Here are Tennessee Laws you should know:
TCA 55-50-351 - License to be carried and exhibited on Demand
(a) Every licensee shall have the licensee's license in immediate possession at all times when operating a motor vehicle and shall display it upon demand of any officer or agent of the department or any police officer of the state, county or municipality, except that where the licensee has previously deposited the license with the officer or court demanding bail, and has received a receipt from the officer or the court, the receipt is to serve as a substitute for the license until the specified date for court appearance of licensee or the license is otherwise returned to the licensee by the officer or court accepting the license for deposit. Any peace officer, field deputy, or inspector of the department, or any other law enforcement officer of this state or municipality thereof, has the right to demand the exhibition of the license of any operator of a motorscooter as described in § 55-8-101, and effect the arrest of any person so found to be in violation of this section.
(b) A violation of this section is a Class C misdemeanor.
TCA 55-8-213 Vehicle Fender Height
(a) A person shall not operate a passenger vehicle on any street, road, or highway in this state if, by alteration of suspension, frame, or chassis, the height of the vehicle's front fender is four (4) or more inches greater than the height of the rear fender. For purposes for this subsection (a), the height of the fender is a vertical measurement from and perpendicular to the ground, through the centerline of the wheel, and to the bottom of the fender.
(b) A violation of this section is a class B misdemeanor.
Open Container Law (TCA 55-10-416) Drivers shall not consume or possess an open container of an alcoholic beverage or beer while operating a motor vehicle in Tennessee.
Seat Belt Law (TCA 55-9-603): Tennessee is a primary Safety Belt state. Drivers are required to wear safety belts at all times when operating a motor vehicle in Tennessee and are responsible for ensuring that all passengers are belted in.
Pedestrians are required to use crosswalks where available and should cross the street only at intersections. Pedestrians are strongly warned about the hazards of crossing the road between intersections and/or stepping out into the roadway from between parked cars. Tennessee Law TCA – 55-8-134 - Please, Look both ways.
While there is no legal requirement for motorists to pull over to the side of the road as a sign of respect for the deceased, it is a common practice in many Southern states. However, Tennessee Code Annotated 55-8-183 outlines specific regulations regarding funeral processions. Drivers must yield the right-of-way to funeral processions at intersections, refrain from passing a funeral procession on the road, and avoid driving between vehicles that are part of the procession. Although the procession itself must adhere to all traffic control devices and signs, motorists who choose to pull over should ensure they do not obstruct traffic. Failing to do so may lead to a citation for obstructing traffic.
Running off the road due to failure to stay in the proper lane is the third highest cause of car crashes in Tennessee, coming in at about 5,000 accidents each year in Tennessee. Tennessee law directly addresses a driver’s obligation to maintain their lane. Under TCA § 55-8-123, you must keep your car within a single lane and not change lanes until you have determined that the lane change can be made safely. When changing lanes, a driver must wait until it is safe to do so and signal properly to alert other drivers. The use of a turn signal to change lanes is a request to other drivers -- NOT a command.
The "Slow Poke Law" was enacted in Tennessee on July 1, 2016. This legislation prohibits driving in the left passing lane unless actively overtaking another vehicle. Offenders are subject to a $50.00 fine. There are exceptions to this rule, however. The law does not apply during inclement weather, when roads are under construction, or if obstructions in the non-passing lanes necessitate driving in the passing lane.
Speeding in Construction Zones Law (TCA 55-8-153). Drivers are required to obey speed limits at all times, especially when workers are in a construction zone. Violators are subject to a minimum $250.00 fine.
In Tennessee, drivers are obligated to either move over or slow down when they pass any stationary vehicle displaying flashing hazard lights, according to the Move Over law. Tennessee was the 30th state to adopt this safety measure. In 2023, legislation was passed to expand this law, significantly increasing the penalties for non-compliance. Now, a first offense can result in a fine of at least $250, which is more than double the previous penalty. For subsequent offenses, the fines escalate dramatically, with a minimum fine of $2,500 for a second or third violation.
In 2019, Tennessee enacted the "hands-free driving law" to combat distracted driving. This legislation prohibits drivers from holding mobile devices, sending messages, watching movies, or recording videos while operating a vehicle. The "Eddie Conrad Act," which came into effect in January 2024, intensifies the penalties for texting and driving. The law is particularly stringent for individuals under the age of 18, assigning seven points for a second or subsequent offense. Accumulating these points can lead to a suspension of their driver's license for six to twelve months.
Under TCA 55-52-105, it is mandatory for bicyclists aged 16 and under to wear a protective helmet while riding a bike or as a passenger. Additionally, the law specifies that bicyclists may not carry more than one person at a time unless the bicycle is specifically designed for multiple riders.
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