Nashville • Middle Tennessee

SR22 Insurance in Nashville, TN — Filed Electronically With the State

If your Tennessee license was suspended or revoked, the state may require an SR-22 certificate of financial responsibility before you can reinstate. We are an independent Tennessee agency, and the carriers we place you with file SR-22s electronically with the Department of Safety and Homeland Security — the only way Tennessee accepts them.

Serving Davidson, Williamson, Rutherford, Sumner and Wilson Counties

Downtown Nashville. Photo: Crystal Castillo via Google Maps

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Quick Answer

We place SR-22 auto insurance for drivers across Nashville and Middle Tennessee and get the certificate filed electronically with the Tennessee Department of Safety, usually the same business day. Owner and non-owner policies, DUI and repeat-violation drivers welcome, monthly payment plans. Tennessee ties your SR-22 period to the length of your suspension — not a flat three years. Call (629) 312-5200.

What Is SR-22 Insurance in Tennessee?

An SR-22 is not an insurance policy. It is a certificate of financial responsibility that your insurance company files electronically with the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security to prove you carry at least the state’s minimum liability coverage. Tennessee requires this filing from drivers whose licenses were suspended or revoked for certain violations.

Here is what Tennessee specifically requires:

  • Who files itThe policy must be filed electronically with the department by an insurance company licensed through the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance to issue motor vehicle liability coverage in Tennessee. You cannot file it yourself.
  • How long you need itTennessee requires the SR-22 to be maintained for the length of your suspension or revocation period. A one-year revocation means a one-year SR-22 requirement — Tennessee does not apply a flat three-year rule the way many other states do.
  • When it startsThe SR-22 can be maintained while you hold a restricted license, or beginning at reinstatement.
  • What happens if it lapsesIf the policy is canceled or terminated before the requirement is complete, your driving privileges can be suspended again for Failure to Maintain Future Proof of Financial Responsibility. You would then have to refile the SR-22, pay reinstatement fees again, and reapply.
  • How to check whether you still need oneOpen your reinstatement requirements in the Department of Safety e-Services portal. If SR22 is not listed among your requirements, you are no longer required to carry it.

Minimum coverage required: Tennessee’s minimum liability limits are 25/50/25 — $25,000 bodily injury per person, $50,000 bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 property damage per accident (T.C.A. Sec. 55-12-102).

Source: Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security — Do I need SR-22 Insurance?. See also Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security — Reinstatements.

Why Tennessee Drivers Need an SR-22

The Department of Safety lists fifteen reasons a driver may be required to carry SR-22 insurance. They fall into four broad situations — find yours below.

Alcohol and impairment

4 of the 15 listed

  • DUI
  • Implied consent violation or refusing testing
  • Underage driving while impaired
  • Driving while in possession of methamphetamine

The most common route into the SR-22 system, and the one most likely to bring an ignition interlock requirement with it.

Your driving record

3 of the 15 listed

  • Accumulation of points or convictions
  • Two reckless driving violations within a 12-month period
  • Speed contests or racing

No single dramatic event — these build up, which is why the requirement often surprises people.

Money owed after a crash

2 of the 15 listed

  • Accident claims
  • Unsatisfied judgments

You may not have been convicted of anything. An uninsured accident or an unpaid judgment is enough on its own.

Serious and felony offences

6 of the 15 listed

  • Hit and run (all severity levels)
  • Felony reckless endangerment by vehicle
  • Vehicular assault or aggravated vehicular assault
  • Vehicular homicide, manslaughter, or aggravated vehicular homicide
  • Using a motor vehicle in the commission of a felony
  • Theft of a vehicle

Longer revocations, and because Tennessee ties the filing to the revocation, longer SR-22 periods.

Not sure which applies to you? Pull your official requirements from the Department of Safety e-Services portal, or call us at (629) 312-5200 and we will walk through it with you at no charge.

The fifteen items and their wording come from Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security — Do I need SR-22 Insurance?. Grouping them into four categories is ours, to make the list easier to scan — the department publishes them as a single list.

SR-22 Services We File in Nashville

Owner SR-22 Policies

If you own a vehicle registered in Tennessee, your SR-22 attaches to a liability policy on that vehicle.

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Non-Owner SR-22

No vehicle? A non-owner policy still satisfies the state filing, and it is usually the cheapest way to reinstate.

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SR-22 After a DUI

A DUI conviction triggers a revocation, and your SR-22 runs as long as that revocation does.

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Drive Insured TN Notices

A letter from the Department of Revenue is a different problem from an SR-22 — different agency, different penalty, different clock.

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Suspended License Insurance

You can buy a policy while your license is suspended — and for most reinstatements, you have to.

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SR-22 + Ignition Interlock

Two separate requirements that have to line up. We handle the filing side and help you sequence the rest.

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Drivers Under 21

Tennessee’s threshold for drivers under 21 is .02, and underage driving while impaired is on the state’s SR-22 list.

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Driving Uninsured

Tennessee’s Financial Responsibility Law requires proof of insurance. An uninsured accident claim can put you into the SR-22 system.

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Points & Repeat Violations

An accumulation of points or convictions can trigger a suspension — so can two reckless driving violations in 12 months.

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Reckless, Racing, Hit-and-Run

Serious moving violations carry longer revocations — which, under Tennessee law, means longer SR-22 periods.

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Unsatisfied Judgment

An unpaid judgment from a motor vehicle accident can suspend your license and require future proof of financial responsibility.

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Out-of-State Drivers

An SR-22 obligation follows you across state lines. Which state needs what is the part worth getting right.

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Same-Day Filing

Tennessee takes the certificate electronically, so there is no reason to wait on the mail.

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Payment Plans

SR-22 policies land at a bad financial moment. Low down payments and monthly installments exist.

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Full Coverage + SR-22

An SR-22 certifies liability only. If you finance or lease, your lender still wants comprehensive and collision.

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CDL & Commercial

If you drive for a living in Middle Tennessee, a suspension is a livelihood problem, not an inconvenience.

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Rideshare & Delivery

Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, and Amazon Flex drivers need a rideshare endorsement on top of an SR-22-compliant policy.

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Getting Off SR-22

When the requirement clears, you should stop paying high-risk rates. We watch for that date.

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Motorcycle & Household

Motorcycle liability with a filing, multi-vehicle households, and excluded-driver arrangements.

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How Much Does SR-22 Insurance Cost in Nashville?

The filing fee itself is small — carriers typically charge $15 to $25, usually once. Tennessee is explicit that the cost of the insurance is determined by the insurance company, not the state.

What actually raises your price is the violation behind the filing. Third-party rate studies put average SR-22 auto insurance in Tennessee in the range of roughly $130 to $215 per month for minimum-limits coverage after a DUI, against roughly $65 to $80 per month for a driver with a clean record. Nashville rates tend to run above the statewide average because of urban traffic density and claim frequency in Davidson County.

Your actual quote depends on the specific violation and its date, your age and how long you have been licensed, your ZIP code, whether you choose an owner or non-owner policy, your vehicle, your limits and deductibles, and any lapse in prior coverage.

The single most useful thing to understand: carriers disagree enormously about high-risk drivers. It is routine to see a wide spread between the highest and lowest quote for the same driver and the same coverage. That spread is the entire reason to use an independent agency instead of calling one carrier.

Reinstatement fees are separate from your premium

Tennessee charges reinstatement fees that vary by violation type, on top of whatever your insurance costs. The Department of Safety offers an installment plan: You must owe more than $75 in reinstatement fees and meet all other reinstatement requirements. There is $25 administrative fee due when you enter the plan, then $75 every quarter (every three months), up to 60 months to clear the balance.

Confirm your exact amount on your official reinstatement requirements page in e-Services.

Rate figures on this page are third-party estimates shown for illustration and are not a quote. Your premium is determined by the insurance carrier based on your individual record. Tennessee does not set the price of your insurance.

Source: Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security — Payment Plan for Reinstatement Fees.

How to Get SR-22 Insurance in Nashville: 5 Steps

  1. 1

    Confirm what the state actually requires

    Pull your reinstatement requirements from the Tennessee Department of Safety e-Services portal. It tells you whether SR-22 is required, what else is outstanding, and what you owe. Do not guess, and do not rely on what a clerk told you months ago.

  2. 2

    Get cleared with the court

    If the suspension came from a conviction, the county court that handled it has to clear you before the state will act. That is Davidson County General Sessions for most Nashville cases, and the corresponding General Sessions court in whichever county issued your citation.

  3. 3

    Buy a compliant policy and have it filed

    Call or use the form on this site. We compare carriers, quote you, and once you bind, the carrier transmits the SR-22 to the Department of Safety electronically — usually the same business day.

  4. 4

    Pay your reinstatement fees and submit documents

    You can pay and submit online, in person at a full-service Driver Services Center, or by mail. Allow up to five business days for document review. If you owe more than $75, ask about the state’s installment plan.

  5. 5

    Keep it active without a single lapse

    This is the step that costs people the most. Set up autopay. A cancellation before your term is complete restarts the entire process and costs far more than whatever premium you were trying to save.

Mail goes to Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, Financial Responsibility, PO Box 945, Nashville, TN 37202. Courier deliveries (UPS, FedEx, DHL) go to the Foster Ave. address. Allow up to 5 business days for document review.

Source: Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security — Reinstatements.

Davidson County Driver Services Centers

Only full-service Driver Services Centers process reinstatements — paying fees, setting up the state’s installment plan, and submitting documents. Express locations and self-service kiosks do not. Centers stop taking new applicants before their posted closing time, so do not arrive at 4:45.

Addresses and hours from Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security — Driver Service Locations and Appointments. Hours change — confirm before you drive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is SR-22 insurance a type of insurance?

No, and this is the single most common misunderstanding. An SR-22 is <strong>not</strong> a policy and not a coverage type — it is a certificate your insurance company files with the state to prove you carry at least the minimum liability coverage the law requires. The policy is the insurance; the SR-22 is the proof. You cannot buy an “SR-22 policy”, and you cannot send the certificate yourself.

How long do I need SR-22 insurance in Tennessee?

For the length of your suspension or revocation period. The Tennessee Department of Safety states this directly: a one-year revocation creates a one-year SR-22 requirement. Tennessee does not apply a universal three-year rule the way many other states do.

Can I file an SR-22 myself?

No. The policy must be filed electronically with the department by an insurance company licensed through the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance to issue motor vehicle liability coverage in Tennessee.

Do I need an SR-22 if I don’t own a car?

Often yes — and a non-owner SR-22 policy is the answer. It satisfies the state filing and covers your liability when you drive vehicles you do not own. It is typically the least expensive way to reinstate, because there is no vehicle to insure for physical damage.

How fast can I get an SR-22 filed in Nashville?

Usually the same business day. Because Tennessee requires the certificate to be transmitted electronically by the carrier, it can go out as soon as your policy is issued and paid.

What happens if my SR-22 policy cancels?

Your driving privileges can be suspended again for Failure to Maintain Future Proof of Financial Responsibility. To get your license back you would have to refile the SR-22, pay reinstatement fees again, and reapply.

How do I know when I no longer need an SR-22?

Check your reinstatement requirements in the Tennessee Department of Safety e-Services portal. If SR22 is not listed, the requirement is satisfied. Verify there first, then cancel — never cancel on assumption.

What are Tennessee’s minimum insurance requirements?

25/50/25: $25,000 bodily injury per person, $50,000 bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 property damage per accident (T.C.A. Sec. 55-12-102).

Will an SR-22 make my insurance go up?

The filing fee itself is minor. The violation behind the filing is what raises your premium, often substantially, and how much depends heavily on which carrier you choose. Tennessee does not set the price — the insurance company does.

Is there a payment plan for Tennessee reinstatement fees?

Yes, and it is separate from your insurance payments. If you owe more than $75 in reinstatement fees and meet all other requirements, the Department of Safety offers a plan with a $25 administrative down payment and $75 due each quarter, over a term of up to 60 months.

I have an SR-22 from another state but moved to Nashville. What now?

The state that ordered the filing still needs it satisfied. Moving does not clear it. We can help you determine what each state requires and place coverage that works for both.

I have a Tennessee SR-22 but moved out of state. Can I get out of it?

Ask the Department of Safety’s Financial Responsibility office directly. Tennessee publishes an out-of-state waiver process for the ignition interlock requirement, but we would rather send you to the department for a written answer on SR-22 than promise you a waiver we cannot document.

Does an SR-22 cover any car I drive?

It depends on the certificate type. An owner’s policy covers listed vehicles; a non-owner policy covers you as a driver of vehicles you do not own. Tell us your exact situation so the right one gets filed.

Do you work with drivers who have multiple DUIs or a long violation history?

Yes. We work with carriers that write drivers other agencies decline, and we will give you a realistic price range before you apply.

Can I switch insurance companies while I have an SR-22?

Yes, but the handoff is the risky part. Tennessee requires the certificate to be filed electronically by a licensed carrier, so the new company has to file before the old policy cancels. If the old carrier reports the cancellation and nothing has replaced it, the department sees a lapse. Line the two policies up rather than cancelling first and shopping after.

What happens if I just never get the SR-22?

Nothing moves. The filing is what the Department of Safety is waiting on, so without it the suspension or revocation stays in place, the reinstatement does not process, and a restricted license will not be issued either. Not filing is not a way of waiting it out.

Can I cancel the SR-22 early once my license is back?

No. In Tennessee the filing runs for the length of your suspension or revocation period, and dropping it before that ends can put you back where you started. Ask the department for your specific end date and keep the policy in force until then.

I got a letter about insurance from the Department of Revenue. Is that my SR-22?

No — that is a different agency and a different problem. Revenue runs the Drive Insured TN program, which checks whether your registered vehicle carries liability coverage. Ignoring it costs $25 after the first notice, then $100 and a suspended vehicle registration after the final notice. Your SR-22 is a Department of Safety matter about your license. You can be in trouble on both at once.

Where do I go in person to handle a reinstatement?

A full-service Driver Services Center — not an express location or a self-service kiosk. In Davidson County that means Hart Lane at 624 Hart Lane or Hickory Hollow at 2460 Morris Gentry Blvd. in Antioch. Centers are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and stop taking new applicants before closing.

Page last updated 4 September 2026. We update these pages when the Department of Safety changes its published guidance.

Get Your Nashville SR-22 Quote in Under 10 Minutes

Tell us your violation, your ZIP code, and whether you own a vehicle. We will compare carriers, give you a real number, and file with the Tennessee Department of Safety as soon as you are ready.

Or call (629) 312-5200 · Text (629) 312-5200 · Open Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.. Se habla español. No obligation, no credit card to get a quote.

Submitting this form does not bind coverage and is not an application. Coverage begins only when a carrier issues a policy.