I’m Guilty, But Can I Go To Driving School?

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If you have received a citation for a moving violation, you may be eligible to attend one of the Defensive Driving classes operated by the Davidson County General Sessions Court. If your application is accepted and you successfully complete the assigned Defensive Driving course, you will not pay the original fine amount for that offense and it will not be reported as a conviction to the Tennessee Department of Safety. You will, however, still be responsible for the fines for any non-moving violations on the same citation. For a list of moving and non-moving violations, click here.

The General Sessions Court Traffic School offers both online and traditional classroom-based classes. Traditional classes are available in the evenings and on Saturday mornings and afternoons.

You may apply for Traffic School online, by mail or by bringing your application and fees in person to the Traffic Violation Bureau.

NOTE: If you hold a commercial driver’s license issued in any state, you are not eligible to attend Defensive Driving classes per 49 C.F.R. §384.226 and T.C.A. §55-10-301(c). 49 C.F.R. §384.226 also does not allow for the nullification of moving or non-moving traffic violations. This applies regardless of the type of vehicle being operated at the time of the violation. Refer to the Fine Amount columns on the Moving and Non-Moving Violations tables for the corresponding fine for your violation(s).

Pay and Apply for Traffic School Online

If you wish to apply and pay for Traffic School online, you must do so within 45 days from the date your citation was issued and you must have your ticket number, date of birth and a valid credit card. If you do not know your ticket number, you may call the Traffic Violation Bureau at the number listed on our "Contact Us" page and we will provide it to you. If it is determined that you are ineligible for Traffic School, you must remit full payment of any outstanding fines and fees to the Traffic Violation Bureau no later than forty-five (45) days from the date your citation was written. For detailed instructions on paying a traffic citation, click here. To enroll in Traffic School online, visit the General Sessions Traffic School web site.

Please note that you cannot pay the $42 administrative fee due on your citation on the Traffic School web site. You may pay the administrative fee on our payment page or you may mail it to the address on our “Contact Us” page.

Pay and Apply for Traffic School by Mail

If you wish to apply for Traffic School by mail, you must complete the Traffic School Application form printed on the back page of your traffic citation. It should be sent to the Traffic Violation Bureau’s mailing address along with the appropriate application fees shown in the table below no later than thirty (30) days from the date your citation was written. Submitting your registration within 30 days allows time to pay your citation before the compliance date if you are found to be ineligible for Traffic School. Failure to take another form of action by your compliance date if you are ineligible for Traffic School will result in a default judgment causing the suspension of your driver’s license and the issuance of an execution.

If you have lost your ticket, you may download a form but you must know your citation number. If you do not know your ticket number, please call the Traffic Violation Bureau at the number listed on our “Contact Us” page and we will provide it to you. The staff of the General Sessions Court Traffic School will determine your eligibility and notify you of your class assignment or your ineligibility for Traffic School at the address provided on your application. If it is determined that you are ineligible for Traffic School, your $65.00 school fee will be returned to you but you must remit full payment of any outstanding fines and fees to the Traffic Violation Bureau no later than forty-five (45) calendar days from the date your citation was written. For detailed instructions on paying a traffic citation, click here.

If you cannot attend your scheduled class, you must reschedule by calling the Traffic School at (615) 862-8345 BEFORE the date of your class and pay a $20.00 rescheduling fee to the school.

For more information about Traffic School, questions about the Traffic School fees, or to enroll in Traffic School online, you can visit the General Sessions Traffic School web site or call their office at (615) 862-8345.

If you would like to see some examples of how to apply for Traffic School with different combinations of offenses on your citation, click on the item below that best describes your situation:

I having moving violations only and want to go to school.

I have a moving violation and nullifiable non-moving violations.

I have a moving violation and both nullifiable and non-nullifiable non-moving violations.

For ADA accommodations or to request sign language at Traffic School, contact the school office at (615) 862-5199.