NASHVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – A federal judge has determined that it is unconstitutional for the state of Tennessee to revoke drivers licenses from individuals who are unable to pay for court costs.

The ruling was made Monday in U.S. District Court – Middle District of TN by Judge Aleta A. Trauger. According to the judge’s order, Tennessee’s current code violates the Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment because “it provides for no exception from revocation for debtors whose failure to pay is based solely on their indigence.” This means that lower-income people who are unable to pay will not be penalized.

Starting now, the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security has been ordered to stop revoking licenses on this basis and to reinstate the licenses of those who had their licenses revoked because they couldn’t pay court costs.

The department is also ordered to submit a plan within 60 days that amends the current code.

The lawsuit was filed by two men, James Thomas and David Hixson, in 2017.

You can read the judge’s order here and the full history of the case here.