How do I fight a speeding ticket in Tennessee?

Tennessee speeding tickets are heard in General Sessions Court or city (municipal) court depending on the citing agency.

1. Pay vs. Contest

Pay: guilty plea reported to TDOS.

Contest in court: many city courts dismiss or reduce on first appearance; offering to attend defensive driving school is often accepted.

Defensive driving school: T.C.A. § 55-10-301 program; on judicial approval, completion dismisses the citation. Limited frequency varies by court.

2. Speed Limits & Reckless Threshold

T.C.A. § 55-8-152 sets posted maximums (70 mph default rural interstate).

Reckless driving (T.C.A. § 55-10-205): willful/wanton disregard — Class B misdemeanor, up to 6 months jail, $500 fine.

Some local ordinances treat 25+ mph over as automatic reckless.

3. Points & Suspension

Tennessee Department of Safety point system:

1 point: 1-5 mph over

3 points: 6-15 over

4 points: 16-25 over

5 points: 26-35 over

6 points: 36-45 over

8 points: 46+ over (and reckless)

6+ points/12 months = warning letter; 12+ points/12 months = hearing for suspension. Drivers under 18 face suspension at 6 points.

4. Insurance Impact

Tennessee allows insurers to surcharge for 3-5 years. Conviction reported via UNI (Uniform Network Information).

5. Defenses & Discovery

Subpoena officer (Tenn. R. Crim. P. 17).

Request radar/lidar calibration log and certification per the Tennessee Highway Patrol Standard Operating Procedure.

City court rulings can be appealed to circuit court de novo within 10 days (T.C.A. § 27-5-108).

6. CDL Holders

Cannot use diversion to mask a CMV conviction (49 CFR § 384.226).

This is legal information, not legal advice.