How to Access Tennessee DUI Records

A single Tennessee DUI (Driving under the Influence) conviction could cost an individual as much as $5000 or more after all fines and fees have been paid. A first offense DUI could easily add up to such staggering costs. The cost could be higher if one does not qualify for the restricted driver license for driving. This could add on more expenses for alternate transportation and can also result in complete loss of your employment.

Tennessee DUI Records

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is the central store house for criminal records. It not only maintains the records but makes it accessible to the public for information as well. The information stored in the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s central database includes arrest records for felony and misdemeanor cases which also includes the DUI records. These records are based on submission of the fingerprints by the arresting agencies.

The Tennessee Open Records Information Services or the TORIS is an online system which can be accessible to the public for a fee of $29.00. You can contact Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, 901 R.S. Gass Boulevard, Nashville, TN 37216, Phone: 615 744 4000.

Visit http://www.tbi.state.tn.us/ for further information about DUI records.

You can obtain your own driver record or on behalf of someone who has authorized you to receive the record. The MVR or the motor vehicle record is available from the full or the express service “Driver Service Centers”. The list of the full and the express service driver centers are given on the official website of the Department of Safety, which is http://tennessee.gov/safety/driverlicense/dlllocationserv.htm.

To request for your driving record, you will have to submit the following details:

-    The number on the driver license
-    Name of the requester
-    Date of birth

You need to mail the Tennessee Department of Safety in order to get your copy of the driver record or the motor vehicle record to the following address: Tennessee Department of Safety, MVR Request, PO Box 945, Nashville, TN 37202.

You will have to pay a fee of $5.00 for a copy of a driver record of three years,  You can pay the amount by a money order or cashier’s check which should be payable to the Tennessee Department of Safety. It normally takes two weeks to receive a copy of your driver record by mail. The rules laid by the federal Driver Privacy Protection Act or the DPPA states that the release of any personal information of identification from the vehicle registration details and driver license is strictly prohibited unless and until the individual to whom the record is related sends a request to the Tennessee Department of Safety declaring the records to be open.

Tennessee DUI Laws and Penalties

You can also obtain a restricted license only if there are no prior Tennessee DUI offense records and no other revocation or suspensions are included in the driver record that you possess. You will need to

1.    Obtain an order from the judge of the court
2.    Pay a driver license fee of $67.00
3.    File  SR 22 insurance
4.    Take complete driver license examination which includes examination of eye, law and road

Implied Consent – Refusing a Blood Alcohol Concentration test (BAC)

-    Revocation of drivers license for 1 year – 1st offense
-    Revocation of drivers license for 2 years – 2nd offense
-    Drivers license revocation for a period of 2 years in bodily injury ( Most Aggravated Drunk Driving Law )
-    Drivers license revocation for a period of 5 in a crash resulting in a death (Most Aggravated Drunk Driving Law)

1st time TN DUI offender – 0.08 BAC

-    48 hours to maximum of 11 months, and 29 days for offenders in violation of 55-10-401
-    License revocation for 1 year
-    0.20 BAC or greater minimum jail time 7 consecutive days
-    You will be ordered to participate in a DUI school
-    $350-$1,500 fine
-    With towing, bail, attorney, high risk insurance, court costs, school, and reinstatement fees, your first offense average costs could add up to $4,900
-    If two (2) convictions are found for a DUI in the span of 5 years, Ignition Interlock Device installation is required for 6 months after reinstatement at your expense

2nd time TN DUI offender

-    45 days to 11 months, 29 days in jail
-    2 years needed for revocation of license/for the first year you will be given a restricted license
-    $600-$3,500 mandatory fine
-    Subject to vehicle seizure/forfeiture
-    Subject to 0.08 BAC
-    You will be ordered to attend a DUI school
-    If two (2) convictions are found for a DUI in the span of 5 years, Ignition Interlock Device installation for 6 months after reinstatement at your expense
-    The judge can order the installation of a vehicle Ignition Interlock Device at your expense

3rd time TN DUI offender

-    Ignition interlock device must be installed at own cost
-    DUI school
-    If two (2) convictions is found for a DUI in the span of 5 years, Ignition Interlock Device installation for 6 months after reinstatement at your expense
-    120 days to 11 months, 29 days in jail
-    $1,100 to $10,000 mandatory fines
-    Subject to .08 BAC
-    Subject to vehicle seizure/forfeit

4th subsequent TN DUI offender

-    If two (2) convictions are found for a DUI in the span of 5 years, Ignition Interlock Device installation for 6 months after reinstatement at your expense
-    Class E Felony
-    Judge could order the installation of an Ignition Interlock Device at your expense subject to vehicle seizure/forfeit
-    DUI school
-    1 Year (365) days of jail time with a minimum of 150 consecutive days served
-    Mandatory fine of $3,000 to $15,000