Tennessee camera ticket, but you weren’t driving.
If a friend, partner, or anyone else genuinely had your car, Tennessee law lets you say so under oath and shift the ticket off your name. It’s called an affidavit.
At a glance — details and the official link below. Last verified June 2026.
Does the form work in Tennessee?
Tennessee lets the registered owner file an affidavit identifying the person who had the vehicle (or that it was stolen). Camera violations are not reported to credit bureaus and carry no points. Tennessee speed cameras are limited to school zones and certain dangerous curves.
Statute: T.C.A. § 55-8-198 · last verified June 2026. Confirm with your court before filing.
How to file in Tennessee
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i
Make sure it’s true.Someone other than you, or a co-owner, genuinely had the car. The form is sworn, so this part isn’t flexible.
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ii
File before the deadline.Submit by affidavit naming the lessee or person in control, by the deadline on the notice.
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iii
Let the court decide.They cancel the ticket or set a hearing. Either way it stays civil: no points, no hit to your record.
The court reviews your declaration — usually within a couple of weeks. You’ll get a decision by mail or email: the ticket is canceled, or a hearing is set. Don’t pay the fine while you wait — paying can withdraw the declaration. Heard nothing by the follow-up date? Call the court and confirm they received it.
Tennessee camera tickets: FAQ
If someone else was driving, can I get out of a camera ticket in Tennessee?
Yes. Tennessee lets the registered owner file an affidavit (T.C.A. § 55-8-198) stating you weren’t the driver, naming the person who actually had the vehicle. A valid one can cancel the ticket. It must be true — it’s sworn under penalty of perjury.
How do I fight a traffic camera ticket in Tennessee?
If someone else was driving, file an affidavit (T.C.A. § 55-8-198) — follow the steps above. If it was you, request a hearing to contest the citation itself. Either way these are civil tickets, so no license points.
What is the affidavit in Tennessee?
It’s a sworn statement to the court that the vehicle was in someone else’s control at the time of the camera infraction. File it by affidavit naming the lessee or person in control, by the deadline on the notice.
Do camera tickets in Tennessee put points on my license?
No. Automated red-light and speed camera citations in Tennessee are civil — they don’t add points to your driving record. Don’t pay the fine before filing, though — paying usually withdraws your right to declare.
Do I have to name who was driving in Tennessee?
Yes — Tennessee’s process requires you to identify the actual driver for liability to transfer to them. (Some states, like Washington and Oregon, don’t require this; Tennessee does.)
This is a statement under penalty of perjury. If it was genuinely someone else, use the remedy without hesitation. If it was you, just pay it or ask for a hearing — a false oath is never worth it.
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