Financial Responsibility Laws

The following is a guide that will assist you in learning about Tennessee's Financial Responsibility Laws and its related subjects.

Minimum Limits of Liability

The Tennessee Code Annotated (TCA) 55-12-102(12)(D) references minimum limits of liability for the state of Tennessee which currently are:

  • $25,000 for each injury or death per accident
  • $50,000 for total injuries or deaths per accident
  • $25,000 for property damage per accident

Failure to Satisfy Fines/Costs/Taxes for a Criminal Offense – Default

  • Drivers who are reported by a court as Failure to Pay for Fines/Costs/Taxes on Non-driving Criminal Offenses as a result of defaulting on a court payment plan on or after July 1, 2019, may have their driving privileges suspended.
  • When the court notifies the TDOSHS that the driver has defaulted on a payment plan for a non-driving criminal offense, the TDOSHS will send a notice giving the driver 30 days to re-establish the payment plan with the court or satisfy the court in full to avoid suspension.
  • If the driver does not re-establish the payment plan with the court within 30 days and submit proof to the TDOSHS the driving privileges will be suspended. The driver will then be required to either satisfy the court in full or re-establish the payment plan and apply for a restricted driver license with the TDOSHS.
  • Authority: T.C.A. 55-50-502
  • Mandatory suspension: No
  • Suspension length: Until satisfied in full
  • Restricted license available: Yes
  • Reinstatement requirements:
    1. Submit proof that the criminal offense has been satisfied or apply for a restricted license (see next section).
    2. Surrender Tennessee Driver License Reinstatement fees: $65 Reinstatement fee, $75
    3. Failure to Surrender License Fee (if applicable).