A winding paved mountain road with a low stone barrier curves along a forested ridge above layered misty hills at sunrise, with a leafy branch in the right foreground.

Tennessee SR-22 Insurance After Your Requirement Ends

Tennessee requires 25/50/25 liability coverage and is an at-fault state.

Find Affordable Coverage After SR-22

Tennessee at a Glance

25/50/25

Minimum liability limits, in thousands of dollars (per person / per accident / property)

At-fault

The at-fault driver's insurance pays for the damage they cause

Optional

PIP and uninsured motorist coverage are not required by law

$65

State license reinstatement fee, about 5 days to process

Source: state DMV, insurance department and statute records, verified July 2026

Minimum Coverage Requirements in Tennessee

DUI convictions, at-fault uninsured accidents, license suspensions for accumulating excessive points, and certain reckless driving violations trigger a 3-year SR-22 filing requirement administered by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security. Once your SR-22 period ends, your insurer typically notifies the state automatically, but you must shop for new coverage to see rate reductions—your current carrier will not automatically lower premiums.

Bodily Injury Liability

Covers injuries you cause to others in an at-fault accident. The Tennessee Department of Safety can suspend your license again if you're found driving uninsured after your SR-22 period ends.

Property Damage Liability

Covers damage to other vehicles and property you cause in an accident.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Protects you when hit by a driver with no insurance, which is common in Tennessee despite SR-22 enforcement. While not legally required, uninsured motorist coverage is especially valuable for post-SR22 drivers who cannot afford another at-fault claim or gap in coverage.

Comprehensive and Collision

Comprehensive covers non-collision damage like theft, vandalism, or weather; collision covers damage from accidents regardless of fault. If your vehicle is financed or leased, full coverage is mandatory.

SR-22 Certificate of Financial Responsibility

An SR-22 is not insurance but proof your policy meets Tennessee minimums, filed by your insurer with the Department of Safety. Once your 3-year requirement ends, the SR-22 is removed automatically by your insurer, but the underlying violation remains on your Tennessee driving record for 3–7 years depending on offense type.

What Drivers Pay in Tennessee

$198–$294/mo

Typical monthly rate in Tennessee, high-risk drivers after a DUI

Rate data: ValuePenguin and Insurify, 2026

What Affects Your Rate

  • Type of original violation—DUI convictions carry higher surcharges (3–7 years) than at-fault accidents (3–5 years)
  • Whether you maintained continuous coverage during and after the SR-22 period with zero lapses
  • Your current insurance score and credit-based insurance score, which improve as time passes without new violations
  • Eligibility for standard carriers—many major insurers will write post-SR22 drivers after 12–24 months of clean driving
A man in a cap, dark hoodie and jeans leans against the rear fender of a pickup truck on a gravel area, looking toward a field and metal gate at sunrise.

Your SR-22 Is Over. Your Rate Should Drop Too

Find Affordable Coverage After SR-22

If your license is suspended

Restricted Driver License (Class D, M) — Order for Restricted License

A restricted license is available while suspended.

A coverage lapse is reported

The state can act when your insurance lapses.

Source: state DMV, insurance department and statute records, verified July 2026