Archive for category Tennessee Driver’s License

Tennessee Driver License Reinstatement and Driving History

We are often asked how to obtain information from the Tennessee Department of Safety (TDOS) for driver license reinstatement (e.g. following a revocation for a Tennessee DUI conviction).  While one could certainly call the TDOS at 1-866-903-7357, the easier course of action is to check the status of a Tennessee driver license by visiting the TDOS website.  This is a wonderful resource for Tennessee residents whose driver license is revoked or suspended, however the following information is required to process a request: ; Last Name; and Date of Birth.

A related question is: how do I obtain a copy of a Tennessee Driver Record/Driving History/Motor Vehicle Record (also referred to as Tennessee MVR) online?  Unfortunately, Tennessee does not currently provide an option to obtain this report online.  A person must visit a full service Driver Service Center, a list of which can be viewed by clicking here.  The following information on obtaining a copy of one’s driving record comes from the Tennessee Department of Safety website:

You will need the following when requesting your record:

  • Name
  • Date of Birth
  • Driver License Number

If you want someone else to obtain a copy of your MVR for you, you must submit a notarized statement authorizing that person to obtain the record.

You may also obtain a copy of your driver record (also called a motor vehicle record or MVR) by mailing your request to:

Tennessee Department of Safety
MVR Request
PO BOX 945
Nashville, TN 37202

There is a $5.00 charge for a copy of a three-year driver record. A cashier’s check or money order should be made payable to the Tennessee Department of Safety. If mailing, allow two weeks from the mailing date to receive the driver record. The federal Driver Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) prohibits the release of personal identifying information from driver license and vehicle registration records unless an individual submits a form requesting their records be open.

The Oberman & Rice law firm often deal with issues surrounding Tennessee driver licenses, relating to Tennessee DUI offenses, as well as other traffic issues.  Should you have any legal issues surrounding your Tennessee driver license, our attorneys,  Steve, Sara, and Nate, are be available to speak with you and can be reached by calling 865-249-7200.

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Revoked License Reporting Error

In accordance with a Tennessee state law that was passed in 2011, the Knox County government provided the Tennessee Department of Safety with a list of people who had failed to pay their litigation taxes and fines (often referred to as “court costs”) within one year after their criminal cases were resolved.  As a result, nearly 1,300 motorists who faced a criminal offense in Knox County in 2012, including traffic offenses, received a letter earlier this month informing them that their driver licenses would be revoked for failing to timely pay their court costs. Unfortunately, as the  Knox News Sentinel reported on January 25, 2013, officials recently discovered that many people should not have been included on the list submitted to the Department of Safety.  According to the Knox News Sentinel, over 500 people never owed court costs or had timely completed their obligations to the court.  Even though the Department of Safety has been notified of the error, the consequences of this mishap remain unclear.   For more information about this developing story, read Clerical Error May Cause Wrongful Revocation of Driver’s License by our firm’s managing partner Steve Oberman.

It is important to note that Driving on a Revoked License is a criminal offense, and an officer may immediately arrest anyone found driving with a revoked license.  Moreover, a person who drives while his or her license is revoked as the result of a DUI conviction will be made to serve at least 48 hours in jail if convicted of Driving on a Revoked License.  Please contact SteveSara, or Nate for further assistance if you have a question about your driver’s license.  You may reach our attorneys by calling (865) 249-7200.

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The New Implied Consent Violation Restricted Driver’s License

As discussed in a prior post, The Implied Consent Violation Restricted Driver’s License, we are often asked: Can a motorist, whose license is revoked due to an implied consent violation, receive a restricted TN driver’s license without geographic restrictions if he installs an ignition interlock device? Thanks to a new Tennessee DUI law, effective July 1, 2012, some motorist will be able to obtain a restricted driver’s license without geographic restrictions in this instance.  Tennessee law now permits a judge to order an ignition interlock device for the Tennessee Implied Consent Violation restricted driver’s license.  It must be noted, however, that the judge further has the discretion to require both an ignition interlock device and geographic restrictions.

If you would like more information about Tennessee DUI Laws, the Tennessee Implied Consent Violation (also known as a chemical test refusal), or a Tennessee Restricted Driver’s License, feel free to contact our office at (865) 249-7200. You may also wish to visit our websites to learn more about driving under the influence in Tennessee, or about the Oberman & Rice law firm.

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Spring 2012 Sobriety and Safety Checkpoints In Knox County

The Tennessee Highway Patrol has announced plans to conduct at least six checkpoints over the next two months, from March 9 through April 20, 2012.  The planned checkpoints are not always labeled Sobriety Checkpoints or DUI Roadblocks.  Some checkpoints are referred to as Driver’s License Roadside Safety Checkpoints.

It is important for Tennessee motorist to understand that even if a checkpoint is designed to verify driver’s licenses, the Troopers conducting the stops are trained to detect and investigate those drivers they suspect of Driving Under the Influence (DUI). For instance, the THP participates in the Governor’s Highway Safety Office campaign–Booze It & Lose It!

The announced locations for checkpoints, as reported in the Knoxville News Sentinel, are:

Friday, March 9 – Schaad Road – West of Pleasant Ridge Road

Friday, March 23 – Oak Ridge Highway (Route 62) – East of Pellissippi Parkway (Route 162)

Friday, April 6 – Maynardville Highway (Route 33) – At Loyston Road

Friday, April 13 -  Schaad Road – West of Pleasant Ridge Road

Friday, April 20 – Schaad Road – West of Pleasant Ridge Road

Anyone detained and then arrested at a Sobriety Checkpoint or Driver’s License Roadside Safety Checkpoint should immediately contact a Tennessee attorney familiar with DUI Roadblocks or Driver’s License Checkpoints.  For more information about the crime of DUI or about your legal rights relating to a Tennessee Highway Patrol roadblock, Sara, Steve, or Nate are available by calling (865) 249-7200.

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Restricted License Form for Tennessee DUI

If convicted of a Tennessee DUI offense, or a similar crime in another state, a Tennessee licensee may be eligible to obtain a restricted driver’s license to allow the person to drive during, at least a portion of, the driver’s license revocation period.  One should consult with an attorney in the appropriate county–either the Tennessee county where the DUI offense occurred or the person’s Tennessee county of residence–to obtain an Order for restricted driving privileges.  A copy of this Order can be viewed by clicking here.

Additional information about eligibility for a Tennessee restricted driver’s license, as well as the requirements for obtaining such a license, can be found on the Tennessee Department of Safety’s website by clicking here.  The attorneys at the Oberman & Rice law firm are also available to assist you in obtaining a Tennessee restricted driver’s license.  You may reach Steve Oberman, Sara Compher-Rice or Nate Evans by calling (865) 249-7200.

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West Knoxville Driver Service Center Changing

The Tennessee Department of Safety Driver Service Center in West Knoxville, located at 430 Montbrook Lane, is no longer a full service driver service center.  Beginning January 3, 2012, this location will only offer Tennessee Driver’s License Reinstatement services. This applies to those reinstating their license as a result of a Tennessee Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Conviction or Violation of the Tennessee Implied Consent Law (Chemical Test Refusal).

The center will also continue to offer photo ID’s for voting purposes.  However, those who wish to obtain a copy of a driving record, or even have their driver’s license renewed, must do so at another location.

West Knox Driver License Reinstatement Station
430 Montbrook Lane
Knoxville TN 37919
(865) 690-6393
Fax: (865) 690-6530
Services: Driver License Reinstatement, Photo ID’s for voting purposes

As a result of this change, Knoxville will now have only one full service location:

Strawberry Plains Driver Testing  Station
7320 Region Lane
Knoxville, TN 37914
(865) 594-6399
Fax: (865) 594-6429
Services: Full Driver License Service station, CDL (Commercial Driver License) Skills Test, Original Handgun Permit, Driving Records (MVR), Driver License Reinstatement (Walk-In Only)

Additional information about the Tennessee Department of Safety and testing center locations may be found in our previous blog post, “Tennessee Driver’s License Information.”

We again hope the above information will help you as you navigate the waters of the Tennessee Department of Safety.  If, however, you still have questions, Sara, Steve, or Nate will be happy to speak with you at (865) 249-7200.  You may also review our websites at www.tndui.com and www.duiknoxville.com.

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The Implied Consent Violation Restricted Driver’s License

Most motorists who have violated the Tennessee Implied Consent law by refusing to submit to a blood, breath or urine test during a Tennessee DUI arrest, will be eligible to obtain a Restricted Tennessee Driver’s License.  The Restricted TN Driver’s License for the Implied Consent Violation offender must include both day and time restrictions, as well as geographic restrictions.  The permitted geographic restrictions include locations associated with:

  • Employment;
  • College or university;
  • A court-ordered alcohol program;
  • Ignition interlock monitoring appointments;
  • Meetings with probation officer;
  • Regular place of worship;
  • Scheduled litter pick-up; and
  • Outpatient alcohol/drug treatment program.

It is important to note that not all of these locations will apply to every motorist. A judge in the county in which the offense occurred, or in which the motorist resides, must approve and sign an Order for Restricted Driver License, detailing the permitted locations.  Even then, the locations, days and times are subject to final approval by the Tennessee Department of Safety.

In light of the recent changes involving Tennessee Ignition Interlock Device laws, we are often asked: Can a motorist, whose license is revoked due to an implied consent violation, receive a restricted TN driver’s license without geographic restrictions if he installs an ignition interlock device? Unfortunately, the answer is no.  When the changes were implemented permitting licenses to be issued without restrictions (as long as the motorist installed an ignition interlock device), the new law did not allow the issuance of a license without geographic restrictions for licenses revoked for violation of the implied consent law.

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Tennessee Driver’s License Information

At the Oberman & Rice law firm we often receive inquiries about Tennessee driver’s licenses.  Two of the most common questions asked are (1) Where is a Tennessee Department of Safety testing station (also known as a Full Service Driver Service Center) in Knoxville? and (2) What do I need to do to get my Tennessee driver’s license reinstated following a suspension, revocation or cancellation?

Tennessee Department of Safety Locations

The service you need will dictate which Tennessee Department of Safety Service Center you should visit.  For instance, you can renew or obtain a duplicate of your non-commercial motor vehicle driver’s license at most locations.  However, the testing necessary for a new license or, in the case of a Driving Under the Influence or Implied Consent Violation, a restricted Tennessee driver’s license is only available at the “full service” centers. A list of locations, listed by county and available services can be found by clicking here.  Knox County has only one full service center:

Strawberry Plains Driver Testing  Station
7320 Region Lane
Knoxville, TN 37914
(865) 594-6399
Fax: (865) 594-6429
Services: Full Driver License Service station, CDL (Commercial Driver License) Skills Test, Original Handgun Permit, Driving Records (MVR), Driver License Reinstatement (Walk-In Only)

Tennessee Driver’s License Reinstatement

The Tennessee Department of Safety website is an excellent source for information relating to the reinstatement of your Tennessee driver’s license.  In fact, the website provides an Online Driver Services section (available by clicking here) that allows Tennessee licensees to perform many functions on the website itself.  In some instances, you may be able to have your Tennessee driver’s license reinstated through this website.  Even if you are required to visit a testing station or other location for reinstatement, by following the prompts for reinstating your driver’s license, you can obtain valuable information on the requirements and logistics of the reinstatement procedure, including the eligible date for reinstatement.

We hope the above information will help you as you navigate the waters of the Tennessee Department of Safety.  If, however, you still have questions, Sara and Steve will be happy to speak with you at (865) 249-7200.  You may also review our websites at www.tndui.com and www.duiknoxville.com.

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A “Facelift” for Tennessee Driver Licenses

Beginning March 16, 2011 driver’s licenses issued by the State of Tennessee Department of Safety will have a new look! Tennessee landmarks will be displayed across the top, a new background design will be implemented, and measures will be implemented to prevent identity theft and make it easier for law enforcement officials to verify identification.  

The new format will be provided when your license is renewed.

The old Tennessee driver’s licenses will remain valid until they expire.  For more information and to see what the license will look like, click here.

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Driver’s License Reinstatement Following DUI Conviction

One consequence of Driving Under the Influence (DUI) and related convictions, such as Implied Consent Violation, is the loss of the person’s Tennessee driver’s license.  Depending upon the facts of the case, the Tennessee driver’s license revocation can range from one year to more than ten years.  Once the revocation period expires, the person is not allowed to simply start driving. Rather, specific steps must be taken to have one’s driver’s license properly reinstated with the Tennessee Department of Safety.

Failure to reinstate your Tennessee driver’s license could result in your arrest if you drive while unlicensed.  In fact, a conviction for Driving on a Revoked, Suspended or Canceled Driver’s License could result in a mandatory jail sentence if your license had been revoked, suspended, or canceled as a result of a DUI conviction.  Eligibility for driver’s license reinstatement is not a defense to this crime.

To find out when your Tennessee driver’s license is eligible for reinstatement and to how to accomplish this goal, you may click here for detailed information relating to reinstating your Tennessee driving privilege. To obtain this information, you should be prepared to provide your Tennessee driver’s license/ID number.

If you have any additional questions about Tennessee driver’s license consequences of a Driving Under the Influence (DUI) conviction, Steve Oberman and Sara Compher-Rice are available to speak with you and answer your questions.  Steve and Sara can be reached by calling (865) 249-7200.  You may also find additional information about the crime and consequences of DUI on our firm’s websites: www.tndui.com and www.duiknoxville.com.

 

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