Many courts use driver improvement schools as an alternative to requiring a defendant to pay a fine. A judge may actually require a defendant to attend traffic school in addition to or in lieu of any other punishment. In most cases, a judge will dismiss the charge upon completion of a traffic school. The court should still submit a Court Action Report. The report should be clearly marked as dismissed, with the “Traffic School” box checked. Submitting the Court Action Report will allow the courts to see if a defendant has previously had a case dismissed as a result of completing a driver improvement class.

It is noted that first-time offenders of the texting law are required to attend a driver improvement course, in addition to a fine. T.C.A. § 55-8-199(d)(2).

Also, a clerk should provide defendants a list of approved traffic schools in the county. TCA. § 55-10-301 (b)(4). See https://www.tn.gov/safety/driver-services/driverimprovement/defensivedriving.html.