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How much does a DUI cost in Tennessee?
A first DUI in Tennessee carries a statutory fine of $350–$1,500. This guide stacks every cost layer an official Tennessee source prices — the fine, court costs, the license reinstatement fee, the DUI program, ignition interlock, and the SR-22 insurance filing — and says plainly which layers no official source prices at all.
| Tennessee DUI costs at a glance | Figure |
|---|---|
| Statutory fine — first DUI | Tennessee sets a mandatory fine of $350 to $1,500 for a first DUI conviction. Court costs, towing, bail, DUI school, reinstatement fees, and higher insurance costs come on top of the fine; the Department of Safety estimates the total cost of a first offense can add up to about $4,900. |
| Statutory fine — second DUI | The statute separates a second offense: $600–$3,500. Second offenses also carry longer suspensions and program requirements — see the sections below. |
| Court costs & fees | Tennessee does not publish one statewide court-cost figure for DUI cases; court costs are set in each case and are one of the items included in the Department of Safety's total-cost estimate. |
| License suspension — first offense | A first DUI conviction revokes the driver's license for one year. A restricted license may be available during that year for essential driving. |
| License reinstatement fee | Reinstating a license after a DUI-type offense costs a $100 reinstatement fee. A $3 certification fee also applies when the violation occurred in Tennessee, a $50 fee applies if an SR-22 filing is required, and a $75 fee may apply if the license was not surrendered. |
| Ignition interlock | Conditional — restricted license / court order — An ignition interlock device, installed at the offender's own expense, is part of driving on a restricted license after a Tennessee DUI. The Department of Safety notes that minimum first-year interlock costs could exceed $1,000. |
| DUI education / treatment program | First offenders are ordered to participate in an alcohol and drug treatment program (assessment and DUI education). No statewide program fee is published on the official pages reviewed. |
| SR-22 insurance filing | To get a restricted license after a DUI, the driver must obtain SR-22 liability insurance, and the state charges a $50 fee at reinstatement when an SR-22 filing is required. The SR-22 itself is filed by the insurance company, and insurance after a DUI is priced as high-risk coverage, so premiums are higher than for a standard policy. |
The fine
Tennessee sets a mandatory fine of $350 to $1,500 for a first DUI conviction. Court costs, towing, bail, DUI school, reinstatement fees, and higher insurance costs come on top of the fine; the Department of Safety estimates the total cost of a first offense can add up to about $4,900.
Court costs & fees
Tennessee does not publish one statewide court-cost figure for DUI cases; court costs are set in each case and are one of the items included in the Department of Safety's total-cost estimate.
License suspension & reinstatement
A first DUI conviction revokes the driver's license for one year. A restricted license may be available during that year for essential driving.
Reinstating a license after a DUI-type offense costs a $100 reinstatement fee. A $3 certification fee also applies when the violation occurred in Tennessee, a $50 fee applies if an SR-22 filing is required, and a $75 fee may apply if the license was not surrendered.
The national picture — which states charge the most to reinstate — is in our license reinstatement guide.
Ignition interlock
An ignition interlock device, installed at the offender's own expense, is part of driving on a restricted license after a Tennessee DUI. The Department of Safety notes that minimum first-year interlock costs could exceed $1,000.
How interlock pricing works (installation, monthly lease, calibration, removal) is in our ignition interlock cost guide.
DUI education & treatment program
First offenders are ordered to participate in an alcohol and drug treatment program (assessment and DUI education). No statewide program fee is published on the official pages reviewed.
SR-22 & insurance
To get a restricted license after a DUI, the driver must obtain SR-22 liability insurance, and the state charges a $50 fee at reinstatement when an SR-22 filing is required. The SR-22 itself is filed by the insurance company, and insurance after a DUI is priced as high-risk coverage, so premiums are higher than for a standard policy.
What an SR-22 is, which states charge a filing fee, and how long it must be carried: SR-22 cost guide.
Towing, impound & other charges
The Department of Safety's roughly $4,900 total-cost estimate for a first offense includes towing, bail, court costs, DUI school, license reinstatement, and high-risk insurance in addition to the fine.
Worked total: the verified charges stacked
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Statutory fine | $350–$1,500 |
| License reinstatement fee | $100 |
| Total of the verified state-set charges above | $450–$1,600 |
That total is deliberately incomplete: it leaves out everything no official Tennessee source prices statewide — court costs where they are set county by county, interlock lease payments to a private vendor, towing and storage, and the insurance increase that follows an SR-22. Add your own figures for those in the cost calculator.
Sources: Tennessee Dept. of Safety — DUI information outline · Tennessee Dept. of Safety — Restricted License Information. Researched October 2026 — confirm current figures with the court and the driver-licensing agency.
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