Tennessee Traffic Tickets Questions & Answers
Q: What is the legal distance from a speed change sign where an electronic speed-detecting device can be used in Tennessee?
Many states say 500 feet. I can't find info on Tennessee.
I do not believe there is a perimeter requirement for the officer to find the speed violator in. Many times they just use "pacing" anyway. You can bring up the location of the stop in comparison to the last speed limit posting , but it will not make any difference (I have tried it before with no... Read more »
Q: Living in Tennessee, what are the Consequences for an Unpaid Indiana Speeding Ticket
I live in Tennessee, but was pulled over in Redding Indiana 3 weeks ago doing 70 in a 55 mph work zone. The Officer let me off a bit easy and wrote the ticket for 65 instead. I was in the slow lane, going with the flow of traffic. And my navigation screen showed the Speed Limit to be 70.... Read more »
I assume you have a Tennessee License. More than likely if you do not pay the Court, then Indiana will contact our Department of Safety and get your License suspended. Then again they may not. I recommend you pay Indiana, as losing your TNDL will be very, very painful and expensive.
Q: How much is the fine for 55-8-124 following too closely
Most Counties vary a small amount from each other. Call the Sessions Court Clerk with your Citation Number and ask them. If this is in connection with a collision, I suggest going to Court instead. Paying a Citation is pleading guilty, which would be Negligence Per Se in a Tort Suit.
Q: What should i do in the court?
I was speeding to avoid hitting a deer running into my car. I was flashing the high-beam lights to warn other drivers. I got pulled over for flashing the headlights and he didn't tell me anything about why i was speeding until he issued me a ticket and then discussed it with me.
You or your attorney will need to tell the prosecutor, and possibly the judge, what happened. The hazardous situation does not occur for a real long period, so keep the flashing lights and speeding activities to a short distance. Once the hazard is avoided you must resume normal driving. Be very... Read more »
Q: I was speeding 47 in a 30 MPH zone. I’m having trouble understanding 55-8-152. There wasn’t a school anywhere near me.
Not sure of your question. But apparently you are cited for speeding.
The Statute applies to several different speed zones, not just a school zone. Do not just pay the Ticket, but go to Court and see if it can be Dismissed upon payment of Costs or some other Diversion disposition. A... Read more »
Q: I got a speeding ticket for going 87 in a 70, it is $202. Why is it so much? That seems extreme
It was a state trooper that pulled me over, in Athens tn
Make a written complaint to your State Representative and State Senator. That is a Legislative issue. I have seen higher Speeding Tickets.
Q: Can I go to traffic court for someone else? I was a passenger when we got ticketed for speeding and no proof of regist.
I have proof of registration, my registration was not in my car at the time.
The cited Defendant must go to Court. You might want to appear as a possible Witness. The Prosecutor and/or Judge might want to talk to you.
Q: I received a speeding ticket by mail from a red light photo in bluff city, Tn. What happens if I don’t pay?
It is not a criminal offense, cannot add points to your MVR and cannot be reported to a credit bureau for non payment. The city can sue you and take collection methods against you.
Q: Can your arresting officer contact your employer and inform them of your arrest and reason for arrest?
I Live in Hamilton County Tennessee, I was on my way on from work and was pulled over by an officer due to my broken windshield. Long story short she took me to jail for possession of controlled substance (12.8G Cannabis to be exact) I Have epilepsy and have long used cannabis to help control my... Read more »
Yes, most certainly. If the Officer lies then slander may occur on possibly a personal level, as well as by the Department.
Q: I had an accident which was faild to merge. After 2 days, I got a citation to attend the court for the same reason in TN
For the accident the road was closed without sing.
What is going to happen with my driver license? I just got it less than a month.
Depends what you were charged with. Get the police report. See if there's a video. Get photos of your car. Consider hiring an attorney who hanlde tickets if you can afford it. Respond to the summons.
Q: Got a speeding ticket, every time I call to see how expensive it is, it says there is no citation for my ticket number.
What does this mean? Like I just want to pay by sending it through the mail.
Hire an attorney now work out some type of Diversion. Those points on your MVR could be critical. Let the attorney figure out when Court is and what the Citation/Docket Number is.
Q: Can a police officer legally look inside your vehicle if not engaged in an active traffic stop with no probable cause?
The state of TN has adopted a policy of “rolling” enforcement facilities to combat distracted driving. Can they legally look inside your vehicle, even if it is just from the outside, if you have not committed a crime and there is no probable cause to believe you have committed a crime? Is... Read more »
They need probable cause to search your vehicle.
Q: Can a citizen have a citation issued, If video was taken as person passed a radar sign showing their seed?
(I meant SPEED)
The person was going 25 mph over the posted speed limit. The sign had just been calibrated.
No. A law enforcement officer must use an instrument to measure the speed of the motorist, or at least estimate speed by pacing him. Further the issuing officer must serve the Citation on the offender or arrest him.
Q: I live in Kentucky but received a speeding ticket in Tennessee. What is the best course if action?
I would recommend hiring an attorney in the County where the Charge arises. If there is a conviction, TN will send a notice to KY, which will probably place points against your driving record.
Q: I received a ticket for financial responsibility not having insurance a month ago. I now have insurance, what is my
You may wish to hire a competent attorney. Whatever you do, go to Court in a respectful manner. Show your new Insurance Card and ask that the Charge be Dismissed with Costs. A Conviction will suspend your TNDL. If you get a Notice, then hire a lawyer immediately and request a Department of... Read more »
Q: I got a ticket in Walmart parking lot for failure to use due care. Should I go to court or pay it?
I started to pull out of the Walmart parking lot when a car pulled out from a lot across the street and I had to brake. When I backed up to get out of the street, the car behind me was driving forward and my bumper tapped his. He overreacted and accused me of damaging his car that was obviously... Read more »
From your facts it does appear to be your fault, that is a Rule of
The Road Violation occurred. If you plead Guilty and pay the Citation, it will appear on your MVR. You may wish to hire a lawyer to represent you, so something besides a conviction might go down. Your Insurance Company... Read more »
Q: Received a photo ticket from a city here in TN. Do I pay?
I received an Automated Traffic Enforcement Notification of Violation - Speed. I was able to look at the ticket online and see it was where I let my sister borrow my car. But she denies speeding. I have heard that since it was a video collected ticket that I do not have to pay and I should just... Read more »
It is a Civil Claim for Debt, not a Criminal Charge. It is your choice, but it cannot go on your MVR, or put you in Jail. But Collectors can sue, hound you and execute any judgments against your property.
Q: I was in a pick up truck when this happened. Will it effect my class A CDL license?
You have not stated what happened. But any conviction of a Rule of the Road Violation will result in points against your MVR for the last twelve months.
Q: Ticket for failure to maintain control. No other vehicle involved. Damage to light post. Must report to court.
What am I expected to receive from the court. Other party cut me off, I had to hit breaks to prevent collision. Other party never stopped.
The Court may give you some relief, but will probably find you Guilty. It is possible that you will have to make Restitution. You may want to make a claim on your Insurance. With the Rule of Road Violation will come some points on your MVR.
Q: I need help understanding TCA 55-8-152. I received a speeding ticket for doing 52 in a 40.
If I'm not mistaking, it reads if I don't exceed over 55 mph, then I shouldn't have to pay. Am I reading this wrong?
No, you have not read the entire Statute. Hire a competent attorney to work the Citation out so it does not put Points against your MVR. Diversion or Dismissal with payment of costs would work out well for you.
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