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Tennessee DUI Laws

DUI Defense in Tennessee

Statutes, Penalties, and Defense Strategies

What you are facing, the deadlines that bind you, and the questions an attorney needs to answer — under Tennessee (TN) DUI law.

BAC Limit

0.08

Enhanced BAC

0.20

Higher penalties above this

Lookback Period

10 years

Prior offenses count within

First Offense Penalties in Tennessee

Jail TimeMandatory minimum 48 hours (up to 11 months 29 days)
Fines$350 – $1,500
License Suspension1 year
Ignition Interlock

Plain language

A breath-tester wired into the car ignition. The car will not start without a clean sample.

Required for all DUI convictions

Implied Consent and Test Refusal

Tennessee has an

implied consent law

Plain language

By driving on the state's roads, you have already agreed to a chemical test if an officer has probable cause to think you are impaired.

like every state. The test can be breath, blood, or urine. Refusing carries its own penalty, listed below.

Refusal Penalty

1-year license revocation

Tennessee-Specific Detail

Tennessee has a mandatory minimum 48-hour jail sentence with no exceptions, even for first offenses. If BAC is 0.20+, the mandatory minimum increases to 7 days. Tennessee requires IID for all DUI convictions.

Is your Tennessee DUI defense on track?

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Take the Free Defense Score

DUI Defense Playbook — $127

26 questions that change how your next attorney meeting goes, a case stage roadmap, red flag checklist, and a case progress scorecard. Instant PDF download — calibrated for Tennessee DUI defendants.

Get the DUI Playbook — $127Read the Free DUI Guide

Other Tennessee defense topics

Facing a different charge in Tennessee? Penalty ranges, enhancements, and defense questions for related crimes:

Drug Possession in TennesseeAssault in TennesseeDomestic Violence in Tennessee

Important: This page provides general legal information about Tennessee DUI laws as of the date of publication. Laws change frequently. This is not legal advice. For guidance specific to your case, speaking with a Tennessee-licensed attorney is one option, or take the free Masked Researcher’s First Read to see where your case stands.