How to get your license back after a DUI in Tennessee
Getting a license back after a DUI is an agency process, not a court one: the steps below are the ones the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security lists, in its order, each quoted from the agency's own page. Requirements differ by offense, blood-alcohol level, refusal, and prior record; the state's wording controls.
Steps the state lists
- 1
Serve the mandatory revocation period
TDOSHS states a DUI conviction revokes driving privileges for 1 to 8 years by offense level (DUI 1st: 1 year; 2nd: 2 years; 3rd: 6 years; 4th: 8 years; T.C.A. 55-10-401 and 55-10-404) and lists serving the mandatory revocation period first among the reinstatement requirements.
What the source says
“A driver who is convicted of DUI will have their driving privileges revoked for a period of 1 – 8 years dependent upon the level of DUI convicted. T.C.A. 55-10-401 & T.C.A. 55-10-404 DUI 1 st – 1 year DUI 2 nd – 2 years DUI 3 rd – 6 years DUI 4 th – 8 years”
- 2
Install an ignition interlock for the 365-day minimum period (and 6 months after reinstatement if applicable)
TDOSHS lists ignition interlock installation for a 365-day minimum period and, if applicable, installation for 6 months after reinstatement. Under Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-10-425(a)(2)(B) the usage period is 365 consecutive days or the entire revocation, whichever is longer, and (b)(2)(B) bars reinstatement without proof of a current installation for those who did not obtain a restricted license.
What the source says
“Ignition interlock installation for 365 - day minimum period Ignition interlock installation for 6 months after driver license reinstatement (if applicable)”
- 3
Provide court certification
TDOSHS lists court certification among the DUI reinstatement requirements; the Reinstatements page states the driver must be cleared with the court where the conviction was received.
What the source says
“Step 2: Get cleared with the Department of Human Services or the local court where the conviction was received.”
- 4
File SR-22 insurance
TDOSHS lists SR-22 insurance and a $50 SR-22 fee among the DUI reinstatement requirements; the Department states the SR-22 must be maintained for the length of the revocation period (state record).
What the source says
“Court Certification SR-22 Insurance Surrender Tennessee Driver License Reinstatement fees : $103 Reinstatement fee, $50 SR-22 Fee, $75 Failure to Surrender License Fee (if applicable) Drug/Alcohol Certification (if applicable)”
- 5
Surrender the Tennessee driver license
TDOSHS lists surrender of the Tennessee driver license as a requirement and a $75 Failure to Surrender License Fee if applicable.
What the source says
“Surrender Tennessee Driver License Reinstatement fees : $103 Reinstatement fee, $50 SR-22 Fee, $75 Failure to Surrender License Fee (if applicable)”
- 6
Pay the reinstatement fees ($103 reinstatement fee; $50 SR-22 fee; $75 failure-to-surrender fee if applicable)
TDOSHS lists these fees for DUI; the Reinstatements page states fees can be paid online, documents uploaded online (allow up to 5 business days for review), or handled in person at a Driver Services Center, with a payment plan available.
What the source says
“The Financial Responsibility Office will review the documents once submitted. Please allow up to 5 business days for review and do not submit the same document more than one time via any method.”
- 7
Provide drug/alcohol certification (if applicable)
TDOSHS lists Drug/Alcohol Certification (if applicable) as the final DUI reinstatement requirement; the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services states licensed DUI Schools help individuals who want their license reinstated or are court ordered to attend.
What the source says
“The program helps individuals who want to have their driver’s license reinstated or are court ordered to participate in a DUI school program. Please note, the state of Tennessee does not license any online DUI schools.”
- 8
Complete the interlock program: manufacturer compliance determination, State approval, then a license without the interlock restriction
TDOSHS states that when the required time has elapsed the manufacturer completes a final download and a Compliance Determination Form; if compliant, a certificate of compliance goes to the State for approval, after which a license without the interlock restriction is issued and the manufacturer schedules removal.
What the source says
“Once your manufacturer has notified you that your Certificate of Compliance has been approved, or you have received a "Remove Interlock Restriction" letter from the Department of Safety, you can go to a Driver Services Center to obtain a license without the interlock restriction.”
Official reinstatement page: Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security
Conditions that travel with reinstatement
| Reinstatement fee | $103 |
|---|---|
| SR-22 / financial-responsibility filing | Yes — details |
| Ignition interlock | Tennessee interlock rule |
| Required program | DUI School (licensed by the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services; Prime for Life curriculum, minimum 12 hours) |
| Driving during the suspension | Restricted driver license (issued on a court Order for Restricted Driver License, ORDL) |
Required program: DUI School (licensed by the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services; Prime for Life curriculum, minimum 12 hours)
TDMHSAS states a licensed DUI School is an early intervention program providing screening, assessment and education for persons convicted of DUI, must teach the Prime for Life curriculum with at least 12 hours of instruction, and that no online DUI schools are licensed. TDOSHS lists 'Drug/Alcohol Certification (if applicable)' among DUI reinstatement requirements.
“A licensed DUI School is an early intervention program that provides screening, assessment, and education for individuals convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol and/ or other drugs.”
Driving during the suspension: Restricted driver license (issued on a court Order for Restricted Driver License, ORDL)
TDOSHS states a restricted license may only be applied for while still under revocation or suspension, is subject to department approval, and is not available for CDL classes. Steps listed: obtain a certified ORDL signed by a judge; obtain SR-22 insurance; within ten days visit a Driver Services Center with the ORDL and required documents (including proof of interlock installation if required) and apply for a 90-day temporary license; Central Office review; the restricted license is valid only during the revocation period.
“You can only apply for a restricted license while still under revocation or suspension and is subject to department approval. Restricted licenses cannot be issued for Class A, B, or C commercial driver licenses.”
When the interlock can be removed
Compliance-based removal under Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-10-425 (offenses on or after Jan. 1, 2023). The device must stay installed for the ignition interlock usage period (365 consecutive days or the full revocation, whichever is longer). During the final 120 days the person may not attempt a start above 0.02% BrAC (unless a passing retest within 10 minutes is photo-verified), skip or fail a rolling retest, or remove the device; a violation restarts the 120-day period (§ 55-10-425(d)-(e); TDOSHS). Removing the device, missing 30-day service, or tampering restarts the full period. Removal is authorized by the manufacturer's Compliance Determination Form and the State's approval of the certificate of compliance (or a 'Remove Interlock Restriction' letter); the device is removed only after the unrestricted license is issued. Disputed extensions may be reviewed by the TDOSHS Ignition Interlock Program within 30 days. No early-removal provision and no removal fee cap in the fetched sources.
Compliance period: final 120 consecutive days violation-free
“During the final one hundred twenty (120) day period the device is required, the person shall not have any of the following violations. If the person is found to have any of the below violations, the one hundred twenty (120) day period will restart on the date of the violation:”
Questions about reinstatement in Tennessee
- What does Tennessee list as the reinstatement requirements after a DUI?
- The TDOSHS Financial Responsibility Laws page lists: serve the mandatory revocation period; ignition interlock installation for a 365-day minimum period (and 6 months after reinstatement if applicable); court certification; SR-22 insurance; surrender of the Tennessee license; a $103 reinstatement fee, $50 SR-22 fee and $75 failure-to-surrender fee if applicable; and drug/alcohol certification if applicable.
- How is the interlock removed in Tennessee?
- Under Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-10-425 removal is compliance-based: the device must remain for the usage period, and during the final 120 days any qualifying violation restarts that period. TDOSHS states the manufacturer issues a Compliance Determination Form, sends a certificate of compliance to the State for approval, and the device is removed only after a license without the interlock restriction is issued.
- Can a Tennessee driver drive during a DUI revocation?
- TDOSHS's Restricted License Information page states a restricted license may be applied for only while under revocation or suspension and is subject to department approval. The listed steps are: obtain a certified Order for Restricted Driver License signed by a judge, obtain SR-22 insurance, apply within ten days at a Driver Services Center for a 90-day temporary license, and await Central Office review.
Sources
- TDOSHS - Financial Responsibility Laws (DUI reinstatement requirements and fees)
- TDOSHS - Reinstatements (steps to clear a revocation or suspension)
- TDOSHS - Restricted License Information
- TDOSHS - Ignition Interlock (Breath Alcohol Device) program steps and compliance-based removal
- TDMHSAS - DUI Schools in Tennessee
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-10-425 (Compliance-based removal of ignition interlock device), PDF hosted by TDOSHS Safety Support
- TDOSHS Safety Support - Do I need SR-22 Insurance?