Recent Tennessee DUI Law Changes
What changed, when it took effect, and who it affects.
January 1, 2026
Longer revocation for a first implied consent violation (HB 1204 / SB 1400)
A first implied consent violation now brings a court revocation of 1 year and 6 months instead of 1 year. It applies to violations on or after January 1, 2026, by drivers with no DUI, vehicular assault, or vehicular homicide conviction in the past 10 years.
2024
Tennessee Prevention of Drunk Driving Act (Public Chapter 961)
The Act became Public Chapter 961 on May 13, 2024. It set up a 12-member advisory task force, formed by September 1, 2024, to review impaired driving and boating in Tennessee.
July 1, 2022
Child maintenance after a vehicular homicide (Ethan’s, Hailey’s, and Bentley’s Law)
When a vehicular homicide or aggravated vehicular homicide kills a parent of a minor child, the court must order the defendant to pay child maintenance to each child until age 18 and high school graduation. It applies to offenses on or after July 1, 2022.
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.