Tennessee driving laws

“A person, while operating a motor vehicle on any road or highway in this state, shall not: (A) Physically hold or support, with any part of the person's body”

“This subdivision (bxlXAXI) does not prohibit a person eighteen (18) years of age or older from: (a) Using an earpiece, headphone device, or device worn on a wrist to conduct a voice-based communication”

“Write, send, or read any text-based communication, including, but not limited to, a text message, instant message, email, or internet data on a wireless telecommunications device”

“A violation of this section is a Class C misdemeanor, subject only to imposition of a fine not to exceed fifty dollars ($50.00).”

“if the violation is the person's third or subsequent offense or if the violation results in an accident, the fine is one hundred dollars”

“in a marked school zone when a warning flasher or flashers are in operation, the fine is two hundred dollars”

“Tennessee law prohibits any driver possessing a learner permit or intermediate driver license from using a cell phone while driving on any Tennessee roadway.”

“$50.00 fine • 6 points on to a minor’s driving record • 90 day delay in eligibility for intermediate”

“Individuals are presumed to be under the influence of alcohol with a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of .08%. First time offenders are subject to a $350.00 minimum fine and 48 hours in jail.”

“1st Conviction 48 hours (7 days if BAC is 0.20% or more) $350-$1500 1 year Does not apply”

“A person who is at least 16, but is not yet 21 years old, and who is found: (1) driving with a BAC of .02 percent”

“It is illegal to operate a CMV if your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is .04% or more.”

“If you are placed under arrest and a law enforcement officer asks you to take the test and you refuse, it will likely result in the suspension by the court of your driving privileges for twelve (12) months.”

“You will lose your CDL for at least one year for a first offense for: Driving a CMV if your blood alcohol concentration is .04% or higher. Driving a CMV under the influence of alcohol. Refusing to undergo blood alcohol testing.”

“Tennessee is a primary Safety Belt state. Drivers are required to wear safety belts at all times when operating a motor vehicle in Tennessee.”

“Safety belts are required for ALL drivers and all passengers in the FRONT seat, any time the vehicle is in motion. Safety belts are also required for BACKSEAT if the passengers are under 17 years old.”

“Children ages four (4) through eight (8) and less than four-feet, nine inches (4’ 9”) in height must be in a booster seat in the rear seat, if available.”

“Infants are required in a rear facing child restraint device in the rear seat, if available, until the age of one (1) or weighing twenty pounds (20 lbs.) or less.”

“The driver is responsible for making sure children under age 16 are properly restrained and may be fined $50 for violations.”

“If the driver has either a learner permit or an intermediate license, and when the passengers are between four and 17 ye”

“The law requires motorists to move over into an adjacent lane of traffic, when safe to do so, or alternatively to slow down when approaching emergency vehicles, including recovery vehicles (tow trucks), highway maintenance vehicles, solid waste vehicles, or utility service vehicles.”

“When the roadway does not provide an additional lane, drivers are required to slow down and provide as much space as possible to protect emergency vehicle operators in action.”

“Upon approaching a stationary vehicle that is giving a signal by use of flashing hazard lights, a person who drives an approaching vehicle shall”

“reduce the speed of the vehicle, maintaining a safe speed for road conditions, if changing lanes would be impossible or unsafe.”

“When a school bus is stopped at an intersection to load and unload children, drivers from ALL directions are required to stop until the bus resumes motion”

“When driving on a highway with separate roadways for traffic in opposite directions, divided by median space or a barrier not suitable for vehicular traffic, the driver need not stop, but should proceed with caution.”

“A turn lane in the middle of a four-lane highway is NOT considered a barrier”

“It is a Class A misdemeanor punishable only by a fine of not less than two hundred fifty dollars ($250) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) for a person to fail to comply with the provision of this subsection (a) requiring a motor vehicle to stop upon approaching a school bus”

“a second or subsequent violation of subdivision (a)(1) is a Class A misdemeanor punishable only by a fine of not less than five hundred dollars ($500) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000).”

“A person who violates subdivision (a)(1) and strikes another person with a vehicle, commits a Class E felony”

“Unless otherwise posted, the speed limit on primary and secondary state and federal highways is 55 m.p.h.”

“The maximum speed set by Tennessee law for interstate highways is 70 m.p.h.”

“In the more congested urban or metropolitan areas of Tennessee interstates, the limit is typically 55 m.p.h.”

“residential roads or city streets may have limits as low as 25 or 35 m.p.h. at all times.”

“Speed limits in all school zones are regulated when children are going to or from the school or during a school recess hour. Exceeding the school zone speed limit is by law considered to be reckless driving.”

“If you were involved in a crash as the car owner or driver that caused death or injury, or that caused more than one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500) in property damage or more than four hundred dollars ($400) in damage to state or local government property”

“You must submit an Owner Operator Report to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security within twenty (20) days of the crash.”

“Drivers must immediately notify the local police department if the crash occurs within a municipality, otherwise to the County Sheriff’s office or the nearest Tennessee Highway Patrol”

“The required minimum limits of your liability car insurance 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.”

“All motorcycle operators and passengers are required to wear a helmet. Helmets must meet federal motor vehicle safety standards and be certified by the Department of Transportation (DOT).”

“A driver or passenger who is twenty-one (21) years of age or older may wear a helmet that meets federal safety standard 218, but does not have to meet the helmet penetration standards, the continuous contour standard and the labeling standard”

“Any person eighteen (18) years of age or older is exempt from wearing a helmet on a motorcycle if it is being ridden in a parade at a speed not exceeding thirty (30) miles per hour.”

“Crash helmets must be worn during all on cycle testing and whenever the motorcycle, motor driven cycle, motorized bicycle is in motion.”

“Every motorcycle or motor-driven cycle operated on a public road must be equipped with a windshield that meets U.S. Department of Transportation requirements, or as an alternative, operators and passengers must wear safety goggles or glasses containing impact resistant lenses or a helmet with a face shield.”

“Motorcycle Learner’s Permit. (Class P-M.) A special permit that is issued allowing minors fifteen (15) years of age to drive a motorcycle after meeting the standards and provision set herein.”

“Shall not carry a passenger(s) (b) Shall be limited to daylight to daylight hours only. (c) Shall be restricted from use of the Interstate systems (d) Shall be limited to a twenty (20) mile radius of driver’s home.”

“Shall be limited to the operation of a motorcycle with a maximum engine size of six hundredfifty cubic centimeters (650cc)”

“Permits are valid for one (1) year from date of issuance.”

“If you successfully complete a Motorcycle Rider Education Program (MREP) course in Tennessee, you do not have to take the motorcycle knowledge and road skills tests.”

“No person shall operate a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles. (Lane Splitting is not allowed in the State of Tennessee)”

“The operator of a motorcycle shall not overtake and pass in the same lane occupied by the vehicle being overtaken.”