The Hidden Consequences of a First-Time DUI Most People Don't Expect

A first DUI in Nashville does not end with a small fine and probation. Tennessee adds jail time, a breath-test device on your car, and tight limits on where you can drive. At May McKinney, PLLC, the questions our Nashville DUI defense attorneys hear after a first-offense DUI arrest are mostly about the parts nobody warned them about.

Is Jail Time Mandatory for a First DUI in Tennessee?

Yes. Tennessee requires at least 48 hours in jail after a first conviction. The minimum rises to seven days if your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was .15% or higher. The longest possible sentence is 11 months and 29 days, and the time you do not spend in jail is served on probation.

Most Davidson County cases start in General Sessions Court at the Justice A.A. Birch Building. A conviction also takes your license for one year and stays on your record for life. Tennessee does not allow a DUI conviction to be expunged, though a dismissed charge can be cleared.

How Do You Get a Restricted License After a DUI in Davidson County?

The Nashville DUI restricted license requirements start with a judge’s signed order. You take a certified copy from the Davidson County Criminal Court Clerk to a Driver Services Center, along with proof of SR-22 insurance.

If your BAC was .08% or higher, the court must order an ignition interlock device (IID), and you have 10 days to install it. A restricted license without an interlock comes with geographic limits. The order lists the only trips you can make, which may include:

• Your job
• Probation meetings
• Court-ordered treatment
• Full-time college classes
• Interlock service appointments
• Religious services

Any other trip, even a quick stop for groceries, breaks the order. You could face a new charge and lose the restricted license.

First-Time DUI Costs in Davidson County

The fine is only one line on the bill. A first conviction usually brings these costs:

• Statutory Minimum Fine: $350 and up to $1,500, plus court expenses.
• Ignition Interlock Device (IID): Up to $225 to install and $125 a month under state fee limits.
• Davidson County DUI School: $140 for the 12-hour Class run by the Sheriff’s Office on Murfreesboro Pike.
• Probation Supervision: $35 a month, or about $420 over a year of DUI probation.
• Restricted License Fees: A $65 license fee and a $2 application fee may apply.
• SR-22 High-Risk Insurance Premium Increase: Varies by insurer and driving record.

Interlock costs add up month after month because the device stays on your car for as long as the restricted license is in effect. State-approved shops install it on Nolensville Pike and Elm Hill Pike, as well as in Antioch and Madison.

A first-time DUI conviction may put professional licenses, security clearances, and commercial driving (CDL) privileges at risk. It can also lead to denied entry into Canada.

Get a Defense Plan Before Your Nashville DUI Court Date

None of the jail time or fines above apply unless you are convicted. Ask our DUI lawyer in Nashville, TN, to check the traffic stop and the breath or blood test for mistakes. We take a thoughtful, human-centered approach to every case. May McKinney can be reached at 615-256-7337, or you can contact us online.