Question 1

What's the minimum jail time for a first Tennessee DUI conviction, and what fine range applies?

Accepted Answer

48 hours minimum jail (7 days if BAC was 0.20%+), $350-$1,500 fine — A first Tennessee DUI conviction carries at least 48 hours in jail (7 days if BAC was 0.20% or higher), a $350-$1,500 fine, and a 1-year license revocation.

Question 2

What happens on a second Tennessee DUI conviction?

Accepted Answer

45 days to 11 months 29 days in jail, a $600-$3,500 fine, a 2-year license revocation, and the vehicle becomes subject to seizure — A second Tennessee DUI conviction carries 45 days to 11 months 29 days in jail, a $600-$3,500 fine, a 2-year license revocation, and the vehicle becomes subject to seizure and forfeiture.

Question 3

What happens on a third Tennessee DUI conviction?

Accepted Answer

120 days to 11 months 29 days in jail, a $1,100-$10,000 fine, a 3-to-10-year revocation, and vehicle seizure — A third Tennessee DUI conviction carries 120 days to 11 months 29 days in jail, a $1,100-$10,000 fine, a 3-to-10-year license revocation, and vehicle seizure/forfeiture.

Question 4

What is a fourth or subsequent Tennessee DUI conviction classified as, and what license consequence follows?

Accepted Answer

A Class E felony, with a license revocation of 5 years up to indefinite — A fourth or subsequent Tennessee DUI conviction is a Class E felony: 150 days up to the maximum for a Class E felony in jail, a $3,000-$15,000 fine, and a license revocation of 5 years up to indefinite, plus vehicle seizure.

Question 5

What litter-removal condition does Tennessee attach to DUI probation?

Accepted Answer

3 eight-hour shifts of litter pickup wearing clothing that reads 'I am a DRUNK DRIVER' — Tennessee requires 3 eight-hour shifts of litter pickup as a condition of DUI probation, while wearing a vest or other clothing reading 'I am a DRUNK DRIVER' — performed in the offender's home county if they're a TN resident.

Question 6

What does Tennessee's 2012 'No Refusal Law' allow law enforcement to do?

Accepted Answer

Seek a search warrant for a blood sample from a suspected impaired driver who refuses testing — Tennessee's 2012 No Refusal Law lets law enforcement seek search warrants for blood samples from suspected impaired drivers, closing off refusal as a way to avoid a chemical test.

Question 7

How long is a Tennessee driver's license suspended if they refuse a BAC or drug test under the implied consent law?

Accepted Answer

12 months — Refusing a BAC or drug test under Tennessee's implied consent law results in a 12-month suspension of driving privileges by the court.

Question 8

What happens to an 18-, 19-, or 20-year-old convicted of purchasing or possessing alcohol in Tennessee, even if they weren't driving at the time?

Accepted Answer

They lose their driving privilege for 1 year (2 years for a second offense) — An 18-, 19-, or 20-year-old convicted of purchasing, attempting to purchase, or simply possessing alcohol in Tennessee — even away from a vehicle entirely — loses their driving privilege for 1 year on a first offense, 2 years on a second.

Tennessee: DUI Laws & Penalties Questions

1. What's the minimum jail time for a first Tennessee DUI conviction, and what fine range applies?

2. What happens on a second Tennessee DUI conviction?

3. What happens on a third Tennessee DUI conviction?

4. What is a fourth or subsequent Tennessee DUI conviction classified as, and what license consequence follows?

5. What litter-removal condition does Tennessee attach to DUI probation?

6. What does Tennessee's 2012 'No Refusal Law' allow law enforcement to do?

7. How long is a Tennessee driver's license suspended if they refuse a BAC or drug test under the implied consent law?

8. What happens to an 18-, 19-, or 20-year-old convicted of purchasing or possessing alcohol in Tennessee, even if they weren't driving at the time?

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