Committee advances online traffic‑school option to cut court trips and save time

Senator Campbell told the Transportation and Safety Committee SB 2114 modernizes Tennessee's driver's education option for minor traffic offenses by allowing eligible drivers to register for a Department of Safety‑approved online course directly with the county court clerk when paying fines, rather than appearing before a judge to be offered traffic school.

Campbell gave an example: a staffer who had to drive two hours back to her county to appear in court in order to be offered traffic school. She said the bill would let a person elect traffic school at the clerk's office, register online and, if they successfully complete the course within 90 days of conviction, have up to five points removed from their driving record as under current law.

The sponsor said she worked with the Department of Safety, the Administrative Office of the Courts and the Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police; she said all three reviewed the bill and had no concerns. Committee members expressed support and the clerk recorded unanimous approval; the bill was sent to the calendar.

The committee did not provide detailed administrative guidance in this hearing about how clerks will implement online registration beyond the requirement to make online registration available for qualifying individuals.