Insurance Violations

INFORMATION YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT TENNESSEE’S FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY LAWS (T.C.A. §55-12-139 - 140)

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).

Which of these three cases apply to you?

If you were cited for not having proof of insurance in your vehicle, you must provide proof that you had current, valid motor vehicle insurance when the citation was issued on or before your Compliance Date by presenting your insurance card or declaration page, along with your nullification payment and fees, to the Traffic Violation Bureau.

Result of having valid insurance at the time you received your ticket and showing proof and making payment by your Compliance Date: Your license will not be suspended due to this infraction and you will not have a STOP placed on your Vehicle Registration Renewal.

If you were cited for not having proof of insurance in your vehicle and you did not have valid motor vehicle insurance at the time the citation was issued but you get insurance prior to your Compliance Date, you need to present your insurance card or declaration page, along with your nullification payment and fees, to the Traffic Violation Bureau.

Result upon obtaining valid insurance after you received your ticket and showing proof and making payment by your Compliance Date: Your driving privileges will not be suspended due to this infraction; however, a STOP will be placed on your Vehicle Registration Renewal by the Tennessee Department of Safety and you will need to submit proof of Financial Responsibility again before renewing your registration to:

Financial Responsibility Division
1150 Foster Avenue
Nashville, TN 37210
(615) 253-2094

If you were cited for not having proof of insurance in your vehicle and you decide to pay the original fine by the Compliance Date and not provide proof of having valid insurance, you will need to make full payment to the Traffic Violation Bureau.

Result of paying the original fine by the Compliance Date but NOT showing proof of having valid insurance: Your driving privileges will be suspended by the Tennessee Department of Safety until you meet all requirements necessary for reinstatement by the Tennessee Department of Safety.

The Traffic Violation Bureau cannot accept proof of insurance after your Compliance Date has passed.

For more information regarding Tennessee’s insurance laws, you may visit the Department of Safety’s Financial Responsibility Web site.