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Tennessee Statutes, Title 55

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Tennessee/Statutes

← All Tennessee coverage

Title 55, Motor and Other Vehicles

35 chapters · 988 sections in this title.

All chapters in Title 55988 Ch 4, Registration and Licensing of Motor …191 Ch 8, Operation of Vehicles — Rules of the…120 Ch 10, Accidents, Crimes and Penalties97 Ch 50, Uniform Classified and Commercial Dr…80 Ch 12, Financial Responsibility69 Ch 17, Vehicle Sales Licenses50 Ch 9, Equipment — Lighting Regulations49 Ch 3, Certificates of Title40 Ch 5, Anti-Theft Provisions36 Ch 7, Size, Weight and Load28 Ch 1, Motor Vehicle Title and Registration Law26 Ch 21, Disabled Drivers and Passengers25 Ch 31, Modernization of Towing, Immobilizat…18 Ch 2, Administration by Department of Revenue15

80 sections·Filtered byTitle 55✕Ch 50✕

Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-50-101 Short title
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This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Uniform Classified and Commercial Driver License Act of 1988.”
Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-50-102 Chapter definitions
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(1) As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:(1) “Administrator” means the federal motor carrier safety administrator, the chief executive of the federal motor carrier safety administration, an agency within the United States department of transportation;(2)…
Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-50-201 Administration by department
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This chapter shall be administered by the department of safety.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-50-202 Establishment of rules and regulations
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(a) The commissioner is authorized to establish administrative rules and regulations concerning the licensing of persons to operate motor vehicles, in this state, for the purpose of ensuring the safety and welfare of the traveling public. The commissioner is also authorized to ad…

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Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-50-203 Authority to enter agreements

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The department of safety may execute or make agreements, arrangements, or declarations to carry out this chapter with the licensing authorities of other states and the provinces or territories of Canada, and with third parties permitted in 49 CFR Part 383.

Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-50-204 Records to be kept by department — Fee for furnishing copies

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(a) The department of safety shall file every application for a license received by it and shall maintain suitable indicies containing in alphabetical order:(1) All applications denied, and on each thereof note the reasons for the denial;(2) All applications granted; and(3) The n…

Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-50-205 Electronic transmittal of information to federal selective service system. [Enactment contingent on funding by the federal selective service system. See the Compiler's Notes.]

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The department shall transmit, in an electronic format, necessary information contained on applications for an intermediate driver license, driver license, renewal of driver license or photo identification license to the federal selective service system for any male United States…

Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-50-301 License required — Requirements — Exception — Applicability to temporary licenses and permits

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(a) Every person applying for an original or renewal driver license shall be required to comply with and be issued a classified driver license meeting the following requirements:(1) No person, except those expressly exempted in this section, shall drive any motor vehicle upon a h…

Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-50-302 Classes of licenses — Endorsements — Applicability to temporary licenses and permits

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(a) The department, upon issuing a driver license, shall indicate thereon the class of vehicles the licensee may drive. Licenses shall be issued with the classifications and endorsements as defined in § 55-50-102. (b) The department shall establish qualifications it believes reas…

Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-50-303 Persons not eligible for licensing — Exception for temporary licenses

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(a) The department shall not issue any license under this chapter:(1) (A) To any person, as a Class A, B, or C driver, who is under twenty-one (21) years of age;(B) (i) Notwithstanding subdivision (a)(1)(A), persons nineteen (19) years of age shall be permitted to apply for a Cla…

Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-50-304 Persons exempt from licensing

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(1) The following persons are exempt from licensing under this chapter:(1) (A) Any member of the armed forces while operating a motor vehicle owned or leased by any branch of the armed services of the United States;(B) Any individual who is operating a CMV for military purposes, …

Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-50-305 Validity of current licenses

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For any person holding a currently valid operator, regular chauffeur, or special chauffeur license on July 1, 1989, the license shall remain valid until expiration, suspension, revocation, or cancellation.

Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-50-306 Digital driver license system

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(a) The department of safety is authorized to develop a secure and uniform system, to be known as the “digital driver license system,” for authorizing persons to present or submit evidence of a valid driver license in an optional digital format in lieu of a physical driver licens…

Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-50-307 Acquired brain injury, intellectual disability, or developmental disability designation for driver's license or photo identification license

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(a) Upon request by a person who has an acquired brain injury, an intellectual disability, or a developmental disability, or by a parent or guardian of a minor, or a conservator of a person with the injury or disability, when the department issues or renews a driver license or ph…

Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-50-311 Learner permit — Intermediate license — Fees — Restrictions — Penalties — Application — Parental notification

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(a) (1) Any person who is fifteen (15) years of age or older, who has successfully passed the standard written test and visual examination for applicants of a state automotive license, and who has the written approval of the person's parent or legal guardian may be issued a learn…

Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-50-312 Licensing of minors

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(a) (1) The application of any person under eighteen (18) years of age for an instruction permit or driver license shall be signed and verified before a person authorized to administer oaths by the person's parent, stepparent, grandparent, guardian, foster parent, or other author…

Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-50-313 Motorcycle learner's permit for minors — Operation requirements

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Notwithstanding another law to the contrary, a minor who has been issued a motorcycle learner's permit and who has completed a certified motorcycle education course approved by the department may operate a motorcycle without limitations on the distance from the minor's home if th…

Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-50-321 Applications. [Effective until contingency on funding by the federal selective service system and on January 1, 2027. See the Compiler's Notes.]

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(a) (1) Every application for a driver license, instruction permit, intermediate driver license, and photo identification card shall be made upon a form furnished by the department. Every application shall be accompanied by a birth certificate or other proof of the applicant's da…

Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-50-322 Examination of applicants. [Effective until January 1, 2027. See the version effective on January 1, 2027.]

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(a) (1) (A) The department shall examine every applicant for a driver license, intermediate driver license, learner permit, temporary driver license, temporary learner permit, and temporary intermediate driver license, except as otherwise provided in this part. This examination s…

Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-50-323 Fees

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(a) (1) The fees charged for eight-year driver licenses shall be as set by this subsection (a). For any license term other than eight (8) years, the fee shall be appropriately prorated; provided, that for Class D, Class M, and photo identification licenses, there shall be deducte…

Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-50-324 Disposition of fees — Motorcycle license or permit examination fee

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(a) From the proceeds of the first eight dollars ($8.00) of the operator's license (Class D) fee and the first twelve dollars ($12.00) of chauffeur's license (Classes A, B, and C) fee authorized by § 55-50-323, in an amount not to exceed one million dollars ($1,000,000) shall, on…

Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-50-331 Examination for, and issuance, renewal and contents of, licenses — Conditional licenses

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(a) Notwithstanding this chapter to the contrary, the department has oversight of the issuance, examination and renewal of all driver licenses provided for in this chapter. The department is authorized to contract for the provision of any service related to the issuance, examinat…

Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-50-332 Lost permits or licenses — Duplicates or substitutes

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(a) In the event that a learner permit, intermediate driver license or driver license issued under this chapter is lost or destroyed, the person to whom the permit or license was issued may, upon payment of the required fee, obtain a duplicate or substitute thereof, upon furnishi…

Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-50-333 Change of address

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Whenever any person after applying for or receiving a license moves from the address named in the application or license, or when the name of a licensee is changed for any reason, the person shall within ten (10) days thereafter notify the department of the change or changes.

Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-50-334 Licenses of persons under or attaining twenty-one

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(a) If the licensee is less than twenty-one (21) years of age, the license shall:(1) Bear the language “Under 21 Driver License”;(2) Be printed in a vertical or portrait format; and(3) Contain other secure features identifying the licensee as being under twenty-one (21) years of …

Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-50-335 Visible full face on licenses

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(a) All driver licenses shall bear a visible full face photograph of the applicant furnished by the department or bear an endorsement that no photograph is required. No license issued shall be valid unless it bears this photograph or endorsement. (b) (1) The department shall begi…

Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-50-336 Photo identification license

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(a) (1) Any person eighteen (18) years of age and older, upon submission of a satisfactory application and proof of identity, may be issued a photo identification license restricted in use to identification only. Proof of identity may be furnished by birth certificate or any othe…

Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-50-337 Expiration of licenses

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(a) Every driver license issued by the department on or after January 1, 2016, shall be issued for a period of eight (8) years excluding Class P licenses, which shall expire one (1) year from the date of initial issuance. The commissioner may issue an initial license or renew a l…

Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-50-338 Renewals — Drug and alcohol educational pamphlets

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(a) (1) Every license shall be renewable on or before its expiration upon application, payment of required fees, and satisfactory completion of any examination required by state law or rules promulgated by the commissioner.(2) Any person whose driver license expires or who applie…

Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-50-339 Issuance or restoration of license of minor withdrawn from secondary school

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Following a license revocation or denial under § 55-50-321(c)(2) or § 55-50-502(a)(1)(J), the department shall not issue a new license or otherwise restore the driving privilege unless and until the person has paid a reinstatement fee of twenty dollars ($20.00) and all other driv…

Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-50-351 License to be carried and exhibited on demand — Arrest and penalty for violations

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(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 li…

Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-50-352 Anatomical gifts

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(a) The department shall provide with each driver license issued a statement whereby the holder of the license may certify the person's willingness to make an anatomical gift under the Revised Uniform Anatomical Gift Act, compiled in title 68, chapter 30, part 1. (b) The departme…

Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-50-353 Sexual, violent sexual, violent juvenile sexual offender identification — Human trafficker identification

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(a) When the department issues or renews a driver license or photo identification card to a sexual offender, violent sexual offender or violent juvenile sexual offender as required by § 40-39-213, the driver license or photo identification card shall bear a designation sufficient…

Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-50-354 Language or symbol on driver license or photo identification card reflecting military service

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(a) When the department issues or renews a driver license or photo identification card to an honorably discharged veteran, including an honorably discharged member of the national guard, the driver license or photo identification card shall have language or a symbol designed by t…

Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-50-355 Publication and maintenance of invalid out-of-state driver licenses for illegal aliens

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Not later than December 1, 2025, the department shall develop and publish on its website a list of out-of-state classes of driver licenses issued to illegal aliens that are invalid in this state in accordance with § 55-50-356. The department shall update the list as necessary in …

Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-50-356 Invalidity of driver licenses issued to illegal aliens — Penalty

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(a) If a driver license is of a class of driver licenses issued by another state exclusively to illegal aliens, then the driver license is invalid in this state and does not authorize the holder to operate a motor vehicle in this state. For purposes of this section, “driver licen…

Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-50-357 Renewal of driver license for inmates leaving incarceration

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(a) The department of safety shall work with the department of correction on the renewal of a driver license upon release of a person from incarceration, if the person is otherwise eligible for a driver license and meets all documentation requirements for issuance. Any driver lic…

Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-50-401 Limitation on number of driver licenses

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No person who operates a commercial motor vehicle shall have more than one (1) driver license.

Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-50-402 Notification required by employee

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(a) Notification of Violations. (1) To State. Any operator of a commercial motor vehicle holding a driver license issued by this state, and who is convicted of violating any state law or local ordinance relating to motor vehicle traffic control, in this or any other state, other …

Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-50-403 Employer responsibilities

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(a) No employer shall knowingly allow, permit, or authorize an employee to operate a commercial motor vehicle in the United States during any period:(1) In which the employee has a driver license suspended, revoked, or cancelled by a state, has lost the privilege to operate a com…

Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-50-404 Commercial driver license required

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(a) Except when operating under an instruction permit and accompanied by the holder of a commercial driver license valid for the vehicle being operated, no person may operate a commercial motor vehicle unless the person has been issued, and is in immediate possession of, a valid …

Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-50-405 Violations — Penalties — Driving under the influence. [Effective until contingency is met. See the second version effective when contingency is met and Compiler's Notes.]

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(a) (1) The commissioner shall suspend for at least one (1) year, a commercial motor vehicle operator who is found to have committed a first violation of:(A) Driving a commercial motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance, or with a blood alcohol conce…

Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-50-406 Application for commercial driver license

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(a) The application for a commercial driver license shall include the following:(1) The full legal name and current legal residential address of the person, including the street address and number or route and box number (or post office box number if the person has no bona fide r…

Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-50-407 Commercial driver license

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(a) The commercial driver license shall be, to the maximum extent practicable, tamper proof, and shall include, but not be limited to, the following information:(1) The full legal name and current legal residential address of the person including the street address and number or …

Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-50-408 Driving under the influence

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For purposes of this chapter and § 55-10-401, any person who drives, operates or exercises physical control of a commercial motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of four hundredths of one percent (0.04%) or more commits the offense of driving while under the influence …

Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-50-409 Notification of traffic violations — Furnishing driving record information

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(a) This section shall apply to the following types of convictions:(1) The conviction of any resident or nonresident holder of a commercial driver license of any violation of state law or local ordinance relating to motor vehicle traffic control, other than parking violations, in…

Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-50-410 Rulemaking authority

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The department may adopt any rules and regulations necessary to carry out this part.

Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-50-411 Where denial of commercial driver license based on medical disqualification not permitted — Suspension

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(a) No person shall be denied issuance or renewal of a commercial driver license nor be deemed medically unqualified to operate a motor vehicle based on the failure to meet motor carrier safety regulations adopted pursuant to § 65-15-111 relative to:(1) Distant visual acuity, if …

Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-50-412 Approaching and driving over a railroad highway grade crossing

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(a) It is unlawful for the operator of a commercial motor vehicle to fail to:(1) Slow down and check that the railroad highway grade crossing is clear of an approaching train, if the driver is not required by § 55-8-147 to always stop at the crossing;(2) Stop before reaching the …

Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-50-413 Valid medical card required

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(a) (1) Beginning January 1, 2011, all persons holding valid commercial driver licenses issued by this state shall be required to maintain a valid medical card and provide the department a copy of each medical card issued, or provide evidence of an exemption from the medical card…