Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-10-426 — TN Code / Title 55 / Chapter 10 / Section 55-10-426
Contract service providers
Status: in_force

(a) As used in this section, "contract service provider": (1) Means a private entity that enters into a written contract or agreement with a government entity of this state to provide supervision of offenders using an electronic monitoring device; and (2) Does not include: (A) An ignition interlock provider; or (B) An electronic monitoring device manufacturer or producer. (b) A contract service provider must: (1) Have a written contract with the government entity containing the following: (A) A description of the responsibilities of the contract service provider and the services to be rendered; (B) Requirements for bonding of staff; (C) Staffing levels and standards of supervision, including the type and frequency of contacts; (D) Procedures for handling indigent offenders; (E) Reporting procedures and circumstances for violations; (F) Reporting and recordkeeping procedures; (G) Default and contract termination procedures; and (H) A schedule listing the fees and charges assessed to the offenders supervised by the contract service provider; and (2) Maintain general liability insurance coverage of at least one million dollars ($1,000,000) at all times while providing contract services and provide the government entity with written documentation of the insurance coverage. (c) A contract service provider has the following responsibilities: (1) Providing services for the supervision of offenders assigned to the contract service provider by the court; (2) Training all employees who have contact with offenders to provide accurate information regarding the offender's case and to maintain confidentiality; (3) Requiring a fingerprint-based criminal background check in accordance with subsection (n) on every employee prior to the employee beginning employment; (4) Maintaining an employee folder for every employee containing the job application, signed confidentiality statements as required by this section, training records, criminal justice experience, documentation of education, and the written notice from the contracting government entity pursuant to subsection (n) stating whether the employee meets criteria or does not meet criteria for employment based on the criminal background check; (5) Prohibiting the solicitation of offenders for products or services that present a conflict of interest; (6) Ensuring the quality of case management and execution of all court orders in a professional manner; (7) Being responsible for the actions of all employees carried out within the scope of employment; (8) Being accountable to the contracting government entity and the court in reporting the status of cases assigned to the contract service provider for supervision; (9) Notifying the contracting government entity in writing within ten (10) days of an owner, director, or employee being charged with, arrested for, entering a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, or being convicted of a misdemeanor offense involving moral turpitude or a felony offense; and (10) Employing a person as a director who is responsible for the direct supervision of caseworkers. (d) Each director of a contract service provider must: (1) Have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in the field of criminal justice, administration, social work, or behavioral science, and two (2) years of experience in criminal justice or social work. Four (4) years of professional administrative experience with an organization providing services in the field of criminal justice or social work may be substituted for a bachelor's degree; (2) Sign a confidentiality statement agreeing to hold offender records confidential; (3) Be of good moral character and not have been convicted of or pled guilty or nolo contendere to a misdemeanor offense involving moral turpitude, or to a felony offense within the last ten (10) years unless a pardon has been obtained, or have an outstanding warrant for the employee's arrest; (4) Supply a fingerprint sample to be submitted for a criminal background check in accordance with subsection (n); and (5) Complete orientation training within six (6) months of beginning operations and annual in-service training as required by this section. (e) A person employed as a caseworker with a contract service provider must: (1) Be at least twenty-one (21) years of age; (2) Have at least two (2) years of experience with a criminal justice or social services agency, or an associate degree from an accredited college or university; (3) Complete orientation training within six (6) months of beginning employment duties and annual in-service training as required by this section; (4) Be of good moral character and not have been convicted of or pled guilty or nolo contendere to a misdemeanor offense involving moral turpitude, or to a felony offense within the last ten (10) years unless a pardon has been obtained, or have an outstanding warrant for the employee's arrest; (5) Supply a fingerprint sample to be submitted for a criminal background check in accordance with subsection (n); (6) Sign a confidentiality statement agreeing to hold offender records confidential; and (7) Sign a statement that is cosigned by the contract service provider director and indicates that the caseworker has received an orientation on the policies, procedures, and guidelines relevant to the caseworker's job duties. (f) An employee other than a caseworker may assist a caseworker with case-related administrative duties, but shall not have decision-making authority with respect to offenders. An employee who provides services to offenders, who has access to contract service provider records, who has telephone or face-to-face contact with offenders, or who has access to offender data must meet the following requirements: (1) Be at least twenty-one (21) years of age; (2) Sign a confidentiality statement agreeing to hold offender records confidential; (3) Sign a statement that is cosigned by the contract service provider director and indicates that the employee has received an orientation on the policies, procedures, and guidelines relevant to the employee's job duties; (4) Be of good moral character and not have been convicted of or pled guilty or nolo contendere to a misdemeanor offense involving moral turpitude, or to a felony offense within the last ten (10) years unless a pardon has been obtained, or have an outstanding warrant for the employee's arrest; (5) Supply a fingerprint sample to be submitted for a criminal background check in accordance with subsection (n); (6) Have at least a high school diploma or an equivalent diploma; and (7) Complete orientation training within six (6) months of beginning employment duties and annual in-service training as required by this section. (g) Contract service providers must provide training to all employees consisting of a minimum of forty (40) hours of orientation training that must be completed within six (6) months of employment and twenty (20) hours of annual in-service training. The training must include: (1) Orientation to electronic monitoring; (2) An overview of types of equipment used for electronic monitoring; (3) Training related to an overview of the criminal justice system; (4) Instruction on recognizing and reading court orders; (5) Public relations; (6) Media relations; (7) Family and offender orientation; (8) The importance of recordkeeping; (9) Data entry and familiarization with forms; (10) Installing and troubleshooting equipment; (11) Staff and victim safety issues; and (12) Relevant legal issues. (h) All contract service providers shall provide the contracting government entity with a report in such detail and at such time intervals as required by the contracting government entity and the court. (i) (1) All records of the contract service provider must be maintained in a secure and confidential manner. (2) Each contract service provider shall maintain the following records and must make the records available and accessible for inspection by the contracting government entity and the court: (A) Written contracts or agreements for services; (B) Court orders for all offenders assigned for supervision; (C) Accounting ledgers and related documents; (D) Payment receipts issued to offenders for all funds received; (E) Offender case history and management reports and documents; and (F) Other documents pertaining to the case management of each offender assigned for supervision. (3) Each contract service provider must make all records, files, and other documentation pertaining to an individual offender available to a law enforcement agency requesting the records in writing if the offender is the subject of an investigation or a potential witness in an active case. (j) A contract service provider shall not: (1) Assess, collect, or disburse any funds pertaining to the collection of court-ordered monies, except by written order of the court; (2) Offer any program service or component for an additional fee unless the fee charge has been ordered by the court; or (3) Assert or represent that it is owned, operated, or endorsed by this state or any political subdivision of this state. (k) If a contract service provider becomes associated with another corporation, enterprise, or agency, whether through acquisition, merger, sale, or other transaction, then the contract service provider shall notify the contracting government entity and the court in writing within ten (10) days of the effective date of the transaction. The written notice must contain the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of all primary parties, the effective date of the merger, sale, or consolidation, and the nature of the business relationship of the new contract service provider. A violation of this subsection (k) may result in a breach of contract for all services rendered. (l) The director of the contract service provider must immediately notify the contracting government entity and the court in writing of any change in the contract service provider's location, address, or telephone number. (m) The following persons may not own, operate, direct, or serve as an employee or agent of a contract service provider: (1) A person for whom owning, operating, directing, or serving as an employee or agent of the contract service provider would pose an actual, potential, or apparent conflict of interest due to the existence of a fiduciary, business, or personal relationship with any offender, or due to the existence of any other relationship that would place the owner, operator, employee, or agent in a position to exert undue influence on, exploit, take undue advantage of, or breach the confidentiality of any offender; or (2) A judge, public probation or parole officer or employee, court employee, detention or correctional agency employee, law enforcement agency employee, or any spouse thereof, if the contract service provider's services are provided within the same jurisdiction served by the judge, public or private probation office, court, detention or correctional agency, or law enforcement agency. (n) A fingerprint-based criminal background check required by this section must be conducted by the Tennessee bureau of investigation, the federal bureau of investigation, or both. The contract service provider is responsible for the cost of the criminal background check, and the cost must be consistent with the fee schedule established by the federal bureau of investigation. The results of the criminal background check must be forwarded to the contracting government entity. The contracting government entity shall: (1) Determine by rule or policy which employees of the government entity may have access to the results of the criminal background check; (2) Inform the contract service provider in writing whether the employee meets criteria or does not meet criteria for employment based on the results of the criminal background check; and (3) Maintain the confidentiality of all criminal background check information received pursuant to this section. Added by 2022 Tenn. Acts, ch. 1097, s 1, eff. 5/27/2022.
(a) As used in this section, "contract service provider": (1) Means a private entity that enters into a written contract or agreement with a government entity of this state to provide supervision of offenders using an electronic monitoring device; and (2) Does not include: (A) An ignition interlock provider; or (B) An electronic monitoring device manufacturer or producer.
(1) Means a private entity that enters into a written contract or agreement with a government entity of this state to provide supervision of offenders using an electronic monitoring device; and
(2) Does not include: (A) An ignition interlock provider; or (B) An electronic monitoring device manufacturer or producer.
(A) An ignition interlock provider; or
(B) An electronic monitoring device manufacturer or producer.
(b) A contract service provider must: (1) Have a written contract with the government entity containing the following: (A) A description of the responsibilities of the contract service provider and the services to be rendered; (B) Requirements for bonding of staff; (C) Staffing levels and standards of supervision, including the type and frequency of contacts; (D) Procedures for handling indigent offenders; (E) Reporting procedures and circumstances for violations; (F) Reporting and recordkeeping procedures; (G) Default and contract termination procedures; and (H) A schedule listing the fees and charges assessed to the offenders supervised by the contract service provider; and (2) Maintain general liability insurance coverage of at least one million dollars ($1,000,000) at all times while providing contract services and provide the government entity with written documentation of the insurance coverage.
(1) Have a written contract with the government entity containing the following: (A) A description of the responsibilities of the contract service provider and the services to be rendered; (B) Requirements for bonding of staff; (C) Staffing levels and standards of supervision, including the type and frequency of contacts; (D) Procedures for handling indigent offenders; (E) Reporting procedures and circumstances for violations; (F) Reporting and recordkeeping procedures; (G) Default and contract termination procedures; and (H) A schedule listing the fees and charges assessed to the offenders supervised by the contract service provider; and
(A) A description of the responsibilities of the contract service provider and the services to be rendered;
(B) Requirements for bonding of staff;
(C) Staffing levels and standards of supervision, including the type and frequency of contacts;
(D) Procedures for handling indigent offenders;
(E) Reporting procedures and circumstances for violations;
(F) Reporting and recordkeeping procedures;
(G) Default and contract termination procedures; and
(H) A schedule listing the fees and charges assessed to the offenders supervised by the contract service provider; and
(2) Maintain general liability insurance coverage of at least one million dollars ($1,000,000) at all times while providing contract services and provide the government entity with written documentation of the insurance coverage.
(c) A contract service provider has the following responsibilities: (1) Providing services for the supervision of offenders assigned to the contract service provider by the court; (2) Training all employees who have contact with offenders to provide accurate information regarding the offender's case and to maintain confidentiality; (3) Requiring a fingerprint-based criminal background check in accordance with subsection (n) on every employee prior to the employee beginning employment; (4) Maintaining an employee folder for every employee containing the job application, signed confidentiality statements as required by this section, training records, criminal justice experience, documentation of education, and the written notice from the contracting government entity pursuant to subsection (n) stating whether the employee meets criteria or does not meet criteria for employment based on the criminal background check; (5) Prohibiting the solicitation of offenders for products or services that present a conflict of interest; (6) Ensuring the quality of case management and execution of all court orders in a professional manner; (7) Being responsible for the actions of all employees carried out within the scope of employment; (8) Being accountable to the contracting government entity and the court in reporting the status of cases assigned to the contract service provider for supervision; (9) Notifying the contracting government entity in writing within ten (10) days of an owner, director, or employee being charged with, arrested for, entering a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, or being convicted of a misdemeanor offense involving moral turpitude or a felony offense; and (10) Employing a person as a director who is responsible for the direct supervision of caseworkers.
(1) Providing services for the supervision of offenders assigned to the contract service provider by the court;
(2) Training all employees who have contact with offenders to provide accurate information regarding the offender's case and to maintain confidentiality;
(3) Requiring a fingerprint-based criminal background check in accordance with subsection (n) on every employee prior to the employee beginning employment;
(4) Maintaining an employee folder for every employee containing the job application, signed confidentiality statements as required by this section, training records, criminal justice experience, documentation of education, and the written notice from the contracting government entity pursuant to subsection (n) stating whether the employee meets criteria or does not meet criteria for employment based on the criminal background check;
(5) Prohibiting the solicitation of offenders for products or services that present a conflict of interest;
(6) Ensuring the quality of case management and execution of all court orders in a professional manner;
(7) Being responsible for the actions of all employees carried out within the scope of employment;
(8) Being accountable to the contracting government entity and the court in reporting the status of cases assigned to the contract service provider for supervision;
(9) Notifying the contracting government entity in writing within ten (10) days of an owner, director, or employee being charged with, arrested for, entering a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, or being convicted of a misdemeanor offense involving moral turpitude or a felony offense; and
(10) Employing a person as a director who is responsible for the direct supervision of caseworkers.
(d) Each director of a contract service provider must: (1) Have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in the field of criminal justice, administration, social work, or behavioral science, and two (2) years of experience in criminal justice or social work. Four (4) years of professional administrative experience with an organization providing services in the field of criminal justice or social work may be substituted for a bachelor's degree; (2) Sign a confidentiality statement agreeing to hold offender records confidential; (3) Be of good moral character and not have been convicted of or pled guilty or nolo contendere to a misdemeanor offense involving moral turpitude, or to a felony offense within the last ten (10) years unless a pardon has been obtained, or have an outstanding warrant for the employee's arrest; (4) Supply a fingerprint sample to be submitted for a criminal background check in accordance with subsection (n); and (5) Complete orientation training within six (6) months of beginning operations and annual in-service training as required by this section.
(1) Have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in the field of criminal justice, administration, social work, or behavioral science, and two (2) years of experience in criminal justice or social work. Four (4) years of professional administrative experience with an organization providing services in the field of criminal justice or social work may be substituted for a bachelor's degree;
(2) Sign a confidentiality statement agreeing to hold offender records confidential;
(3) Be of good moral character and not have been convicted of or pled guilty or nolo contendere to a misdemeanor offense involving moral turpitude, or to a felony offense within the last ten (10) years unless a pardon has been obtained, or have an outstanding warrant for the employee's arrest;
(4) Supply a fingerprint sample to be submitted for a criminal background check in accordance with subsection (n); and
(5) Complete orientation training within six (6) months of beginning operations and annual in-service training as required by this section.
(e) A person employed as a caseworker with a contract service provider must: (1) Be at least twenty-one (21) years of age; (2) Have at least two (2) years of experience with a criminal justice or social services agency, or an associate degree from an accredited college or university; (3) Complete orientation training within six (6) months of beginning employment duties and annual in-service training as required by this section; (4) Be of good moral character and not have been convicted of or pled guilty or nolo contendere to a misdemeanor offense involving moral turpitude, or to a felony offense within the last ten (10) years unless a pardon has been obtained, or have an outstanding warrant for the employee's arrest; (5) Supply a fingerprint sample to be submitted for a criminal background check in accordance with subsection (n); (6) Sign a confidentiality statement agreeing to hold offender records confidential; and (7) Sign a statement that is cosigned by the contract service provider director and indicates that the caseworker has received an orientation on the policies, procedures, and guidelines relevant to the caseworker's job duties.
(1) Be at least twenty-one (21) years of age;
(2) Have at least two (2) years of experience with a criminal justice or social services agency, or an associate degree from an accredited college or university;
(3) Complete orientation training within six (6) months of beginning employment duties and annual in-service training as required by this section;
(4) Be of good moral character and not have been convicted of or pled guilty or nolo contendere to a misdemeanor offense involving moral turpitude, or to a felony offense within the last ten (10) years unless a pardon has been obtained, or have an outstanding warrant for the employee's arrest;
(5) Supply a fingerprint sample to be submitted for a criminal background check in accordance with subsection (n);
(6) Sign a confidentiality statement agreeing to hold offender records confidential; and
(7) Sign a statement that is cosigned by the contract service provider director and indicates that the caseworker has received an orientation on the policies, procedures, and guidelines relevant to the caseworker's job duties.
(f) An employee other than a caseworker may assist a caseworker with case-related administrative duties, but shall not have decision-making authority with respect to offenders. An employee who provides services to offenders, who has access to contract service provider records, who has telephone or face-to-face contact with offenders, or who has access to offender data must meet the following requirements: (1) Be at least twenty-one (21) years of age; (2) Sign a confidentiality statement agreeing to hold offender records confidential; (3) Sign a statement that is cosigned by the contract service provider director and indicates that the employee has received an orientation on the policies, procedures, and guidelines relevant to the employee's job duties; (4) Be of good moral character and not have been convicted of or pled guilty or nolo contendere to a misdemeanor offense involving moral turpitude, or to a felony offense within the last ten (10) years unless a pardon has been obtained, or have an outstanding warrant for the employee's arrest; (5) Supply a fingerprint sample to be submitted for a criminal background check in accordance with subsection (n); (6) Have at least a high school diploma or an equivalent diploma; and (7) Complete orientation training within six (6) months of beginning employment duties and annual in-service training as required by this section.
(1) Be at least twenty-one (21) years of age;
(2) Sign a confidentiality statement agreeing to hold offender records confidential;
(3) Sign a statement that is cosigned by the contract service provider director and indicates that the employee has received an orientation on the policies, procedures, and guidelines relevant to the employee's job duties;
(4) Be of good moral character and not have been convicted of or pled guilty or nolo contendere to a misdemeanor offense involving moral turpitude, or to a felony offense within the last ten (10) years unless a pardon has been obtained, or have an outstanding warrant for the employee's arrest;
(5) Supply a fingerprint sample to be submitted for a criminal background check in accordance with subsection (n);
(6) Have at least a high school diploma or an equivalent diploma; and
(7) Complete orientation training within six (6) months of beginning employment duties and annual in-service training as required by this section.
(g) Contract service providers must provide training to all employees consisting of a minimum of forty (40) hours of orientation training that must be completed within six (6) months of employment and twenty (20) hours of annual in-service training. The training must include: (1) Orientation to electronic monitoring; (2) An overview of types of equipment used for electronic monitoring; (3) Training related to an overview of the criminal justice system; (4) Instruction on recognizing and reading court orders; (5) Public relations; (6) Media relations; (7) Family and offender orientation; (8) The importance of recordkeeping; (9) Data entry and familiarization with forms; (10) Installing and troubleshooting equipment; (11) Staff and victim safety issues; and (12) Relevant legal issues.
(1) Orientation to electronic monitoring;
(2) An overview of types of equipment used for electronic monitoring;
(3) Training related to an overview of the criminal justice system;
(4) Instruction on recognizing and reading court orders;
(5) Public relations;
(6) Media relations;
(7) Family and offender orientation;
(8) The importance of recordkeeping;
(9) Data entry and familiarization with forms;
(10) Installing and troubleshooting equipment;
(11) Staff and victim safety issues; and
(12) Relevant legal issues.
(h) All contract service providers shall provide the contracting government entity with a report in such detail and at such time intervals as required by the contracting government entity and the court.
(i) (1) All records of the contract service provider must be maintained in a secure and confidential manner. (2) Each contract service provider shall maintain the following records and must make the records available and accessible for inspection by the contracting government entity and the court: (A) Written contracts or agreements for services; (B) Court orders for all offenders assigned for supervision; (C) Accounting ledgers and related documents; (D) Payment receipts issued to offenders for all funds received; (E) Offender case history and management reports and documents; and (F) Other documents pertaining to the case management of each offender assigned for supervision. (3) Each contract service provider must make all records, files, and other documentation pertaining to an individual offender available to a law enforcement agency requesting the records in writing if the offender is the subject of an investigation or a potential witness in an active case.
(1) All records of the contract service provider must be maintained in a secure and confidential manner.
(2) Each contract service provider shall maintain the following records and must make the records available and accessible for inspection by the contracting government entity and the court: (A) Written contracts or agreements for services; (B) Court orders for all offenders assigned for supervision; (C) Accounting ledgers and related documents; (D) Payment receipts issued to offenders for all funds received; (E) Offender case history and management reports and documents; and (F) Other documents pertaining to the case management of each offender assigned for supervision.
(A) Written contracts or agreements for services;
(B) Court orders for all offenders assigned for supervision;
(C) Accounting ledgers and related documents;
(D) Payment receipts issued to offenders for all funds received;
(E) Offender case history and management reports and documents; and
(F) Other documents pertaining to the case management of each offender assigned for supervision.
(3) Each contract service provider must make all records, files, and other documentation pertaining to an individual offender available to a law enforcement agency requesting the records in writing if the offender is the subject of an investigation or a potential witness in an active case.
(j) A contract service provider shall not: (1) Assess, collect, or disburse any funds pertaining to the collection of court-ordered monies, except by written order of the court; (2) Offer any program service or component for an additional fee unless the fee charge has been ordered by the court; or (3) Assert or represent that it is owned, operated, or endorsed by this state or any political subdivision of this state.
(1) Assess, collect, or disburse any funds pertaining to the collection of court-ordered monies, except by written order of the court;
(2) Offer any program service or component for an additional fee unless the fee charge has been ordered by the court; or
(3) Assert or represent that it is owned, operated, or endorsed by this state or any political subdivision of this state.
(k) If a contract service provider becomes associated with another corporation, enterprise, or agency, whether through acquisition, merger, sale, or other transaction, then the contract service provider shall notify the contracting government entity and the court in writing within ten (10) days of the effective date of the transaction. The written notice must contain the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of all primary parties, the effective date of the merger, sale, or consolidation, and the nature of the business relationship of the new contract service provider. A violation of this subsection (k) may result in a breach of contract for all services rendered.
(l) The director of the contract service provider must immediately notify the contracting government entity and the court in writing of any change in the contract service provider's location, address, or telephone number.
(m) The following persons may not own, operate, direct, or serve as an employee or agent of a contract service provider: (1) A person for whom owning, operating, directing, or serving as an employee or agent of the contract service provider would pose an actual, potential, or apparent conflict of interest due to the existence of a fiduciary, business, or personal relationship with any offender, or due to the existence of any other relationship that would place the owner, operator, employee, or agent in a position to exert undue influence on, exploit, take undue advantage of, or breach the confidentiality of any offender; or (2) A judge, public probation or parole officer or employee, court employee, detention or correctional agency employee, law enforcement agency employee, or any spouse thereof, if the contract service provider's services are provided within the same jurisdiction served by the judge, public or private probation office, court, detention or correctional agency, or law enforcement agency.
(1) A person for whom owning, operating, directing, or serving as an employee or agent of the contract service provider would pose an actual, potential, or apparent conflict of interest due to the existence of a fiduciary, business, or personal relationship with any offender, or due to the existence of any other relationship that would place the owner, operator, employee, or agent in a position to exert undue influence on, exploit, take undue advantage of, or breach the confidentiality of any offender; or
(2) A judge, public probation or parole officer or employee, court employee, detention or correctional agency employee, law enforcement agency employee, or any spouse thereof, if the contract service provider's services are provided within the same jurisdiction served by the judge, public or private probation office, court, detention or correctional agency, or law enforcement agency.
(n) A fingerprint-based criminal background check required by this section must be conducted by the Tennessee bureau of investigation, the federal bureau of investigation, or both. The contract service provider is responsible for the cost of the criminal background check, and the cost must be consistent with the fee schedule established by the federal bureau of investigation. The results of the criminal background check must be forwarded to the contracting government entity. The contracting government entity shall: (1) Determine by rule or policy which employees of the government entity may have access to the results of the criminal background check; (2) Inform the contract service provider in writing whether the employee meets criteria or does not meet criteria for employment based on the results of the criminal background check; and (3) Maintain the confidentiality of all criminal background check information received pursuant to this section.
(1) Determine by rule or policy which employees of the government entity may have access to the results of the criminal background check;
(2) Inform the contract service provider in writing whether the employee meets criteria or does not meet criteria for employment based on the results of the criminal background check; and
(3) Maintain the confidentiality of all criminal background check information received pursuant to this section.
Added by 2022 Tenn. Acts, ch. 1097, s 1, eff. 5/27/2022.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-10-313 — TN Code / Title 55 / Chapter 10 / Section 55-10-313
Employer's liability for violations by employee driving nonmotor vehicle - Liability of driver
Status: in_force

(a) The employer of any driver of a nonmotor vehicle who violates § 55-8-178 , intentionally or through carelessness, is liable to an action for damages at the suit of anyone who, in person or property, sustains an injury thereby. (b) The person so offending, as well as that person's employer, shall be liable to a civil action for all damages consequent on the violation. Code 1858, §§ 1179, 1181 (deriv. Acts 1837-1838, ch. 114, § 6); Shan., §§ 1606, 1608; Code 1932, §§ 2678, 2679; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 59-1039.
(a) The employer of any driver of a nonmotor vehicle who violates § 55-8-178 , intentionally or through carelessness, is liable to an action for damages at the suit of anyone who, in person or property, sustains an injury thereby.
(b) The person so offending, as well as that person's employer, shall be liable to a civil action for all damages consequent on the violation.
Code 1858, §§ 1179, 1181 (deriv. Acts 1837-1838, ch. 114, § 6); Shan., §§ 1606, 1608; Code 1932, §§ 2678, 2679; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 59-1039.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-4-304 — TN Code / Title 55 / Chapter 4 / Section 55-4-304
Animals and animal welfare
Status: in_force

(a) (1) An owner or lessee of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state, upon complying with state motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles and paying the regular fee applicable to the motor vehicle and the fee provided for in § 55-4-204 , shall be issued an Animal Friendly new specialty earmarked license plate for a motor vehicle authorized by § 55-4-210(c) . (2) The new specialty earmarked plates provided for in this subsection (a) must contain an appropriate image, design, or logo that depicts an animal or animals and indicates support for animal welfare. The plates must bear the legend "Spay/Neuter". (3) (A) (i) The funds produced from the sale of the Animal Friendly new specialty earmarked license plates must be deposited in a special fund in the general fund, in accordance with § 55-4-301 , to be used exclusively for grants to nonprofit organizations or governmental agencies to provide low-cost spaying and neutering of unsterilized animals to prevent or reduce animal overpopulation as well as funding to defray costs incurred by the department of agriculture associated with the licensing of dog and cat dealers pursuant to title 44, chapter 17, part 1, not to exceed eighty thousand dollars ($80,000) per year and not to be available to the department for such purposes after July 1, 2004. (ii) (a) During the first fiscal year in which revenues derived from the fees collected pursuant to title 44, chapter 17, part 1, exceed one hundred thirty thousand dollars ($130,000), the department of agriculture shall allocate all the revenues in excess of one hundred thirty thousand dollars ($130,000) to the animal population control endowment fund. (b) The department of agriculture shall continue the procedure outlined in subdivision (a)(3)(A)(ii)(a) during subsequent fiscal years until such time as the department has made reimbursements to the animal population control endowment fund in a total amount of one hundred sixty thousand dollars ($160,000). (iii) The commissioner of agriculture is authorized to make grants to eligible organizations to operate animal sterilization programs from moneys available in the special fund. (B) There is established a general fund reserve to be allocated by the general appropriations act to be known as the animal population control endowment fund. Moneys from the fund may be expended to fund activities authorized by this subsection (a). Revenues deposited in this reserve must remain in the reserve until expended for purposes consistent with this subsection (a), and shall not revert to the general fund on any June 30. Any excess revenues on interest earned by the revenues shall not revert on any June 30, but must remain available for appropriation in subsequent fiscal years. An appropriation from this reserve shall not revert to the general fund on any June 30, but must remain available for expenditure in subsequent fiscal years. (C) All revenues produced from the sale and renewal of the new specialty earmarked plates authorized by this subsection (a) must be allocated in accordance with § 55-4-301 . (b) (1) An owner or lessee of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state, upon complying with state motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles, and paying the regular fee applicable to the motor vehicle and the fee provided for in § 55-4-204 , shall be issued a Tennessee Walking Horse new specialty earmarked license plate for a motor vehicle authorized by § 55-4-210(c) . (2) The new specialty earmarked plates provided for in this subsection (b) must bear the image of or a design depicting the Tennessee Walking Horse. (3) The funds produced from the sale of Tennessee Walking Horse new specialty earmarked license plates must be allocated to the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders' and Exhibitors' Association, in accordance with § 55-4-301 . The funds must be used exclusively to maintain the purity of the breed, to promote greater awareness of the Tennessee Walking Horse and its qualities, to encourage expansion of the breed, and to help assure its general welfare in Tennessee. (c) (1) An owner or lessee of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state, upon complying with state motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles and paying the regular fee applicable to the motor vehicle and the fee provided for in § 55-4-204 , shall be issued a Service Dogs new specialty earmarked license plate for a motor vehicle authorized by § 55-4-210(c) . (2) The new specialty earmarked plates provided for in this subsection (c) must be designed in consultation with a representative of Smoky Mountain Service Dogs. (3) The funds produced from the sale of Service Dogs new specialty earmarked license plates must be allocated to Smoky Mountain Service Dogs, in accordance with § 55-4-301 . The funds must be used exclusively to support the organization's mission to enhance the physical and psychological quality of life for wounded veterans by providing trained service dogs to disabled veterans. (d) (1) An owner or lessee of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state, upon complying with state motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles and paying the regular fee applicable to the motor vehicle and the fee provided for in § 55-4-204 , shall be issued a Service Dogs Changing Lives new specialty earmarked license plate for a motor vehicle authorized by § 55-4-210(c) . (2) The new specialty earmarked plates provided for in this subsection (d) must be designed in consultation with a representative of Retrieving Independence. (3) The funds produced from the sale of Service Dogs Changing Lives new specialty earmarked license plates must be allocated to Retrieving Independence, in accordance with § 55-4-301 . The funds must be used exclusively to support the organization's mission to breed, train, and place service dogs with people who are living with physical, mental, or emotional disabilities. (4) Notwithstanding § 55-4-202(k)(1) , the Service Dogs Changing Lives new specialty earmarked license plate authorized pursuant to this subsection (d) has until July 1, 2025, to meet the applicable minimum issuance requirements of § 55-4-202(k)(1) . (e) (1) An owner or lessee of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state, upon complying with state motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles and paying the regular fee applicable to the motor vehicle and the fee provided for in § 55-4-204 , shall be issued an Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary new specialty earmarked license plate for a motor vehicle authorized by § 55-4-210(c) . (2) The new specialty earmarked plates provided for in this subsection (e) must be designed in consultation with a representative of Old Friends Senior Dogs, Inc. (3) The funds produced from the sale of Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary new specialty earmarked license plates must be allocated to Old Friends Senior Dogs, Inc., in accordance with § 55-4-301 . The funds must be used exclusively to support the organization's mission to save senior dogs located in shelters in this state and find them a loving foster family or remain at the sanctuary for the rest of their lives. (f) (1) An owner or lessee of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state, upon complying with state motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles and paying the regular fee applicable to the motor vehicle and the fee provided for in § 55-4-204 , shall be issued a Tiger Haven new specialty earmarked license plate for a motor vehicle authorized by § 55-4-210(c) . (2) The new specialty earmarked plates provided for in this subsection (f) must be designed in consultation with a representative of Tiger Haven, Inc. (3) The funds produced from the sale of Tiger Haven new specialty earmarked license plates must be allocated to Tiger Haven, Inc., in accordance with § 55-4-301 . The funds must be used exclusively to support the organization's mission to protect rescued big cats, including purchasing food and cages for the animals. (4) Notwithstanding § 55-4-202(k)(1) , the Tiger Haven new specialty earmarked license plate authorized pursuant to this subsection (f) has until July 1, 2023, to meet the applicable minimum issuance requirements of § 55-4-202(k)(1) . (g) (1) An owner or lessee of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state, upon complying with state motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles and paying the regular fee applicable to the motor vehicle and the fee provided for in § 55-4-204 , shall be issued a Fighting for the Bullys new specialty earmarked license plate for a motor vehicle authorized by § 55-4-210(c) . (2) The new specialty earmarked plates provided for in this subsection (g) must be designed in consultation with a representative of Fighting for the Bullys Pit Bull Rescue. (3) The funds produced from the sale of Fighting for the Bullys new specialty earmarked license plates must be allocated to Fighting for the Bullys Pit Bull Rescue in accordance with § 55-4-301 . The funds must be used exclusively to support the organization's mission to rescue and save bully breeds located in animal shelters in this state and find them a loving foster family. (4) Notwithstanding § 55-4-202(k)(1) , the Fighting for the Bullys new specialty earmarked license plate authorized pursuant to this subsection (g) has until July 1, 2025, to meet the applicable minimum issuance requirements of § 55-4-202(k)(1) . (h) (1) An owner or lessee of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state, upon complying with state motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles and paying the regular fee applicable to the motor vehicle and the fee provided for in § 55-4-204 , shall be issued a Nashville Humane Association new specialty earmarked license plate for a motor vehicle authorized by § 55-4-210(c) . (2) The new specialty earmarked plates provided for in this subsection (h) must be designed in consultation with a representative of the Nashville Humane Association. (3) The funds produced from the sale of Nashville Humane Association new specialty earmarked license plates must be allocated to the Nashville Humane Association, in accordance with § 55-4-301 . The funds must be used exclusively to support the organization's mission of finding responsible homes for at-risk, homeless, and adoptable pets, controlling pet overpopulation, and promoting the humane treatment of animals, while supporting pets and pet families in the community, and specifically to fund and support the organization's community pet food bank through the purchase of food, litter, treats, leashes, collars, bedding, and other pet-related items provided to the public free of charge at community pet food bank events. Amended by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 804,s 48, eff. 7/1/2024. Amended by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 804,s 45, eff. 7/1/2024. Amended by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 804,s 18, eff. 7/1/2024. Added by 2023 Tenn. Acts, ch. 250, s 1, eff. 7/1/2023.
(a) (1) An owner or lessee of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state, upon complying with state motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles and paying the regular fee applicable to the motor vehicle and the fee provided for in § 55-4-204 , shall be issued an Animal Friendly new specialty earmarked license plate for a motor vehicle authorized by § 55-4-210(c) . (2) The new specialty earmarked plates provided for in this subsection (a) must contain an appropriate image, design, or logo that depicts an animal or animals and indicates support for animal welfare. The plates must bear the legend "Spay/Neuter". (3) (A) (i) The funds produced from the sale of the Animal Friendly new specialty earmarked license plates must be deposited in a special fund in the general fund, in accordance with § 55-4-301 , to be used exclusively for grants to nonprofit organizations or governmental agencies to provide low-cost spaying and neutering of unsterilized animals to prevent or reduce animal overpopulation as well as funding to defray costs incurred by the department of agriculture associated with the licensing of dog and cat dealers pursuant to title 44, chapter 17, part 1, not to exceed eighty thousand dollars ($80,000) per year and not to be available to the department for such purposes after July 1, 2004. (ii) (a) During the first fiscal year in which revenues derived from the fees collected pursuant to title 44, chapter 17, part 1, exceed one hundred thirty thousand dollars ($130,000), the department of agriculture shall allocate all the revenues in excess of one hundred thirty thousand dollars ($130,000) to the animal population control endowment fund. (b) The department of agriculture shall continue the procedure outlined in subdivision (a)(3)(A)(ii)(a) during subsequent fiscal years until such time as the department has made reimbursements to the animal population control endowment fund in a total amount of one hundred sixty thousand dollars ($160,000). (iii) The commissioner of agriculture is authorized to make grants to eligible organizations to operate animal sterilization programs from moneys available in the special fund. (B) There is established a general fund reserve to be allocated by the general appropriations act to be known as the animal population control endowment fund. Moneys from the fund may be expended to fund activities authorized by this subsection (a). Revenues deposited in this reserve must remain in the reserve until expended for purposes consistent with this subsection (a), and shall not revert to the general fund on any June 30. Any excess revenues on interest earned by the revenues shall not revert on any June 30, but must remain available for appropriation in subsequent fiscal years. An appropriation from this reserve shall not revert to the general fund on any June 30, but must remain available for expenditure in subsequent fiscal years. (C) All revenues produced from the sale and renewal of the new specialty earmarked plates authorized by this subsection (a) must be allocated in accordance with § 55-4-301 .
(1) An owner or lessee of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state, upon complying with state motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles and paying the regular fee applicable to the motor vehicle and the fee provided for in § 55-4-204 , shall be issued an Animal Friendly new specialty earmarked license plate for a motor vehicle authorized by § 55-4-210(c) .
(2) The new specialty earmarked plates provided for in this subsection (a) must contain an appropriate image, design, or logo that depicts an animal or animals and indicates support for animal welfare. The plates must bear the legend "Spay/Neuter".
(3) (A) (i) The funds produced from the sale of the Animal Friendly new specialty earmarked license plates must be deposited in a special fund in the general fund, in accordance with § 55-4-301 , to be used exclusively for grants to nonprofit organizations or governmental agencies to provide low-cost spaying and neutering of unsterilized animals to prevent or reduce animal overpopulation as well as funding to defray costs incurred by the department of agriculture associated with the licensing of dog and cat dealers pursuant to title 44, chapter 17, part 1, not to exceed eighty thousand dollars ($80,000) per year and not to be available to the department for such purposes after July 1, 2004. (ii) (a) During the first fiscal year in which revenues derived from the fees collected pursuant to title 44, chapter 17, part 1, exceed one hundred thirty thousand dollars ($130,000), the department of agriculture shall allocate all the revenues in excess of one hundred thirty thousand dollars ($130,000) to the animal population control endowment fund. (b) The department of agriculture shall continue the procedure outlined in subdivision (a)(3)(A)(ii)(a) during subsequent fiscal years until such time as the department has made reimbursements to the animal population control endowment fund in a total amount of one hundred sixty thousand dollars ($160,000). (iii) The commissioner of agriculture is authorized to make grants to eligible organizations to operate animal sterilization programs from moneys available in the special fund. (B) There is established a general fund reserve to be allocated by the general appropriations act to be known as the animal population control endowment fund. Moneys from the fund may be expended to fund activities authorized by this subsection (a). Revenues deposited in this reserve must remain in the reserve until expended for purposes consistent with this subsection (a), and shall not revert to the general fund on any June 30. Any excess revenues on interest earned by the revenues shall not revert on any June 30, but must remain available for appropriation in subsequent fiscal years. An appropriation from this reserve shall not revert to the general fund on any June 30, but must remain available for expenditure in subsequent fiscal years. (C) All revenues produced from the sale and renewal of the new specialty earmarked plates authorized by this subsection (a) must be allocated in accordance with § 55-4-301 .
(A) (i) The funds produced from the sale of the Animal Friendly new specialty earmarked license plates must be deposited in a special fund in the general fund, in accordance with § 55-4-301 , to be used exclusively for grants to nonprofit organizations or governmental agencies to provide low-cost spaying and neutering of unsterilized animals to prevent or reduce animal overpopulation as well as funding to defray costs incurred by the department of agriculture associated with the licensing of dog and cat dealers pursuant to title 44, chapter 17, part 1, not to exceed eighty thousand dollars ($80,000) per year and not to be available to the department for such purposes after July 1, 2004. (ii) (a) During the first fiscal year in which revenues derived from the fees collected pursuant to title 44, chapter 17, part 1, exceed one hundred thirty thousand dollars ($130,000), the department of agriculture shall allocate all the revenues in excess of one hundred thirty thousand dollars ($130,000) to the animal population control endowment fund. (b) The department of agriculture shall continue the procedure outlined in subdivision (a)(3)(A)(ii)(a) during subsequent fiscal years until such time as the department has made reimbursements to the animal population control endowment fund in a total amount of one hundred sixty thousand dollars ($160,000). (iii) The commissioner of agriculture is authorized to make grants to eligible organizations to operate animal sterilization programs from moneys available in the special fund.
(i) The funds produced from the sale of the Animal Friendly new specialty earmarked license plates must be deposited in a special fund in the general fund, in accordance with § 55-4-301 , to be used exclusively for grants to nonprofit organizations or governmental agencies to provide low-cost spaying and neutering of unsterilized animals to prevent or reduce animal overpopulation as well as funding to defray costs incurred by the department of agriculture associated with the licensing of dog and cat dealers pursuant to title 44, chapter 17, part 1, not to exceed eighty thousand dollars ($80,000) per year and not to be available to the department for such purposes after July 1, 2004.
(ii) (a) During the first fiscal year in which revenues derived from the fees collected pursuant to title 44, chapter 17, part 1, exceed one hundred thirty thousand dollars ($130,000), the department of agriculture shall allocate all the revenues in excess of one hundred thirty thousand dollars ($130,000) to the animal population control endowment fund. (b) The department of agriculture shall continue the procedure outlined in subdivision (a)(3)(A)(ii)(a) during subsequent fiscal years until such time as the department has made reimbursements to the animal population control endowment fund in a total amount of one hundred sixty thousand dollars ($160,000).
(a) During the first fiscal year in which revenues derived from the fees collected pursuant to title 44, chapter 17, part 1, exceed one hundred thirty thousand dollars ($130,000), the department of agriculture shall allocate all the revenues in excess of one hundred thirty thousand dollars ($130,000) to the animal population control endowment fund.
(b) The department of agriculture shall continue the procedure outlined in subdivision (a)(3)(A)(ii)(a) during subsequent fiscal years until such time as the department has made reimbursements to the animal population control endowment fund in a total amount of one hundred sixty thousand dollars ($160,000).
(iii) The commissioner of agriculture is authorized to make grants to eligible organizations to operate animal sterilization programs from moneys available in the special fund.
(B) There is established a general fund reserve to be allocated by the general appropriations act to be known as the animal population control endowment fund. Moneys from the fund may be expended to fund activities authorized by this subsection (a). Revenues deposited in this reserve must remain in the reserve until expended for purposes consistent with this subsection (a), and shall not revert to the general fund on any June 30. Any excess revenues on interest earned by the revenues shall not revert on any June 30, but must remain available for appropriation in subsequent fiscal years. An appropriation from this reserve shall not revert to the general fund on any June 30, but must remain available for expenditure in subsequent fiscal years.
(C) All revenues produced from the sale and renewal of the new specialty earmarked plates authorized by this subsection (a) must be allocated in accordance with § 55-4-301 .
(b) (1) An owner or lessee of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state, upon complying with state motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles, and paying the regular fee applicable to the motor vehicle and the fee provided for in § 55-4-204 , shall be issued a Tennessee Walking Horse new specialty earmarked license plate for a motor vehicle authorized by § 55-4-210(c) . (2) The new specialty earmarked plates provided for in this subsection (b) must bear the image of or a design depicting the Tennessee Walking Horse. (3) The funds produced from the sale of Tennessee Walking Horse new specialty earmarked license plates must be allocated to the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders' and Exhibitors' Association, in accordance with § 55-4-301 . The funds must be used exclusively to maintain the purity of the breed, to promote greater awareness of the Tennessee Walking Horse and its qualities, to encourage expansion of the breed, and to help assure its general welfare in Tennessee.
(1) An owner or lessee of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state, upon complying with state motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles, and paying the regular fee applicable to the motor vehicle and the fee provided for in § 55-4-204 , shall be issued a Tennessee Walking Horse new specialty earmarked license plate for a motor vehicle authorized by § 55-4-210(c) .
(2) The new specialty earmarked plates provided for in this subsection (b) must bear the image of or a design depicting the Tennessee Walking Horse.
(3) The funds produced from the sale of Tennessee Walking Horse new specialty earmarked license plates must be allocated to the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders' and Exhibitors' Association, in accordance with § 55-4-301 . The funds must be used exclusively to maintain the purity of the breed, to promote greater awareness of the Tennessee Walking Horse and its qualities, to encourage expansion of the breed, and to help assure its general welfare in Tennessee.
(c) (1) An owner or lessee of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state, upon complying with state motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles and paying the regular fee applicable to the motor vehicle and the fee provided for in § 55-4-204 , shall be issued a Service Dogs new specialty earmarked license plate for a motor vehicle authorized by § 55-4-210(c) . (2) The new specialty earmarked plates provided for in this subsection (c) must be designed in consultation with a representative of Smoky Mountain Service Dogs. (3) The funds produced from the sale of Service Dogs new specialty earmarked license plates must be allocated to Smoky Mountain Service Dogs, in accordance with § 55-4-301 . The funds must be used exclusively to support the organization's mission to enhance the physical and psychological quality of life for wounded veterans by providing trained service dogs to disabled veterans.
(1) An owner or lessee of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state, upon complying with state motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles and paying the regular fee applicable to the motor vehicle and the fee provided for in § 55-4-204 , shall be issued a Service Dogs new specialty earmarked license plate for a motor vehicle authorized by § 55-4-210(c) .
(2) The new specialty earmarked plates provided for in this subsection (c) must be designed in consultation with a representative of Smoky Mountain Service Dogs.
(3) The funds produced from the sale of Service Dogs new specialty earmarked license plates must be allocated to Smoky Mountain Service Dogs, in accordance with § 55-4-301 . The funds must be used exclusively to support the organization's mission to enhance the physical and psychological quality of life for wounded veterans by providing trained service dogs to disabled veterans.
(d) (1) An owner or lessee of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state, upon complying with state motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles and paying the regular fee applicable to the motor vehicle and the fee provided for in § 55-4-204 , shall be issued a Service Dogs Changing Lives new specialty earmarked license plate for a motor vehicle authorized by § 55-4-210(c) . (2) The new specialty earmarked plates provided for in this subsection (d) must be designed in consultation with a representative of Retrieving Independence. (3) The funds produced from the sale of Service Dogs Changing Lives new specialty earmarked license plates must be allocated to Retrieving Independence, in accordance with § 55-4-301 . The funds must be used exclusively to support the organization's mission to breed, train, and place service dogs with people who are living with physical, mental, or emotional disabilities. (4) Notwithstanding § 55-4-202(k)(1) , the Service Dogs Changing Lives new specialty earmarked license plate authorized pursuant to this subsection (d) has until July 1, 2025, to meet the applicable minimum issuance requirements of § 55-4-202(k)(1) .
(1) An owner or lessee of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state, upon complying with state motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles and paying the regular fee applicable to the motor vehicle and the fee provided for in § 55-4-204 , shall be issued a Service Dogs Changing Lives new specialty earmarked license plate for a motor vehicle authorized by § 55-4-210(c) .
(2) The new specialty earmarked plates provided for in this subsection (d) must be designed in consultation with a representative of Retrieving Independence.
(3) The funds produced from the sale of Service Dogs Changing Lives new specialty earmarked license plates must be allocated to Retrieving Independence, in accordance with § 55-4-301 . The funds must be used exclusively to support the organization's mission to breed, train, and place service dogs with people who are living with physical, mental, or emotional disabilities.
(4) Notwithstanding § 55-4-202(k)(1) , the Service Dogs Changing Lives new specialty earmarked license plate authorized pursuant to this subsection (d) has until July 1, 2025, to meet the applicable minimum issuance requirements of § 55-4-202(k)(1) .
(e) (1) An owner or lessee of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state, upon complying with state motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles and paying the regular fee applicable to the motor vehicle and the fee provided for in § 55-4-204 , shall be issued an Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary new specialty earmarked license plate for a motor vehicle authorized by § 55-4-210(c) . (2) The new specialty earmarked plates provided for in this subsection (e) must be designed in consultation with a representative of Old Friends Senior Dogs, Inc. (3) The funds produced from the sale of Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary new specialty earmarked license plates must be allocated to Old Friends Senior Dogs, Inc., in accordance with § 55-4-301 . The funds must be used exclusively to support the organization's mission to save senior dogs located in shelters in this state and find them a loving foster family or remain at the sanctuary for the rest of their lives.
(1) An owner or lessee of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state, upon complying with state motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles and paying the regular fee applicable to the motor vehicle and the fee provided for in § 55-4-204 , shall be issued an Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary new specialty earmarked license plate for a motor vehicle authorized by § 55-4-210(c) .
(2) The new specialty earmarked plates provided for in this subsection (e) must be designed in consultation with a representative of Old Friends Senior Dogs, Inc.
(3) The funds produced from the sale of Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary new specialty earmarked license plates must be allocated to Old Friends Senior Dogs, Inc., in accordance with § 55-4-301 . The funds must be used exclusively to support the organization's mission to save senior dogs located in shelters in this state and find them a loving foster family or remain at the sanctuary for the rest of their lives.
(f) (1) An owner or lessee of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state, upon complying with state motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles and paying the regular fee applicable to the motor vehicle and the fee provided for in § 55-4-204 , shall be issued a Tiger Haven new specialty earmarked license plate for a motor vehicle authorized by § 55-4-210(c) . (2) The new specialty earmarked plates provided for in this subsection (f) must be designed in consultation with a representative of Tiger Haven, Inc. (3) The funds produced from the sale of Tiger Haven new specialty earmarked license plates must be allocated to Tiger Haven, Inc., in accordance with § 55-4-301 . The funds must be used exclusively to support the organization's mission to protect rescued big cats, including purchasing food and cages for the animals. (4) Notwithstanding § 55-4-202(k)(1) , the Tiger Haven new specialty earmarked license plate authorized pursuant to this subsection (f) has until July 1, 2023, to meet the applicable minimum issuance requirements of § 55-4-202(k)(1) .
(1) An owner or lessee of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state, upon complying with state motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles and paying the regular fee applicable to the motor vehicle and the fee provided for in § 55-4-204 , shall be issued a Tiger Haven new specialty earmarked license plate for a motor vehicle authorized by § 55-4-210(c) .
(2) The new specialty earmarked plates provided for in this subsection (f) must be designed in consultation with a representative of Tiger Haven, Inc.
(3) The funds produced from the sale of Tiger Haven new specialty earmarked license plates must be allocated to Tiger Haven, Inc., in accordance with § 55-4-301 . The funds must be used exclusively to support the organization's mission to protect rescued big cats, including purchasing food and cages for the animals.
(4) Notwithstanding § 55-4-202(k)(1) , the Tiger Haven new specialty earmarked license plate authorized pursuant to this subsection (f) has until July 1, 2023, to meet the applicable minimum issuance requirements of § 55-4-202(k)(1) .
(g) (1) An owner or lessee of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state, upon complying with state motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles and paying the regular fee applicable to the motor vehicle and the fee provided for in § 55-4-204 , shall be issued a Fighting for the Bullys new specialty earmarked license plate for a motor vehicle authorized by § 55-4-210(c) . (2) The new specialty earmarked plates provided for in this subsection (g) must be designed in consultation with a representative of Fighting for the Bullys Pit Bull Rescue. (3) The funds produced from the sale of Fighting for the Bullys new specialty earmarked license plates must be allocated to Fighting for the Bullys Pit Bull Rescue in accordance with § 55-4-301 . The funds must be used exclusively to support the organization's mission to rescue and save bully breeds located in animal shelters in this state and find them a loving foster family. (4) Notwithstanding § 55-4-202(k)(1) , the Fighting for the Bullys new specialty earmarked license plate authorized pursuant to this subsection (g) has until July 1, 2025, to meet the applicable minimum issuance requirements of § 55-4-202(k)(1) .
(1) An owner or lessee of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state, upon complying with state motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles and paying the regular fee applicable to the motor vehicle and the fee provided for in § 55-4-204 , shall be issued a Fighting for the Bullys new specialty earmarked license plate for a motor vehicle authorized by § 55-4-210(c) .
(2) The new specialty earmarked plates provided for in this subsection (g) must be designed in consultation with a representative of Fighting for the Bullys Pit Bull Rescue.
(3) The funds produced from the sale of Fighting for the Bullys new specialty earmarked license plates must be allocated to Fighting for the Bullys Pit Bull Rescue in accordance with § 55-4-301 . The funds must be used exclusively to support the organization's mission to rescue and save bully breeds located in animal shelters in this state and find them a loving foster family.
(4) Notwithstanding § 55-4-202(k)(1) , the Fighting for the Bullys new specialty earmarked license plate authorized pursuant to this subsection (g) has until July 1, 2025, to meet the applicable minimum issuance requirements of § 55-4-202(k)(1) .
(h) (1) An owner or lessee of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state, upon complying with state motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles and paying the regular fee applicable to the motor vehicle and the fee provided for in § 55-4-204 , shall be issued a Nashville Humane Association new specialty earmarked license plate for a motor vehicle authorized by § 55-4-210(c) . (2) The new specialty earmarked plates provided for in this subsection (h) must be designed in consultation with a representative of the Nashville Humane Association. (3) The funds produced from the sale of Nashville Humane Association new specialty earmarked license plates must be allocated to the Nashville Humane Association, in accordance with § 55-4-301 . The funds must be used exclusively to support the organization's mission of finding responsible homes for at-risk, homeless, and adoptable pets, controlling pet overpopulation, and promoting the humane treatment of animals, while supporting pets and pet families in the community, and specifically to fund and support the organization's community pet food bank through the purchase of food, litter, treats, leashes, collars, bedding, and other pet-related items provided to the public free of charge at community pet food bank events.
(1) An owner or lessee of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state, upon complying with state motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles and paying the regular fee applicable to the motor vehicle and the fee provided for in § 55-4-204 , shall be issued a Nashville Humane Association new specialty earmarked license plate for a motor vehicle authorized by § 55-4-210(c) .
(2) The new specialty earmarked plates provided for in this subsection (h) must be designed in consultation with a representative of the Nashville Humane Association.
(3) The funds produced from the sale of Nashville Humane Association new specialty earmarked license plates must be allocated to the Nashville Humane Association, in accordance with § 55-4-301 . The funds must be used exclusively to support the organization's mission of finding responsible homes for at-risk, homeless, and adoptable pets, controlling pet overpopulation, and promoting the humane treatment of animals, while supporting pets and pet families in the community, and specifically to fund and support the organization's community pet food bank through the purchase of food, litter, treats, leashes, collars, bedding, and other pet-related items provided to the public free of charge at community pet food bank events.
Amended by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 804,s 48, eff. 7/1/2024.
Amended by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 804,s 45, eff. 7/1/2024.
Amended by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 804,s 18, eff. 7/1/2024.
Added by 2023 Tenn. Acts, ch. 250, s 1, eff. 7/1/2023.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-6-105 — TN Code / Title 55 / Chapter 6 / Section 55-6-105
Duties of county clerk - Penalties for delinquencies
Status: in_force

(a) In addition to the powers and duties heretofore devolved upon the county clerk, it is the clerk's duty to: (1) Ascertain the names of the owners of all vehicles required to be registered by the terms of chapters 1-6 of this title in the clerk's county, and issue distress warrants against the owner operating the vehicle in violation of chapters 1-6 of this title after April 1 of the year for which the tax in question may be due. In the case of the issuance of these distress warrants, the clerk shall be entitled to collect the fees now provided by law for the issuance of distress warrants; (2) Take registration applications from the owner of any vehicle designated in chapters 1-6 of this title; (3) Collect the fees due the clerk or due any department or division of the state provided for in chapters 1-6 of this title to be collected by the clerk; (4) Distribute the registration plates, which shall be provided by the department, and keep a complete record of all motor vehicles registered in the clerk's county; (5) Forward all applications for certificates of title received by the clerk, together with the original copy of the certificate of registration or transfer certificate of registration issued by the clerk to the department within five (5) working days from when the applications are filed with the clerk and the certificate of registration or transfer certificate of registration issued by the clerk; provided, that an additional five (5) working days shall be allowed for any clerk that issues certificates of title for the state under contract with the state. All applications, certificates and other forms, documents or information required by this subdivision (a)(5) to be forwarded to the department may be electronically scanned and forwarded to the department by electronic means; (6) Notify the department of the surrender of all certificates of registration and registration plates on the same day upon which the certificates of registration and registration plates shall be surrendered to the clerk; (7) Remit and report, not later than the tenth day of each month, to the department all moneys collected by the clerk on behalf of the department under chapters 1-6 of this title for the titling and registration of vehicles made during the calendar month preceding the date of the report. In the case of those vehicles to be registered by the department, the clerk shall forward the application for registration in a timely manner to the department. All reports, applications, and other forms or documents required by this subdivision (a)(7) to be forwarded to the department, or any other listings pertaining to such documents that may be required by the commissioner, may be electronically scanned and forwarded to the department by electronic means; (8) Account to the department for all registration plates so consigned to the clerk; and (9) A county clerk shall not issue a registration for a vehicle based in a county that has been designated by the Tennessee air pollution control board to have a motor vehicle inspection and maintenance program in order to attain or maintain compliance with national ambient air quality standards, except in accordance with terms and conditions as are established in rules of the board. (b) Any county clerk who is delinquent as much as two (2) days in forwarding the applications for certificate of title, the original copies of the certificates of registration, transfers of registration and surrenders of registrations to the department, or as much as ten (10) days in making the report hereinabove required to be made to the department, commits a Class C misdemeanor. Each day constitutes a separate offense. If any clerk is delinquent as much as ten (10) days in making the remittance required under subdivision (a)(7), there shall be added to the amount of the remittance due a penalty of five percent (5%) of the amount, except that the commissioner shall have the authority to waive the penalty or relieve the clerk of payment of the amount of the penalty. Amended by 2014 Tenn. Acts, ch. 718, Secs.s 6, s 7eff. 4/16/2014. Amended by 2014 Tenn. Acts, ch. 553, s 1, eff. 3/17/2014. Acts 1951, ch. 70, § 62 (Williams, § 5538.162); Acts 1953, ch. 167, § 13; impl. am. Acts 1959, ch. 9, § 14; Acts 1963, ch. 156, § 2; impl. am. Acts 1978, ch. 934, §§ 22, 36; modified; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 59-605; Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 113; 1993, ch. 416, § 3; 1996, ch. 687, §2; 2007 , ch. 484, § 76.
(a) In addition to the powers and duties heretofore devolved upon the county clerk, it is the clerk's duty to: (1) Ascertain the names of the owners of all vehicles required to be registered by the terms of chapters 1-6 of this title in the clerk's county, and issue distress warrants against the owner operating the vehicle in violation of chapters 1-6 of this title after April 1 of the year for which the tax in question may be due. In the case of the issuance of these distress warrants, the clerk shall be entitled to collect the fees now provided by law for the issuance of distress warrants; (2) Take registration applications from the owner of any vehicle designated in chapters 1-6 of this title; (3) Collect the fees due the clerk or due any department or division of the state provided for in chapters 1-6 of this title to be collected by the clerk; (4) Distribute the registration plates, which shall be provided by the department, and keep a complete record of all motor vehicles registered in the clerk's county; (5) Forward all applications for certificates of title received by the clerk, together with the original copy of the certificate of registration or transfer certificate of registration issued by the clerk to the department within five (5) working days from when the applications are filed with the clerk and the certificate of registration or transfer certificate of registration issued by the clerk; provided, that an additional five (5) working days shall be allowed for any clerk that issues certificates of title for the state under contract with the state. All applications, certificates and other forms, documents or information required by this subdivision (a)(5) to be forwarded to the department may be electronically scanned and forwarded to the department by electronic means; (6) Notify the department of the surrender of all certificates of registration and registration plates on the same day upon which the certificates of registration and registration plates shall be surrendered to the clerk; (7) Remit and report, not later than the tenth day of each month, to the department all moneys collected by the clerk on behalf of the department under chapters 1-6 of this title for the titling and registration of vehicles made during the calendar month preceding the date of the report. In the case of those vehicles to be registered by the department, the clerk shall forward the application for registration in a timely manner to the department. All reports, applications, and other forms or documents required by this subdivision (a)(7) to be forwarded to the department, or any other listings pertaining to such documents that may be required by the commissioner, may be electronically scanned and forwarded to the department by electronic means; (8) Account to the department for all registration plates so consigned to the clerk; and (9) A county clerk shall not issue a registration for a vehicle based in a county that has been designated by the Tennessee air pollution control board to have a motor vehicle inspection and maintenance program in order to attain or maintain compliance with national ambient air quality standards, except in accordance with terms and conditions as are established in rules of the board.
(1) Ascertain the names of the owners of all vehicles required to be registered by the terms of chapters 1-6 of this title in the clerk's county, and issue distress warrants against the owner operating the vehicle in violation of chapters 1-6 of this title after April 1 of the year for which the tax in question may be due. In the case of the issuance of these distress warrants, the clerk shall be entitled to collect the fees now provided by law for the issuance of distress warrants;
(2) Take registration applications from the owner of any vehicle designated in chapters 1-6 of this title;
(3) Collect the fees due the clerk or due any department or division of the state provided for in chapters 1-6 of this title to be collected by the clerk;
(4) Distribute the registration plates, which shall be provided by the department, and keep a complete record of all motor vehicles registered in the clerk's county;
(5) Forward all applications for certificates of title received by the clerk, together with the original copy of the certificate of registration or transfer certificate of registration issued by the clerk to the department within five (5) working days from when the applications are filed with the clerk and the certificate of registration or transfer certificate of registration issued by the clerk; provided, that an additional five (5) working days shall be allowed for any clerk that issues certificates of title for the state under contract with the state. All applications, certificates and other forms, documents or information required by this subdivision (a)(5) to be forwarded to the department may be electronically scanned and forwarded to the department by electronic means;
(6) Notify the department of the surrender of all certificates of registration and registration plates on the same day upon which the certificates of registration and registration plates shall be surrendered to the clerk;
(7) Remit and report, not later than the tenth day of each month, to the department all moneys collected by the clerk on behalf of the department under chapters 1-6 of this title for the titling and registration of vehicles made during the calendar month preceding the date of the report. In the case of those vehicles to be registered by the department, the clerk shall forward the application for registration in a timely manner to the department. All reports, applications, and other forms or documents required by this subdivision (a)(7) to be forwarded to the department, or any other listings pertaining to such documents that may be required by the commissioner, may be electronically scanned and forwarded to the department by electronic means;
(8) Account to the department for all registration plates so consigned to the clerk; and
(9) A county clerk shall not issue a registration for a vehicle based in a county that has been designated by the Tennessee air pollution control board to have a motor vehicle inspection and maintenance program in order to attain or maintain compliance with national ambient air quality standards, except in accordance with terms and conditions as are established in rules of the board.
(b) Any county clerk who is delinquent as much as two (2) days in forwarding the applications for certificate of title, the original copies of the certificates of registration, transfers of registration and surrenders of registrations to the department, or as much as ten (10) days in making the report hereinabove required to be made to the department, commits a Class C misdemeanor. Each day constitutes a separate offense. If any clerk is delinquent as much as ten (10) days in making the remittance required under subdivision (a)(7), there shall be added to the amount of the remittance due a penalty of five percent (5%) of the amount, except that the commissioner shall have the authority to waive the penalty or relieve the clerk of payment of the amount of the penalty.
Amended by 2014 Tenn. Acts, ch. 718, Secs.s 6, s 7eff. 4/16/2014.
Amended by 2014 Tenn. Acts, ch. 553, s 1, eff. 3/17/2014.
Acts 1951, ch. 70, § 62 (Williams, § 5538.162); Acts 1953, ch. 167, § 13; impl. am. Acts 1959, ch. 9, § 14; Acts 1963, ch. 156, § 2; impl. am. Acts 1978, ch. 934, §§ 22, 36; modified; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 59-605; Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 113; 1993, ch. 416, § 3; 1996, ch. 687, §2; 2007 , ch. 484, § 76.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-21-104 — TN Code / Title 55 / Chapter 21 / Section 55-21-104
Symbol of access for registrations, placards, decals, and license plates for drivers or passengers with disability
Status: in_force

(a) (1) The department shall designate the symbol of access adopted pursuant to § 12-2-123 for the issuance of registrations, placards, decals, and license plates to drivers or passengers with a disability under this part. (2) (A) The symbol must be utilized for the issuance of all new registrations, placards, decals, and license plates under this part on or after July 1, 2020. Existing registrations, placards, decals, and license plates must conform to subdivision (a)(1) upon replacement, including upon a request for replacement by a driver or passenger with a disability. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, if a person requests to replace an existing registration, placard, decal, or license plate in accordance with this subdivision (a)(2)(A), the person must pay the same fee otherwise due for the initial issuance of such registration, placard, decal, or license plate. (B) Subdivision (a)(2)(A) only applies upon the exhaustion of the supply of existing registrations, placards, decals, and license plates. (3) The department may promulgate rules for the purpose of carrying out this subsection (a). (b) The style of registration and license plates for disabled veterans pursuant to § 55-4-256 shall be a recognized symbol for the purposes of this part. Amended by 2019 Tenn. Acts, ch. 112, s 3, eff. 7/1/2020. Acts 1975, ch. 163, § 4; 1978, ch. 676, § 2; T.C.A., § 59-2204; Acts 1994, ch. 634, § 1.
(a) (1) The department shall designate the symbol of access adopted pursuant to § 12-2-123 for the issuance of registrations, placards, decals, and license plates to drivers or passengers with a disability under this part. (2) (A) The symbol must be utilized for the issuance of all new registrations, placards, decals, and license plates under this part on or after July 1, 2020. Existing registrations, placards, decals, and license plates must conform to subdivision (a)(1) upon replacement, including upon a request for replacement by a driver or passenger with a disability. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, if a person requests to replace an existing registration, placard, decal, or license plate in accordance with this subdivision (a)(2)(A), the person must pay the same fee otherwise due for the initial issuance of such registration, placard, decal, or license plate. (B) Subdivision (a)(2)(A) only applies upon the exhaustion of the supply of existing registrations, placards, decals, and license plates. (3) The department may promulgate rules for the purpose of carrying out this subsection (a).
(1) The department shall designate the symbol of access adopted pursuant to § 12-2-123 for the issuance of registrations, placards, decals, and license plates to drivers or passengers with a disability under this part.
(2) (A) The symbol must be utilized for the issuance of all new registrations, placards, decals, and license plates under this part on or after July 1, 2020. Existing registrations, placards, decals, and license plates must conform to subdivision (a)(1) upon replacement, including upon a request for replacement by a driver or passenger with a disability. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, if a person requests to replace an existing registration, placard, decal, or license plate in accordance with this subdivision (a)(2)(A), the person must pay the same fee otherwise due for the initial issuance of such registration, placard, decal, or license plate. (B) Subdivision (a)(2)(A) only applies upon the exhaustion of the supply of existing registrations, placards, decals, and license plates.
(A) The symbol must be utilized for the issuance of all new registrations, placards, decals, and license plates under this part on or after July 1, 2020. Existing registrations, placards, decals, and license plates must conform to subdivision (a)(1) upon replacement, including upon a request for replacement by a driver or passenger with a disability. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, if a person requests to replace an existing registration, placard, decal, or license plate in accordance with this subdivision (a)(2)(A), the person must pay the same fee otherwise due for the initial issuance of such registration, placard, decal, or license plate.
(B) Subdivision (a)(2)(A) only applies upon the exhaustion of the supply of existing registrations, placards, decals, and license plates.
(3) The department may promulgate rules for the purpose of carrying out this subsection (a).
(b) The style of registration and license plates for disabled veterans pursuant to § 55-4-256 shall be a recognized symbol for the purposes of this part.
Amended by 2019 Tenn. Acts, ch. 112, s 3, eff. 7/1/2020.
Acts 1975, ch. 163, § 4; 1978, ch. 676, § 2; T.C.A., § 59-2204; Acts 1994, ch. 634, § 1.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-8-156 — TN Code / Title 55 / Chapter 8 / Section 55-8-156
Special speed limitations - Penalties
Status: in_force

(a) No person shall drive any vehicle equipped with solid rubber or cushion tires at a speed greater than a maximum of ten miles per hour (10 mph). (b) No person shall drive a vehicle over any bridge or other elevated structure constituting a part of a highway at a speed which is greater than the maximum speed that can be maintained with safety to such bridge or structure, when the structure is signposted as provided in this section. (c) The department of transportation, upon request from any local authority, shall, or upon its own initiative may, conduct an investigation of any bridge, or other elevated structure constituting a part of the highway, and if it thereupon finds that the structure cannot with safety to itself withstand vehicles traveling at the speed otherwise permissible under this chapter, the department shall determine and declare the maximum speed of vehicles that the structure can safely withstand, and shall cause or permit suitable signs stating the maximum speed to be erected and maintained at a distance of one hundred feet (100') before each end of the structure. (d) Upon the trial of any person charged with a violation of this section, proof of the determination of the maximum speed by the department and the existence of the signs shall constitute conclusive evidence of the maximum speed which can be maintained with safety to the bridge or structure. (e) A violation of this section is a Class C misdemeanor. Acts 1955, ch. 329, § 55; impl. am. Acts 1959, ch. 9, § 3; impl. am. Acts 1972, ch. 829, § 7; T.C.A., § 59-856; Acts 1981, ch. 261, § 12; 1989, ch. 591, § 113.
(a) No person shall drive any vehicle equipped with solid rubber or cushion tires at a speed greater than a maximum of ten miles per hour (10 mph).
(b) No person shall drive a vehicle over any bridge or other elevated structure constituting a part of a highway at a speed which is greater than the maximum speed that can be maintained with safety to such bridge or structure, when the structure is signposted as provided in this section.
(c) The department of transportation, upon request from any local authority, shall, or upon its own initiative may, conduct an investigation of any bridge, or other elevated structure constituting a part of the highway, and if it thereupon finds that the structure cannot with safety to itself withstand vehicles traveling at the speed otherwise permissible under this chapter, the department shall determine and declare the maximum speed of vehicles that the structure can safely withstand, and shall cause or permit suitable signs stating the maximum speed to be erected and maintained at a distance of one hundred feet (100') before each end of the structure.
(d) Upon the trial of any person charged with a violation of this section, proof of the determination of the maximum speed by the department and the existence of the signs shall constitute conclusive evidence of the maximum speed which can be maintained with safety to the bridge or structure.
(e) A violation of this section is a Class C misdemeanor.
Acts 1955, ch. 329, § 55; impl. am. Acts 1959, ch. 9, § 3; impl. am. Acts 1972, ch. 829, § 7; T.C.A., § 59-856; Acts 1981, ch. 261, § 12; 1989, ch. 591, § 113.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-4-252 — TN Code / Title 55 / Chapter 4 / Section 55-4-252
United States military - Active, retired and honorably discharged members - Military reserves
Status: in_force

(a) Registration plates are authorized for active, retired and honorably discharged members of the United States military and the United States military reserves in good standing. The plates are approved for display on motor vehicles that are authorized by § 55-4-210(c) and that are owned and operated, or leased by, a member or member's spouse. A surviving spouse of a deceased retired or honorably discharged member or of a member who died while on active duty, upon complying with state motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles and upon paying the regular fee applicable to the vehicle and the fee prescribed by § 55-4-204 , shall be issued a registration plate pursuant to this section, until the surviving spouse remarries. (b) The registration plates shall be of a distinctive design as approved by the commissioner and shall have engraved or embossed on the plate, or otherwise permanently bear, the appropriate emblem of the branch of service of the recipient of the plate. A decal or sticker must not be used to represent the emblem. The registration plates shall also contain the words "Volunteer State" at the bottom of the plates. (c) The registration plate authorized pursuant to this section shall be issued upon payment of the regular registration fee pursuant to this chapter and the additional fee prescribed by § 55-4-204 . (d) (1) All applications pursuant to this section shall contain all information that the commissioner requires to prove eligibility for issuance of a license plate pursuant to this section; provided, that, notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a retired member of the United States military or the United States military reserves shall be required to submit retirement status documentation only when initially applying for registration plates under this section and subsequent registration plates under this section shall be issued to that person without the repeated presentation of retirement status documentation. Eligibility for the cultural registration plate for United States reserve forces shall be determined by the department in consultation with the appropriate information on current and valid DD Form 2A (Res), DD Form 2N (Res), DD Form 2MC (Res), DD Form 2AF (Res), DD Form 2CG (Res) (Armed Forces of the United States Identification Card), citing that the request is submitted by a member of the United States reserve forces, or current and valid stationing orders citing that the request is submitted by an active duty member of the United States reserve forces. (2) A retired member of the United States military and the United States military reserves in good standing who has participated in full or voluntary early retirement authorized by the branch of the United States armed forces in which the retired member served shall also be eligible for the issuance of a cultural plate pursuant to this section. Eligibility for the cultural registration plates for retired members of the United States armed forces who have participated in full or voluntary early retirement shall be determined by the department, in consultation with the appropriate information on these retired members' "Certificate of Release of Discharge from Active Duty" or on the current and valid forms enumerated in subdivision (d)(1). The retired members' plate shall be distinguished by a retired decal placed below the branch of service located on the left side of the license plate. (3) An active duty member of the United States military and the United States military reserves in good standing shall also be eligible for the issuance of a cultural plate pursuant to this section. Eligibility for the cultural registration plates for active duty members of the United States armed forces shall be determined by the department, in consultation with the appropriate information on the active duty member's stationing orders required in subdivision (d)(1). (4) An honorably discharged member of the United States military and the United States military reserves in good standing shall also be eligible for the issuance of a cultural plate pursuant to this section. Eligibility for the cultural registration plates for honorably discharged members of the United States armed forces shall be determined by the department and by consulting the appropriate information on the DD214 form. An honorably discharged member's plate shall be distinguished by an honorably discharged decal placed below the branch of service located on the left side of the license plate. (e) Each recipient of a military plate issued pursuant to this section may apply an appropriate decal to the plate that designates the military unit in which the recipient served and/or the purpose for which the plate has been issued. The decal, and the placement of the decal, shall be subject to the approval of the commissioners of revenue and veterans services. The cost of this decal shall be borne by the recipient of the plate wishing to apply the decal. Amended by 2023 Tenn. Acts, ch. 250, s 5, eff. 7/1/2023. Amended by 2018 Tenn. Acts, ch. 1023, s 49, eff. 7/1/2018. Amended by 2014 Tenn. Acts, ch. 966,s 21, eff. 5/19/2014. Acts 1998, ch. 1063, § 1; 2002, ch. 866, § 3; 2006, ch. 964, §§ 17, 18; 2007 , ch. 484, § 55; 2010 , ch. 1151, § 53.
(a) Registration plates are authorized for active, retired and honorably discharged members of the United States military and the United States military reserves in good standing. The plates are approved for display on motor vehicles that are authorized by § 55-4-210(c) and that are owned and operated, or leased by, a member or member's spouse. A surviving spouse of a deceased retired or honorably discharged member or of a member who died while on active duty, upon complying with state motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles and upon paying the regular fee applicable to the vehicle and the fee prescribed by § 55-4-204 , shall be issued a registration plate pursuant to this section, until the surviving spouse remarries.
(b) The registration plates shall be of a distinctive design as approved by the commissioner and shall have engraved or embossed on the plate, or otherwise permanently bear, the appropriate emblem of the branch of service of the recipient of the plate. A decal or sticker must not be used to represent the emblem. The registration plates shall also contain the words "Volunteer State" at the bottom of the plates.
(c) The registration plate authorized pursuant to this section shall be issued upon payment of the regular registration fee pursuant to this chapter and the additional fee prescribed by § 55-4-204 .
(d) (1) All applications pursuant to this section shall contain all information that the commissioner requires to prove eligibility for issuance of a license plate pursuant to this section; provided, that, notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a retired member of the United States military or the United States military reserves shall be required to submit retirement status documentation only when initially applying for registration plates under this section and subsequent registration plates under this section shall be issued to that person without the repeated presentation of retirement status documentation. Eligibility for the cultural registration plate for United States reserve forces shall be determined by the department in consultation with the appropriate information on current and valid DD Form 2A (Res), DD Form 2N (Res), DD Form 2MC (Res), DD Form 2AF (Res), DD Form 2CG (Res) (Armed Forces of the United States Identification Card), citing that the request is submitted by a member of the United States reserve forces, or current and valid stationing orders citing that the request is submitted by an active duty member of the United States reserve forces. (2) A retired member of the United States military and the United States military reserves in good standing who has participated in full or voluntary early retirement authorized by the branch of the United States armed forces in which the retired member served shall also be eligible for the issuance of a cultural plate pursuant to this section. Eligibility for the cultural registration plates for retired members of the United States armed forces who have participated in full or voluntary early retirement shall be determined by the department, in consultation with the appropriate information on these retired members' "Certificate of Release of Discharge from Active Duty" or on the current and valid forms enumerated in subdivision (d)(1). The retired members' plate shall be distinguished by a retired decal placed below the branch of service located on the left side of the license plate. (3) An active duty member of the United States military and the United States military reserves in good standing shall also be eligible for the issuance of a cultural plate pursuant to this section. Eligibility for the cultural registration plates for active duty members of the United States armed forces shall be determined by the department, in consultation with the appropriate information on the active duty member's stationing orders required in subdivision (d)(1). (4) An honorably discharged member of the United States military and the United States military reserves in good standing shall also be eligible for the issuance of a cultural plate pursuant to this section. Eligibility for the cultural registration plates for honorably discharged members of the United States armed forces shall be determined by the department and by consulting the appropriate information on the DD214 form. An honorably discharged member's plate shall be distinguished by an honorably discharged decal placed below the branch of service located on the left side of the license plate.
(1) All applications pursuant to this section shall contain all information that the commissioner requires to prove eligibility for issuance of a license plate pursuant to this section; provided, that, notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a retired member of the United States military or the United States military reserves shall be required to submit retirement status documentation only when initially applying for registration plates under this section and subsequent registration plates under this section shall be issued to that person without the repeated presentation of retirement status documentation. Eligibility for the cultural registration plate for United States reserve forces shall be determined by the department in consultation with the appropriate information on current and valid DD Form 2A (Res), DD Form 2N (Res), DD Form 2MC (Res), DD Form 2AF (Res), DD Form 2CG (Res) (Armed Forces of the United States Identification Card), citing that the request is submitted by a member of the United States reserve forces, or current and valid stationing orders citing that the request is submitted by an active duty member of the United States reserve forces.
(2) A retired member of the United States military and the United States military reserves in good standing who has participated in full or voluntary early retirement authorized by the branch of the United States armed forces in which the retired member served shall also be eligible for the issuance of a cultural plate pursuant to this section. Eligibility for the cultural registration plates for retired members of the United States armed forces who have participated in full or voluntary early retirement shall be determined by the department, in consultation with the appropriate information on these retired members' "Certificate of Release of Discharge from Active Duty" or on the current and valid forms enumerated in subdivision (d)(1). The retired members' plate shall be distinguished by a retired decal placed below the branch of service located on the left side of the license plate.
(3) An active duty member of the United States military and the United States military reserves in good standing shall also be eligible for the issuance of a cultural plate pursuant to this section. Eligibility for the cultural registration plates for active duty members of the United States armed forces shall be determined by the department, in consultation with the appropriate information on the active duty member's stationing orders required in subdivision (d)(1).
(4) An honorably discharged member of the United States military and the United States military reserves in good standing shall also be eligible for the issuance of a cultural plate pursuant to this section. Eligibility for the cultural registration plates for honorably discharged members of the United States armed forces shall be determined by the department and by consulting the appropriate information on the DD214 form. An honorably discharged member's plate shall be distinguished by an honorably discharged decal placed below the branch of service located on the left side of the license plate.
(e) Each recipient of a military plate issued pursuant to this section may apply an appropriate decal to the plate that designates the military unit in which the recipient served and/or the purpose for which the plate has been issued. The decal, and the placement of the decal, shall be subject to the approval of the commissioners of revenue and veterans services. The cost of this decal shall be borne by the recipient of the plate wishing to apply the decal.
Amended by 2023 Tenn. Acts, ch. 250, s 5, eff. 7/1/2023.
Amended by 2018 Tenn. Acts, ch. 1023, s 49, eff. 7/1/2018.
Amended by 2014 Tenn. Acts, ch. 966,s 21, eff. 5/19/2014.
Acts 1998, ch. 1063, § 1; 2002, ch. 866, § 3; 2006, ch. 964, §§ 17, 18; 2007 , ch. 484, § 55; 2010 , ch. 1151, § 53.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-50-416 — TN Code / Title 55 / Chapter 50 / Section 55-50-416
Entry-level driver training
Status: in_force

(a) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires: (1) "Approved FMCSA training provider" means an entity that is listed on the FMCSA training provider registry; and (2) "Entry-level driver training" means training that a driver receives from an entity listed on the FMCSA training provider registry prior to the driver: (A) Taking a skills test required to receive a Class A or Class B driver license for the first time; (B) Taking a skills test required to upgrade to a Class A or Class B driver license; (C) Taking a skills test required to obtain a passenger (P) endorsement for the first time; (D) Taking a skills test required to obtain a school bus (S) endorsement for the first time; or (E) Taking a test required to obtain a hazardous materials (H) endorsement for the first time. (b) (1) (A) Prior to being issued a Class A or Class B driver license for the first time or upgrading to a Class A or Class B driver license, an applicant must complete entry-level driver training that includes driving theory and behind-the-wheel instruction on an open range and on public roads. (B) Prior to being issued a passenger (P), school bus (S), or hazardous materials (H) endorsement for the first time, an applicant must complete the entry-level driver training appropriate for that endorsement. (C) Except for a driver seeking a hazardous materials (H) endorsement for the first time, the theory instruction and the behind-the-wheel instruction portions of the driver's entry-level driver training must be completed within one (1) year of each other. (2) The following applicants are not required to comply with the requirements of subdivision (b)(1): (A) An applicant who is eligible for a skills test waiver pursuant to § 55-50-322(b)(2) ; and (B) An applicant who is seeking to remove a restriction in accordance with 49 CFR 383.135(b)(7) . (3) An applicant for a CDL, CLP, or an endorsement for a CDL or CLP must comply with the requirements of 49 CFR § 380.600 et seq. in addition to other federal or state regulations, and all subsequent amendments promulgated, approved, and adopted by the FMCSA. Added by 2022 Tenn. Acts, ch. 992, s 3, eff. 7/1/2022.
(a) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires: (1) "Approved FMCSA training provider" means an entity that is listed on the FMCSA training provider registry; and (2) "Entry-level driver training" means training that a driver receives from an entity listed on the FMCSA training provider registry prior to the driver: (A) Taking a skills test required to receive a Class A or Class B driver license for the first time; (B) Taking a skills test required to upgrade to a Class A or Class B driver license; (C) Taking a skills test required to obtain a passenger (P) endorsement for the first time; (D) Taking a skills test required to obtain a school bus (S) endorsement for the first time; or (E) Taking a test required to obtain a hazardous materials (H) endorsement for the first time.
(1) "Approved FMCSA training provider" means an entity that is listed on the FMCSA training provider registry; and
(2) "Entry-level driver training" means training that a driver receives from an entity listed on the FMCSA training provider registry prior to the driver: (A) Taking a skills test required to receive a Class A or Class B driver license for the first time; (B) Taking a skills test required to upgrade to a Class A or Class B driver license; (C) Taking a skills test required to obtain a passenger (P) endorsement for the first time; (D) Taking a skills test required to obtain a school bus (S) endorsement for the first time; or (E) Taking a test required to obtain a hazardous materials (H) endorsement for the first time.
(A) Taking a skills test required to receive a Class A or Class B driver license for the first time;
(B) Taking a skills test required to upgrade to a Class A or Class B driver license;
(C) Taking a skills test required to obtain a passenger (P) endorsement for the first time;
(D) Taking a skills test required to obtain a school bus (S) endorsement for the first time; or
(E) Taking a test required to obtain a hazardous materials (H) endorsement for the first time.
(b) (1) (A) Prior to being issued a Class A or Class B driver license for the first time or upgrading to a Class A or Class B driver license, an applicant must complete entry-level driver training that includes driving theory and behind-the-wheel instruction on an open range and on public roads. (B) Prior to being issued a passenger (P), school bus (S), or hazardous materials (H) endorsement for the first time, an applicant must complete the entry-level driver training appropriate for that endorsement. (C) Except for a driver seeking a hazardous materials (H) endorsement for the first time, the theory instruction and the behind-the-wheel instruction portions of the driver's entry-level driver training must be completed within one (1) year of each other. (2) The following applicants are not required to comply with the requirements of subdivision (b)(1): (A) An applicant who is eligible for a skills test waiver pursuant to § 55-50-322(b)(2) ; and (B) An applicant who is seeking to remove a restriction in accordance with 49 CFR 383.135(b)(7) . (3) An applicant for a CDL, CLP, or an endorsement for a CDL or CLP must comply with the requirements of 49 CFR § 380.600 et seq. in addition to other federal or state regulations, and all subsequent amendments promulgated, approved, and adopted by the FMCSA.
(1) (A) Prior to being issued a Class A or Class B driver license for the first time or upgrading to a Class A or Class B driver license, an applicant must complete entry-level driver training that includes driving theory and behind-the-wheel instruction on an open range and on public roads. (B) Prior to being issued a passenger (P), school bus (S), or hazardous materials (H) endorsement for the first time, an applicant must complete the entry-level driver training appropriate for that endorsement. (C) Except for a driver seeking a hazardous materials (H) endorsement for the first time, the theory instruction and the behind-the-wheel instruction portions of the driver's entry-level driver training must be completed within one (1) year of each other.
(A) Prior to being issued a Class A or Class B driver license for the first time or upgrading to a Class A or Class B driver license, an applicant must complete entry-level driver training that includes driving theory and behind-the-wheel instruction on an open range and on public roads.
(B) Prior to being issued a passenger (P), school bus (S), or hazardous materials (H) endorsement for the first time, an applicant must complete the entry-level driver training appropriate for that endorsement.
(C) Except for a driver seeking a hazardous materials (H) endorsement for the first time, the theory instruction and the behind-the-wheel instruction portions of the driver's entry-level driver training must be completed within one (1) year of each other.
(2) The following applicants are not required to comply with the requirements of subdivision (b)(1): (A) An applicant who is eligible for a skills test waiver pursuant to § 55-50-322(b)(2) ; and (B) An applicant who is seeking to remove a restriction in accordance with 49 CFR 383.135(b)(7) .
(A) An applicant who is eligible for a skills test waiver pursuant to § 55-50-322(b)(2) ; and
(B) An applicant who is seeking to remove a restriction in accordance with 49 CFR 383.135(b)(7) .
(3) An applicant for a CDL, CLP, or an endorsement for a CDL or CLP must comply with the requirements of 49 CFR § 380.600 et seq. in addition to other federal or state regulations, and all subsequent amendments promulgated, approved, and adopted by the FMCSA.
Added by 2022 Tenn. Acts, ch. 992, s 3, eff. 7/1/2022.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-21-206 — TN Code / Title 55 / Chapter 21 / Section 55-21-206
Enforcement of part
Status: in_force

This part shall be enforced by the commissioner of agriculture. The commissioner may delegate this enforcement authority to the director of the quality and standards division of the department. Acts 1992, ch. 731, § 1.
This part shall be enforced by the commissioner of agriculture. The commissioner may delegate this enforcement authority to the director of the quality and standards division of the department.
Acts 1992, ch. 731, § 1.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-4-333 — TN Code / Title 55 / Chapter 4 / Section 55-4-333
Colleges and universities
Status: in_force

(a) (1) An owner or lessee of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state, upon complying with state motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles and paying the regular fee applicable to the motor vehicle and the fee provided for in § 55-4-204 , shall be issued an Alumni Program of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville new specialty earmarked license plate for a motor vehicle authorized by § 55-4-210(c) . (2) The Alumni Program of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville new specialty earmarked license plate must be of an appropriate design representative of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. The plates must be designed in consultation with the chancellor of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. (3) The funds produced from the sale of Alumni Program of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville new specialty earmarked license plates must be allocated to the University of Tennessee in accordance with § 55-4-301 . The funds must be used exclusively to support student scholarships and student success initiatives at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. (4) An application form for the Alumni Program of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville new specialty earmarked license plate must provide the applicant the option to instruct the department to provide the applicant's name, contact information, and renewal date to the University of Tennessee for the sole purposes of alumni relations, development, and institutional reporting. Based upon the applicant's consent as indicated on the application, the department is authorized to transmit applicant information for the new specialty earmarked license plate to the University of Tennessee. The department shall provide this information to the University of Tennessee at least twice per calendar year. (b) (1) An owner or lessee of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state, upon complying with state motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles and paying the regular fee applicable to the motor vehicle and the fee provided for in § 55-4-204 , must be issued a University of North Carolina new specialty earmarked license plate for a motor vehicle authorized by § 55-4-210(c) . (2) The new specialty earmarked license plates provided for in this subsection (b) must contain an appropriate logo or design representative of the University of North Carolina and be designed in consultation with a representative of the University of North Carolina and the UNC General Alumni Association. (3) The funds produced from the sale of the University of North Carolina new specialty earmarked license plates must be allocated to the UNC General Alumni Association in accordance with § 55-4-301 . The funds must be used exclusively in this state for alumni support programs and activities. (4) Notwithstanding § 55-4-202(k)(1) , the University of North Carolina new specialty earmarked license plate authorized pursuant to this subsection (b) has until July 1, 2025, to meet the applicable minimum issuance requirements of § 55-4-202(k)(1) . (c) (1) An owner or lessee of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state, upon complying with state motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles and paying the regular fee applicable to the motor vehicle and the fee provided for in § 55-4-204 , shall be issued a Northeast State Community College new specialty earmarked license plate for a motor vehicle authorized by § 55-4-210(c) . (2) The new specialty earmarked plates provided for in this subsection (c) must contain an appropriate logo or design representative of Northeast State Community College and be designed in consultation with a representative of the Northeast State Community College Foundation. (3) The funds produced from the sale of Northeast State Community College new specialty earmarked license plates must be allocated to the Northeast State Community College Foundation, in accordance with § 55-4-301 . The funds must be used exclusively to support student scholarships, programs, and services. Amended by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 804,s 49, eff. 7/1/2024. Amended by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 804,s 41, eff. 7/1/2024. Added by 2023 Tenn. Acts, ch. 250, s 1, eff. 7/1/2023.
(a) (1) An owner or lessee of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state, upon complying with state motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles and paying the regular fee applicable to the motor vehicle and the fee provided for in § 55-4-204 , shall be issued an Alumni Program of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville new specialty earmarked license plate for a motor vehicle authorized by § 55-4-210(c) . (2) The Alumni Program of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville new specialty earmarked license plate must be of an appropriate design representative of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. The plates must be designed in consultation with the chancellor of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. (3) The funds produced from the sale of Alumni Program of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville new specialty earmarked license plates must be allocated to the University of Tennessee in accordance with § 55-4-301 . The funds must be used exclusively to support student scholarships and student success initiatives at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. (4) An application form for the Alumni Program of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville new specialty earmarked license plate must provide the applicant the option to instruct the department to provide the applicant's name, contact information, and renewal date to the University of Tennessee for the sole purposes of alumni relations, development, and institutional reporting. Based upon the applicant's consent as indicated on the application, the department is authorized to transmit applicant information for the new specialty earmarked license plate to the University of Tennessee. The department shall provide this information to the University of Tennessee at least twice per calendar year.
(1) An owner or lessee of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state, upon complying with state motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles and paying the regular fee applicable to the motor vehicle and the fee provided for in § 55-4-204 , shall be issued an Alumni Program of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville new specialty earmarked license plate for a motor vehicle authorized by § 55-4-210(c) .
(2) The Alumni Program of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville new specialty earmarked license plate must be of an appropriate design representative of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. The plates must be designed in consultation with the chancellor of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
(3) The funds produced from the sale of Alumni Program of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville new specialty earmarked license plates must be allocated to the University of Tennessee in accordance with § 55-4-301 . The funds must be used exclusively to support student scholarships and student success initiatives at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
(4) An application form for the Alumni Program of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville new specialty earmarked license plate must provide the applicant the option to instruct the department to provide the applicant's name, contact information, and renewal date to the University of Tennessee for the sole purposes of alumni relations, development, and institutional reporting. Based upon the applicant's consent as indicated on the application, the department is authorized to transmit applicant information for the new specialty earmarked license plate to the University of Tennessee. The department shall provide this information to the University of Tennessee at least twice per calendar year.
(b) (1) An owner or lessee of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state, upon complying with state motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles and paying the regular fee applicable to the motor vehicle and the fee provided for in § 55-4-204 , must be issued a University of North Carolina new specialty earmarked license plate for a motor vehicle authorized by § 55-4-210(c) . (2) The new specialty earmarked license plates provided for in this subsection (b) must contain an appropriate logo or design representative of the University of North Carolina and be designed in consultation with a representative of the University of North Carolina and the UNC General Alumni Association. (3) The funds produced from the sale of the University of North Carolina new specialty earmarked license plates must be allocated to the UNC General Alumni Association in accordance with § 55-4-301 . The funds must be used exclusively in this state for alumni support programs and activities. (4) Notwithstanding § 55-4-202(k)(1) , the University of North Carolina new specialty earmarked license plate authorized pursuant to this subsection (b) has until July 1, 2025, to meet the applicable minimum issuance requirements of § 55-4-202(k)(1) .
(1) An owner or lessee of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state, upon complying with state motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles and paying the regular fee applicable to the motor vehicle and the fee provided for in § 55-4-204 , must be issued a University of North Carolina new specialty earmarked license plate for a motor vehicle authorized by § 55-4-210(c) .
(2) The new specialty earmarked license plates provided for in this subsection (b) must contain an appropriate logo or design representative of the University of North Carolina and be designed in consultation with a representative of the University of North Carolina and the UNC General Alumni Association.
(3) The funds produced from the sale of the University of North Carolina new specialty earmarked license plates must be allocated to the UNC General Alumni Association in accordance with § 55-4-301 . The funds must be used exclusively in this state for alumni support programs and activities.
(4) Notwithstanding § 55-4-202(k)(1) , the University of North Carolina new specialty earmarked license plate authorized pursuant to this subsection (b) has until July 1, 2025, to meet the applicable minimum issuance requirements of § 55-4-202(k)(1) .
(c) (1) An owner or lessee of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state, upon complying with state motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles and paying the regular fee applicable to the motor vehicle and the fee provided for in § 55-4-204 , shall be issued a Northeast State Community College new specialty earmarked license plate for a motor vehicle authorized by § 55-4-210(c) . (2) The new specialty earmarked plates provided for in this subsection (c) must contain an appropriate logo or design representative of Northeast State Community College and be designed in consultation with a representative of the Northeast State Community College Foundation. (3) The funds produced from the sale of Northeast State Community College new specialty earmarked license plates must be allocated to the Northeast State Community College Foundation, in accordance with § 55-4-301 . The funds must be used exclusively to support student scholarships, programs, and services.
(1) An owner or lessee of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state, upon complying with state motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles and paying the regular fee applicable to the motor vehicle and the fee provided for in § 55-4-204 , shall be issued a Northeast State Community College new specialty earmarked license plate for a motor vehicle authorized by § 55-4-210(c) .
(2) The new specialty earmarked plates provided for in this subsection (c) must contain an appropriate logo or design representative of Northeast State Community College and be designed in consultation with a representative of the Northeast State Community College Foundation.
(3) The funds produced from the sale of Northeast State Community College new specialty earmarked license plates must be allocated to the Northeast State Community College Foundation, in accordance with § 55-4-301 . The funds must be used exclusively to support student scholarships, programs, and services.
Amended by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 804,s 49, eff. 7/1/2024.
Amended by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 804,s 41, eff. 7/1/2024.
Added by 2023 Tenn. Acts, ch. 250, s 1, eff. 7/1/2023.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-4-253 — TN Code / Title 55 / Chapter 4 / Section 55-4-253
Honorably discharged veterans
Status: in_force

(a) An owner or lessee of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state and who is an honorably discharged veteran of the United States armed forces, or a civilian veteran of the United States army corps of engineers, upon complying with state motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles and upon paying the regular fee applicable to the motor vehicle and the fee provided in § 55-4-204 , shall be issued an honorably discharged veteran registration plate for a motor vehicle authorized by § 55-4-210(c) . A surviving spouse of such a deceased honorably discharged veteran, upon complying with state motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles, upon paying the regular fee applicable to the vehicle and the fee prescribed by § 55-4-204 , and upon providing a copy of the death certificate of the deceased honorably discharged veteran, shall be issued a registration plate pursuant to this section, until the surviving spouse remarries. (b) All applications pursuant to this section shall be accompanied by orders or a statement of discharge from the appropriate branch of the United States armed forces classifying the applicant as an honorably discharged veteran, or by orders or official documentation from the United States army corps of engineers classifying the applicant as a civilian veteran; provided, that, notwithstanding any law to the contrary, an honorably discharged veteran of the United States armed forces or a surviving spouse of an honorably discharged veteran of the United States armed forces shall be required to submit the required documentation only when initially applying for registration plates under this section and subsequent registration plates under this section shall be issued to that person without the repeated presentation of the required documentation. This subsection (b) shall not apply in the case of an application by a surviving spouse in which the deceased honorably discharged veteran had been issued a license plate or license plates under this section. (c) (1) The registration plates provided for in this section shall be designed in consultation with the commissioner of veterans services. (2) The design of registration plates that are issued pursuant to this section shall bear the name of the county of issue on the lower edge of the tag. (3) For honorably discharged veterans and civilian veterans, the American flag shall be in the center of the license plate. (4) (A) For veterans and civilian veterans of Vietnam, the strip along the bottom of the license plate must read "Vietnam Veteran," and the symbol on the left must be the Vietnam Service Medal. Award of the Vietnam Service Medal and proof of honorable service, or appropriate civilian documentation, is required for a veteran or civilian veteran to obtain the Vietnam Veteran plate. (B) For honorably discharged veterans and civilian veterans who served during the time that Vietnam occurred but who do not qualify for issuance of the Vietnam Veteran plate, the American flag shall be in the center of the license plate and the strip along the bottom of the license plate shall read "Vietnam Era Veteran." Nothing in this subdivision (c)(4)(B) prohibits any veteran or civilian veteran who served during Vietnam from requesting issuance of the honorably discharged veteran plate that is authorized by subsection (a). (5) (A) For veterans and civilian veterans of World War II, the strip along the bottom of the license plate shall read "WW II Veteran," and the symbol on the left shall be the Honorable Service Lapel Pin, also known as the ruptured duck. Proof of honorable military or civilian service between December 7, 1941, and December 31, 1946, shall be required to obtain this plate. (B) For honorably discharged veterans and civilian veterans who served during the time that World War II occurred but who do not qualify for issuance of the World War II Veteran plate, the American flag shall be in the center of the license plate and the strip along the bottom of the license plate shall read "World War II Era Veteran." Nothing in this subdivision (c)(5)(B) prohibits any veteran or civilian veteran who served during World War II from requesting issuance of the honorably discharged veteran plate that is authorized by subsection (a). (6) (A) For veterans and civilian veterans of the Korean War, the strip along the bottom of the license plate must read "Korean War Veteran," and the symbol on the left must be the Korean Service Medal. Award of the Korean Service Medal and proof of honorable service, or appropriate civilian documentation, is required for a veteran or civilian veteran to obtain the Korean War Veteran plate. (B) For honorably discharged veterans and civilian veterans who served during the time that the Korean War occurred but who do not qualify for issuance of the Korean War Veteran plate, the American flag shall be in the center of the license plate and the strip along the bottom of the license plate shall read "Korean War Era Veteran." Nothing in this subdivision (c)(6)(B) prohibits any veteran or civilian veteran who served during the Korean War from requesting issuance of the honorably discharged veteran plate that is authorized by subsection (a). (7) (A) For veterans and civilian veterans of Operation Desert Storm, the strip along the bottom of the license plate must read "Desert Storm Veteran," and the symbol on the left must be the Southwest Asia Service Medal. Award of the Southwest Asia Service Medal and proof of honorable service, or appropriate civilian documentation, is required for a veteran or civilian veteran to obtain the Desert Storm Veteran plate. (B) For honorably discharged veterans and civilian veterans who served during the time that Operation Desert Storm occurred but who do not qualify for issuance of the Desert Storm Veteran plate, the American flag shall be in the center of the license plate and the strip along the bottom of the license plate shall read "Desert Storm Era Veteran." Nothing in this subdivision (c)(7)(B) prohibits any veteran or civilian veteran who served during Operation Desert Storm from requesting issuance of the honorably discharged veteran plate that is authorized by subsection (a). (8) (A) For veterans and civilian veterans of the peacekeeping mission in Bosnia, the strip along the bottom of the license plate must read "Bosnia Veteran," and the symbol on the left must be the NATO Medal for the former Yugoslavia. Award of the NATO Medal for the former Yugoslavia and proof of honorable service, or appropriate civilian documentation, is required for a veteran or civilian veteran to obtain the Bosnia Veteran plate. (B) For honorably discharged veterans and civilian veterans who served during the time that the peacekeeping mission in Bosnia occurred but who do not qualify for issuance of the Bosnia Veteran plate, the American flag shall be in the center of the license plate and the strip along the bottom of the license plate shall read "Bosnia Era Veteran." Nothing in this subdivision (c)(8)(B) prohibits any veteran or civilian veteran who served during the peacekeeping mission in Bosnia from requesting issuance of the honorably discharged veteran plate that is authorized by subsection (a). (9) (A) For honorably discharged veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and active members of the United States armed forces who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom, the strip along the bottom of the license plate must read "Operation Iraqi Freedom," and the symbol on the left must be the Iraq Campaign Medal. Award of the Iraq Campaign Medal and proof of honorable service or active service is required for a veteran or service member to obtain the Operation Iraqi Freedom plate. (B) For honorably discharged veterans who served during the time that Operation Iraqi Freedom occurred but who do not qualify for issuance of the Operation Iraqi Freedom plate, the American flag shall be in the center of the license plate and the strip along the bottom of the license plate shall read "Operation Iraqi Freedom Era." Nothing in this subdivision (c)(9)(B) prohibits any veteran who served during Operation Iraqi Freedom from requesting issuance of the honorably discharged veteran plate that is authorized by subsection (a). (10) (A) For honorably discharged veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom and active members of the United States armed forces who served in Operation Enduring Freedom, the strip along the bottom of the license plate must read "Operation Enduring Freedom," and the symbol on the left must be the Afghanistan Campaign Medal. Award of the Afghanistan Campaign Medal and proof of honorable service or active service is required for a veteran or service member to obtain the Operation Enduring Freedom plate. (B) For honorably discharged veterans who served during Operation Enduring Freedom but who do not qualify for issuance of the Operation Enduring Freedom plate, the American flag shall be in the center of the license plate and the strip along the bottom of the license plate shall read "Operation Enduring Freedom Era." Nothing in this subdivision (c)(10)(B) prohibits any veteran who served during Operation Enduring Freedom from requesting issuance of the honorably discharged veteran plate that is authorized by subsection (a). (11) (A) For honorably discharged veterans of Operation New Dawn and active members of the United States armed forces who served in Operation New Dawn, the strip along the bottom of the license plate must read "Operation New Dawn," and the symbol on the left must be the Iraq Campaign Medal. Award of the Iraq Campaign Medal and proof of honorable service or active service is required for a veteran or service member to obtain the Operation New Dawn plate. (B) For honorably discharged veterans who served during Operation New Dawn but who do not qualify for issuance of the Operation New Dawn Veteran plate, the American flag shall be in the center of the license plate and the strip along the bottom of the license plate shall read "Operation New Dawn Era." Nothing in this subdivision (c)(11)(B) prohibits any veteran who served during Operation New Dawn from requesting issuance of the honorably discharged veteran plate that is authorized by subsection (a). (12) For honorably discharged veterans who served during the period between the announcement of the Truman Doctrine on March 12, 1947, and the collapse of the Soviet Union on December 26, 1991, with this period being known as the Cold War, the American flag shall be in the center of the license plate and the strip along the bottom of the license plate shall read "Cold War Era Veteran." Nothing in this subdivision (c)(12) prohibits any veteran who served during this period from requesting issuance of the honorably discharged veteran plate that is authorized by subsection (a) or any other plate authorized by this subsection (c) for which the veteran qualifies. (13) (A) For honorably discharged veterans of the peacekeeping mission in Somalia occurring between December 5, 1992, and March 3, 1994, the strip along the bottom of the license plate must read "Somalia Veteran," and the symbol on the left must be the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. Award of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and proof of honorable service is required for a veteran to obtain the Somalia Veteran plate. (B) For honorably discharged veterans who served during the time that the peacekeeping mission in Somalia occurred but who do not qualify for issuance of the Somalia Veteran plate, the American flag shall be in the center of the license plate and the strip along the bottom of the license plate shall read "Somalia Era Veteran." Nothing in this subdivision (c)(13)(B) prohibits any veteran who served during the peacekeeping mission in Somalia from requesting issuance of the honorably discharged veteran plate that is authorized by subsection (a). (14) For honorably discharged veterans and active members of the United States armed forces who served in South Korea after the signing of the Korean Armistice Agreement in support of the defense of the South Korean state and who qualify for the Korea Defense Service Medal, the strip along the bottom of the license plate shall read "Korean Defense Service," and the plate shall include an identification legend distinctive to recipients of the Korea Defense Service Medal. The commissioner of veterans services shall set proof of service requirements for eligible veterans and military service members to obtain the plate. (15) (A) For honorably discharged veterans of Operation Inherent Resolve and active members of the United States armed forces who served in Operation Inherent Resolve, the strip along the bottom of the license plate must read "Operation Inherent Resolve," and the symbol on the left must be the Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal. Award of the Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal and proof of honorable service or active service is required for a veteran or service member to obtain the Operation Inherent Resolve plate. (B) For honorably discharged veterans who served during Operation Inherent Resolve but who do not qualify for issuance of the Operation Inherent Resolve plate, the American flag shall be in the center of the license plate and the strip along the bottom of the license plate shall read "Operation Inherent Resolve Era." Nothing in this subdivision (c)(15)(B) prohibits any veteran who served during Operation Inherent Resolve from requesting issuance of the honorably discharged veteran plate that is authorized by subsection (a). (d) The commissioner of revenue is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations to effectuate the purposes of this section. All rules and regulations shall be promulgated in accordance with the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, compiled in title 4, chapter 5. Amended by 2021 Tenn. Acts, ch. 579, Secs.s 14, s 15, s 16, s 17, s 18, s 19, s 20, s 21 eff. 7/1/2021. Amended by 2021 Tenn. Acts, ch. 579, s 13, eff. 7/1/2021. Amended by 2019 Tenn. Acts, ch. 253, Secs.s 15, s 25 eff. 7/1/2019. Amended by 2019 Tenn. Acts, ch. 253, s 10, eff. 7/1/2019. Amended by 2019 Tenn. Acts, ch. 75, s 1, eff. 3/28/2019. Amended by 2018 Tenn. Acts, ch. 1023, s 39, Sec.s 49 eff. 7/1/2018. Amended by 2017 Tenn. Acts, ch. 384, Secs.s 45, s 46, Secs.s 47, s 48, s 49, s 50 eff. 5/18/2017. Amended by 2014 Tenn. Acts, ch. 941,s 18, eff. 5/19/2014. Amended by 2013 Tenn. Acts, ch. 484, s 27, eff. 7/1/2013. Acts 1998, ch. 1063, § 1; 2006, ch. 964, §§ 13, 14; 2007 , ch. 484, § 56; 2007 , ch. 604, § 20; 2010 , ch. 1151, § 21; 2012 , ch. 791, §§ 1, 3.
(a) An owner or lessee of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state and who is an honorably discharged veteran of the United States armed forces, or a civilian veteran of the United States army corps of engineers, upon complying with state motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles and upon paying the regular fee applicable to the motor vehicle and the fee provided in § 55-4-204 , shall be issued an honorably discharged veteran registration plate for a motor vehicle authorized by § 55-4-210(c) . A surviving spouse of such a deceased honorably discharged veteran, upon complying with state motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles, upon paying the regular fee applicable to the vehicle and the fee prescribed by § 55-4-204 , and upon providing a copy of the death certificate of the deceased honorably discharged veteran, shall be issued a registration plate pursuant to this section, until the surviving spouse remarries.
(b) All applications pursuant to this section shall be accompanied by orders or a statement of discharge from the appropriate branch of the United States armed forces classifying the applicant as an honorably discharged veteran, or by orders or official documentation from the United States army corps of engineers classifying the applicant as a civilian veteran; provided, that, notwithstanding any law to the contrary, an honorably discharged veteran of the United States armed forces or a surviving spouse of an honorably discharged veteran of the United States armed forces shall be required to submit the required documentation only when initially applying for registration plates under this section and subsequent registration plates under this section shall be issued to that person without the repeated presentation of the required documentation. This subsection (b) shall not apply in the case of an application by a surviving spouse in which the deceased honorably discharged veteran had been issued a license plate or license plates under this section.
(c) (1) The registration plates provided for in this section shall be designed in consultation with the commissioner of veterans services. (2) The design of registration plates that are issued pursuant to this section shall bear the name of the county of issue on the lower edge of the tag. (3) For honorably discharged veterans and civilian veterans, the American flag shall be in the center of the license plate. (4) (A) For veterans and civilian veterans of Vietnam, the strip along the bottom of the license plate must read "Vietnam Veteran," and the symbol on the left must be the Vietnam Service Medal. Award of the Vietnam Service Medal and proof of honorable service, or appropriate civilian documentation, is required for a veteran or civilian veteran to obtain the Vietnam Veteran plate. (B) For honorably discharged veterans and civilian veterans who served during the time that Vietnam occurred but who do not qualify for issuance of the Vietnam Veteran plate, the American flag shall be in the center of the license plate and the strip along the bottom of the license plate shall read "Vietnam Era Veteran." Nothing in this subdivision (c)(4)(B) prohibits any veteran or civilian veteran who served during Vietnam from requesting issuance of the honorably discharged veteran plate that is authorized by subsection (a). (5) (A) For veterans and civilian veterans of World War II, the strip along the bottom of the license plate shall read "WW II Veteran," and the symbol on the left shall be the Honorable Service Lapel Pin, also known as the ruptured duck. Proof of honorable military or civilian service between December 7, 1941, and December 31, 1946, shall be required to obtain this plate. (B) For honorably discharged veterans and civilian veterans who served during the time that World War II occurred but who do not qualify for issuance of the World War II Veteran plate, the American flag shall be in the center of the license plate and the strip along the bottom of the license plate shall read "World War II Era Veteran." Nothing in this subdivision (c)(5)(B) prohibits any veteran or civilian veteran who served during World War II from requesting issuance of the honorably discharged veteran plate that is authorized by subsection (a). (6) (A) For veterans and civilian veterans of the Korean War, the strip along the bottom of the license plate must read "Korean War Veteran," and the symbol on the left must be the Korean Service Medal. Award of the Korean Service Medal and proof of honorable service, or appropriate civilian documentation, is required for a veteran or civilian veteran to obtain the Korean War Veteran plate. (B) For honorably discharged veterans and civilian veterans who served during the time that the Korean War occurred but who do not qualify for issuance of the Korean War Veteran plate, the American flag shall be in the center of the license plate and the strip along the bottom of the license plate shall read "Korean War Era Veteran." Nothing in this subdivision (c)(6)(B) prohibits any veteran or civilian veteran who served during the Korean War from requesting issuance of the honorably discharged veteran plate that is authorized by subsection (a). (7) (A) For veterans and civilian veterans of Operation Desert Storm, the strip along the bottom of the license plate must read "Desert Storm Veteran," and the symbol on the left must be the Southwest Asia Service Medal. Award of the Southwest Asia Service Medal and proof of honorable service, or appropriate civilian documentation, is required for a veteran or civilian veteran to obtain the Desert Storm Veteran plate. (B) For honorably discharged veterans and civilian veterans who served during the time that Operation Desert Storm occurred but who do not qualify for issuance of the Desert Storm Veteran plate, the American flag shall be in the center of the license plate and the strip along the bottom of the license plate shall read "Desert Storm Era Veteran." Nothing in this subdivision (c)(7)(B) prohibits any veteran or civilian veteran who served during Operation Desert Storm from requesting issuance of the honorably discharged veteran plate that is authorized by subsection (a). (8) (A) For veterans and civilian veterans of the peacekeeping mission in Bosnia, the strip along the bottom of the license plate must read "Bosnia Veteran," and the symbol on the left must be the NATO Medal for the former Yugoslavia. Award of the NATO Medal for the former Yugoslavia and proof of honorable service, or appropriate civilian documentation, is required for a veteran or civilian veteran to obtain the Bosnia Veteran plate. (B) For honorably discharged veterans and civilian veterans who served during the time that the peacekeeping mission in Bosnia occurred but who do not qualify for issuance of the Bosnia Veteran plate, the American flag shall be in the center of the license plate and the strip along the bottom of the license plate shall read "Bosnia Era Veteran." Nothing in this subdivision (c)(8)(B) prohibits any veteran or civilian veteran who served during the peacekeeping mission in Bosnia from requesting issuance of the honorably discharged veteran plate that is authorized by subsection (a). (9) (A) For honorably discharged veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and active members of the United States armed forces who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom, the strip along the bottom of the license plate must read "Operation Iraqi Freedom," and the symbol on the left must be the Iraq Campaign Medal. Award of the Iraq Campaign Medal and proof of honorable service or active service is required for a veteran or service member to obtain the Operation Iraqi Freedom plate. (B) For honorably discharged veterans who served during the time that Operation Iraqi Freedom occurred but who do not qualify for issuance of the Operation Iraqi Freedom plate, the American flag shall be in the center of the license plate and the strip along the bottom of the license plate shall read "Operation Iraqi Freedom Era." Nothing in this subdivision (c)(9)(B) prohibits any veteran who served during Operation Iraqi Freedom from requesting issuance of the honorably discharged veteran plate that is authorized by subsection (a). (10) (A) For honorably discharged veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom and active members of the United States armed forces who served in Operation Enduring Freedom, the strip along the bottom of the license plate must read "Operation Enduring Freedom," and the symbol on the left must be the Afghanistan Campaign Medal. Award of the Afghanistan Campaign Medal and proof of honorable service or active service is required for a veteran or service member to obtain the Operation Enduring Freedom plate. (B) For honorably discharged veterans who served during Operation Enduring Freedom but who do not qualify for issuance of the Operation Enduring Freedom plate, the American flag shall be in the center of the license plate and the strip along the bottom of the license plate shall read "Operation Enduring Freedom Era." Nothing in this subdivision (c)(10)(B) prohibits any veteran who served during Operation Enduring Freedom from requesting issuance of the honorably discharged veteran plate that is authorized by subsection (a). (11) (A) For honorably discharged veterans of Operation New Dawn and active members of the United States armed forces who served in Operation New Dawn, the strip along the bottom of the license plate must read "Operation New Dawn," and the symbol on the left must be the Iraq Campaign Medal. Award of the Iraq Campaign Medal and proof of honorable service or active service is required for a veteran or service member to obtain the Operation New Dawn plate. (B) For honorably discharged veterans who served during Operation New Dawn but who do not qualify for issuance of the Operation New Dawn Veteran plate, the American flag shall be in the center of the license plate and the strip along the bottom of the license plate shall read "Operation New Dawn Era." Nothing in this subdivision (c)(11)(B) prohibits any veteran who served during Operation New Dawn from requesting issuance of the honorably discharged veteran plate that is authorized by subsection (a). (12) For honorably discharged veterans who served during the period between the announcement of the Truman Doctrine on March 12, 1947, and the collapse of the Soviet Union on December 26, 1991, with this period being known as the Cold War, the American flag shall be in the center of the license plate and the strip along the bottom of the license plate shall read "Cold War Era Veteran." Nothing in this subdivision (c)(12) prohibits any veteran who served during this period from requesting issuance of the honorably discharged veteran plate that is authorized by subsection (a) or any other plate authorized by this subsection (c) for which the veteran qualifies. (13) (A) For honorably discharged veterans of the peacekeeping mission in Somalia occurring between December 5, 1992, and March 3, 1994, the strip along the bottom of the license plate must read "Somalia Veteran," and the symbol on the left must be the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. Award of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and proof of honorable service is required for a veteran to obtain the Somalia Veteran plate. (B) For honorably discharged veterans who served during the time that the peacekeeping mission in Somalia occurred but who do not qualify for issuance of the Somalia Veteran plate, the American flag shall be in the center of the license plate and the strip along the bottom of the license plate shall read "Somalia Era Veteran." Nothing in this subdivision (c)(13)(B) prohibits any veteran who served during the peacekeeping mission in Somalia from requesting issuance of the honorably discharged veteran plate that is authorized by subsection (a). (14) For honorably discharged veterans and active members of the United States armed forces who served in South Korea after the signing of the Korean Armistice Agreement in support of the defense of the South Korean state and who qualify for the Korea Defense Service Medal, the strip along the bottom of the license plate shall read "Korean Defense Service," and the plate shall include an identification legend distinctive to recipients of the Korea Defense Service Medal. The commissioner of veterans services shall set proof of service requirements for eligible veterans and military service members to obtain the plate. (15) (A) For honorably discharged veterans of Operation Inherent Resolve and active members of the United States armed forces who served in Operation Inherent Resolve, the strip along the bottom of the license plate must read "Operation Inherent Resolve," and the symbol on the left must be the Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal. Award of the Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal and proof of honorable service or active service is required for a veteran or service member to obtain the Operation Inherent Resolve plate. (B) For honorably discharged veterans who served during Operation Inherent Resolve but who do not qualify for issuance of the Operation Inherent Resolve plate, the American flag shall be in the center of the license plate and the strip along the bottom of the license plate shall read "Operation Inherent Resolve Era." Nothing in this subdivision (c)(15)(B) prohibits any veteran who served during Operation Inherent Resolve from requesting issuance of the honorably discharged veteran plate that is authorized by subsection (a).
(1) The registration plates provided for in this section shall be designed in consultation with the commissioner of veterans services.
(2) The design of registration plates that are issued pursuant to this section shall bear the name of the county of issue on the lower edge of the tag.
(3) For honorably discharged veterans and civilian veterans, the American flag shall be in the center of the license plate.
(4) (A) For veterans and civilian veterans of Vietnam, the strip along the bottom of the license plate must read "Vietnam Veteran," and the symbol on the left must be the Vietnam Service Medal. Award of the Vietnam Service Medal and proof of honorable service, or appropriate civilian documentation, is required for a veteran or civilian veteran to obtain the Vietnam Veteran plate. (B) For honorably discharged veterans and civilian veterans who served during the time that Vietnam occurred but who do not qualify for issuance of the Vietnam Veteran plate, the American flag shall be in the center of the license plate and the strip along the bottom of the license plate shall read "Vietnam Era Veteran." Nothing in this subdivision (c)(4)(B) prohibits any veteran or civilian veteran who served during Vietnam from requesting issuance of the honorably discharged veteran plate that is authorized by subsection (a).
(A) For veterans and civilian veterans of Vietnam, the strip along the bottom of the license plate must read "Vietnam Veteran," and the symbol on the left must be the Vietnam Service Medal. Award of the Vietnam Service Medal and proof of honorable service, or appropriate civilian documentation, is required for a veteran or civilian veteran to obtain the Vietnam Veteran plate.
(B) For honorably discharged veterans and civilian veterans who served during the time that Vietnam occurred but who do not qualify for issuance of the Vietnam Veteran plate, the American flag shall be in the center of the license plate and the strip along the bottom of the license plate shall read "Vietnam Era Veteran." Nothing in this subdivision (c)(4)(B) prohibits any veteran or civilian veteran who served during Vietnam from requesting issuance of the honorably discharged veteran plate that is authorized by subsection (a).
(5) (A) For veterans and civilian veterans of World War II, the strip along the bottom of the license plate shall read "WW II Veteran," and the symbol on the left shall be the Honorable Service Lapel Pin, also known as the ruptured duck. Proof of honorable military or civilian service between December 7, 1941, and December 31, 1946, shall be required to obtain this plate. (B) For honorably discharged veterans and civilian veterans who served during the time that World War II occurred but who do not qualify for issuance of the World War II Veteran plate, the American flag shall be in the center of the license plate and the strip along the bottom of the license plate shall read "World War II Era Veteran." Nothing in this subdivision (c)(5)(B) prohibits any veteran or civilian veteran who served during World War II from requesting issuance of the honorably discharged veteran plate that is authorized by subsection (a).
(A) For veterans and civilian veterans of World War II, the strip along the bottom of the license plate shall read "WW II Veteran," and the symbol on the left shall be the Honorable Service Lapel Pin, also known as the ruptured duck. Proof of honorable military or civilian service between December 7, 1941, and December 31, 1946, shall be required to obtain this plate.
(B) For honorably discharged veterans and civilian veterans who served during the time that World War II occurred but who do not qualify for issuance of the World War II Veteran plate, the American flag shall be in the center of the license plate and the strip along the bottom of the license plate shall read "World War II Era Veteran." Nothing in this subdivision (c)(5)(B) prohibits any veteran or civilian veteran who served during World War II from requesting issuance of the honorably discharged veteran plate that is authorized by subsection (a).
(6) (A) For veterans and civilian veterans of the Korean War, the strip along the bottom of the license plate must read "Korean War Veteran," and the symbol on the left must be the Korean Service Medal. Award of the Korean Service Medal and proof of honorable service, or appropriate civilian documentation, is required for a veteran or civilian veteran to obtain the Korean War Veteran plate. (B) For honorably discharged veterans and civilian veterans who served during the time that the Korean War occurred but who do not qualify for issuance of the Korean War Veteran plate, the American flag shall be in the center of the license plate and the strip along the bottom of the license plate shall read "Korean War Era Veteran." Nothing in this subdivision (c)(6)(B) prohibits any veteran or civilian veteran who served during the Korean War from requesting issuance of the honorably discharged veteran plate that is authorized by subsection (a).
(A) For veterans and civilian veterans of the Korean War, the strip along the bottom of the license plate must read "Korean War Veteran," and the symbol on the left must be the Korean Service Medal. Award of the Korean Service Medal and proof of honorable service, or appropriate civilian documentation, is required for a veteran or civilian veteran to obtain the Korean War Veteran plate.
(B) For honorably discharged veterans and civilian veterans who served during the time that the Korean War occurred but who do not qualify for issuance of the Korean War Veteran plate, the American flag shall be in the center of the license plate and the strip along the bottom of the license plate shall read "Korean War Era Veteran." Nothing in this subdivision (c)(6)(B) prohibits any veteran or civilian veteran who served during the Korean War from requesting issuance of the honorably discharged veteran plate that is authorized by subsection (a).
(7) (A) For veterans and civilian veterans of Operation Desert Storm, the strip along the bottom of the license plate must read "Desert Storm Veteran," and the symbol on the left must be the Southwest Asia Service Medal. Award of the Southwest Asia Service Medal and proof of honorable service, or appropriate civilian documentation, is required for a veteran or civilian veteran to obtain the Desert Storm Veteran plate. (B) For honorably discharged veterans and civilian veterans who served during the time that Operation Desert Storm occurred but who do not qualify for issuance of the Desert Storm Veteran plate, the American flag shall be in the center of the license plate and the strip along the bottom of the license plate shall read "Desert Storm Era Veteran." Nothing in this subdivision (c)(7)(B) prohibits any veteran or civilian veteran who served during Operation Desert Storm from requesting issuance of the honorably discharged veteran plate that is authorized by subsection (a).
(A) For veterans and civilian veterans of Operation Desert Storm, the strip along the bottom of the license plate must read "Desert Storm Veteran," and the symbol on the left must be the Southwest Asia Service Medal. Award of the Southwest Asia Service Medal and proof of honorable service, or appropriate civilian documentation, is required for a veteran or civilian veteran to obtain the Desert Storm Veteran plate.
(B) For honorably discharged veterans and civilian veterans who served during the time that Operation Desert Storm occurred but who do not qualify for issuance of the Desert Storm Veteran plate, the American flag shall be in the center of the license plate and the strip along the bottom of the license plate shall read "Desert Storm Era Veteran." Nothing in this subdivision (c)(7)(B) prohibits any veteran or civilian veteran who served during Operation Desert Storm from requesting issuance of the honorably discharged veteran plate that is authorized by subsection (a).
(8) (A) For veterans and civilian veterans of the peacekeeping mission in Bosnia, the strip along the bottom of the license plate must read "Bosnia Veteran," and the symbol on the left must be the NATO Medal for the former Yugoslavia. Award of the NATO Medal for the former Yugoslavia and proof of honorable service, or appropriate civilian documentation, is required for a veteran or civilian veteran to obtain the Bosnia Veteran plate. (B) For honorably discharged veterans and civilian veterans who served during the time that the peacekeeping mission in Bosnia occurred but who do not qualify for issuance of the Bosnia Veteran plate, the American flag shall be in the center of the license plate and the strip along the bottom of the license plate shall read "Bosnia Era Veteran." Nothing in this subdivision (c)(8)(B) prohibits any veteran or civilian veteran who served during the peacekeeping mission in Bosnia from requesting issuance of the honorably discharged veteran plate that is authorized by subsection (a).
(A) For veterans and civilian veterans of the peacekeeping mission in Bosnia, the strip along the bottom of the license plate must read "Bosnia Veteran," and the symbol on the left must be the NATO Medal for the former Yugoslavia. Award of the NATO Medal for the former Yugoslavia and proof of honorable service, or appropriate civilian documentation, is required for a veteran or civilian veteran to obtain the Bosnia Veteran plate.
(B) For honorably discharged veterans and civilian veterans who served during the time that the peacekeeping mission in Bosnia occurred but who do not qualify for issuance of the Bosnia Veteran plate, the American flag shall be in the center of the license plate and the strip along the bottom of the license plate shall read "Bosnia Era Veteran." Nothing in this subdivision (c)(8)(B) prohibits any veteran or civilian veteran who served during the peacekeeping mission in Bosnia from requesting issuance of the honorably discharged veteran plate that is authorized by subsection (a).
(9) (A) For honorably discharged veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and active members of the United States armed forces who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom, the strip along the bottom of the license plate must read "Operation Iraqi Freedom," and the symbol on the left must be the Iraq Campaign Medal. Award of the Iraq Campaign Medal and proof of honorable service or active service is required for a veteran or service member to obtain the Operation Iraqi Freedom plate. (B) For honorably discharged veterans who served during the time that Operation Iraqi Freedom occurred but who do not qualify for issuance of the Operation Iraqi Freedom plate, the American flag shall be in the center of the license plate and the strip along the bottom of the license plate shall read "Operation Iraqi Freedom Era." Nothing in this subdivision (c)(9)(B) prohibits any veteran who served during Operation Iraqi Freedom from requesting issuance of the honorably discharged veteran plate that is authorized by subsection (a).
(A) For honorably discharged veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and active members of the United States armed forces who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom, the strip along the bottom of the license plate must read "Operation Iraqi Freedom," and the symbol on the left must be the Iraq Campaign Medal. Award of the Iraq Campaign Medal and proof of honorable service or active service is required for a veteran or service member to obtain the Operation Iraqi Freedom plate.
(B) For honorably discharged veterans who served during the time that Operation Iraqi Freedom occurred but who do not qualify for issuance of the Operation Iraqi Freedom plate, the American flag shall be in the center of the license plate and the strip along the bottom of the license plate shall read "Operation Iraqi Freedom Era." Nothing in this subdivision (c)(9)(B) prohibits any veteran who served during Operation Iraqi Freedom from requesting issuance of the honorably discharged veteran plate that is authorized by subsection (a).
(10) (A) For honorably discharged veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom and active members of the United States armed forces who served in Operation Enduring Freedom, the strip along the bottom of the license plate must read "Operation Enduring Freedom," and the symbol on the left must be the Afghanistan Campaign Medal. Award of the Afghanistan Campaign Medal and proof of honorable service or active service is required for a veteran or service member to obtain the Operation Enduring Freedom plate. (B) For honorably discharged veterans who served during Operation Enduring Freedom but who do not qualify for issuance of the Operation Enduring Freedom plate, the American flag shall be in the center of the license plate and the strip along the bottom of the license plate shall read "Operation Enduring Freedom Era." Nothing in this subdivision (c)(10)(B) prohibits any veteran who served during Operation Enduring Freedom from requesting issuance of the honorably discharged veteran plate that is authorized by subsection (a).
(A) For honorably discharged veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom and active members of the United States armed forces who served in Operation Enduring Freedom, the strip along the bottom of the license plate must read "Operation Enduring Freedom," and the symbol on the left must be the Afghanistan Campaign Medal. Award of the Afghanistan Campaign Medal and proof of honorable service or active service is required for a veteran or service member to obtain the Operation Enduring Freedom plate.
(B) For honorably discharged veterans who served during Operation Enduring Freedom but who do not qualify for issuance of the Operation Enduring Freedom plate, the American flag shall be in the center of the license plate and the strip along the bottom of the license plate shall read "Operation Enduring Freedom Era." Nothing in this subdivision (c)(10)(B) prohibits any veteran who served during Operation Enduring Freedom from requesting issuance of the honorably discharged veteran plate that is authorized by subsection (a).
(11) (A) For honorably discharged veterans of Operation New Dawn and active members of the United States armed forces who served in Operation New Dawn, the strip along the bottom of the license plate must read "Operation New Dawn," and the symbol on the left must be the Iraq Campaign Medal. Award of the Iraq Campaign Medal and proof of honorable service or active service is required for a veteran or service member to obtain the Operation New Dawn plate. (B) For honorably discharged veterans who served during Operation New Dawn but who do not qualify for issuance of the Operation New Dawn Veteran plate, the American flag shall be in the center of the license plate and the strip along the bottom of the license plate shall read "Operation New Dawn Era." Nothing in this subdivision (c)(11)(B) prohibits any veteran who served during Operation New Dawn from requesting issuance of the honorably discharged veteran plate that is authorized by subsection (a).
(A) For honorably discharged veterans of Operation New Dawn and active members of the United States armed forces who served in Operation New Dawn, the strip along the bottom of the license plate must read "Operation New Dawn," and the symbol on the left must be the Iraq Campaign Medal. Award of the Iraq Campaign Medal and proof of honorable service or active service is required for a veteran or service member to obtain the Operation New Dawn plate.
(B) For honorably discharged veterans who served during Operation New Dawn but who do not qualify for issuance of the Operation New Dawn Veteran plate, the American flag shall be in the center of the license plate and the strip along the bottom of the license plate shall read "Operation New Dawn Era." Nothing in this subdivision (c)(11)(B) prohibits any veteran who served during Operation New Dawn from requesting issuance of the honorably discharged veteran plate that is authorized by subsection (a).
(12) For honorably discharged veterans who served during the period between the announcement of the Truman Doctrine on March 12, 1947, and the collapse of the Soviet Union on December 26, 1991, with this period being known as the Cold War, the American flag shall be in the center of the license plate and the strip along the bottom of the license plate shall read "Cold War Era Veteran." Nothing in this subdivision (c)(12) prohibits any veteran who served during this period from requesting issuance of the honorably discharged veteran plate that is authorized by subsection (a) or any other plate authorized by this subsection (c) for which the veteran qualifies.
(13) (A) For honorably discharged veterans of the peacekeeping mission in Somalia occurring between December 5, 1992, and March 3, 1994, the strip along the bottom of the license plate must read "Somalia Veteran," and the symbol on the left must be the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. Award of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and proof of honorable service is required for a veteran to obtain the Somalia Veteran plate. (B) For honorably discharged veterans who served during the time that the peacekeeping mission in Somalia occurred but who do not qualify for issuance of the Somalia Veteran plate, the American flag shall be in the center of the license plate and the strip along the bottom of the license plate shall read "Somalia Era Veteran." Nothing in this subdivision (c)(13)(B) prohibits any veteran who served during the peacekeeping mission in Somalia from requesting issuance of the honorably discharged veteran plate that is authorized by subsection (a).
(A) For honorably discharged veterans of the peacekeeping mission in Somalia occurring between December 5, 1992, and March 3, 1994, the strip along the bottom of the license plate must read "Somalia Veteran," and the symbol on the left must be the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. Award of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and proof of honorable service is required for a veteran to obtain the Somalia Veteran plate.
(B) For honorably discharged veterans who served during the time that the peacekeeping mission in Somalia occurred but who do not qualify for issuance of the Somalia Veteran plate, the American flag shall be in the center of the license plate and the strip along the bottom of the license plate shall read "Somalia Era Veteran." Nothing in this subdivision (c)(13)(B) prohibits any veteran who served during the peacekeeping mission in Somalia from requesting issuance of the honorably discharged veteran plate that is authorized by subsection (a).
(14) For honorably discharged veterans and active members of the United States armed forces who served in South Korea after the signing of the Korean Armistice Agreement in support of the defense of the South Korean state and who qualify for the Korea Defense Service Medal, the strip along the bottom of the license plate shall read "Korean Defense Service," and the plate shall include an identification legend distinctive to recipients of the Korea Defense Service Medal. The commissioner of veterans services shall set proof of service requirements for eligible veterans and military service members to obtain the plate.
(15) (A) For honorably discharged veterans of Operation Inherent Resolve and active members of the United States armed forces who served in Operation Inherent Resolve, the strip along the bottom of the license plate must read "Operation Inherent Resolve," and the symbol on the left must be the Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal. Award of the Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal and proof of honorable service or active service is required for a veteran or service member to obtain the Operation Inherent Resolve plate. (B) For honorably discharged veterans who served during Operation Inherent Resolve but who do not qualify for issuance of the Operation Inherent Resolve plate, the American flag shall be in the center of the license plate and the strip along the bottom of the license plate shall read "Operation Inherent Resolve Era." Nothing in this subdivision (c)(15)(B) prohibits any veteran who served during Operation Inherent Resolve from requesting issuance of the honorably discharged veteran plate that is authorized by subsection (a).
(A) For honorably discharged veterans of Operation Inherent Resolve and active members of the United States armed forces who served in Operation Inherent Resolve, the strip along the bottom of the license plate must read "Operation Inherent Resolve," and the symbol on the left must be the Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal. Award of the Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal and proof of honorable service or active service is required for a veteran or service member to obtain the Operation Inherent Resolve plate.
(B) For honorably discharged veterans who served during Operation Inherent Resolve but who do not qualify for issuance of the Operation Inherent Resolve plate, the American flag shall be in the center of the license plate and the strip along the bottom of the license plate shall read "Operation Inherent Resolve Era." Nothing in this subdivision (c)(15)(B) prohibits any veteran who served during Operation Inherent Resolve from requesting issuance of the honorably discharged veteran plate that is authorized by subsection (a).
(d) The commissioner of revenue is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations to effectuate the purposes of this section. All rules and regulations shall be promulgated in accordance with the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, compiled in title 4, chapter 5.
Amended by 2021 Tenn. Acts, ch. 579, Secs.s 14, s 15, s 16, s 17, s 18, s 19, s 20, s 21 eff. 7/1/2021.
Amended by 2021 Tenn. Acts, ch. 579, s 13, eff. 7/1/2021.
Amended by 2019 Tenn. Acts, ch. 253, Secs.s 15, s 25 eff. 7/1/2019.
Amended by 2019 Tenn. Acts, ch. 253, s 10, eff. 7/1/2019.
Amended by 2019 Tenn. Acts, ch. 75, s 1, eff. 3/28/2019.
Amended by 2018 Tenn. Acts, ch. 1023, s 39, Sec.s 49 eff. 7/1/2018.
Amended by 2017 Tenn. Acts, ch. 384, Secs.s 45, s 46, Secs.s 47, s 48, s 49, s 50 eff. 5/18/2017.
Amended by 2014 Tenn. Acts, ch. 941,s 18, eff. 5/19/2014.
Amended by 2013 Tenn. Acts, ch. 484, s 27, eff. 7/1/2013.
Acts 1998, ch. 1063, § 1; 2006, ch. 964, §§ 13, 14; 2007 , ch. 484, § 56; 2007 , ch. 604, § 20; 2010 , ch. 1151, § 21; 2012 , ch. 791, §§ 1, 3.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-9-201 — TN Code / Title 55 / Chapter 9 / Section 55-9-201
Horn - Bells, sirens or exhaust whistles on emergency vehicles - Penalty for violations
Status: in_force

(a) Every motor vehicle, when operated upon any road, street or highway of the state, shall be equipped with a horn in good working order capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than two hundred feet (200'), and it is unlawful, except as otherwise provided in this section, for any vehicle to be equipped with or for any person to use upon a vehicle any siren, exhaust, compression or spark plug whistle or for any person at any time to use a horn otherwise than as a reasonable warning or to make any unnecessary or unreasonably loud or harsh sound by means of a horn or other warning device. (b) Every police, fire department and fire patrol vehicle, and every ambulance and emergency repair vehicle of public service companies used for emergency calls, shall be equipped with a bell, siren, or exhaust whistle of a type approved by the department, or local police authorities in incorporated cities or towns. Members of volunteer fire departments residing outside of incorporated communities may equip vehicles, to be used in fire patrol work, with warning devices of the type approved by the department or by the sheriff of the county in which the vehicles are to be operated. (c) (1) Members of regular or volunteer fire departments may equip their privately owned vehicles to be used in responding to a fire alarm or other emergency with warning devices approved by the local fire chief, upon written certification to the local sheriff or police chief that the person is a member of the department. In the event the warning devices are abused or used for other than their intended purpose by a member of the fire department, the local fire chief shall revoke the member's privilege of using the warning devices and shall notify, in writing, the local sheriff or police chief of the revocation. (2) Subdivision (c)(1) shall not apply to counties with populations of: not less than nor more than 83,300 83,400 85,725 85,825 143,900 144,000 250,000 300,000 400,000 - according to the 1980 federal census or any subsequent federal census. (d) (1) The prohibition in subsection (a) does not apply to any privately-owned motor vehicle that is primarily operated for business purposes by any salesperson, service representative, employee, lessee, or duly authorized agent of an emergency equipment company; provided, that the vehicle is marked with the lettering required by subdivision (d)(3). (2) Any person operating a motor vehicle pursuant to this subsection (d) shall carry a copy of the company's business license or the person's or owner of the company's professional or occupational license, certification or registration issued by this state and appropriate identification issued by the owner of the company. (3) Lettering shall be displayed on the left and right sides of the vehicle identifying the name of the company for which the vehicle is operated and on the front and rear of the vehicle designating it a "Demonstration Vehicle." The lettering shall be painted or affixed on, or attached to, the vehicle in a permanent manner, and shall be at least three inches (3") in size. (4) Nothing in this subsection (d) imposes any duty or obligation on a manufacturer of motor vehicles used by or sold to emergency equipment companies to equip the audible warning devices allowed in this subsection (d) at the time of manufacture or sale. (5) Nothing in this subsection (d) shall be construed to permit the operator of an emergency equipment company vehicle from operating any audible warning device authorized by this subsection (d) while the vehicle is on a public road, whether in motion or stationary. (6) As used in this section, "emergency equipment company" or "company" means any entity licensed as required by this state to sell or repair bells, sirens, or exhaust, compression or spark plug whistles, or other audible warning devices or equipment designed for use on motor vehicles that are operated for authorized law enforcement, emergency response, or other public safety activities. (e) A violation of this section is a Class C misdemeanor. Amended by 2014 Tenn. Acts, ch. 710, s 1, eff. 7/1/2014. Acts 1931, ch. 82, § 13; C. Supp. 1950, § 2700.14 (Williams, § 2693); Acts 1965, ch. 255, § 1; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 59-901; Acts 1982, ch. 850, § 2; 1984, ch. 694, § 1; 1984, ch. 920, §§ 1-5; 1989, ch. 591, § 113; 1997 , ch. 299, § 6.
(a) Every motor vehicle, when operated upon any road, street or highway of the state, shall be equipped with a horn in good working order capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than two hundred feet (200'), and it is unlawful, except as otherwise provided in this section, for any vehicle to be equipped with or for any person to use upon a vehicle any siren, exhaust, compression or spark plug whistle or for any person at any time to use a horn otherwise than as a reasonable warning or to make any unnecessary or unreasonably loud or harsh sound by means of a horn or other warning device.
(b) Every police, fire department and fire patrol vehicle, and every ambulance and emergency repair vehicle of public service companies used for emergency calls, shall be equipped with a bell, siren, or exhaust whistle of a type approved by the department, or local police authorities in incorporated cities or towns. Members of volunteer fire departments residing outside of incorporated communities may equip vehicles, to be used in fire patrol work, with warning devices of the type approved by the department or by the sheriff of the county in which the vehicles are to be operated.
(c) (1) Members of regular or volunteer fire departments may equip their privately owned vehicles to be used in responding to a fire alarm or other emergency with warning devices approved by the local fire chief, upon written certification to the local sheriff or police chief that the person is a member of the department. In the event the warning devices are abused or used for other than their intended purpose by a member of the fire department, the local fire chief shall revoke the member's privilege of using the warning devices and shall notify, in writing, the local sheriff or police chief of the revocation. (2) Subdivision (c)(1) shall not apply to counties with populations of: not less than nor more than 83,300 83,400 85,725 85,825 143,900 144,000 250,000 300,000 400,000 - according to the 1980 federal census or any subsequent federal census.
(1) Members of regular or volunteer fire departments may equip their privately owned vehicles to be used in responding to a fire alarm or other emergency with warning devices approved by the local fire chief, upon written certification to the local sheriff or police chief that the person is a member of the department. In the event the warning devices are abused or used for other than their intended purpose by a member of the fire department, the local fire chief shall revoke the member's privilege of using the warning devices and shall notify, in writing, the local sheriff or police chief of the revocation.
(2) Subdivision (c)(1) shall not apply to counties with populations of: not less than nor more than 83,300 83,400 85,725 85,825 143,900 144,000 250,000 300,000 400,000 - according to the 1980 federal census or any subsequent federal census.
not less than nor more than 83,300 83,400 85,725 85,825 143,900 144,000 250,000 300,000 400,000 -
not less than
nor more than
83,300
83,400
85,725
85,825
143,900
144,000
250,000
300,000
400,000
-
according to the 1980 federal census or any subsequent federal census.
(d) (1) The prohibition in subsection (a) does not apply to any privately-owned motor vehicle that is primarily operated for business purposes by any salesperson, service representative, employee, lessee, or duly authorized agent of an emergency equipment company; provided, that the vehicle is marked with the lettering required by subdivision (d)(3). (2) Any person operating a motor vehicle pursuant to this subsection (d) shall carry a copy of the company's business license or the person's or owner of the company's professional or occupational license, certification or registration issued by this state and appropriate identification issued by the owner of the company. (3) Lettering shall be displayed on the left and right sides of the vehicle identifying the name of the company for which the vehicle is operated and on the front and rear of the vehicle designating it a "Demonstration Vehicle." The lettering shall be painted or affixed on, or attached to, the vehicle in a permanent manner, and shall be at least three inches (3") in size. (4) Nothing in this subsection (d) imposes any duty or obligation on a manufacturer of motor vehicles used by or sold to emergency equipment companies to equip the audible warning devices allowed in this subsection (d) at the time of manufacture or sale. (5) Nothing in this subsection (d) shall be construed to permit the operator of an emergency equipment company vehicle from operating any audible warning device authorized by this subsection (d) while the vehicle is on a public road, whether in motion or stationary. (6) As used in this section, "emergency equipment company" or "company" means any entity licensed as required by this state to sell or repair bells, sirens, or exhaust, compression or spark plug whistles, or other audible warning devices or equipment designed for use on motor vehicles that are operated for authorized law enforcement, emergency response, or other public safety activities.
(1) The prohibition in subsection (a) does not apply to any privately-owned motor vehicle that is primarily operated for business purposes by any salesperson, service representative, employee, lessee, or duly authorized agent of an emergency equipment company; provided, that the vehicle is marked with the lettering required by subdivision (d)(3).
(2) Any person operating a motor vehicle pursuant to this subsection (d) shall carry a copy of the company's business license or the person's or owner of the company's professional or occupational license, certification or registration issued by this state and appropriate identification issued by the owner of the company.
(3) Lettering shall be displayed on the left and right sides of the vehicle identifying the name of the company for which the vehicle is operated and on the front and rear of the vehicle designating it a "Demonstration Vehicle." The lettering shall be painted or affixed on, or attached to, the vehicle in a permanent manner, and shall be at least three inches (3") in size.
(4) Nothing in this subsection (d) imposes any duty or obligation on a manufacturer of motor vehicles used by or sold to emergency equipment companies to equip the audible warning devices allowed in this subsection (d) at the time of manufacture or sale.
(5) Nothing in this subsection (d) shall be construed to permit the operator of an emergency equipment company vehicle from operating any audible warning device authorized by this subsection (d) while the vehicle is on a public road, whether in motion or stationary.
(6) As used in this section, "emergency equipment company" or "company" means any entity licensed as required by this state to sell or repair bells, sirens, or exhaust, compression or spark plug whistles, or other audible warning devices or equipment designed for use on motor vehicles that are operated for authorized law enforcement, emergency response, or other public safety activities.
(e) A violation of this section is a Class C misdemeanor.
Amended by 2014 Tenn. Acts, ch. 710, s 1, eff. 7/1/2014.
Acts 1931, ch. 82, § 13; C. Supp. 1950, § 2700.14 (Williams, § 2693); Acts 1965, ch. 255, § 1; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 59-901; Acts 1982, ch. 850, § 2; 1984, ch. 694, § 1; 1984, ch. 920, §§ 1-5; 1989, ch. 591, § 113; 1997 , ch. 299, § 6.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-50-339 — TN Code / Title 55 / Chapter 50 / Section 55-50-339
Issuance or restoration of license of minor withdrawn from secondary school
Status: in_force

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 driver license fees, and has complied with all testing requirements of this chapter. Acts 1990, ch. 819, § 5; 1995, ch. 156, § 1.
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 driver license fees, and has complied with all testing requirements of this chapter.
Acts 1990, ch. 819, § 5; 1995, ch. 156, § 1.