SR-22 Insurance in Tennessee
When Tennessee requires an SR-22 (or similar) certificate of insurance, how long you must keep it, and what happens if it lapses.
Short answer: Tennessee requires SR-22 insurance for violations such as DUI, accident claims, unsatisfied judgments, accumulation of points, implied consent refusal, hit and run, vehicular assault or homicide, racing, and two reckless driving violations in 12 months. Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, Do I need SR-22 Insurance? (citing Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-12-126)
| SR-22 filing | Tennessee requires SR-22 insurance for violations such as DUI, accident claims, unsatisfied judgments, accumulation of points, implied consent refusal, hit and run, vehicular assault or homicide, racing, and two reckless driving violations in 12 months. The SR-22 must be maintained for the length of the suspension or revocation period, either with a restricted license or after reinstatement. If the SR-22 policy or bond is canceled before the requirement ends, driving privileges can be suspended for failure to maintain future proof of financial responsibility, and the driver must refile, pay reinstatement fees and reapply. |
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| Driving without insurance | Through the EIVS program, owners who fail to show coverage after a notice owe a coverage failure fee of $25, rising to $100 if they do not comply with the first notice, and risk losing their registration. Effective July 1, 2027, Public Chapter 1077 (2026) raises these fees to $500 and $1,000, adds a $1,500 fee (with registration suspension or revocation) for lapsing into unconfirmed status for the same vehicle more than once within three years, blocks renewals after a second notice until proof and fees are provided, and limits noneconomic damages for plaintiffs whose vehicles were not in compliance. |
More Tennessee car insurance & vehicle laws
- Minimum Car Insurance in Tennessee
- Driving Without Insurance in Tennessee
- When a Car Is a Total Loss in Tennessee
- Transferring a Car Title in Tennessee
- All Tennessee car insurance & vehicle laws rules
FAQ
When do you need an SR-22 in Tennessee, and for how long?
Tennessee requires SR-22 insurance for violations such as DUI, accident claims, unsatisfied judgments, accumulation of points, implied consent refusal, hit and run, vehicular assault or homicide, racing, and two reckless driving violations in 12 months. The SR-22 must be maintained for the length of the suspension or revocation period, either with a restricted license or after reinstatement. If the SR-22 policy or bond is canceled before the requirement ends, driving privileges can be suspended for failure to maintain future proof of financial responsibility, and the driver must refile, pay reinstatement fees and reapply.
What is the penalty for driving without insurance in Tennessee?
Through the EIVS program, owners who fail to show coverage after a notice owe a coverage failure fee of $25, rising to $100 if they do not comply with the first notice, and risk losing their registration. Effective July 1, 2027, Public Chapter 1077 (2026) raises these fees to $500 and $1,000, adds a $1,500 fee (with registration suspension or revocation) for lapsing into unconfirmed status for the same vehicle more than once within three years, blocks renewals after a second notice until proof and fees are provided, and limits noneconomic damages for plaintiffs whose vehicles were not in compliance.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.