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DUI Laws in Tennessee

In the State of Tennessee, it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or above. The .08 blood alcohol level is the standard measure throughout the United States. In Tennessee, the BAC is lower for commercial drivers, which is .04 and minors which is.02. Tennessee’s DUI/DWI law includes alcohol, drugs and other controlled substances such as marijuana, amphetamines, inhalants and other intoxicants.

DUI – 1st Offense

  • Your first arrested and convicted of drunk driving in the State of Tennessee will get you 24 hours to 11 months in jail.
  • You will be ordered by the court to attend a DUI school.
  • Your driver’s license will be revoked for 1 year.
  • You will be fined $350-$1500.
  • You may be ordered to have an ignition interlock device installed on your vehicle at your own expense.

DUI – 2nd Offense

  • Your second DUI convicted of in Tennessee will result in a fine from $600-$3500.
  • You will be sentenced to jail for 45 days to 11 months.
  • Your driver’s license will be suspended for 2 years.
  • Your vehicle will become subject to seizure or forfeiture by the State of Tennessee.
  • The judge may order you to install an ignition interlock system on your vehicle at your own expense.

DUI – 3rd Offense

  • Your third arrest in the State of Tennessee you will be ordered to serve from 120 days to 11 months in jail.
  • You will have to pay a mandatory fine of $1100-$10,000.
  • Your driver’s license will be suspended for 3-10 years.
  • Your vehicle will become subject to seizure or forfeiture by the State of Tennessee.
  • The court may order you to install an ignition interlock system on your vehicle at your own expense.

DUI – 4th Offense

  • Your fourth time arrested for drunk driving in the State of Tennessee is a Class "E" Felony. You will be ordered to serve 1 year in jail with 150 of the days served consecutively.
  • You will have to pay a mandatory fine of $3,000-$15,000.
  • Your driver’s license will be suspended for 5 years with no allowance for a restricted driver’s license.
  • You vehicle will become subject to seizure or forfeiture by the State of Tennessee.
  • At the discretion of the court, you may order you to install an ignition interlock system on your vehicle at your own expense.

Tennessee DUI Statistics

In the United States, an average of one person is killed in an alcohol-related crash every 31 minutes. Those deaths represent 40 percent of all traffic fatalities, according to MADD Tennessee. And approximately 32 percent of Tennessee roadway fatalities are alcohol-related. MADD also report an estimated 513,000 people are injured in alcohol-related crashes each year, an average of 59 people per hour or approximately one person every minute.

These statistics clearly show that drunk driving is a serious problem and is the cause of many injuries and fatalities. So, the next time you choose to drink, do not drive.