Tennessee · DUI · Checked October 2026

Ignition Interlock Rules in Tennessee

Ignition Interlock Rules in Tennessee: What Are the Rules?

When Tennessee requires an ignition interlock after a DUI.

First offense
If you drive during the 1-year revocation, the interlock is required for the ignition interlock usage period (365 consecutive days or the whole revocation, whichever is longer); if you wait out the revocation, the department will not reinstate your license until you show proof of a current interlock installation, and the usage period starts on reinstatement
Repeat offenses
Required for the ignition interlock usage period (365 consecutive days or the whole revocation, whichever is longer) if you drive on a restricted license (2 years for a second DUI, 6 years for a third, 8 years for a fourth or later), and before reinstatement

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First Offense in Tennessee

If you drive during the 1-year revocation, the interlock is required for the ignition interlock usage period (365 consecutive days or the whole revocation, whichever is longer); if you wait out the revocation, the department will not reinstate your license until you show proof of a current interlock installation, and the usage period starts on reinstatement

Official source: first offense (Tennessee)

Repeat Offenses in Tennessee

Required for the ignition interlock usage period (365 consecutive days or the whole revocation, whichever is longer) if you drive on a restricted license (2 years for a second DUI, 6 years for a third, 8 years for a fourth or later), and before reinstatement

Official source: repeat offenses (Tennessee)

How the Program Works in Tennessee

Removal is compliance based (Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-10-425, as amended by 2022 Pub. Acts ch. 964 and 2025 Pub. Acts ch. 184): no tampering, failed start at or above the 0.02 setting, skipped or failed rolling retest is allowed in the final 120 days, and removing the device, missing a calibration appointment or tampering restarts the usage period. The device is calibrated at 0.02. A court may waive the interlock for a DUI not involving alcohol, a BAC under 0.08, or a refusal, but only if there was no crash, no passenger under 18, and no prior DUI within 10 years.

Official source: how the program works (Tennessee)

More on DUI Law in Tennessee

See the full overview of DUI laws in Tennessee and read about how ignition interlock programs work.

This page summarizes Tennessee law from official sources, checked October 2026. It isn't legal advice; a lawyer licensed in Tennessee can advise on your case.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is an Ignition Interlock Required for a First DUI in Tennessee?

If you drive during the 1-year revocation, the interlock is required for the ignition interlock usage period (365 consecutive days or the whole revocation, whichever is longer); if you wait out the revocation, the department will not reinstate your license until you show proof of a current interlock installation, and the usage period starts on reinstatement

Is an Interlock Required for Repeat Offenses?

Required for the ignition interlock usage period (365 consecutive days or the whole revocation, whichever is longer) if you drive on a restricted license (2 years for a second DUI, 6 years for a third, 8 years for a fourth or later), and before reinstatement

Sources

  1. Ignition interlock

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