Coffee County License Hearing Guide
How to request your Administrative License Hearing and protect your driving privileges after a DUI arrest.
Last verified: September 4, 2026
20-Day Deadline
You have exactly 20 days from your arrest to request a hearing. Miss this deadline and your license is automatically suspended. No exceptions.
Enter your arrest date to see your deadline:
If You Request in Time
- • Temporary permit until hearing
- • Chance to keep your license
- • Gather evidence for defense
If You Miss the Deadline
- • Automatic 90-180 day suspension
- • No hearing, no appeal
- • Starts after waiting period
How to Request Your Hearing
Online Request
Fee: Typically $50-$125
Available: 24/7
Instant confirmation
Phone Request
Fee: Same as online
Hours: Business hours only
Expect hold times
Information You'll Need
From Your Notice:
- • Driver License Number
- • Date of Arrest
- • Arresting Agency
- • Arresting Officer Name
Personal Information:
- • Full Legal Name
- • Current Address
- • Date of Birth
- • Phone Number & Email
After You Request
Temporary Permit
ImmediateDrive legally until your hearing
Hearing Notice
20-40 daysDate, time, and format mailed to you
Prepare Defense
Before hearingGather evidence, hire attorney
Attend Hearing
Scheduled dateUsually phone or video
Decision
Same dayWin: keep license. Lose: suspension starts
Temporary Permit
Immediate
Drive until hearing
Hearing Notice
20-40 days
Date mailed to you
Prepare
Before hearing
Gather evidence
Attend Hearing
Scheduled
Phone or video
Decision
Same day
Win or suspension
What to Expect at the Hearing
Most hearings are by phone or video
You usually don't need to travel. When you receive your hearing notice, it will specify whether it's phone, video, or in-person.
Duration
30-60 minutes typically
Who's There
You, your attorney (optional), state attorney, hearing officer
What They Review
Probable cause for stop, proper arrest procedure, test validity
Evidence That Can Help
- Dashcam or bodycam footage showing procedural errors
- Breathalyzer calibration records (if not current)
- Witness statements about your sobriety
- Medical conditions affecting field sobriety tests
Should You Hire an Attorney?
With an Attorney
- Can subpoena arresting officer
- Knows how to challenge evidence
- Uses hearing to strengthen criminal defense
- Higher success rate at hearings
Without an Attorney
- State has experienced attorney present
- May not know proper objections
- Can't effectively cross-examine officers
- Lower win rate statistically
If You Lose Your Hearing
Losing the hearing isn't the end. You still have options to maintain limited driving privileges:
Ignition Interlock
Drive with device installed
Occupational License
Limited driving for work/essentials
Tennessee DMV Office
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Guides
A DUI in Coffee County starts two cases at once: the criminal charge in General Sessions Court and a civil action by the Department of Safety against your license. They are separate, and winning the criminal case does not save your license. If you refused the chemical test or failed it, the state moves to suspend your license automatically.
The clock is 10 business days from the arrest, or from the date on the suspension notice, to formally request an administrative hearing. The request goes in writing to the Financial Responsibility Division, PO Box 945, Nashville, TN 37202, or by fax to (615) 242-3480, which takes at least 48 hours to process. A phone call does not count. Send it certified with a return receipt or fax it and keep the confirmation, because the burden is on you to prove it arrived in time. There is usually a $50 to $100 fee. Miss the deadline and the suspension holds no matter what the criminal court does later.
The civil hearing uses a lower standard of proof than the criminal trial, so it is hard to win, but filing it keeps you driving legally until the hearing and it forces the officer to testify on the record early.
For a restricted license you need a signed order from the Coffee County judge, an ignition interlock installed, and SR-22 insurance, then you submit the whole packet to a Driver Services Center. The interlock installers are split between the two towns. Tullahoma has a LifeSafer shop on West Catron Street, open weekdays 8 to 4 with same-day installs, and an Intoxalock installer on South Anderson Street. Manchester has a Smart Start installer on Woodbury Highway near the courthouse, which closes at 5:30. If you live near Manchester, using the local installer saves a 20-minute drive to Tullahoma on a restricted license.
The SR-22 is a certificate your insurer files electronically with the state; you do not get it from a local office, and any carrier writing high-risk coverage can file it.
Last updated: September 4, 2026
Top Rated Coffee County DUI Attorneys
When facing a DUI charge in Coffee County, finding local, experienced representation is critical. Below is our curated list of verified DUI defense attorneys serving Coffee County, TN.