Key points
Adults with 12 or more points in 12 months get a notice of proposed suspension.
Source: Handbook p. 86
“Adult drivers (18 years of age or older) who accumulate 12 or more points within a 12-month period receive a notice of proposed suspension.”
Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 86Adults with 6 to 11 points in 12 months get an advisory letter.
Source: Handbook p. 86
“an advisory letter is mailed to any licensee having 6 to 11 points on his/her driving record within any 12 months.”
Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 86Drivers under 18 with 6 or more points in 12 months get a notice of proposed suspension.
Source: Handbook p. 86
“Juvenile drivers (less than 18 years of age) who accumulate 6 or more points within a 12-month period receive a notice of proposed suspension.”
Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 86A Defensive Driving Course can avoid or shorten a suspension, but only once in any 5 year period.
Source: Handbook p. 86
“Drivers may choose to attend a Defensive Driving Course to avoid license suspension or to reduce the period of suspension. However, the Defensive Driving Course option is only available once in any five-year period.”
Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 862 reckless driving violations within 12 months can cost you your license.
Source: Handbook p. 85
“Two reckless driving violations within 12 months.”
Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 85Driving away from a gas station without paying for fuel can cost you your license.
Source: Handbook p. 85
“Driving a motor vehicle away from a gas station without paying for dispensed gas or diesel fuel.”
Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 85A suspended or revoked license must be turned in within 20 days.
Source: Handbook p. 85
“Whenever a driver license is suspended or revoked, it must be turned in to the Department of Safety within 20 days of the suspension or revocation.”
Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 85Failing to surrender your license adds a $75 fine.
Source: Handbook p. 85
“Failure to surrender your license means that you will be fined $75 in addition to any other fines and costs you may owe.”
Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 85Report a new address within 10 days.
Source: Handbook p. 86
“If you have a new address, you must report it to the Department of Safety within ten (10) days of the change.”
Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 86You must show evidence of financial responsibility when charged with any violation or involved in a crash.
Source: Handbook p. 88
“the Financial Responsibility Law requires drivers to produce evidence of financial responsibility. This is required when charged with any violation or when involved in a motor vehicle crash without regard to apparent or actual fault.”
Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 88
Numbers to know
| Number | What it means | Manual |
|---|---|---|
| 12 points in 12 months | adult total that brings a notice of proposed suspension | Handbook p. 86 |
| 6 to 11 points | adult total that brings an advisory letter | Handbook p. 86 |
| 6 points, under 18 | juvenile total that brings a notice of proposed suspension | Handbook p. 86 |
| Once in 5 years | how often the Defensive Driving Course option is allowed | Handbook p. 86 |
| 2 in 12 months | reckless driving violations that can cost your license | Handbook p. 85 |
| 20 days | time to turn in a suspended or revoked license | Handbook p. 85 |
| $75 | fine for not surrendering your license | Handbook p. 85 |
| 10 days | time to report a new address | Handbook p. 86 |
3 questions from the Tennessee practice test
1. How many points within 12 months bring a Tennessee adult driver a notice of proposed suspension?
- 6 or more
- 8 or more
- 12 or more
- 18 or more
Show answer
12 or more. Adult drivers 18 or older with 12 or more points in a 12-month period receive a notice of proposed suspension, and those with 6 to 11 points get an advisory letter. Six points is the threshold for juvenile drivers under 18, a separate rule. Eight and eighteen are not Tennessee thresholds. A defensive driving course can help avoid or shorten a suspension, but only once in five years.
2. How many points within 12 months bring a Tennessee driver under 18 a notice of proposed suspension?
- 3 or more
- 6 or more
- 12 or more
- 15 or more
Show answer
6 or more. Juvenile drivers under 18 who accumulate 6 or more points within 12 months receive a notice of proposed suspension, and those with 1 to 5 points get an advisory letter. Twelve is the adult threshold. Three and fifteen are not Tennessee figures. Six points can come from as little as one cell phone conviction for a permit or intermediate license holder, or about two minor traffic citations.
3. What happens if a Tennessee driver does not surrender a suspended or revoked license?
- Nothing, the license just expires
- A $5 late fee
- An automatic lifetime revocation
- A $75 fine on top of other fines and costs
Show answer
A $75 fine on top of other fines and costs. A suspended or revoked license must be turned in to the Department of Safety within 20 days, at a Highway Patrol office, a Driver License Service Center, or by mail. Failing to surrender it means a $75 fine in addition to any other fines and costs. The license does not simply lapse without consequence, a $5 fee understates it, and lifetime revocation is not the penalty.
Practice this topic
Lock it in with laws and paperwork questions from the free Tennessee practice test. Every answer comes with a plain English explanation.
Source: the Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Section B-8: Driving Responsibilities. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.