What a Tennessee hardship license does and who can request one
A hardship license in Tennessee is a restricted driving permit that lets you drive to specific places — work, school, medical appointments, court-ordered programs — while your license is suspended. You cannot use it for any other purpose. The state calls this a Restricted Driving Privilege, and it is not automatic; you must request it from the court that suspended your license.
You can request a hardship license if your suspension is for a DUI conviction, a refusal to take a breath or blood test, accumulating too many points, or certain other traffic violations. You cannot get one if your license was revoked (a permanent cancellation) rather than suspended, or if you are a habitual traffic offender. The court decides whether to grant it based on your reason for needing to drive and your driving history.
The hardship license is not a second chance at a full license. It is a tool to keep your job, attend school, or meet court obligations while you serve the suspension period. Once the suspension ends, you return to your regular license — you do not need to renew the hardship permit separately.
Key Takeaways
- You request a hardship license from the court that suspended your license, not from the DMV, and you must do this in writing or in person.
- Tennessee requires you to show financial hardship or a critical need — losing your job, attending school, or medical treatment are the most common reasons the court accepts.
- You must have served at least 30 days of your suspension before you can request a hardship license for a DUI suspension.
- The court charges a fee (usually $50 to $150, depending on the county) and may require you to install an ignition interlock device on your vehicle.
- Once approved, your hardship license lists the specific times and places you are allowed to drive; driving outside those limits is a new criminal offense.
The 30-day waiting period for DUI suspensions
If your suspension is for a DUI conviction or a refusal to submit to a breath or blood test, Tennessee law requires you to wait at least 30 days before you can request a hardship license. This waiting period is mandatory and cannot be waived. You cannot go to court on day 29 and ask for an exception.
Count 30 days from the date your license was suspended — that date appears on the suspension notice the Department of Safety sent you. If you were arrested on a Friday and your license was suspended when ready, day one is that Friday. Day 30 is 29 days later. On day 31, you are may be able to access to file your request.
For suspensions based on points, traffic violations other than DUI, or administrative reasons, there is no waiting period. You can request a hardship license when ready after suspension takes effect.
How to request a hardship license from the court
You must file your request with the General Sessions Court or Circuit Court in the county where you were charged or where your license was suspended. Do not contact the DMV; the DMV does not issue hardship licenses. The court that suspended your license is the only body that can grant one.
You have two options for filing: in person or by mail. If you file in person, go to the courthouse clerk's office during business hours, bring the documents listed below, and ask to file a petition for a Restricted Driving Privilege. The clerk will give you a filing date and a court date. If you file by mail, send your petition and documents to the court address (available on the county courthouse website) and include a self-addressed stamped envelope so the court can send you the hearing date.
Some counties allow you to file online through their court portal, but this varies. Call the courthouse clerk's office before you go or mail anything; they will tell you the exact process for your county and confirm the current filing fee.
Documents and information you need to bring
You will need to submit a written petition to the court. The petition does not have to be formal or written by a lawyer, but it must include your name, driver's license number, the date your suspension began, and the reason for the suspension. You also need to explain why you need to drive — your hardship.
Bring or include proof of your hardship. If you need to drive to work, bring a letter from your employer on company letterhead stating your job title, your work schedule, and that you cannot work from home or use public transportation. If you need to drive for school, bring an enrollment letter or class schedule from the school. If you need to drive for medical treatment, bring a letter from your doctor stating the treatment, how often you need it, and that it is not available closer to your home.
You will also need a copy of your suspension notice (the document the Department of Safety mailed you) and proof of insurance for any vehicle you plan to drive. Bring your Social Security number and be prepared to pay the court filing fee at the time you submit your petition.
What the court looks for when deciding
The judge will consider whether your reason for driving is genuine and whether you have a pattern of safe driving. A job you cannot do without driving, school attendance, or medical treatment are strong reasons. Wanting to drive for convenience, social activities, or errands is not enough.
Your driving history matters. If you have multiple prior suspensions, DUI convictions, or a record of driving with a suspended license, the court is less likely to grant the hardship license. If this is your first suspension and you have a clean record otherwise, your chances are better.
The court may also consider whether you have completed or are enrolled in a DUI education program (if your suspension is DUI-related). Completing the program before your hearing strengthens your petition. Some courts require it; others view it as a positive factor.
The ignition interlock device requirement
If your suspension is for a DUI conviction, Tennessee law requires you to install an ignition interlock device on any vehicle you drive under the hardship license. An ignition interlock is a breathalyzer connected to your vehicle's ignition; you must blow into it and register a blood alcohol content of 0.00 before the engine will start.
You must have the device installed before you can use the hardship license. The court will tell you this requirement when it approves your petition. You pay for the installation and monthly monitoring yourself — costs vary but typically run $60 to $100 per month. You must keep the device on the vehicle for the entire duration of your hardship license.
If your suspension is not DUI-related, the ignition interlock is not required. However, the court may order it in other cases if it sees fit.
After the court approves your hardship license
Once the court approves your petition, it will issue an order listing the specific times and places you are allowed to drive. The order might say you can drive Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. to your workplace at 123 Main Street, and on Wednesdays from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. to your doctor's office. You cannot deviate from this schedule or these locations.
Take the court order to the Department of Safety to have your hardship license printed. You will need to bring your current suspended license, the court order, proof of insurance, and a valid photo ID. The Department of Safety will issue a physical hardship license card that you must carry while driving. There is no additional fee for this step beyond what you paid the court.
Driving outside the times or locations listed on your hardship license is a criminal offense in Tennessee. If you are stopped and found to be driving outside your permitted hours or places, you can be charged with driving with a suspended license, which carries jail time and fines. Stick to the schedule and locations the court gave you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a hardship license if I was driving with a suspended license before I requested one?
Driving with a suspended license is a separate criminal charge. It does not automatically disqualify you from a hardship license, but the court will see it as a negative factor when deciding whether to grant one. If you have multiple convictions for driving with a suspended license, the court is unlikely to trust you with a restricted permit.
What happens if I miss my court hearing for the hardship license?
If you do not show up, the court will likely deny your petition. You can file again, but you will have to start over and pay another filing fee. Some courts allow you to reschedule if you have a documented emergency, but you must contact the court before the hearing date to ask.
Can I drive to places not listed on my hardship license in an emergency?
No. The hardship license is strict about times and locations. If you have a genuine emergency — a family member is in the hospital, your child needs when ready medical care — you should still follow the permit restrictions and then report the emergency to the court afterward. Driving outside your permit and claiming emergency is not a legal defense.
How long does the hardship license last?
The hardship license lasts for the duration of your suspension. Once your suspension period ends, the hardship license expires automatically and you can drive normally again with your regular license. You do not need to do anything; just stop carrying the hardship license.
Do I need a lawyer to request a hardship license?
You do not need a lawyer, but having one can help. A lawyer familiar with your county's court can file the petition correctly, gather strong supporting documents, and argue your case at the hearing. If you cannot afford a lawyer, you can file the petition yourself, but make sure your hardship reason is clear and your supporting documents are strong.