A basic reckless driving charge is still a misdemeanor, but the facts can make the case much more serious. If someone suffers major harm, Tennessee law may allow a higher level charge or a different offense altogether.

In general:

No injury, first offense: usually a Class B misdemeanor
Serious bodily injury: may be treated more harshly and can lead to a Class A misdemeanor in related charging situations
Death: prosecutors may pursue separate offenses, such as vehicular homicide, depending on the facts

You may also hear the phrase aggravated reckless driving Tennessee in public discussion. That phrase usually refers to more dangerous conduct or a case with severe endangerment, injury, or other bad facts. In practice, prosecutors often look at the full event, not just the ticket label.

Other factors can raise the stakes too:

DUI allegations
Street racing
Very excessive speed
A crash with injuries
A commercial driver’s license

If you hold a CDL, even a misdemeanor reckless driving conviction can put your work at risk. And if a crash caused serious injury or death, the case may move far beyond a normal Tennessee traffic ticket. That is why many drivers speak with a traffic attorney when the facts are severe.

A reckless driving conviction in Tennessee can bring both direct penalties and long-term costs. For a Class B misdemeanor, the court can impose up to 6 months in jail and a fine of up to $500, plus court costs.

That is only the start. A conviction also brings 6 demerit points on your driving record. The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, often called TDOSHS, can take action if you build up too many points. In many cases, 12 points in 12 months can trigger a suspension review.

Other possible costs include:

Higher insurance rates
Time spent in court
Probation conditions
Driver improvement or safety course requirements
Lost work time

Some courts may allow or order a Tennessee defensive driving course. On Driving Logic, Tennessee drivers often look for two common course lengths:

4-hour course: often used when a court orders ticket diversion or a traffic class
8-hour TDOSHS-approved course: often used when a driver is near suspension or needs a state-approved improvement course

But court rules vary. A course does not automatically dismiss a ticket or remove points. Whether a class helps depends on your court, your judge, and your case. And if you plan to take an online course, confirm with your specific court first before you enroll.

To convict you of reckless driving, the state must prove more than bad luck or a simple mistake. Prosecutors usually need to show two main things: you were driving a motor vehicle, and you acted with willful or wanton disregard for safety.

That second part is the hard part. It means the state tries to show your conduct was plainly dangerous. Common proof may include:

The officer’s observations
Dash cam or body cam footage
Witness statements
Crash reports
Speed evidence
Road, weather, and traffic conditions

For example, going far above the limit while weaving through traffic may be used to support reckless driving. So may racing, passing in a clearly unsafe place, or ignoring an obvious hazard.

A prosecutor does not always need a crash to make the case. The claim is often that your driving itself created the danger. On the other hand, a plain speeding ticket does not always equal reckless driving. The state still has to prove the stronger mental state required by the statute.

That is one reason these cases are more serious than many drivers first think. The charge depends on how the facts are described, what the officer saw, and whether the proof supports that willful or wanton standard.

Some reckless driving cases are weaker than they first appear. A common defense is that the facts do not rise to willful or wanton disregard. In other words, the driving may have been careless, but not criminally reckless.

Other issues may include:

Poor or incomplete officer observations
Unclear speed evidence
Road hazards or emergency conditions
Witness statements that conflict
Facts that fit a lesser traffic offense better than reckless driving

An emergency can matter too. If you swerved to avoid a sudden crash, an animal, or debris, that may change how the conduct is viewed. Still, the court will look closely at the facts.

Just as important are the mistakes drivers make after the charge. Common ones include:

Treating it like a normal speeding ticket
Paying the citation without understanding the criminal effect
Missing a court date
Talking too much and making harmful admissions
Ignoring the Clerk of Court instructions

If your citation requires court, appear as ordered. If you are unsure what the charge means, check the court listed on the ticket through the Tennessee court system and consider speaking with a traffic attorney. Do not assume a standard online class will be accepted unless your court says so.

A reckless driving conviction can affect much more than one court date. Because it is usually a misdemeanor, it may create a criminal record. That can matter when an employer, landlord, or licensing board runs a background check.

Your driving record is affected too. Tennessee assigns 6 points for reckless driving, and those points can stay on your record for about two years. If your total gets too high, TDOSHS may require action or review your license status.

Insurance is another major issue. Many carriers treat reckless driving as a serious violation. That can mean:

Higher premiums
Fewer policy options
Non-renewal in some cases

If you drive for work, the problem can be even bigger. A CDL holder may face disqualification risk or job loss, even though the charge is not a felony.

In some cases, a court or TDOSHS may require a driver improvement class. If you need a state-approved or court-ordered option, Driving Logic offers Tennessee courses built for busy schedules and mobile devices. Before you sign up, confirm with your court that online completion is accepted and ask whether you need the 4-hour or 8-hour course.

You can review course options at Driving Logic’s Tennessee defensive driving course.

For advice about your case, facts, or possible defenses, talk to a licensed Tennessee attorney.*

FAQ

Can a Tennessee driver education course dismiss my ticket?

Only if your court allows that result. Tennessee courts and local instructions control whether a course affects a ticket, points, or court requirement.

Can I take the course online?

Maybe. Some Tennessee courts accept online courses, while others may require a specific format, so confirm with the court before enrolling.

Does the course remove points from my record?

Do not assume it removes points automatically. Any point or ticket benefit depends on the court, TDOSHS rules, and the facts of your case.

What should I check before enrolling?

Check your ticket, court notice, clerk instructions, deadline, and whether online completion is accepted. Then choose a course that matches those requirements.

Conclusion

Reckless driving in Tennessee is generally a Class B misdemeanor, but related conduct that causes injury can be charged more seriously. Read your court paperwork to see exactly what you face rather than assuming the worst or the best. Because these are criminal charges, consider speaking with a Tennessee attorney.

Take the Tennessee driver education course online with Driving Logic when you are ready to begin.

Sources

Billy Forte is the owner of Driving Logic, a state-approved driver improvement course provider serving Tennessee and other U.S. states. Driving Logic offers online driver education, defensive driving, and traffic school courses for drivers handling court, ticket, insurance, and state requirements.

This article is general information, not legal advice. Tennessee court rules, TDOSHS requirements, deadlines, insurance decisions, and case facts can differ. Use official Tennessee court and state sources for current requirements, and consult a qualified Tennessee attorney for legal guidance specific to your situation.