New Law in Tennessee Turns Teen Bullying Into a Driving Ban

As of July 1, minors found guilty of bullying or cyberbullying in juvenile court can have their driver’s license suspended for up to one year. The court can block the process if they haven’t yet obtained a license. First-time offenders can apply for a restricted license that limits driving to school, work, or religious services, but only if they meet specific requirements and get court approval.

The measure is part of the state’s growing effort to treat bullying as more than just a school issue. By tying social behavior to real-life privileges, lawmakers hope to send a stronger message to teens about accountability.

The law doesn’t leave first-time offenders without options. Those eligible can apply for a restricted license, which limits driving to school, work, or religious services. Teens must apply within ten days of the court’s decision, pay a $20 application fee, pass the usual driving tests, and get a judge’s approval. The judge will also set specific conditions, including where and when the teen can drive.

This new penalty builds on legislation passed last year that formally defined bullying and cyberbullying as Class A misdemeanors in Tennessee. That earlier law gave courts a clearer legal framework to address these cases. With the addition of driving restrictions, the state is moving from definitions to consequences.

For many teenagers, the ability to drive is about more than getting from one place to another. It represents freedom, independence, and trust. Losing that, even temporarily, can be a significant disruption. That’s part of the thinking behind this policy. Lawmakers are trying to reach young people immediately and tangibly.

Still, not everyone believes the new law will have the intended effect. Some argue that teens who are not interested in driving may not feel the impact. Others are concerned that the restricted license doesn’t go far enough in supporting teens who may also need to access after-school activities or mental health services. Lawmakers have indicated that future bill versions may expand permissions to include counseling visits.

Supporters of the law see it as a necessary shift. Bullying, especially online, has become harder to track and easier to ignore. Traditional disciplinary approaches like detention, suspension, or social media bans don’t always resonate. Connecting personal behavior to legal privileges creates a different kind of consequence that carries weight outside school walls.

State Rep. Lowell Russell, who sponsored the bill, said the goal is to interrupt harmful patterns early. While not every case of bullying leads to serious harm, the risks are well-documented. Victims of bullying are more likely to experience long-term mental health challenges, and in some cases, bullying has been linked to violence and suicide. By introducing a clear consequence early on, lawmakers hope to influence how teens think about their actions—and how seriously they take them.

The law applies only to incidents that happen after July 1, 2025. Courts have full discretion over how and when to apply the penalty. Teens who commit repeat offenses will not be eligible for a restricted license.

It is still too early to know whether this approach will reduce bullying. However, it sends a strong signal: driving is not a right. It’s a responsibility that reflects trust, and that trust can be lost through harmful behavior.

This policy doesn’t claim to solve bullying on its own. But it raises the stakes and places real consequences in the path of those who choose to target others. In a time when many social problems can feel distant or difficult to address, this law brings accountability closer to home and the driver’s seat.