How to Find Defensive Driving Courses in Tennessee

Defensive driving courses in Tennessee could reinstate a suspended license, earn you insurance discounts, and more—here’s how to find an approved course.
Written by Abbey Orzech
Reviewed by Shannon Martin
Completing a
defensive driving course
in
Tennessee
could help you prevent a suspension of your license, reinstate an already suspended license, remove points from your license, and earn you a discount on your
car insurance
. But you’ll need to ensure the course you take is pre-approved by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security. 
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Taking a defensive driving course in Tennessee could…

…reduce points on your driver’s license

In a recent law change, Tennessee now allows eligible folks to reduce their driving record points by up to five points once every five years if they take a state-approved defensive driving course. 
The Tennessee Department of Safety (TDOS) will send you a notice in the mail stating that you meet the criteria if you’re eligible for this benefit. Once you take the class, you can submit a traffic school course completion certificate to the state via mail or fax. However, there is only a 90-day window to get this completed so you will need to act fast.

…help you get your license back

You can potentially have an already
suspended licsence reinstated
or the length of the suspension shortened by completing a state-approved defensive driving course. 
whether or not this will work for your particular situation depends on the circumstances of your license suspension. Generally,
traffic tickets
are more easily remedied than
impaired driving
and other more severe infractions. 
When reinstating your license, you’ll also need to pay a reinstatement fee and submit all applicable documents to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security. 

…earn you an insurance discount

You can take defensive driving courses even if you’re not court-ordered to, and a potential
discount on your car insurance
is one of the significant benefits of doing so. Many, though not all, insurance companies take defensive driving courses and other safe driving methods into account when deciding your premium. 
If this sounds like something you’re interested in—and hey, who turns down a discount?—your first move should be to contact your insurance company to see if they offer that kind of discount and, if so, that you’re eligible to receive it. Here some general eligibility requirements for premium reduction in Tennessee:
  • Driver must be over the age of 50
  • The defensive driver course can not be mandated by the courts
  • Drivers with an
    SR-22
    are not eligible for a premium reduction
  • Drivers must have an active driver’s license, it can not be revoked or suspended
Get the details of your insurer’s approved courses, then send a copy of your certificate once you’ve completed the class. The amount discount can vary depending on your insurance provider, but it will generally save you 5%-15% off the base rate of certain coverages on your policy—specifically,
liability coverage
,
medical payments
, and
collision coverage

…improve your driving skills

Another benefit of taking a defensive driving course is a comprehensive brush-up on your driving skills. These types of driving courses focus on safe driving tactics that help you avoid accidents and traffic violations while on the road—and thus, avoiding costly mistakes throughout your driving life. 
They’re available online or in person, so you can choose the best class that fits your learning style and attendance abilities! 

How to find Tennessee defensive driving courses 

You can use many resources to find defensive driving courses in Tennessee, but you’ll need to tailor your search to those courses that will satisfy your needs
If you’re on the hunt for a defensive driving course because you’re trying to reduce driving record points or reinstate your license, you’ll need to pick a school from the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security’s
approved list of instructors
. It’s also important to identify the length of class you’re required to attend and choose one that fits those parameters. 
To get your car insurance discount, you’ll need to ask your insurance company which schools and courses will satisfy your eligibility. Online schools like
iDriveSafely®
and
DriveSafe Online®
are great resources for a wide variety of courses and class lengths, but make sure the defensive driving course you enroll in will actually give you the experience and credit you need.
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FAQs

The fee for a defensive driving course in Tennessee depends on the instructing school, the type of learning style (online or in person), and the class length. Generally, you’ll find courses priced between $35 and $60, but some are for as little as $25 or as much as $80+.
Tennessee law states that all defensive driving courses must be at least four hours long, though most schools offer both four and eight-hour courses
Your class time will likely vary depending on your requirements and whether you’re in an online course or an in-person lecture, and many online courses allow you to go at your own pace!
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