What a DUI Costs in Tennessee
Fees and fines set by the state. Attorney fees, insurance increases, and lost work come on top and vary by case.
First-offense DUI fine
$350 to $1,500
Set by the court within this range. A second offense is $600 to $3,500; a third, $1,100 to $10,000.
Restricted license fees
$65 license fee and $2 application fee
Paid at a Driver Services Center when you bring the court’s Order for Restricted Driver License.
Reinstatement payment plan administrative fee
$25
Paid as the down payment if you owe more than $75 in reinstatement fees and choose a payment plan. The rest is paid in quarterly $75 installments.
Official sources
- Tennessee Dept. of Safety — Ignition Interlock and DUI revocation periods
- Tennessee Dept. of Safety — I got a DUI, now what?
- Tennessee Dept. of Safety — How long do I have to have an interlock?
- Tennessee Dept. of Safety — Do I need SR-22 insurance?
- Tennessee Dept. of Safety — Restricted driver license guidance (2017)
- Fiscal Review Committee — Memorandum FM2085 (DUI minimum sentences)
- Fiscal Review Committee — Memorandum FM1293 (DUI sentencing and 10-year rule)
- Senate Bill 186 (108th General Assembly) — DUI fines and revocations
- House Amendment to HB 180 (108th General Assembly) — implied consent
- Fiscal note — HB 1204 / SB 1400 (implied consent revocation)
- Tennessee General Assembly — HB 1204 bill history
- Tennessee Attorney General — Opinion 04-013 (child endangerment, underage DUI)
- Tennessee Attorney General — Opinion 05-041 (expungement of DUI)
- Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals — vehicular assault opinion
- Tennessee Dept. of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services — DUI Schools
- Tennessee Dept. of Safety — How can I find a licensed drug and alcohol abuse class?
- Tennessee Rules of Criminal Procedure — Rule 5 (initial appearance)
- Tennessee Office of Criminal Justice Programs — Overview of the criminal justice system
- Tennessee General Assembly — HB 2845 bill history (Public Chapter 961, 2024)
- Tennessee General Assembly — 2024 Compilation of Abstracts
- Fiscal note — HB 1834 (child maintenance after vehicular homicide)
- Tennessee General Assembly — SB 2248 bill history (112th General Assembly)
- Tennessee Dept. of Safety — Obtaining a restricted driver’s license
- Tennessee Dept. of Safety — Payment plan for reinstatement fees
- General Sessions Court of Metropolitan Nashville & Davidson County
- Nashville General Sessions Court — Jurisdiction
- Shelby County — General Sessions Criminal Court
- Knox County District Attorney — Criminal Justice 101
- Hamilton County — Court System
- Tennessee Courts — General Sessions Courts
Educational information, not legal advice. Tennessee law changes and every case is different. Confirm deadlines with Tennessee courts (revocation orders) and talk to a licensed Tennessee attorney about your situation.
Some details on this page are still being verified against official sources. Check the linked sources before relying on a specific number or deadline.
Last reviewed October 1, 2026.