When it comes to DUIs in Tennessee, there are two ways your license can get suspended: after refusing to take a chemical test during a DUI stop and after getting convicted of the crime. In both cases, there is still a chance to regain some – if not all – of your driving privileges.
If your DUI charge is pending, the law still allows for a judge to order a DUI offender to only drive to and from their workplace on a restricted license or to drive a vehicle equipped with an ignition interlock device (IID). If interlock is already required due to a previous DUI conviction, you will be required to maintain interlock while driving to and from work.
On the other hand, if you are applying for a restricted license after a DUI conviction, you cannot have a prior conviction for vehicular homicide, aggravated vehicular homicide, or vehicular assault. If restricted to a vehicle with an IID, such a device needs to be installed on the vehicle before applying for the restricted driver’s license and needs to be used while operating the vehicle to validate the restricted license.
In order to obtain a restricted license you must:
- Obtain a certified order from the court where convicted, or court in the county of residence, signed by a judge – geographic location restricted to only driving to and from, and working at, person’s regular place of employment.
- Get SR-22 from liability insurance company, proving financial responsibility.
- Pay $65 license fee and $2.00 application fee.
- Take the original certified Court Order and a copy to a Driver Services Center within ten (10) days of the date of the Court Order – along with other necessary documents.
- If the Court or statute requires a person be restricted to vehicles with functioning IIDs, the device needs to be installed on the vehicle and installation papers presented at the Driver Service Center.
For more information, contact our Memphis criminal defense attorney at the Law Office of Stephen R. Leffler, P.C. today.