The Tennessee Driver Education Course can remove up to 5 points from your Tennessee driving record for a qualifying speeding conviction if you have a letter from the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security. Only points are removed; the conviction remains on your record.
If you have received a speeding conviction in Tennessee, you may be eligible to reduce points on your driving record by completing the Tennessee Driver Education Course. The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security determines eligibility and the number of points removed. Understanding how point reduction works can help you avoid license suspension and maintain a clean driving history.
How Point Reduction Works in Tennessee
Tennessee uses a point system to track traffic violations. When you are convicted of a traffic offense, points are added to your driving record. Accumulating 12 or more points within any 12-month period may result in a proposed license suspension of 6 to 12 months from the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security (DSHS). Completing the Tennessee Driver Education Course allows you to remove points from a qualifying speeding conviction, but you must have a DSHS eligibility letter. For more details on point rules and eligibility, visit the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security’s traffic school page.
Eligibility Requirements for Point Reduction
To use the Tennessee Driver Education Course for point reduction, you must:
- Have received a letter from the Tennessee DSHS stating your eligibility.
- Have a qualifying speeding conviction.
- Complete the course and submit your certificate within 90 days of your conviction date.
- Use this benefit only once every 4 years.
Only points from the qualifying speeding conviction are removed. The conviction itself remains on your record.
Points Assigned for Speeding Violations
Speeding violations add different points to your record based on how much you exceeded the posted speed limit:
| 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 are assigned by the Tennessee DSHS Driver Improvement Section.
Ticket Dismissal vs. Point Reduction
Ticket dismissal is separate from point reduction. If a court allows you to take the course for ticket dismissal, the entire violation may be kept off your record. For point reduction, only the points from a qualifying speeding conviction are removed, not the conviction itself. Contact your court for details about ticket dismissal for your specific case.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Points removed | Up to 5 (for qualifying speeding conviction) |
| DSHS letter required | Yes |
| 90-day deadline | From conviction date |
| Frequency | Once every 4 years |
| Conviction removed | No — only the points are removed |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Tennessee Driver Education Course remove points for violations besides speeding?
No. The point reduction program applies only to qualifying speeding convictions for which you have received a DSHS eligibility letter.
Can I take the Tennessee Driver Education Course to remove points without a DSHS letter?
No. You must have a DSHS letter to use the course for point reduction. You may take the course voluntarily for an insurance discount, but this will not remove points.
How do I know how many points are on my Tennessee driving record?
You can check your current point total by requesting your driving record from the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security.
How often can I use the Tennessee Driver Education Course for point reduction?
You can use the course for point reduction once every 4 years, provided you meet all eligibility requirements.
Are points removed right after Tennessee Driver Education Course completion?
Points are removed after you complete the course and submit your certificate to the DSHS, but processing times may vary.
Will my conviction be removed if I complete the Tennessee Driver Education Course?
No. Only the points from the qualifying speeding conviction are removed. The conviction itself remains on your record.
What happens if I miss the Tennessee Driver Education Course 90-day deadline?
If you do not complete the course and submit your certificate within 90 days of your conviction date, you will not be eligible for point reduction for that conviction.