Tennessee Drunk Driving Laws

As a licensed driver, you accept a number of responsibilities when you get behind the wheel. From following the speed limit to obeying traffic signals, you take on several obligations each time you operate a vehicle on public roads, and that includes not drinking and driving. Indeed, given the threat an impaired driver poses to other motorists, it’s easy to see why lawmakers continue to pass legislation to prevent motorists from driving under the influence (DUI). While these laws vary from one state to another, DUI is a serious criminal offense in all 50 states—and with its harsh sentencing guidelines, Tennessee drunk driving laws are certainly no exception.

From a legal standpoint, a driver is deemed impaired if he or she has an illegal blood alcohol content (BAC). Also known as blood-to-alcohol ratio, the term BAC refers to the percentage of alcohol found in a driver's bloodstream—a calculation determined by a breathalyzer or other chemical test. Under state law, it is illegal for any person to operate a motor vehicle with a BAC of 0.08% or higher.

Of course, that doesn't mean you can't be arrested for DUI if your BAC is below the 0.08% limit. If you are under 21, driving with a BAC of 0.02% or more is enough to warrant your arrest, while individuals who operate a commercial vehicle (such as a tow truck, or tractor-trailer, or bus) can be charged with DUI for driving with a BAC of 0.04% or higher.

Regardless of your age or the type of vehicle you drive, Tennessee law requires all drivers to submit to chemical testing if an officer suspects them of driving under the influence—which means you will be arrested if you refuse to comply with the officer’s request. And, whether you refuse to perform a chemical test or your results indicate you have an illegal BAC, the penalties for a DUI conviction will be based largely upon your prior history of drunk driving.

For a first offense, your sentence may include a fine of $350 or more, as well as a one-year license suspension and up to eleven months of jail time. If this is your second or third conviction, you’ll face up to a one-year jail sentence, $10,000 fine, and ten-year license suspension—and if you are charged with a fourth DUI, the offense will be classified as a felony.

As the most severe type of DUI, a felony conviction carries penalties such as a $15,000 fine, permanent license suspension, and one-year jail sentence. In addition, you may lose a number of personal freedoms, including your right to vote, obtain a passport, and purchase a firearm.

Fortunately, not all drivers who are arrested for DUI are convicted of the offense. In fact, many of the individuals who are arrested are able to successfully reduce or eliminate their charges and avoid the life-altering impact of a drunk driving conviction.

To learn how you can improve your chances of obtaining a favorable outcome in court, submit your information online today for a free, no-obligation consultation with an experienced DUI defense attorney in your area.