What is the penalty for driving without liability insurance in Tennessee?

In every state, drivers are required to demonstrate the ability to pay up to a certain amount to cover their liability if they are involved in a motor vehicle accident. These laws are sometimes called “financial responsibility” laws, because while not all states specifically require that drivers carry liability insurance from an insurance company, all states do require some form of proof of financial responsibility.

In states that do not specifically require motor vehicle drivers to show proof of liability insurance in order to comply with “financial responsibility” laws, other acceptable forms of proving responsibility include:

Self-insurance certification
Certificates of deposit
Surety bonds.
Laws in most states differentiate between driving a vehicle that is not insured (or without adequate financial responsibility), and driving a vehicle without proof that the vehicle is insured (i.e. when a driver of a properly insured vehicle fails to carry proof of a valid insurance policy).

Across all states and D.C., penalties for a first-time offense for driving without insurance range from the imposition of a $100 fine, to a one-year driver’s license suspension.

For Tennessee the rules state

(a) Except as otherwise specifically provided, the commissioner shall administer and enforce the provisions of this chapter, may make rules and regulations necessary for its administration, and shall provide for hearings upon request of persons aggrieved by orders or acts of the commissioner under the provisions of this chapter; provided, that such requests are made within twenty (20) days following such order or act and that failure to make such request within the time specified shall without exception constitute a waiver of such right.

(b) Any person aggrieved by an order or act of the commissioner under the provisions of this chapter may seek judicial review of such order or act as provided by § 4-5-322.
[Acts 1977, ch. 446, § 3; T.C.A., § 59-1253; Acts 2007, ch. 484, § 78.]

if you can’t afford insurance, you can’t afford to drive
i think the penalty is life