What Happens If You Don't Pay a Traffic Ticket in Tennessee?

Ignoring a Traffic Ticket in Tennessee? Here's What Could Happen

We get it. Life gets busy. Maybe you shoved that traffic ticket in your glove compartment and forgot about it. Maybe you figured if you just ignored it, it would go away. Or maybe you looked at the court date and thought, "I can't miss work for this."

Whatever the reason, ignoring a traffic ticket in Tennessee is one of the worst things you can do. What starts as a minor citation — maybe a $100-$200 fine — could snowball into a situation that's far more expensive and stressful to resolve.

Here's what may happen if you don't pay or appear for your Tennessee traffic ticket, and what you can do to fix it.

Step 1: You Miss Your Court Date (Failure to Appear)

Every traffic ticket in Tennessee comes with a mandatory court appearance date — or in some cases, a deadline to pay the fine. If you don't do either, the court may issue a Failure to Appear (FTA) notice.

Under Tennessee Code Annotated § 55-10-207, failing to appear for a traffic citation is taken seriously by the courts. An FTA isn't just a slap on the wrist — it could trigger a chain of consequences that makes the original ticket look minor by comparison.

Step 2: A Bench Warrant Could Be Issued

When you fail to appear, the judge may issue a bench warrant for your arrest. This means that if you're stopped by police for any reason — even a routine traffic stop or a seatbelt check — you could be arrested on the spot.

A bench warrant doesn't expire. It sits in the system indefinitely until it's resolved. That means it could surface months or even years later at the worst possible time:

• During a routine traffic stop
• At a DUI checkpoint or task force operation
• During a background check for a job
• When trying to renew your driver's license

The stress of knowing there may be an active warrant out for your arrest — over what was originally a minor traffic ticket — isn't worth it.

Step 3: Your Driver's License Could Be Suspended

Under T.C.A. § 55-50-502, the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security may suspend your driving privileges if you fail to appear for or pay a traffic citation. This means:

• You could lose the legal right to drive
• If you're caught driving on a suspended license, you could face additional charges
• Reinstatement typically requires paying the original fine, court costs, FTA fees, and a reinstatement fee to the state
• The total cost to resolve a suspended license could be several times the original ticket amount

A license suspension can also create a ripple effect in your life. It could impact your ability to get to work, pick up your kids, or handle basic daily responsibilities. And driving on a suspended license — even if you didn't know it was suspended — could result in a misdemeanor charge.

Step 4: Additional Fines and Fees May Pile Up

Beyond the original fine, ignoring your ticket could result in:

• FTA fees: Additional charges imposed by the court for your failure to appear
• Late fees: Some jurisdictions add penalties for overdue payments
• Increased court costs: Resolving an FTA typically costs more than handling the original citation on time
• Reinstatement fees: If your license is suspended, Tennessee may charge a fee to reinstate it
• Possible increased insurance rates: If any of this results in a conviction on your record, your insurance company could raise your rates

What might have started as a $150 ticket could potentially balloon to $500, $1,000, or more when you factor in all the additional costs.

Note: Specific fees vary by jurisdiction and circumstances. These are general estimates.

The Good News: It's Almost Always Fixable

Here's the thing — even if you've already missed your court date, the situation is usually recoverable. The sooner you act, the better. Here's what you can do:

If You Recently Missed Your Court Date

Contact the court clerk at 201 Poplar (for Memphis/Shelby County cases) as soon as possible. In many cases, you may be able to get a new court date set without a warrant being issued. Time is critical here — the longer you wait, the less likely this option is available.

If a Warrant Has Already Been Issued

This is more complicated, but still fixable. An attorney can often:

• File a motion to recall the bench warrant
• Get a new court date set
• Appear on your behalf so you don't risk being arrested when you show up
• Negotiate the underlying ticket at the same time

Trying to resolve a bench warrant on your own by showing up to court can be risky — in some cases, you could be taken into custody. Having an attorney handle it is the safer option.

If Your License Has Been Suspended

You'll need to:

1. Resolve the underlying citation (pay the fine or fight the ticket)
2. Clear any FTA issues
3. Pay the reinstatement fee to the Tennessee Department of Safety
4. Provide proof of insurance (SR-22 may be required in some cases)

Again, an attorney experienced with Memphis traffic court can guide you through this process and help get everything resolved efficiently.

Real Talk: Why People Ignore Tickets

We don't judge. Here are the most common reasons we hear:

• "I couldn't afford the fine." Understandable — but ignoring it could cost you several times more in the long run.
• "I couldn't miss work for court." An attorney can appear for you. You don't have to be there.
• "I forgot about it." It happens. But the court system doesn't forget.
• "I didn't think it was a big deal." For minor violations, it shouldn't be — but the FTA process can turn a minor ticket into a major headache.

Whatever your reason, the best time to handle it was when you first got the ticket. The second best time is right now.

How TaskForce Tickets Can Help

Whether you just got a ticket and want to handle it properly, or you've been ignoring one for months and need to clean up the mess, we can help.

• New tickets: Submit your citation and we'll handle your court appearance for a flat fee.
• Missed court dates / FTA: We can help get a new date set and resolve the underlying ticket.
• Warrants: An attorney can work to recall the warrant and address the citation.
• License suspension: We can guide you through the reinstatement process.

Our flat fee pricing — $100 for standard violations, $200 for misdemeanors — means you know exactly what you're paying upfront. No surprises.

Don't Let a Small Problem Become a Big One

The single most important piece of advice: don't ignore it. A traffic ticket that could have been dismissed for $100-$200 in court costs can turn into a warrant, a suspended license, and over $1,000 in total costs if left unresolved.

Take 60 seconds right now to submit your ticket or call us about your situation. Future you will be grateful.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consequences described use hedged language because outcomes may vary based on jurisdiction, specific circumstances, and judicial discretion. Consult with a licensed attorney for advice about your specific situation.