8 Steps to Drive After a DUI in Tennessee

This quick and to the point lesson will give you everything you need to know how to legally drive after a DUI conviction in Tennessee and you have a Tennessee Driver’s license. 

If you have a driver’s license from a State other than Tennessee check out this article here.

Make sure to read to the end for the bonus. 

In order to drive legally after a DUI in Tennessee you have to get a few things and then get a Restricted Driver’s License. 

Here is the list of things you need to do: 

1. Resolve your DUI Case
2. Get a Restricted Driver’s License Order from the Judge (here’s the form)
3. Get SR-22 Insurance
4. Gather records and money
5. Schedule and have Interlock Device Installed
6. Go to Tennessee Department of Safety and apply for restricted license
7. Make sure to drive only a vehicle with the interlock installed
8. Have the Interlock Device installed and on your vehicle, with no violations, for the length of time required

You must do all of these things in order to drive legally after a DUI in Tennessee. 

How to Get a DUI Related Restricted License in Tennessee After a DUI Conviction

1.Resolve your DUI Case

Hopefully you have an attorney and they are fighting to get your DUI dismissed or reduced. 

We had a client recently that an off duty police officer saw him driving and hit another car and left the scene. The off duty officer followed our client while calling it in. 

Officer’s came and our client came out of the house holding a beer and had the keys on him. 

This was a difficult case to get reduced much less dismissed. His BAC was .165. 

Even with those facts we got it reduced to minimums, only 48 hours at the DUI Center, not jail and the rest of DUI minimum requirements. 

All that to say, sometimes winning is not always getting it reduced totally or dismissed. A percentage of cases will plea or be found guilty at trial. 

It’s the way it is. 

Once you and your attorney resolve your case. Unturn every stone and possibility of getting your DUI reduced but cannot. Then you enter your plea and move onto getting your Restricted Driver’s License. 

2.Get a Restricted Driver’s License Order from the Judge (see form)

In order to drive away from court legally you need to have a Restricted License Order signed by the judge. Here is that form:

The Order is Only Good for Ten Days!

To make sure you do this properly, know that once this Order is signed and you receive it from the Clerk of Court it is only good for 10 days. 

Remember, it expires after ten days. 

If you didn’t get all the steps completed and are driving without a Restricted Driver’s License or a new Restricted Licensed Order signed by the judge and are stopped you can catch new charges. 

You can get a new charge of driving on a revoked or suspended license based on a DUI and that is a potential sentence of 11 months and 29 days with a minimum of 48 hours in jail. 

Once you have the signed Restricted License Order you can go to the next step. 

3.Get SR-22 Insurance

Once you plead guilty to a DUI or are found guilty after a trial, the law requires you to have what is often referred to as SR-22 insurance. 

However, an SR-22 is a certificate of financial responsibility, not a type of insurance policy, that some states require drivers to file with the Tennessee Department of Safety (or DMV is some States) to prove they have the minimum required liability insurance coverage after a DUI conviction, certain traffic violations or accidents. 

Here’s are the details:

1. What it is:
   An SR-22 is a form filed by your insurance company with the state’s DMV, verifying that you have the minimum required liability insurance coverage.
2. Why it’s required:
   States may require an SR-22 after a driver is convicted of certain traffic violations, such as driving under the influence (DUI), driving without insurance, or accumulating multiple traffic violations, or after an accident where the driver was uninsured. 
3. Not a separate insurance policy:
   While it’s often referred to as “SR-22 insurance,” it’s important to understand that it’s not a separate type of insurance policy, but rather a form that confirms you have the minimum liability coverage required by your state. 
4. Who needs it:
   Drivers who have been convicted of certain traffic violations, such as DUI, or who have had their driving privileges suspended or revoked, may be required to file an SR-22. 
5. How it works:
   Your insurance company will file the SR-22 form with the state’s DMV, and you’ll need to maintain the minimum required liability coverage for a specified period, often 3 years, to keep your driving privileges. 
6. What happens if you cancel your policy:
   If you cancel your policy while required to maintain an SR-22, your insurance company must notify the state that you are no longer insured, and your driving privileges may be suspended. 
7. SR-22 vs. FR-44:
   Some states also use the FR-44 form, which is similar to the SR-22, but may be required for more serious offenses, such as DUI or reckless driving. 

So make sure to get this and check it off your checklist. Then, go to Step 4. 

4.Gather records and money

In Step 5 you will have to actually apply for your Restricted Driver’s License so this step is to make sure you have everything you need so you don’t get turned away by The Tennessee Department of Safety and have to go back and forth.

You will need the following things:

1. Two Proofs of Legal Status in the United States:

All documents must be original and subject to verification. 

1. Birth Certificate;
2. Passport;
3. Social Security Card;
4. Immigration Documents;
5. Check with the TN Department of Safety website here to double check what you have will be accepted. 

2. Proof of domicile in Tennessee:

1. Copy of your mortgage or rental agreement;
2. Utility bills;
3. Bank account statement showing current address;
4. And other documents according to the TN Department of Safety website which can be found here.

3. Money for Reinstatement fee:

Tennessee reinstatement fee currently in 2025 is: $65 license fee and $2 application fee. 

4. Money for Interlock Device installation:

The prices vary for these devices so check here for how much they cost. Here is a list from the Tennessee Department of Safety of providers: click here. 

Coupons: Some DUI Centers have coupons for Interlock Device vendors so it may be worth checking there for the coupons. To find out more and to see a list of DUI Centers click here.

Now that you gathered all the documents and money it’s time to go to Step 5. 

We Help Great People Fight Their DUI Charges©️. 

If you would like a free, no-obligation consultation call 615-NASH-LAW (615-627-4529) or click here. 

5.Schedule and have Interlock Device Installed

Ideally, right when you get out of court with your signed and Clerk of Court stamped Order for Restricted Driver’s License you call the Interlock Company of your choice and schedule an appointment. 

Make sure to schedule the appointment as soon as possible and definitely within your 10 day window. 

Once you have this schedule make sure to put in your calendar to be on time for your appointment.

If you cannot afford the Interlock Device then see if you qualify for the Ignition Interlock Fund here.  

Then, go to Step 6. 

6.Go to Tennessee Department of Safety and apply for restricted license

Once you have:

1. Resolved your DUI case;
2. Received the Restricted License order;
3. Gotten SR-22 Insurance Certificate;
4. Gather records and money; and
5. Scheduled and had interlock installed.

You now can schedule your appointment or walk-in to the Tennessee Department of Safety License Reinstatement office and apply for your restricted driver’s license. 

See locations and scheduling here.

Follow through until you have your license and then go to the next step. 

Make sure to drive only a vehicle with the interlock installed

It’s very, very important that you only drive a vehicle that has an interlock device installed on it. 

Driving a vehicle after you received a DUI without an interlock device is a Class A Misdemeanor. The penalties are 11 months and 29 days in jail max and minimum 48 hours in jail. 

It’s no joke, don’t take the risk. 

Let’s discuss Step 8. 

8.Have the Interlock Device installed and on your vehicle, with no violations, for the length of time required

If you have a DUI conviction in Tennessee you have to have the Interlock Device on your vehicle for 11 months and 29 days regardless of when. 

It makes the most sense to have it on during your probation for 11 months and 29 days.

Either way, if you don’t have a car or don’t get it installed because you don’t have the money or whatever reason you cannot get your regular license back until you comply with the interlock device law. 

There you have the 8 Steps to drive after a DUI in Tennessee. I have a bonus for you. 

Bonus: DUI based on drugs.

If you have a DUI solely based on drugs, no alcohol, then you can avoid having to install the Interlock Device. 

You have to go before the judge and the judge will ask you a series of questions to determine your eligibility to avoid having the interlock device installed on your vehicle. 

This may lead to the judge having probation increase the testing for drugs but it makes the most sense if the DUI is not based on any alcohol. 

Conclusion

There you have it, the 8 Steps and a Bonus, to drive after a DUI conviction in Tennessee.

As promised, here’s the checklist for you to print off or save in Google Drive to use to make sure you check each item off the list. 

Checklist: 8 Steps to Drive After a DUI in Tennessee

This checklist will help you knock these steps out so you can get back to your normal life after the stressful dealing with a DUI criminal charge. Follow these steps as appropriate for your case. To save a copy to your Google Drive or computer click here.

• Resolve your DUI Case
• Get a Restricted Driver’s License Order from the Judge (here’s the form)
• Get SR-22 Insurance
• Gather records and money

• Two Proofs of Legal Status in the United States. All documents must be original and subject to verification.
  • Birth Certificate;
  • Passport;
  • Social Security Card;
  • Immigration Documents;
  • Check with the TN Department of Safety website here to double check what you have will be accepted. 

• Proof of domicile in Tennessee:
  • Copy of your mortgage or rental agreement;
  • Utility bills;
  • Bank account statement showing current address;
  • And other documents according to the TN Department of Safety website which can be found here.

• Money for Reinstatement fee: Tennessee reinstatement fee currently in 2025 is: $65 license fee and $2 application fee. 

• Money for Interlock Device installation:

The prices vary for these devices so check here for how much they cost. Here is a list from the Tennessee Department of Safety of providers: click here. 

• Coupons: Some DUI Centers have coupons for Interlock Device vendors so it may be worth checking there for the coupons. To find out more and to see a list of DUI Centers click here.

• Schedule to have Interlock Device Installed
  • Go get Interlock Device Installed

• Go to Tennessee Department of Safety and apply for restricted license

• Make sure to drive only a vehicle with the interlock installed

• Have the Interlock Device installed and on your vehicle, with no violations, for the length of time required

• Bonus: If your DUI was for drugs, no alcohol, and you otherwise qualify you may ask the judge to avoid having to do all of these steps.

We Help Great People Fight Their DUI Charges©️. 

If you would like a free, no-obligation consultation call 615-NASH-LAW (615-627-4529) or click here.