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 — Tennessee SR-22 requirements |
| 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) |
| Re-examination | Knowledge test: not addressed by the agency · road test: not addressed by the agency |
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.”
Full page: waiting period, conditions and hearing deadline for the Restricted Driver License
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 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:”
Will you have to retake the test? Re-examination in Tennessee
Some states hand the license back once the conditions are met; others treat a revoked or long-withdrawn license as expired and issue a new one only after the knowledge test, the road test or a vision screening is passed again. The rules below are the licensing agency's own, one per test.
| Knowledge (written) test | Not addressed by the agency The Department's reinstatement pages describe clearing the court and state requirements on the reinstatement requirements list, paying the reinstatement fees and then reinstating the license, online or at a Driver Services Center, once a suspension is cleared or a revocation period has run. They do not say whether the knowledge test is taken again. The only testing rule the Department states in this area is for new or returning residents whose out-of-state license has been expired for more than six months. What the source says“Revoked License: After clearing all requirements and waiting out the revocation period you may be eligible to reinstate your license online here or if not avaiblable visit in person at a Driver Service Center.” |
|---|---|
| Road (driving) test | Not addressed by the agency Nothing on the reinstatement pages addresses the road skills test for a Tennessee license that was suspended or revoked; the Department describes reinstatement online or in person after the requirements are met. The road skills test is stated only for first-time applicants and for new or returning residents whose out-of-state license has been expired for more than six months. What the source says“New or returning residents whose out of state license has been expired for more than six months must take the vision screening, Tennessee knowledge test and road skills test.” |
| Vision screening | Not addressed by the agency The reinstatement pages do not mention a vision screening; the Department states one for all new or returning residents at a full-service Driver Services Center and for first-time applicants. What the source says“All new or returning residents must take a vision screening at a full-service Driver Services Center.” |
What triggers a re-test
No trigger is stated for a Tennessee license: a suspended license is reinstated after all requirements are cleared, and a revoked license after the requirements are cleared and the revocation period has been waited out, online where available or at a Driver Services Center. The six-month expiry rule the Department publishes applies to an out-of-state license held by a new or returning resident.
“Suspended License: After clearing all requirements you may be eligible to reinstate your license online here or you would need to visit in person at a Driver Service Center locations.”- Testing fee
- $28.00 — the Class D operator license ($26.00 for eight years) plus the $2.00 application fee; no separate test fee is listed, and the reinstatement fees are separate
What the source says
“D-Operator $3.25/year 8 Years $26.00 $2.00 $28.00”
- Where to take it
- tn.gov — knowledge test online through e-Services or by appointment at a Driver Services Center; road skills test by appointment at a Driver Services Center
- Official driver manual
- Tennessee Driver License Manual
Questions about re-testing in Tennessee
- Does a Tennessee DUI revocation mean retaking the knowledge or road test?
- The Department of Safety and Homeland Security's reinstatement pages do not say. They describe getting the reinstatement requirements list, clearing the court and state requirements, paying the reinstatement fees and, for a revoked license, waiting out the revocation period, after which the license may be reinstated online or at a Driver Services Center.
- When does the Department state that the tests are required?
- For first-time applicants, who pass a vision screening, the Class D knowledge test and the road skills test, and for new or returning residents whose out-of-state license has been expired for more than six months, who take the vision screening, the Tennessee knowledge test and the road skills test.
- What does a Class D license cost?
- $26.00 for the eight-year Class D operator license plus a $2.00 application fee, $28.00 in total on the Department's fee page; county clerk partners add a $4.00 administrative fee.
Reinstatement knowledge check: Tennessee
Ten questions on the rules this site cites for the state — the figures the licensing agency and the statute state, with a link to where each one is stated. The order changes every time.
This is not the agency's knowledge test and does not predict it; it checks the rules cited on this site.
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?