Davidson County License Hearing Guide
How to request your Implied Consent Hearing and protect your driving privileges after a DUI arrest.
Last verified: August 1, 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
Ten days. That's the window to contest a Tennessee license suspension after a Davidson County DUI arrest, and because some Department of Safety deadlines run on business days while others run on calendar days, attorneys treat it as 10 calendar days across the board rather than risk guessing wrong. Miss it and the suspension becomes automatic.
The request can't be made by phone. It has to be a formal written request sent to the Department of Safety's Legal Division at 312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue in Nashville — faxing is allowed at 615-242-3480, but keep the transmission confirmation, since there's no other proof it went through in time.
Reinstatement isn't handled at every Driver Services Center. Hart Lane (624 Hart Lane) covers general renewals and testing, but for an actual DUI suspension block, the only fully equipped reinstatement location in the Davidson County area is the Hickory Hollow Driver Services Center at 5216 Hickory Hollow Parkway. Show up at a general center with a complex suspension and expect to get redirected there anyway.
A restricted license typically also requires an ignition interlock device, which runs $75 to $150 to install and $60 to $125 a month, plus calibration every 30 to 60 days for another $20 to $30. Intoxalock has the most install locations in the area but a well-documented pattern of parasitic battery drain that can leave a car dead if it isn't driven daily or kept on a trickle charger. SmartStart has fewer locations but a reportedly gentler battery drain profile and a more straightforward interface — worth weighing against convenience when picking a provider.
Last updated: August 1, 2026
Top Rated Davidson County DUI Attorneys
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