Driver’s License Suspension Or Revocation

Failure to satisfy your citation, Suspension of your driver’s license, Applying for a restricted driver’s license, and Reinstatement of your driver’s license:

• If you fail to pay your citation by your court date, then the Clerk will send a Court Action Report (CAR) to the Tennessee Department of Safety stating that you failed to satisfy your citation.
• The Tennessee Department of Safety will suspend your license until you have met all requirements for reinstatement of your license, including payment of this citation and a reinstatement fee.
• If you are licensed somewhere other than Tennessee, your licensing state will also be notified and your license could be suspended in that state.
• If your license is suspended for unpaid citations you can apply for a Restricted License to drive to and from work or school by getting on a payment plan at all Clerk’s Offices where you owe money for unpaid traffic citations.
• Failure to satisfy certain violations and/or failure to appear in court on those cases requiring a mandatory appearance may result in the Judge issuing an Attachment (warrant) for your arrest.
• Even if you’ve never had a driver’s license, the Department of Safety will assign you a license number and your license then can be suspended.
• Per Tennessee Code Annotated, failure to pay court costs on any case after 1 year of disposition will result in the revocation of your driver’s license.
• Contact the Tennessee Department of Safety online at http://www.tn.gov/safety/financialresponsibility.shtml or call the Knoxville office at 865.690.6393, located at 430 Montbrook Lane, Knoxville, TN 37919, to find out what you must do to get reinstated.
• Remember, it is a Privilege to Drive, not a Right!