Minimum requirements and driving laws in Tennessee
Tennessee is a fun state to drive through, what with its rolling landscapes, lush forests and farmland, low mountain passes and bustling cities like Memphis and Nashville. But if you want to get behind the wheel in this state, you need to understand the rules and regulations of driving on Tennessee roads.
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Average car insurance costs in Tennessee
When it comes to how much you’ll pay for car insurance, Tennessee was a bit less than the national average of $1,300 in 2017, with most drivers paying under $1,200 annually for coverage.
The most expensive areas to insure a car are typically the state’s big cities of Nashville and Memphis due to the additional risk for car accidents, vandalism and theft. In small towns and rural areas of the state, you’re likely to find lower insurance rates because of a decreased risk of damage.
While you can expect to pay something in the ballpark of that $1,200 average, you could also end up paying significantly less if you qualify for discounts and follow our tips for lowering your payments.
Looking for ways to save money on your auto insurance in the Volunteer State? No matter what state you’re in, see our general tips to lowering your premiums and getting value out of your coverage in our comprehensive guide to car insurance.
To legally drive in Tennessee, you’ll need liability insurance that includes at least:
A whopping 20% of all motorists in this state were driving without the legal minimum for car insurance in 2015, according to estimates from the Insurance Research Council. This means about one out of every five drivers on the road were uninsured or underinsured.
If you’re in an accident with an uninsured driver, you could end up saddled with extra costs due to their lack of coverage. To better protect yourself and your vehicle, consider uninsured or underinsured motorist insurance.
The state allows you to avoid paying car insurance by making a deposit of $60,000 with the Department of Motor Vehicles. But it might not be your best option: In severe cases, such as when someone is seriously injured or killed, that $60,000 can be wiped out quickly, leaving you to pay any remaining costs out of your pocket.
For these reasons, most drivers in Tennessee choose to find a conventional car insurance policy that works for them.
Yes. You might need temporary car insurance if you’re in-between cars or if you’re borrowing a car from a friend for an extended period of time. It’s also an option for regular campers who drive their RV to the Great Smoky Mountains in the fall or summer.
While it’s possible to find temporary coverage, many major providers don’t offer it. If you find an insurer who does, expect a temporary policy to cost more monthly than you’re used to.
If you’re caught without the minimum car insurance coverage in this state, you face a steep $300 fine and could also have your car towed and held until you provide proof of insurance. You might also have to deal with a license suspension or even some jail time, depending on the severity of the situation and whether it’s your first time caught without insurance.
If you have coverage and simply can’t provide proof, you’re fined $25 and given two weeks to show an insurance ID card or a copy of your policy to the authorities. At the 15-day mark if you still haven’t shown proof of your insurance, you’re slapped with an additional $100 fine.
In addition to this fine, your license and registration can be suspended after the two-week grace period until you get your insurance issues resolved. You’ll also have to pay about $110 to reinstate your registration and license.
While most US states share a common set of traffic laws, each state enforces a few unique regulations of its own:
Like all states, Tennessee enforces an upper blood alcohol content (BAC) limit of 0.08% for typical drivers and 0.04% for commercial drivers. Underage drivers are subject to a BAC limit of 0.02%.
Violators of this state’s drunk-driving laws face steep fines, driver’s license suspensions and likely jail time, with worse penalties for repeat offenders.
| First offense | Second offense | Third offense | Fourth offense | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jail | 2 days to 11 months | 45 days to 1 year | 3 to 12 months | 5 months to 6 years |
| Fines and penalties | $350 to $1,500 | $600 to $3,500 | $1,100 to $10,000 | $3,000 to $15,000 |
| License suspension | 1 year | 2 years | 3 to 10 years | Minimum 5 years; could be indefinite |
| Ignition interlock device required | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
The true cost of a DUI goes beyond the fines you’ll pay just for being convicted. According to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, which oversees the Department of Motor Vehicles, you’ll pay over $5,000 for a DUI after you factor in car insurance rate increases, driver training and court costs.
| Penalty | Cost |
|---|---|
| Towing fee | $75 |
| Bail | $125 |
| Defense attorney | $2,000 |
| Court costs | $200 |
| License reinstatement fee | $300 |
| Insurance premium increase | $2,000 |
| IID installation | $300 |
| Alcohol education program | $300 |
| TOTAL | $5,650 |
Like most states, Tennessee enforces an implied consent law that requires you to comply with breathalyzers and portable breath tests (PBTs) if pulled over by a police officer. If you refuse, you can lose your license for up to a year on the first offense and longer, if it happens more than once. It doesn’t even matter if you were actually drinking or completely sober: This penalty is on the principal of refusal alone, not your actual blood alcohol content.
Most lawyers recommend that you accept a PBT test if an officer requests one. Police officers can get a search warrant to test you if you continue to refuse. But it’s worth noting that these roadside breath tests are often not admissible in court. The more official results come from a controlled breathalyzer or even a blood test typically administered at a police station or a hospital.
Yes, you can file an SR-22 in Tennessee. An SR-22 is a form your insurance provider files with the state that proves you have the minimum insurance needed to get behind the wheel. In Tennessee, you’re usually required to file this form if you’re convicted of a DUI, have an illegal lapse in insurance coverage or accumulate too many violation points on your driving record. It mandates a specific level of insurance coverage, typically for a period of three years.
Even the smallest car accident can be traumatic, leaving you unable to clearly think out your next move.
After an accident, follow these important steps to protect yourself against any unnecessary worries when processing your car insurance claim:
When exchanging information with other drivers, many lawyers advise you against saying the accident was your fault, even if it may have been. If you admit fault, you run the risk of your car insurance company refusing to pay your claim.
Tennessee is a fault or “tort” state. This means a driver with property damage or injuries after a crash can either file a claim with their own insurer or they can file a third-party claim with the insurer of the driver who was at fault. In addition, the driver with damages or injuries can sue for additional amounts related to “pain and suffering,” if necessary.
If the accident results in injuries, death or property damages totaling $400 or more, you must report the accident on an Owner/Driver Report.
State law requires you to submit your report within 20 days of the accident, though your insurance provider may enforce tighter deadlines — some require a report within 24 hours before it considers your claim. If you’re unsure about your provider’s policy or worry about missing a deadline, talk with your agent to see if they can work with you.
After an accident, you may want to contact a lawyer if:
Even if none of these situations look like yours, a simple consultation with a lawyer can be helpful. Lawyers are experts in the law, liability and protection from liability, and they may be able to lend perspective or advise you on your next steps.
When to file a claim depends largely on the costs you’re responsible for after the crash.
Let’s look at a hypothetical scenario: You’ve been in an accident, and the repair shop says you need $1,200 in repairs to your vehicle. If your deductible is $1,000, you will have to pay that full $1,000 just to get $200 in additional coverage from your provider. In this case, your claim might not be worth it, because your rates can increase after an accident and the benefit of filing the claim is minimal.
But if after an accident you need to pay for $5,000 in repairs with a $1,000 deductible, or if your vehicle is totaled and needs replacing, that $1,000 deductible cost starts to sound worth it. You would effectively pay $1,000 for a whole new vehicle, the remaining costs paid by your provider.
In severe accidents, you could end up paying the relatively low price of your deductible for tens of thousands of dollars in repair costs and medical bills. That’s a situation when you would almost certainly want to file that claim.
To drive in Tennessee, you’ll need to either purchase a conventional car insurance policy or prove your financial responsibility with a large cash deposit to the state. Make sure you understand the terms and limitations of your policy before you get behind the wheel to explore everything this incredible state has to offer.
To learn more about types of coverage, getting better rates and nationwide rules and regulations, read our comprehensive guide to car insurance.
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