The Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) is responsible for the safety of motorists and communities across the state of Tennessee. The organization’s history dates back to 1926 with the creation of the Tennessee State Police Force – an agency that was modeled after the Texas Rangers. However, it received criticism for its focus on revenue collection rather than public safety, which ultimately led to the formation of the THP in 1929.
THP troopers are responsible for patrolling Tennessee’s highways and enforcing all federal and state traffic laws. These include speed enforcement, investigating traffic violations, DUI (Driving Under Influence) detection and arrest, such as driving after intaking alcohol or narcotics, responding to crashes and accidents, and also enforcing seat belt and child safety seat laws. In addition to overseeing traffic rules and regulations, the THP plays a crucial role in community outreach, investigating crimes, and providing emergency assistance. The organization also has a history of embracing new technologies to enhance its operations, such as being the first police agency in the US to use helicopters for patrolling in 1957. This trend has been followed even to this date, with the THP using traffic data analysis software, specialized vehicles, and accurate DUI detection equipment.
Having said that, the THP penalizes heavily for being on the wrong side of the traffic laws, and if you have been on the receiving end, then it is recommended to sort out the issues quickly. To learn how you can pay your traffic fine effortlessly, continue reading our thorough guide till the end.
With These Steps Pay Your Fine Online
For the uninitiated, the Tennessee Highway Patrol does not accept traffic fines directly – neither through their website nor via their offices. Instead, traffic fines or payments related to traffic citations must be paid to the county or city to which the ticket is referred. Such is the reason why it is crucial to check your traffic ticket, as it mentions the name of the issuing county.
Once you have found the issuing county’s name, you need to search for that city or county’s official website, through which you can pay your traffic fine. For instance, if your traffic fine ticket mentions that you have to pay the fine at the ‘City of Fayetteville, Tennessee’, then you need to search for the official website to pay traffic fines at Fayetteville, Tennessee, which can be found here.
A detailed list of the steps that you need to follow has been neatly provided below.
- Start your journey by first learning the county within Tennessee to which you should be paying your traffic fine. The name should be printed on your traffic ticket.
- Once you have discovered the name, look for its official website to pay traffic citations, and after you have found it, proceed to pay for your fine online.
- State your name, date of birth, citation number, residential address, and email ID, and the online portal will showcase the fine amount you need to pay.
- Proceed to use a credit card or an electronic check to complete your payment. Expect a small convenience fee when using a credit card.
- After successful payment, you can take a printout of the confirmation page for future reference.
Other Ways to Pay
Besides paying your traffic fine to the Tennessee Highway Patrol online, you can also proceed to complete the payment either in person, via mail, or via phone. However, the variety of options you may have at your disposal may vary from one county to another.
Keep in mind that Tennessee has 95 different counties, and each county handles its payment collection process differently. To obtain a list of the different counties, click here.
What You Should Know of the Offenses
Traffic offenses or penalties in Tennessee can be broadly categorized into two types, namely ‘infractions’ and ‘crimes’. Each category carries different penalties.
Starting with infractions, which are considered minor offenses and typically result in fines, demerit points (even though the state of Tennessee does not have a formal point system), or attending a traffic school, Some of the common infractions include speeding (under a certain threshold), driving without a seatbelt, not using turn signals, tailgating, failing to stop at a stop sign or a red light, or using a mobile phone when driving.
On the other hand, you have crimes that are considered more serious offenses and can lead not only to fines but also jail time, license suspension or revocation, and sometimes even criminal charges. Some of the common examples include excessive speeding (going significantly above the speed limit), reckless driving, driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics, driving with a suspended or revoked license, or leaving the scene of an accident.
It should be known that penalties will vary based on the severity of the offense and the driver’s record. To learn more about the various traffic violations and their potential consequences, click here.
