A Hardship Driver’s License in the State of Tennessee also referred to as a Restricted Driver’s License, is a limited use license issued by the Tennessee Department of Motor Vehicles. The special restricted license allows you to drive a vehicle while your license is suspended or revoked for a drug or alcohol-related offense. While your driver’s license is suspended or revoked, you may be eligible to receive a restricted license. This will allow you to drive only to and from work, doctors’ appointments, court dates, traffic offender programs, or other state mandatory meetings. While maintaining a restricted driver’s license, the State of Tennessee will require you to carry a mandatory SR-22 insurance policy.
We recommend speaking with an attorney about the length of time you will need to carry an SR-22 insurance policy. The typical term is maintaining a policy for 3 years. It could possibly call for the policy to last up to 5 years or more. It is mandatory to maintain the high-risk insurance coverage during the time frame that the court mandates. If the policy lapses or cancels for any reason your license will be suspended, and you typically will have to start the process all over again. The State of Tennessee may also require you to install an ignition interlock device in your vehicle and complete a DUI program. Below we have included information from the State of Tennessee to assist you with this process.
Drivers with certain types of suspensions or revocations are required to keep and maintain SR-22 insurance. The SR-22 insurance must be carried for a minimum of 3 years following the date of the suspension or revocation and may be required for up to 5 years.
New suspensions or revocations which also require SR-22 insurance will restart the requirement from the date of the new action.
Cancellation of the SR-22 insurance may result in the suspension of the driving privileges. If your insurance company submits a cancellation or proposed cancellation of your SR-22 insurance, you or your insurance company must submit a new SR-22 form prepared after the cancellation notice.
We recommend you fill out our contact form. Once completed, an SR-22 insurance specialist will call or email you within 24 hours.
Tennessee Reinstating Your Driver’s License
Financial Responsibility Affidavits
A Financial Responsibility Affidavit is a notarized statement issued by the department upon request from an individual or his representative stating whether a person involved in an crash has filed an owner/operator report indicating liability insurance for a specific crash. If this notarized statement is requested, then there is a charge of $5 (cashier’s check or money order made payable to the Tennessee Department of Safety). The request should include:
- Name of the person involved in the crash.
- The driver’s license number of people involved in the crash.
- Date of accident
- County of the accident.
Mail the request to:
Financial Responsibility Division
Tennessee Dept of Safety
PO BOX 945
Nashville, TN 37202
Please allow two weeks from the mailing date for the return of the affidavit.
SR-22 Insurance
An SR-22 form is proof of future financial responsibility as required under Tennessee Code Annotated 55-12-114. If you are required to file an SR-22, then you should contact your liability insurance representative and advise them of the needed filing with our state. The form must be filed by an insurance company licensed through the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance to issue motor vehicle liability insurance coverage in Tennessee. The minimum limits of liability required in Tennessee are 25/50/15. Our department cannot furnish blank forms. The form must be issued from a liability insurance company. For the cost of this type of insurance, you will need to check with your insurance agent. The insurance company determines the cost.
An SR-22 can be required for a total of 5 years from your date of suspension. If the SR-22 is filed for a total of 3 years (36 months) within the 5-year period, the SR-22 may be canceled provided it is not required on any other suspension. If 5 years pass from the date of suspension before you reinstate your privileges, then the SR-22 would not be required. If the SR-22 is canceled before the required time and a new form is not filed, your driving privileges will be suspended.
SR-22 Financial Responsibility Certification
SR-22 certification is required for the following convictions:
- Unsatisfied judgments
- Uninsured motor vehicle suspension
- Failure to provide proof of insurance associated with insurance monitoring
- Falsifying insurance certification
Driver license suspension because of a conviction for:
- Voluntary or involuntary manslaughter resulting from the operation of a motor vehicle.
- Perjury, making a false affidavit to DMV regarding the registration of motor vehicles or making a false statement on any driver’s license application.
- Any crime punishable as a felony under the motor vehicle law or any felony in the commission of which a motor vehicle is used.
- Failure of a driver of a motor vehicle, involved in an accident resulting in death or injury to another person, to stop and disclose his identity at the scene of the accident.
- Operating or permitting the operation, for a second time, of a passenger automobile for transportation of passengers for rent or for hire, without a license.
The State of Tennessee law mandates that every automobile insurance policy sold in the state must have these minimum coverages:
Minimum Limits of Liability
The Tennessee Code Annotated (TCA) 55-12-102(12) references minimum limits of liability for the state of Tennessee which currently are:
- $25,000.00 for one injury or death
- $50,000.00 for all injuries or deaths
- $15,000.00 for property damage for one accident
For additional information please contact https://www.tn.gov/
Department of Safety & Homeland Security
Jeff Long
312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue
Nashville, TN 37243
(615) 251-5166
Email.Safety@tn.gov
Mailing Address
Tennessee Department of Safety
PO BOX 945
Nashville, TN 37202
Driver License Issuance
(615) 253-5221
1-866-849-3548 (Toll-Free)
Fax: (615) 253-2092
Driver License Reinstatement
1-866-903-7357 (Toll-Free)
Fax: (615) 242-3480
Affordable SR-22 Insurance For The Entire State of Tennessee, including:
Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Clarksville, Murfreesboro, Franklin, Jackson, Johnson City, Bartlett, Hendersonville, Kingsport, Smyrna, Collierville, Spring Hill, Gallatin, Cleveland, Brentwood, Columbia, Mount Juliet, Germantown, Bristol, and Lynchburg