2023 Tennessee Code › Title 55 - MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES (§§ 55-1-101 — 55-53-105) › Chapter 12 - FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY LAW (§§ 55-12-101 — 55-12-311) › Part 1 - FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY LAWSHORT TITLE (§§ 55-12-101 — 55-12-142) › Section 55-12-109 - Report of suspension or revocation of nonresident's operating privileges - Revocation or suspension of resident's registration and operating privileges for accidents in other states - Restoration

(a)
When a nonresident's operating privilege is suspended or revoked pursuant to this part, the commissioner shall transmit a certified copy of the record of this action to the official in charge of the issuance of licenses and registration certificates in the state in which the nonresident resides, if the law of the other state provides for action in relation thereto similar to the provisions set forth in subsection (b).
(b)
Upon receipt of a certification that the operating privilege of a resident of this state has been suspended or revoked in any other state pursuant to a law providing for its suspension or revocation for failure to deposit security for the payment of judgments arising out of a motor vehicle accident under circumstances that would require the commissioner to suspend or revoke a nonresident's operating privilege had the accident occurred in this state, the commissioner shall suspend or revoke the license and immediately upon request by the commissioner of safety, the commissioner of revenue shall suspend or revoke all registrations of the operator and owner of a motor vehicle involved in the accident. The suspension or revocation shall continue until the resident furnishes the commissioner of safety evidence of compliance with the law of the other state relating to the deposit of such security, gives and maintains proof of financial responsibility as required under §
55-12-126
, pays a sixty-five-dollar restoration fee to the commissioner of safety, and passes a driver license examination as a condition precedent to the restoration of such privilege. If the motor vehicle operator or owner has met the requirements set forth in this subsection (b) to have the registration of a motor vehicle reinstated, the commissioner of revenue, upon request of the commissioner of safety and upon payment to the commissioner of revenue of the appropriate motor vehicle registration fees provided by §
55-4-111
, §
55-4-112
or §
55-4-113
, shall immediately make that reinstatement.
(c)
The department of safety may release a person's requirement to provide proof of financial responsibility after the expiration of the period of suspension or revocation, if the department of safety's records establish that during the suspension or revocation period, the person was not convicted of an additional offense authorizing or requiring the suspension or revocation of the person's license, nor was the person's license suspended, revoked, prohibited, or cancelled due to a separate violation of law. If the department of safety, pursuant to this subsection (c), releases the requirement that a person furnish proof of financial responsibility, and if the person's motor vehicle registration has been revoked or suspended because of the person's failure to furnish that proof, then the commissioner shall request that the commissioner of revenue reinstate the person's registration and, upon payment to the commissioner of revenue of the appropriate motor vehicle registration fees provided by §
55-4-111
, §
55-4-112
, or §
55-4-113
, the registration must be reinstated immediately. Notwithstanding another law to the contrary, this subsection (c) does not apply if there is an unsatisfied judgment based on a motor vehicle accident.
Amended by 2023 Tenn. Acts, ch. 336, s 3, eff. 1/1/2024.
Acts 1977, ch. 446, § 9; T.C.A., § 59-1259; Acts 1980, ch. 817, § 6; 1986, ch. 842, §§ 27, 28; 2007 , ch. 484, § 82.