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How a Speeding Ticket Impacts Your Insurance in Tennessee
On average, speeding violations increase rates by 17 percent in Tennessee.
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Last updated: June 29, 2026
Like in most states, a speeding ticket will bump up your insurance premiums in Tennessee. That said, auto insurance rates in the state are generally low, and there are ways to lower your premiums even after a ticket. The guide below explains how you can expect a speeding ticket to impact your insurance, and what you can do to save.
How a Speeding Ticket Impacts Your Insurance in Tennessee
In Tennessee, a speeding ticket increases your insurance costs by 17 percent on average, or about $360 per year for full coverage. Erie and USAA have the cheapest rates in Tennessee after a speeding ticket.
| Company | Rate with Clean Record | Rate with Speeding Ticket | Percentage difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Erie | $1,854 | $1,995 | +8% |
| GEICO | $1,928 | $2,381 | +23% |
| Progressive | $2,286 | $2,815 | +23% |
| Travelers | $1,492 | $2,219 | +49% |
| USAA | $1,289 | $1,609 | +25% |
| Tennessee average | $2,047 | $2,406 | +17% |
Whenever you’re shopping for car insurance, compare rates from multiple providers, and keep in mind that driving history isn’t the only factor companies consider when determining prices. ZIP code, credit score, sex, marital status, and a slew of other factors affect rates.
DANGERS OF SPEEDING:
In 2024, 1,201 people in Tennessee died in car crashes. Of those fatal accidents, 95 involved speeding, or 8 percent.1
How to Lower Your Premium After a Speeding Ticket
Having a speeding ticket on your record makes you a high-risk driver, so insurance companies will charge you more for the exact same coverage as someone with a clean driving record. That said, there are still ways to keep rates as low as possible.
Take a Traffic School Course
By taking a four-hour traffic school course within 90 days of your speeding conviction, you can get five points removed from your driving record once every four years. Find a course at https://www.tn.gov/safety/driver-services/helpful-information/traffic-school.html.
Once you’ve completed the course, send the certificate of completion to the state.
- Mail:
- Financial Responsibility Section
- P.O. Box 945
- Nashville, TN 37202-0945
- Phone: 866-903-7357
Get Minimum Coverage
Tennessee requires liability coverage in the following amounts:
- Bodily injury liability per person: $25,000
- Bodily injury liability per accident: $50,000
- Property damage liability per accident: $25,0002
Getting minimum coverage will result in the lowest premium. But keep in mind this coverage applies only to parties outside of your car. You’d still be responsible for your and your passengers’ injuries and property damage out of pocket.
Improve Your Credit Score
Insurance companies in Tennessee take your credit score into account when determining premiums, so improving your credit score will lower your rates. Try to pay bills on time, limit the number of credit cards you apply for, and pay off any existing debt.
Ask for Discounts
Insurance discounts vary by company, so ask your agent which ones you qualify for. We’ve seen discounts for the following:
- Bundling home and auto insurance policies
- Having multiple vehicles on a single policy
- Having a student away from home
- Installing an anti-theft device in your car
- Taking a driver training course
Raise Your Deductible
If you have comprehensive and collision coverage, save money by raising your insurance deductible, the amount you pay before your coverage kicks in.
NOTE:
Make sure you can afford your deductible in the event you get into an accident or have property damage from non-collisions. If you can’t pay your deductible, your insurer will not cover the damages.
Switch Providers
If your premiums go up significantly after a speeding ticket, consider switching to a different provider. Companies like Erie, State Farm, and GEICO tend to offer cheaper rates for drivers with a speeding ticket on their record. For example, Tennessee drivers can expect an annual average rate of $1,871 with Erie after a speeding violation.
Penalties for Speeding in Tennessee
If your speeding offense occurred on a state road, you’ll be at the mercy of the state, while the municipality will handle violations that occurred on local roads.
State Charges
For violations on state roads, mainly highways, the offense is either a Class B or a Class C misdemeanor.3
| Violation | Charge | Fine | License suspension | Driver education course required | Cost of driver education course (can still attend if you can’t afford it) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speed of more than 15 mph in work or school zones | Class C misdemeanor | $200 minimum | No | No | $50-$75 |
| Speed of 55-75 on an interstate/defense highway system, four-lane controlled-access highway | Class C misdemeanor | $250-$500 | No | No, unless it’s reckless driving | $50-$75 |
| Speed of 55-65 mph on a highway/road with a speed limit of 45 mph | Class C misdemeanor | $250-$500 | No | No, unless it’s reckless driving | $50-$75 |
| Speeding in business, urban, or residential districts, or in any congested area or dangerous intersection where employees of the department or construction workers are present (highway work zone) | Class B misdemeanor | $250 minimum | No | No | $50-$75 |
DID YOU KNOW?
The state of Tennessee defines reckless driving as “driving with willful and wanton disregard for the safety of people and/or property.” The law also specifies that someone cannot drive a motorcycle with the front tire raised from the ground unless it’s for a parade and at less than 30 mph.
Points
Tennessee assigns points based on how many miles per hour (mph) over the speed limit you were going.
| Offense | Points for non-commercial vehicle | Points for non-commercial vehicle | Points for commercial vehicle | Points for commercial vehicle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violation occurred in a construction zone? | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Speeding 1-5 mph over limit | 1 | 4 | 2 | 3 |
| Speeding 6-15 mph over limit | 3 | 2 | 4 | 5 |
| Speeding 16-25 mph over limit | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 |
| Speeding 26-35 mph over limit | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Speeding 36-45 mph over limit | 6 | 8 | 7 | 7 |
| Speeding 46 or more mph over limit | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 |
| Driving too fast for conditions, failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident | 3 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Operating erratically or suddenly changing speed | 3 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Speed not indicated | N/A | 4 | 4 | 7 |
If you receive 12 or more points within a 12-month period, the Department of Safety & Homeland Security will send you a notice of proposed hearing. By attending the hearing and taking a defensive driving class, you can either avoid a license suspension altogether or get a reduced suspension. If you don’t attend, however, you’ll face a six- to 12-month revocation of your driving privileges. Find a state-approved defensive driving class near you here: https://www.tn.gov/safety/driver-services/driver-education-traffic-school/driverimprovement/defensivedriving.html.4
Fines by Municipality
You’ll have to look at the website for the municipality in which you were ticketed to find its schedule of fines for speeding violations. Below, we’ve compiled the amounts for Goodlettsville5 and Knoxville.6
| Amount over speed limit in miles per hour (mph) | Fine in Goodlettsville | Fine in Knoxville |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $108.75 | $116.50 |
| 2 | $108.75 | $116.50 |
| 3 | $108.75 | $116.50 |
| 4 | $108.75 | $116.50 |
| 5 | $108.75 | $116.50 |
| 6 | $108.75 | $116.50 |
| 7 | $108.75 | $116.50 |
| 8 | $108.75 | $116.50 |
| 9 | $108.75 | $116.50 |
| 10 | $108.75 | $116.50 |
| 11 | $108.75 | $116.50 |
| 12 | $108.75 | $116.50 |
| 13 | $108.75 | $116.50 |
| 14 | $108.75 | $116.50 |
| 15 | $108.75 | $126.50 |
| 16 | $108.75 | $126.50 |
| 17 | $108.75 | $126.50 |
| 18 | $108.75 | $126.50 |
| 19 | $108.75 | $126.50 |
| 20 | $113.75 | $126.50 |
| 21 | $113.75 | $126.50 |
| 22 | $113.75 | $126.50 |
| 23 | $113.75 | $126.50 |
| 24 | $113.75 | $126.50 |
| 25 | $113.75 | $151.50 |
| 26 | $113.75 | $151.50 |
| 27 | $113.75 | $151.50 |
| 28 | $113.75 | $151.50 |
| 29 | $113.75 | $151.50 |
| 30 | $113.75 | $151.50 |
| 31 | $113.75 | $151.50 |
| 32 | $113.75 | $151.50 |
| 33 | $113.75 | $151.50 |
| 34 | $113.75 | $151.50 |
| 35 | $113.75 | $151.50 |
| School zone | N/A | $151.50 |
Your Options After a Speeding Ticket
Once you receive a speeding ticket, you can either plead guilty and pay it or plead not guilty.
Guilty
If you believe you were guilty of the violation, pay the fine. The ticket should have information on exactly how to pay it, whether online, in person, or through the mail.
Not Guilty
If you plead not guilty, you’ll be given a court date, on which a judge will review the documentation and ask the issuing officer to testify against you. From there, the judge will make a ruling. If you’re found guilty, you’ll have to pay all fines and costs, plus a litigation tax.7
More Traffic Violations That Could Raise Your Rates
Of course, speeding isn’t the only violation that can affect auto insurance in Tennessee. Avoid these violations every time you’re behind the wheel:
- Careless or negligent driving
- Failing to obey traffic instructions
- Failure to report a crash
- Following improperly
- Improper backing, starting, etc.
- Improper lane or location
- Improper passing
- Reckless driving
- Texting while driving (i.e., distracted driving)
- Driving wrong way, side, or direction
DID YOU KNOW?
In 2023, among speeding-related fatal crashes, 30 percent involved a driver with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 percent or higher, meaning they were driving under the influence.8
Conclusion
While speeding doesn’t result in a license suspension unless you amass 12 or more points on your record within a year, it’s still best to follow speed limits to avoid financial penalties, higher car insurance premiums, and stay safe on the road. Compare quotes from different providers to get the cheapest auto insurance in Tennessee, even after a speeding ticket.
Frequently Asked Questions
On average, a speeding ticket increases car insurance rates in Tennessee by 17 percent, or about $30 monthly for full coverage. Your actual rate increase will depend on your provider, driving history, and other factors. If you have a speeding violation, get quotes from multiple car insurance companies for the most affordable premiums.
A speeding conviction in Tennessee stays on your record for up to five years. The points from your speeding ticket typically stay on your record for two years. Typically a speeding ticket will affect your insurance rates for three years, with the increase dropping each renewal within that period.
Yes. If you successfully contest a speeding ticket and the citation is dismissed, it usually won’t impact your car insurance rates. However, you’ll need to show that it was unjustified, either due to law enforcement error, improper signage, or otherwise. Keep in mind that you may pay fees for contesting a ticket, including court costs if you lose.
Yes. Insurance companies look at your entire driving record, including violations that happen in other states. As a result, an out-of-state speeding ticket can lead to higher premiums when your policy renews.
Usually not. Providers review your driving record at renewal, so any premium hikes from a speeding ticket happen when your policy renews.
Sources
Tennessee Traffic Fatalities. TN Department of Safety & Homeland Security. (2026).
https://www.tn.gov/safety/stats/dashboards/trafficfatality.htmlFinancial Responsibility Law. TN Department of Revenue. (2026).
https://www.tn.gov/revenue/title-and-registration/drive-insured-tennessee/why-you-should-have-insurance.html2024 Tennessee Code Title 55 – MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES (§§ 55-1-101 — 55-53-105). JUSTIA US. (2026).
https://law.justia.com/codes/tennessee/title-55/chapter-8/part-1/section-55-8-152/Schedule of Points Values. Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security. (2023).
https://www.tn.gov/safety/driver-services/reinstatements/values.htmlTraffic Fine Schedule. Goodlettsville Tennessee. (2026).
https://www.goodlettsville.gov/76/Traffic-Fine-ScheduleHow to Pay a Ticket. City of Knoxville. (2026).
https://www.knoxvilletn.gov/government/city_departments_offices/city_court/citation_fine_amountsTraffic Ticket – Frequently Asked Questions. Davidson County Circuit Court Clerk. (2026).
https://circuitclerk.nashville.gov/traffic-ticket-frequently-asked-questions/Traffic Safety Facts: 2023 Data. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (2025, Aug).
https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/813743
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