Under Tennessee law, you may be eligible, under certain circumstances, for a restricted license.
Your driving privilege cannot be under revocation, suspension, or cancellation for any reason other than the current DUI conviction in Tennessee or any other state. If you have an additional revocation, suspension, or cancellation, you must reinstate those violations to be eligible for a restricted license. No type of restricted license can be issued for a Class A, Class B, or Class C type license or to operate a commercial vehicle.
Once you are convicted of a DUI offense, request a restricted license/ignition interlock device, and the Judge signs the Order for Restricted License (ORDL), the original certified court order and a copy must be taken to a Driver Services Center to obtain a restricted license. You may drive on the ORDL for a maximum of 10 days, allowing you time to have an ignition interlock device installed.
Once your ignition interlock device has been installed, you should allow forty-eight (48) hours for the proof of installation to be electronically submitted by your interlock company a posted to your account in the Driver Services database. Driver Services cannot accept a paper copy of your installation report from you.
The Driver Services Center will require proof of interlock installation to have been submitted electronically by your interlock company into their database, SR-22 insurance, and additional documentation to obtain a restricted license. When you apply, you will be issued a 90-day restricted interim driver's license. The application is then sent to the Driver Services Central Office for review. If you have met the requirements and are eligible, the license is approved, and the Restricted Driver's License mailed to the address on file. If you are not eligible, the application will be denied, and you and the district attorney in the county where you were convicted will be advised of the reason for the denial. If you need to satisfy any outstanding requirements for other violations or need to have your court order corrected, you will be sent a missing information letter.
Note: If you apply for a restricted license on a pending DUI case and are convicted before the license expires, you will need a new court order (ORDL) and must pay a duplicate license printing fee. If convicted and the license has expired, you will need a new court order and may be required to pay the $65 driver's license fee and a $2 application fee.
For more information about what is specifically required in your case, please contact the Driver Services Restricted License Information Line at 866-903-7357.