Driver Improvement (Points Accumulation)

Driver Improvement was established to monitor and evaluate adult and juvenile driver records based on point values assigned to accidents and/or convictions for moving traffic violations. A driver may be required to attend an 8-hour Defensive Driving School and/or have their driving privileges suspended when they have exceeded the number of points allowed.

Approved 8-Hour Schools for Driver Improvement Referrals

8-Hour TDOSHS-Approved Defensive Driving Courses for Driver Improvement Referrals

Live-stream classes are now approved for the 8-hour defensive driving course. Email certificates to Driver.improvement@tn.gov.

Email: Driver.Improvement@tn.gov

Mail To:
Driver Improvement Section
P.O. Box 25290 
Nashville, TN 37202-5290

Name of School Area Serviced Contact Number Live Stream
$35 Drive Rite Driver Improvement
www.driverite.net		 Knoxville (865) 691-1813 No
$45 Fast Traffic School
www.fastforwardtrafficschool.com/		 Lebanon, Murfreesboro (615) 589-3279 Yes
A Better Choice Driving School Oak Ridge, Anderson County, East TN (865) 440-5358 No
A+ Defensive Driving School
www.drivingschooltn.com/		 Johnson City, Jonesborough, Knoxville, Lenoir City, Madisonville, Maryville, Sevierville, Kingston (865) 335-5286 Yes
ABC Traffic School
www.abctrafficschool.net/		 Chattanooga, Franklin, Murfreesboro, Nashville (615) 948-2750 Yes
Access Granted Traffic School
www.accessgrantedtrafficschool.com/		 Chattanooga, Nashville, Memphis (423) 602-8687 Yes
Advanced Driving School
www.maxwelldriving.com/		 Memphis (901) 755-6777 Yes
All American Driver Improvement
To Help People Drive Safely
www.allamericandriverimprovement.com/
 Clarksville, Jackson, Memphis, Nashville (615) 428-4826
 Yes
Anderson Co. Driver Training  Clinton  (865)  463-8038 No
Behind the Wheel Driving Academy
www.chattanoogadrivingschool.com		 Chattanooga (423) 521-6637 Yes
Caswell Group Driving School 
www.caswellgroupdrivingschool.com		 Memphis (901) 552- 5602 Yes
Correctional Counseling Institute/FTHRA Greeneville, Johnson City (423) 461-8200 No
Drivers Limited
www.driverslimited.biz/		 Knoxville, Church Hill, Morristown, Sevier County (865) 607-5902 No
The Driving Center
www.thedrivingcenter.org		 Oak Ridge (865) 482-6700 No
General Sessions Traffic Education Program Nashville (615) 862-8345 No
Go Driving Academy
www.godrivingacademy.com/		 Ashland City, Clarksville, Dickson, Dover, Erin, Nashville, Paris, Springfield, Waverly (931) 802-5467 Yes
The Justice Network Collierville, Memphis, Millington (901) 454-7880 No
Life Foundation, Inc. Kingsport (423) 578-2500
(800) 559-8510		 No
Smart Drive Academy LLC
www.thesmartdriveacademy.com/		 Collierville, Jackson, Nashville, Memphis, Millington,  Somerville (901) 800-1801 Yes
Southwest Tennessee Community College
www.southwest.tn.edu/ce		 Collierville, Memphis, Millington (901) 333-4207 No
Steer Clear Driver’s Ed, LLC
www.steercleardriversed.com		 Kingsport, TN, Bristol, TN, Johnson City, TN, Sullivan Co., Washington Co., Carter Co., Hawkins Co. (423) 922-8727 Yes
Tennessee Community Counseling Services, Inc.
www.tccschattanooga.com		 Hamilton and Bradley Counties (423) 296-6451 No
TN Driver Improvement Program
www.tndriverimprovement.com/		 Church Hill, Dandridge, Jefferson City, Knoxville, Kodak, Lewisburg, Morristown (865) 475-9834
(800) 773-0040		 Yes
TN Regional Safety Council
www.safetycounciltn.org/		 Cleveland, Cookeville, Jackson, Johnson City/Jonesborough, Murfreesboro, Nashville, Shelbyville, Springfield (615) 329-3271
(800) 845-9060		 Yes

Adult and Juvenile Points Systems

Adult Points System

Drivers who accumulate twelve (12) or more points on their driving record within any 12-month period are sent a notice of proposed suspension and given an opportunity to attend an administrative hearing. If they fail to request a hearing, their driving privileges are suspended for a period of six to 12 months. In most cases, when a driver requests a hearing, they are given the opportunity to attend a defensive driving class in lieu of suspension or a reduction of suspension time. This must be completed within ninety (90) days of receiving the letter of suspension and can only be completed once every five (5) years to receive credit. 

Juvenile Points System

Drivers less than eighteen (18) years of age who accumulate six (6) or more points on their driving record within any twelve (12) month period are sent a notice of proposed suspension from the Department of Safety and Homeland Security and are placed in the Driver Improvement Program. The driver will be required to attend an administrative hearing, with their parent or guardian present, to discuss the points assigned to their driving record. Certain actions could be imposed based on the outcome of the hearing and the number of points accumulated on the driver's record.

The following actions could be imposed based on the outcome of the hearing and the number of points accumulated on a juvenile driver's record:

Fewer than 6 Points

Driver is sent a warning letter from the Department of Safety and Homeland Security, with a copy sent to the driver's parent/guardian.  

6 - 9 Points

  • Driver is sent a notice of proposed suspension from the Department of Safety and Homeland Security and is placed in the Driver Improvement Program, with a copy sent to the driver's parent/guardian.
  • Driver will be required to attend an administrative hearing, with their parent or guardian present, to discuss the points assigned
    to their driving record.
  • Driving privileges may be suspended for 3 to 6 months.
  • Driver must attend and complete a Defensive Driving Course within 90 days.
  • Failure to attend the hearing by the driver and parent/guardian present will result in a mandatory 6-month suspension of the juvenile's driving privileges.
  • If a driver's license is suspended, all legal and departmental requirements for reinstatement, including proof of liability insurance, completion of a Defensive Driving Course and payment of reinstatement fees, must be met before driving privileges can be reinstated.

10 or More Points

  • Driver is sent a notice of proposed suspension from the Department of Safety and Homeland Security and is placed in the Driver Improvement Program, with a copy sent to the driver's parent/guardian.
  • Driver will be required to attend an administrative hearing, with their parent or guardian present, to discuss the points assigned to their driving record.
  • Driving privileges will be suspended for 6 months.
  • Failure to attend hearing by the driver and parent/guardian will result in a mandatory 6-month suspension of the juvenile's
    driving privileges and attendance at a Defensive Driving Course.
  • All legal and departmental requirements for reinstatement, including proof of liability insurance, completion of a Defensive Driving Course and payment of reinstatement fees, must be met before driving privileges can be reinstated. 

2nd or Subsequent Offense

  • If a juvenile driver accumulates 6 or more points on their driving record in a 12-month period following the first offense, the driver is sent a notice of proposed suspension from the Department of Safety and Homeland Security and is placed in the Driver Improvement Program, with a copy sent to the driver's parent/guardian.
  • Driving privileges will be suspended for 6 or 12 months depending on the record.
  • All legal and departmental requirements for reinstatement, including proof of liability insurance, completion of a Defensive Driving Course and payment of reinstatement fees, must be met before driving privileges can be reinstated.

After Receiving a Notice of Proposed Suspension 

Drivers who accumulate too many points on their driving record within any 12-month period are sent a notice of proposed suspension and given an opportunity to attend an administrative hearing. 

Requesting a Hearing

To request a hearing please submit the following information to the the Driver Improvement section via the following means. 

Information Needed: 
    Name
    Drivers License Number 
    Date of Birth 

Email to: Driver.Improvement@tn.gov

Mail to:
Driver Improvement Section
P.O. Box 25290 
Nashville, TN 37202-5290

How to apply for a Restricted Driver License after Suspension 

Step 1:
Obtain a Driver Improvement Restricted Application Form from the Hearing Officer on the date of hearing or download an application request form (valid for Frequent Traffic [Points] Suspensions only). Complete all information on the form. Driver Improvement will return the application either approved or denied.

Mail the completed form to:
   Driver Improvement Section
   1150 Foster Avenue
   Nashville, TN 37243

Step 2:  Obtain SR-22 Insurance

Step 3:
Once an approved application is received visit a Driver Service Center to apply for a license. You must present the approved application form, SR-22 form, and produce the fee to the Driver License Examiner. 

* Please note you must have had a valid license within the last 5 years to apply, if not you will
be required to retest.

FAQs

Tennessee Driver Improvement Program Rules