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Do you qualify for a restricted license?

You may have not thought about it much before, but being able to do something as simple as drive around Clarksville actually gives you a lot of freedom. Often, an appreciation for that freedom only comes after it has been taken away. If you have lost your driving privileges due to being convicted for driving under the influence, then you likely have that appreciation right now. A first-time DUI offense in Tennessee typically results in your license being suspended for one year. Is there a way, however, to get your privileges back on a limited basis?

The state does indeed allow DUI offenders to apply for a restricted license. Having such a license allows you to drive to places such as:

  • Work
  • Church
  • School
  • Court-ordered drug and alcohol dependency treatment programs
  • Meetings with your probation officer
  • Ignition interlock monitoring appointments

The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security states that in order to qualify for a restricted license, you cannot have a previous conviction of alcohol-related vehicular homicide or assault on your record. You also cannot have killed or injured someone as a result of your current DUI incident.

In some instances, such as you being under 18 years of age at the time of your offense or you having refused a breath test, the judge may order that you also install an ignition interlock device in your vehicle when issuing you your restricted license. Such a device will not allow your vehicle to start if, after breathing into an accompanying breathalyzer apparatus, alcohol is detected on your breath. Even if you are not required to have an ignition interlock installed as condition of you restricted license, you may want to have one put in anyway. Doing so in this situation would remove the geographic restrictions on your license.