Driver Improvement

The Driver Improvement Section of the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security was established to monitor the driving records of Tennessee drivers.
 

Adult Points System

Drivers that 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. 

Juvenile Points System

Drivers less than eighteen (18) years of age that 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.

Report Drivers with Medical/Physical Disabilities

To report an unsafe driver to Driver Improvement, you must submit a written request with the name and birthdate of the driver, along with a brief description of the problem and your name and phone number. We cannot accept anonymous referrals. You may use the “Special/Medical Examination Request Form” listed below.  Submit the referral to us by fax; 615-253-3104 or email to driver.improvement@tn.gov. When Driver Improvement receives a signed, written referral or complaint that a driver has a medical/physical disability, the driver will be given the opportunity to have their medical professional complete and submit a medical form (see below) for review.

Forms:

Action taken against these drivers, if any, is based on the completed medical form or other information submitted by their medical professional. In some cases, their driving privileges may be suspended or restrictions may be added. The driver may also in some cases be required to retake all, or any part, of the driver license examination.

Applicants for Class D, PD, or H licenses who are handicapped by low vision acuity, but who otherwise qualify for a driving privilege, may be licensed under the following guidelines:

Qualifications:

  • The applicant shall have acceptable mobility and shall be free of all mental impairments.
  • Prior to application, the bioptic wearer shall complete training in driving with a bioptic telescopic lens(es) from a driving instructor certified in this field.
  • The applicant shall have a visual acuity of at least 20/200 in both eyes with the best conventional nontelescopic corrective lens(es), and a full visual field.
  • The central field vision loss shall not exceed five (5) degrees.
  • The applicant’s visual acuity with the bioptic telescope shall be at least 20/60.
  • The power of the bioptic telescope shall not exceed four power (4x).
  • The bioptic telescopic lens(es) may be fit either monocularly or binocularly, but shall be located superior to the normal line of gaze.
  • The applicant shall have a horizontal visual field diameter of no less than one hundred fifty (150) degrees without the use of field expanders.
  • The applicant shall present a report on a form supplied by the department by an optometrist or ophthalmologist identified by a recognized professional organization as one especially qualified in the
    field of Low Vision care.
  • The applicant shall present certification of having completed a certified driver training course completed while the applicant was wearing the bioptic telescopic lens(es).

Applications are reviewed by the Driver Improvement Section (615) 251-5235.

Frequent Traffic Violation Suspension (T.C.A. 55-50-505)
  • Obtain a Driver Improvement Restricted Application Form from the Hearing Officer on date of hearing, or download an application request form (valid for Frequent Traffic [Points] Suspensions only). All information on form must be completed.
  • Submit completed form to Driver Improvement Section, 1150 Foster Avenue, Nashville, TN 37243 for approval. Driver Improvement will return the application either approved or denied.
  • Obtain SR-22 from liability insurance company.
  • Present approved application form, SR-22 form, and driver license fee to Driver License Examiner.
     

Tennessee Driver Improvement Program Rules

Approved 8-Hour Schools for Driver Improvement Referrals