DUI Penalties & Fines

The state of Tennessee takes DUIs seriously. DUIs come with harsh mandatory sentences, stiff fines, and life-altering restrictions on your ability to drive. If you’ve been charged with a DUI, the punishment you’re facing, if convicted, depends on your prior DUI record. Let’s break down the possibilities.

Penalties & Fines for 1st Time DUI

When convicted of your first DUI, you’re facing jail time, license revocation, alcohol/drug treatment, fines, court costs, attorney fees, and other administrative and miscellaneous fees. The typical conviction includes:

• 48 hours to 11 months and 29 days in jail (if your BAC was .20 or higher, 7 consecutive days of jail time is mandatory)
• Driver’s license revocation for 1 year – with restricted license available in some instances
• Alcohol/drug treatment program
• Fine of $350 – $1,500
• Miscellaneous fees of up to $10,000 (includes attorney fees, towing, bail, court costs, reinstatement fees, driving school, and ignition interlock installation)

Read more about what to expect for your first DUI in Tennessee.

Penalties & Fines for 2nd DUI

The penalties and fines increase for a second DUI conviction. The big differences between first and second DUI offenses are increased jail time, higher fines, and longer license revocation. The typical conviction for a second DUI includes:

• Minimum 45 days, up to 11 months and 29 days in jail
• Fine of $600 – $3,500
• Driver’s license revocation for 2 years – with restricted license available in some instances
• Vehicle seizure/forfeiture is possible
• Alcohol/drug treatment program
• Miscellaneous fees of up to $10,000 (includes attorney fees, towing, bail, court costs, reinstatement fees, driving school, and ignition interlock installation)

Penalties & Fines for 3rd DUI

A 3rd DUI conviction results in increased jail time, higher fines, and longer license revocation. The typical conviction for a third DUI includes:

• Minimum 120 days, up to 11 months and 29 days in jail
• Fine of $1,100 – $10,000
• Driver’s license revocation for 6 years – with restricted license available in some instances
• Vehicle seizure/forfeiture is possible
• Alcohol/drug treatment program
• Miscellaneous fees of up to $12,500 (includes attorney fees, towing, bail, court costs, reinstatement fees, driving school, and ignition interlock installation)

Penalties & Fines for 4th and 5th DUI Offense

Fourth and fifth DUI convictions are classified as Class E Felonies. The typical conviction for fourth and subsequent DUI convictions includes:

• 1 year of jail time with a minimum of 150 consecutive days to serve
• Fine of $3,000 – $15,000
• Driver’s license revocation for 8 years – with restricted license available in some instances
• Vehicle seizure/forfeiture is possible
• Alcohol/drug treatment program
• Miscellaneous fees of up to $15,000 (includes attorney fees, towing, bail, court costs, reinstatement fees, driving school, and ignition interlock installation)

Penalties & Fines for 6th and Subsequent DUI Offenses

Sixth and subsequent DUI convictions are classified as Class C Felonies. The typical conviction for sixth and subsequent DUI convictions includes:

• 3-6 years year of jail time with a minimum of 150 consecutive days to serve
• Fine of $3,000 – $15,000
• Driver’s license revocation for 8 years – with restricted license available in some instances
• Vehicle seizure/forfeiture is possible
• Alcohol/drug treatment program
• Miscellaneous fees of up to $15,000 (includes attorney fees, towing, bail, court costs, reinstatement fees, driving school, and ignition interlock installation)

These penalties and fines are the typical people see for DUI convictions in Tennessee and may not be indicative of your specific case. If you’ve been charged with a DUI, give us a call for a free consultation, and we will walk you through your options and determine the best way to proceed to protect your rights.