AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 55, relative to utility terrain vehicles.

Utility vehicle riders gain roads, face rules

This law replaces Tennessee’s rules for utility terrain vehicles, including all-terrain, low-speed, medium-speed, and Class I and II off-highway vehicles. Riders can use county roads and state highways with posted speed limits of 45 mph or less, unless officials prohibit access. The maximum riding speed is 35 mph. Interstate, national defense, and controlled-access highways are off-limits. Crossing highways posted above 45 mph is allowed only to travel between roads, fields, or operating areas. Crossing rules require stopping and yielding where required, illuminated headlights and taillights, and near-perpendicular crossings where possible. Operators must follow applicable motor vehicle traffic laws. Operators generally must be at least 16 and hold a valid driver license; a learner’s permit does not qualify. Vehicles generally must be registered and carry liability insurance meeting Tennessee’s financial responsibility standards. These requirements mean registration fees and insurance premiums for owners. Riders cannot carry passengers who need a child passenger restraint system. Riding is generally allowed from 30 minutes before dawn through 30 minutes after dusk, with farm and specified public-vehicle exceptions. Operators and passengers generally must wear helmets meeting federal standards; riders 21 or older can use specified alternative helmet standards. Class I and II off-highway vehicles on county roads are exempt from the helmet rule. Manufacturer-installed or equivalent safety equipment must remain operational, including brakes, lights, turn signals, horns, roll bars, spark arresters, mufflers, and windshields or eye protection. Specified trail, recreational-area, farm, and publicly owned vehicles have exemptions from some registration, equipment, and safety rules. Public-use exemptions cover purposes such as wildlife management, law enforcement, and emergency services; some uses have added safety requirements. Scott, Anderson, Campbell, Morgan, Jackson, Johnson, Perry, Unicoi, Fentress, and Hickman counties can approve specified routes by a two-thirds local vote. Local law enforcement must provide ongoing monitoring and enforcement, and earlier approvals remain valid. Scott County’s special access covers Oneida & Western Railroad Road and a State Route 63 segment in Huntsville, during daylight two weekends yearly. Unpaved roads in designated adventure tourism districts also need two-thirds local approval. District riding runs only from 30 minutes after sunrise until 30 minutes before sunset. All occupants must wear helmets, headlights and taillights must be on, and local safety rules apply. Farm vehicles and specified public safety or management vehicles are exempt from these district rules. Local governments can ban riding on roads they control and must send those bans to the Department of Safety. That department, working with Transportation, must publish prohibited-road lists on both departments’ websites by October 1, 2025. A violation is a Class C misdemeanor punishable by a $50 fine only. The law takes effect upon becoming law.