The Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security (TDOS) will suspend your license if you violate traffic rules, with the suspension period depending on the type of violation. If your license suspension period is not yet over, you may apply for a hardship license as an alternative option to drive under specific conditions. Once the suspension period is complete, you can reinstate your suspended or revoked driver’s license in Tennessee. This detailed guide covers how to reinstate a suspended license in TN, the reinstatement fee, and the required documents.
To reinstate a suspended license, you have three ways: Online, by mail, Fax, and in person. In all these methods, a single process is enough to reinstate your driver’s license in Tennessee. In this post, you can see three ways to reinstate your suspended license in Tennessee.
Steps To Reinstate Suspended License Online in Tennessee
The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security offers customers the to reinstate the suspended driver’s license online after serving a suspension period. It is the easiest way to reinstate your driver’s license without visiting the TDOS, and this process completes in a couple of minutes.
Before applying for reinstatement online, you must have a credit or debit card to pay the reinstatement fee online—the reinstatement fee range from $20 to $228, depending on the type of violation.
Scan all the required documents before processing your application, which you must upload while processing your request. We have mentioned the list of documents in the section on required documents.
Step 1: Visit the E-service website (https://dl.safety.tn.gov) to reinstate your driver’s license, where you can see several services TDOS offers online. To apply for reinstatement, find the “Pay reinstatement” link and enter your TN driver’s license number, last name, date of birth, and social security number. Click the “SUBMIT” button.
Step 2: Fill in the required fields with the correct details and upload scanned documents on the E-service website.
Step 3: Pay the reinstatement fee through your credit or debit card.
After this, wait for five days to verify and process your application. The submitted documents and provided information are correct; the TDOS will remove the suspension and allow you to apply for a reissue.
Reissue Your License: You must reissue your license after removing the suspension.
To reissue your driver’s license visit the E-service website mentioned above and select the “Reissue after reinstatement” link to reissue your suspended or revoked license.
Reinstate Driver’s License by Mail in Tennessee
Before going for reinstatement, first check your driving record and clear all outstanding fines. To reinstate a driver’s license by mail, you must provide the driver’s full name, date of birth, SSN (Social Security Number), phone number, and driver’s license number. If you know the reason for the suspension or revocation, you should include that information as well. The required documents can be sent through U.S. Mail or Courier.
- Mail to Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security (TDOS).
Financial Responsibility, PO BOX 945 Nashville, TN 37202.
- Courier: Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, Financial Responsibility, 1150 Foster Ave, Nashville, TN 37210
Reinstate Driver’s License In Person in TN
If you can’t request to reinstate your driver’s license online, you may visit any driver’s license centre (https://www.tn.gov/safety/driver-services/locations.html). Bring all the necessary documents, such as driver’s license, social security number, date of birth, and residential address, while visiting the driver’s license branch office. You need to see the branch office morning or afternoon to process your request.
Get Reinstatement Information by Phone:
You can call the reinstatement call centre to get your driver’s license information. The automated call centre will allow 24 hours to get information.
Also, you can fax the documents Tennessee motor vehicle department to reinstate the suspended or revoked driver’s license: Fax Number: 615 242 3480. You can only use this fax facility Monday to Friday during working hours.
License reinstatement phone number: 1-866-903-7357
Overview: First, you need to visit the E-service website, where you can see the reinstatement option that allows you to pay a reinstatement fee, upload documents, and review submitted documents. After this, you may apply for a license reissue to obtain full driver’s license privileges.
Tennessee Driver’s License Reinstatement Fee Details
You need to pay a reinstatement fee depending on the violation type. As well as suspension period also depends on the violation type. We have explained the type of violation, suspension period and reinstatement fee details.
| Violation | Consequences | Action needed | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| No liability insurance | License suspended | Provide insurance within 30 days of conviction | – |
| Fail to surrender license | $75 fine | Surrender license within 20 days of conviction | $75 |
| Fail to file owner/operator report after crash | $65 reinstatement fee, $55 SR-22 filing | File report within 20 days of crash | $120 |
| Unsatisfied judgement after crash | License revoked | Pay reinstatement fees | $150 |
| Fail to maintain SR-22 liability insurance | – | Maintain SR-22 liability insurance | $115 |
| First DUI conviction | License revoked for 1 year | Pay reinstatement fees | $153 |
| Second DUI conviction | License revoked for 2 years | Pay reinstatement fees | $153 |
| Third DUI conviction | License revoked for 6 years | Pay reinstatement fees | $153 |
| Fourth DUI conviction | License revoked for 8 years | Pay reinstatement fees | $153 |
| Underage fake ID for alcohol purchase | License revoked for 2 years | Pay reinstatement fees | $70 |
| First speeding/racing conviction | License revoked for 1 year | Pay reinstatement fees | $153 |
| Second speeding/racing conviction | License revoked for life | Pay reinstatement fees | $153 |
| Operating motor vehicle without paying for fuel | Driving privileges cancelled | Pay reinstatement fees | $215 |
Overview: You must pay $50 for SR-22 and $75 for failing to submit your driver’s license for all violations. The reinstatement fee and suspension period depend on the violation you commit.
Tennessee Driver’s License Reinstatement Requirements
Tennessee driver’s license requirements depend on the suspension or revocation type. However, all the suspended or revoked license holders must submit SR-22 liability insurance, reinstatement fee, and required documents.
What Happens When Your License is Suspended in TN?
If your license is suspended, driving privileges will be cancelled, and you need to surrender your driver’s license to the court. As well as, after suspension, you need to wait until the suspension period is over. After this, depending on the conviction type, you must present the documents and pay a reinstatement fee and insurance to TDOS to reinstate your driver’s license.
Can a Revoked License Be Reinstated?
It is possible to reinstate your revoked license based on conviction type. You need to pay a reinstatement fee of $50 for SR-22 insurance. After removing revocation, you need to apply for license reissue at any TDOS branch office E-service website mentioned above in this post. However, you must show all the requirements to TDOS to reinstate your removed license.
If I Pay My Reinstatement Fee, Will My License Still Be Suspended?
Yes, you can’t get full driving privileges until applying for reissue after paying the reinstatement fee. After submitting documents and payment, the TDOS will allow you to apply for the reissue of your driver’s license. After processing your request, the suspension will be removed from your driver’s license.
How to Get a Revoked License Back in TN
You need to wait until the revocation period is over. You can get back your license after removing the revocation. However, you need to present a reinstatement fee depending on the violation, submit the documents, and insurance liability.
How to Check Tennessee Driver’s License Status
You can call customer care to ask questions about your driver’s license, and using this phone number, you can check your Tennessee driver’s license status. Also, make sure your permanent address is correct, as they send your license to that address. If it’s not up to date, follow the change of address process to ensure you receive your license without any issues.
Phone number: 866-903-7357
Bottom Line:
Tennessee driver’s license can be reinstated after the suspension or revocation period. However, you must submit the required documents, reinstatement fee and liability insurance. If you’re convicted multiple times, the TDOS may cancel your driving privileges for 1 to 10 years.
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