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TennesseeSB 0728114th General Assembly (2025-2026)SenateWALLET

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

Sponsored By: Adam Lowe (Republican)

Became Law

Motor Vehicles

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 5 mixed.

Statewide rules for UTV owners and riders

The law sets statewide rules for UTVs. Your UTV must be registered and carry liability insurance that meets Tennessee’s financial responsibility law. Operators must be at least 16 and have a valid driver license (no permits). The operator and passengers must wear helmets that meet 49 CFR 571.218, unless exempt by §55-9-302(b). Riders age 21+ may use helmets allowed under §55-9-302(a)(1)-(4). Class I or II off‑highway vehicles on county roads are exempt from this helmet rule. You may not carry a child who must ride in a child restraint under §55‑9‑602. You may operate only in daylight, including 30 minutes before sunrise and 30 minutes after sunset. Farm UTVs and publicly owned UTVs for wildlife, law enforcement, or emergency work are exempt from this daylight rule. If your UTV has seat belts, lights, a horn, a roll bar, a spark arrester, a muffler, or a windshield, they must work and be used. If there is no windshield, wear impact‑resistant glasses, goggles, or a face shield. Some uses are exempt from registration and these safety rules: private or public recreational trails, affiliated trails with a safety program, farm use, and publicly owned UTVs used for wildlife, law enforcement, or emergency work.

UTVs allowed on listed local routes

The law names specific roads in certain counties where UTVs may operate. Some routes take effect only after a two‑thirds vote by the local legislative body and monitoring by local law enforcement. You must meet age, license, registration, insurance, and equipment rules, obey the 35 mph cap, and follow all posted limits.

UTVs on adventure tourism roads by vote

A local government may allow UTVs on unpaved streets inside an adventure tourism district by a two‑thirds vote. Riding is allowed only from one‑half hour after sunrise to one‑half hour before sunset, with headlights and taillights on. The driver and all passengers must wear helmets on those streets. Local governments may add more safety rules. Interstates stay off‑limits. Farm UTVs and publicly owned UTVs used for wildlife, law enforcement, or emergency work do not have to follow these district rules.

Where you can drive a UTV

You may drive a UTV on state highways posted at 45 mph or less and on county roads. You may not use interstates, controlled‑access highways, or roads that your county, city, or the state transportation department has banned. You must follow the same rules of the road that apply to cars, except rules that do not fit UTVs. You may not drive a UTV faster than 35 mph. To cross higher‑speed roads (over 45 mph, not interstates), you must stop first, cross near a 90° angle on two‑lane roads, use only signed crossings on multi‑lane or limited‑access roads, yield to traffic, and keep headlights and taillights on if equipped. Breaking these rules is a Class C misdemeanor with a $50 fine per offense.

Old UTV statutes repealed and replaced

The law repeals §55‑8‑191 and §55‑8‑203. UTVs are now governed by the updated statewide rules in this act. If you followed the old sections, use the new rules going forward.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Adam Lowe

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Ed Jackson

    Republican • Senate

  • Paul Rose

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 133 • No: 6

House vote • 4/14/2025

FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/14/2025

Yes: 85 • No: 5

Senate vote • 4/14/2025

FLOOR VOTE: as Amended Third Consideration 4/14/2025

Yes: 30 • No: 1

Senate vote • 4/8/2025

SENATE FINANCE, WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE

Yes: 10 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/5/2025

TRANSPORTATION AND SAFETY COMMITTEE

Yes: 8 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Pub. Ch. 255

    4/29/2025

  2. Effective date(s) 04/24/2025

    4/29/2025

  3. Signed by Governor.

    4/24/2025Senate

  4. Signed by H. Speaker

    4/21/2025House

  5. Transmitted to Governor for action.

    4/21/2025Senate

  6. Signed by Senate Speaker

    4/17/2025Senate

  7. Enrolled and ready for signatures

    4/16/2025Senate

  8. Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0058)

    4/14/2025Senate

  9. Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 2 - SA0412)

    4/14/2025Senate

  10. Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 30, Nays 1

    4/14/2025Senate

  11. Engrossed; ready for transmission to House

    4/14/2025Senate

  12. Subst. for comp. HB.

    4/14/2025House

  13. Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - HA0064)

    4/14/2025House

  14. Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 2 - HA0415)

    4/14/2025House

  15. Passed H., Ayes 85, Nays 5, PNV 0

    4/14/2025House

  16. Sponsor(s) Added.

    4/14/2025Senate

  17. Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 4/14/2025

    4/11/2025Senate

  18. Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee

    4/8/2025Senate

  19. Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 4/8/2025

    4/1/2025Senate

  20. Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee Ayes 8, Nays 0 PNV 0

    3/5/2025Senate

  21. Placed on Senate Transportation and Safety Committee calendar for 3/5/2025

    2/26/2025Senate

  22. Action deferred in Senate Transportation and Safety Committee to 3/5/2025

    2/19/2025Senate

  23. Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Transportation and Safety Committee

    2/12/2025Senate

  24. Placed on Senate Transportation and Safety Committee calendar for 2/19/2025

    2/12/2025Senate

  25. Introduced, Passed on First Consideration

    2/10/2025Senate

Bill Text

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