Reader’s Question:

My daughter recently got a speeding ticket in the state of Alabama. She is licensed in Clarksville, Tennessee. Can she just go to court and request for driving school to dismiss this ticket?

Moore

Clarksville, TN

According to the Jefferson County traffic court to dismiss a traffic violation that one must first apply to have your case dismissed upon completion of a defensive driving course and payment of court fees. This will permit a person to prevent the accrual of points assessed against an Alabama driver’s license and avoid a court appearance and as a result of the cited violation.

So it seems that it is possible for your daughter to request driving school for her speeding ticket in Alabama but she will need to speak to the court and perhaps the district lawyer to know for certain and get approved. If the speeding ticket is not able to be dismissed with driving school then the Alabama courts will likely tell your home state of Clarksville, Tennessee regarding her speeding violation. According to the Tennessee DPS, if they are informed of out of state moving violation convictions, such as a speeding ticket from AL, the violation will go on your daughter’s Tennessee driving history and points will be assessed.

If I received a speeding ticket in Virginia, but I am licensed in Memphis Tennessee, will I receive points on my TN drivers license still?

Jane

Memphis, TN

Virginia is part of the Drivers License Compact (DLC) but Tennessee is not a member of DLC. Still, TN does acquire information from other states regarding moving violation convictions.

If the Virginia courts notify the Tennessee Department of Safety regarding the speeding citation, if you are convicted of it, then it will likely go on your TN driving record. According to the TN Department of Safety if you are convicted of an out of state ticket, such as speeding in VA, and their courts notify the TN DPS that the offense will go on your driving record and points will be assessed.