reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 55 - MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES (§§ 55-1-101 — 55-53-105) › Chapter 10 - ACCIDENTS, ARRESTS, CRIMES AND PENALTIES (§§ 55-10-101 — 55-10-804) › Part 1 - ACCIDENTS (§§ 55-10-101 — 55-10-120) › Section 55-10-117 - Removal of vehicles from accident scene where no personal injury has occurred

(a)
Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a motor vehicle involved in a traffic accident and the driver of the motor vehicle shall be subject to this section.
(b)
This section shall apply to any motor vehicle traffic accident that occurs on a divided, controlled access highway or interstate highway of this state.
(c)
When a motor vehicle traffic accident occurs with no apparent serious personal injury or death, the driver of each motor vehicle involved in the traffic accident, or any other occupant of any such motor vehicle who possesses a valid driver license, should remove the vehicle from the immediate confines of the roadway into a safe refuge on the shoulder, emergency lane, or median, or to a place otherwise removed from the roadway whenever, in the judgment of the driver, the moving of a vehicle may be done safely and the vehicle is capable of being normally and safely driven, does not require towing, and may be operated under its own power in its customary manner without further damage or hazard to itself, to the traffic elements, or to the roadway. The driver of the motor vehicle may request any person who possesses a valid driver license to remove the motor vehicle as provided in this section, and that person may comply with the request.
(d)
The driver or any other person who has removed a motor vehicle from the main traveled way of the road as provided in subsection (c) before the arrival of a law enforcement officer shall not be considered liable or at fault regarding the cause of the accident solely by reason of moving the vehicle pursuant to this section.
(e)
This section does not abrogate or affect a driver's duty to file any written report that may be required by law, but compliance with the requirements of this section does not allow a driver to be prosecuted for the failure to stop and immediately report a traffic accident.
(f)
This section does not abrogate or affect a driver's duty to stop and give information in accordance with law, nor does it relieve a law enforcement officer of the officer's duty to render a report in accordance with law.
Acts 1997, ch. 242, § 1; 2000, ch. 806, § 2.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 55 - MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES (§§ 55-1-101 — 55-53-105) › Chapter 10 - ACCIDENTS, ARRESTS, CRIMES AND PENALTIES (§§ 55-10-101 — 55-10-804) › Part 1 - ACCIDENTS (§§ 55-10-101 — 55-10-120) › Section 55-10-118 - Multiple drivers in vehicle involved in an accident

If a motor vehicle is involved in an accident and there is more than one (1) driver of the motor vehicle, only the driver contributing to the accident shall be charged with a violation of the rules of the road compiled in chapter 8 of this title.
Acts 2006, ch. 679, § 1.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 55 - MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES (§§ 55-1-101 — 55-53-105) › Chapter 10 - ACCIDENTS, ARRESTS, CRIMES AND PENALTIES (§§ 55-10-101 — 55-10-804) › Part 1 - ACCIDENTS (§§ 55-10-101 — 55-10-120) › Section 55-10-119 - Detaining drivers involved in accidents involving serious bodily injury or death if driver does not have valid driver license and evidence of financial responsibility

An officer shall detain a driver without a warrant, as provided in §
40-7-103
, and bring the driver before a committing magistrate if the driver:
(1)
Is involved in an accident resulting in:
(A)
Serious bodily injury, as defined in §
55-50-502
; or
(B)
Death; and
(2)
Does not have a valid driver license; and
(3)
Does not have evidence of financial responsibility as required by §
55-12-139
.
Acts 2012, ch. 737, § 1.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 55 - MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES (§§ 55-1-101 — 55-53-105) › Chapter 10 - ACCIDENTS, ARRESTS, CRIMES AND PENALTIES (§§ 55-10-101 — 55-10-804) › Part 1 - ACCIDENTS (§§ 55-10-101 — 55-10-120) › Section 55-10-120 - Disclosure of information to public - Use of drugs or alcohol as factor in accident - Requirements

(a)
Every law enforcement agency shall have a policy describing when law enforcement personnel may disclose to the public information or law enforcement records concerning the use of drugs or alcohol by a driver as a contributing factor in a motor vehicle accident.
(b)
The policy required by subsection (a) shall include a requirement that the law enforcement agency make a good faith effort to notify the immediate family of those involved in the motor vehicle accident of the presence of drugs or alcohol as a contributing factor before such information may be made available to the public.
(c)
A law enforcement officer investigating a motor vehicle accident resulting in the death of a person, and having probable cause to believe that an operator of a motor vehicle involved in the accident was driving under the influence of alcohol, shall investigate whether the operator was served alcoholic beverages or beer at an establishment licensed to sell alcoholic beverages or beer. The alcoholic beverage commission must be notified of the investigation within forty-eight (48) hours of the incident.
Amended by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 961,s 3, eff. 5/9/2024.
Added by 2016 Tenn. Acts, ch. 756, s 1, eff. 7/1/2016.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 55 - MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES (§§ 55-1-101 — 55-53-105) › Chapter 10 - ACCIDENTS, ARRESTS, CRIMES AND PENALTIES (§§ 55-10-101 — 55-10-804) › Part 2 - CRIMES (§§ 55-10-NEW — 55-10-209) › Section 55-10-NEW - [Newly enacted section not yet numbered]

(a)
As used in this section, "license plate flipper" means:
(1)
A manual, electronic, or mechanical device designed or adapted to be installed on a motor vehicle that either:
(A)
Alternates between two (2) or more license plates for the purpose of allowing a motor vehicle operator to change the license plate displayed on the operator's vehicle; or
(B)
Hides a license plate from view by flipping the plate, making the license number not visible.
(b)
A person commits an offense if a person acts with criminal negligence, as defined in § 39-11-106, and purchases or possesses a license plate flipper.
(c)
A person commits an offense if a person acts with criminal negligence, as defined in § 39-11-106, and manufactures, sells, offers to sell, or otherwise distributes a license plate flipper.
(d)
(1)
An offense under subsection (b) is a Class B misdemeanor.
(2)
An offense under subsection (c) is a Class A misdemeanor.
Added by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 870,s 1, eff. 7/1/2024.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 55 - MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES (§§ 55-1-101 — 55-53-105) › Chapter 10 - ACCIDENTS, ARRESTS, CRIMES AND PENALTIES (§§ 55-10-101 — 55-10-804) › Part 2 - CRIMES (§§ 55-10-NEW — 55-10-209) › Section 55-10-201 - Parties to a crime

Every person who commits, attempts to commit, conspires to commit, or aids or abets in the commission of any act declared in chapter 8 or parts 1-5 of this chapter to be a crime, whether individually or in connection with one (1) or more other persons, or as a principal, agent or accessory, is guilty of the offense, and every person who falsely, fraudulently, forcibly or willfully induces, causes, coerces, requires, permits or directs another to violate any provision of chapter 8 or parts 1-5 of this chapter is likewise guilty of the offense.
Acts 1955, ch. 329, § 93; T.C.A., § 59-1016.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 55 - MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES (§§ 55-1-101 — 55-53-105) › Chapter 10 - ACCIDENTS, ARRESTS, CRIMES AND PENALTIES (§§ 55-10-101 — 55-10-804) › Part 2 - CRIMES (§§ 55-10-NEW — 55-10-209) › Section 55-10-202 - Offenses by persons owning or controlling vehicles

(a)
It is unlawful for the owner, or any other person, employing or otherwise directing the driver of any vehicle to require or knowingly to permit the operation of the vehicle upon a highway in any manner contrary to law.
(b)
A violation of this section is a Class C misdemeanor.
Acts 1955, ch. 329, § 94; T.C.A., § 59-1017; Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 113.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 55 - MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES (§§ 55-1-101 — 55-53-105) › Chapter 10 - ACCIDENTS, ARRESTS, CRIMES AND PENALTIES (§§ 55-10-101 — 55-10-804) › Part 2 - CRIMES (§§ 55-10-NEW — 55-10-209) › Section 55-10-203 - When arrested person must be taken before a magistrate - Admission to bail

(a)
Whenever any person is arrested for a violation of chapter 8 or parts 1-5 of this chapter, the arrested person shall be taken without unnecessary delay before a magistrate or judge within the county in which the offense charged is alleged to have been committed, who has jurisdiction of the offense and is nearest or most accessible with reference to the place where the arrest is made, in any of the following cases:
(1)
When a person arrested demands an immediate appearance before a magistrate or judge;
(2)
When the person is arrested upon a charge of criminally negligent homicide, voluntary manslaughter or murder;
(3)
When the person is arrested upon a charge of driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or narcotic drugs;
(4)
When the person is arrested upon a charge of failure to stop in the event of an accident causing death, personal injury or damage to property; and
(5)
In any other event when the person arrested refuses to give written promise to appear in court as hereinafter provided.
(b)
Any person arrested and charged with violating any provision of chapters 8 and 9 of this title or §§
55-10-103
- 55-10-310 who is taken before a magistrate or judge as provided in subsection (a) shall be admitted to bail by posting a cash bond, but in no case shall the cash bond exceed the maximum fine and costs for the offense or offenses for which the defendant is charged.
Amended by 2013 Tenn. Acts, ch. 308,s 44, eff. 7/1/2013.
Acts 1955, ch. 329, § 96; 1976, ch. 697, § 1; T.C.A., § 59-1018; Acts 1980, ch. 815, §§ 1, 2.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 55 - MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES (§§ 55-1-101 — 55-53-105) › Chapter 10 - ACCIDENTS, ARRESTS, CRIMES AND PENALTIES (§§ 55-10-101 — 55-10-804) › Part 2 - CRIMES (§§ 55-10-NEW — 55-10-209) › Section 55-10-204 - Illegal cancellation of traffic citation - Audit of citation records

(a)
Any person who cancels or solicits the cancellation of any traffic citation, in any manner other than as provided in this chapter, commits a Class C misdemeanor.
(b)
Every record of traffic citations required in chapter 8 and parts 1-5 of this chapter shall be audited by the appropriate fiscal officer of the governmental agency to which the traffic-enforcement agency is responsible, within the time prescribed for the audit of other officers of the agency.
Acts 1955, ch. 329, § 102; T.C.A., § 59-1022; Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 113.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 55 - MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES (§§ 55-1-101 — 55-53-105) › Chapter 10 - ACCIDENTS, ARRESTS, CRIMES AND PENALTIES (§§ 55-10-101 — 55-10-804) › Part 2 - CRIMES (§§ 55-10-NEW — 55-10-209) › Section 55-10-205 - Reckless driving

(a)
Any person who drives any vehicle in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property commits reckless driving.
(b)
A person commits an offense of reckless driving who drives a motorcycle with the front tire raised off the ground in willful and wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property on any public street, highway, alley, parking lot, or driveway, or on the premises of any shopping center, trailer park, apartment house complex, or any other premises that are generally frequented by the public at large; provided, that the offense of reckless driving for driving a motorcycle with the front tire raised off the ground shall not be applicable to persons riding in a parade, at a speed not to exceed thirty miles per hour (30 mph), if the person is eighteen (18) years of age or older.
(c)
(1)
Any motor vehicle operator who knowingly ignores a clearly visible and adequate flood warning sign or barricade and drives into a road area that is actually flooded commits reckless driving. In addition to the penalties imposed pursuant to subsection (d), the court may order the operator to pay restitution to defray the taxpayer cost of any rescue efforts related to such violation.
(2)
It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under this section, which must be proven by a preponderance of the evidence, that the operator's driving through the flood warning sign or barricade was necessitated by a bona fide emergency.
(3)
This subsection (c) shall not apply to an emergency vehicle. "Emergency vehicle" means a vehicle of a governmental department or public service corporation when responding to any emergency, or any vehicle of a police or fire department, or any ambulance.
(d)
(1)
A violation of this section is a Class B misdemeanor.
(2)
In addition to the penalty authorized by subdivision (d)(1), the court shall assess a fine of fifty dollars ($50.00) to be collected as provided in §
55-10-412(b)
and distributed as provided in §
55-10-412(c)
.
Amended by 2013 Tenn. Acts, ch. 154,Secs.s55, s56 eff. 7/1/2013.
Acts 1955, ch. 329, § 57; T.C.A., § 59-858; Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 112; 2007, ch. 308, § 1; 2008, ch. 986, § 1; 2012, ch. 1048, § 1.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 55 - MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES (§§ 55-1-101 — 55-53-105) › Chapter 10 - ACCIDENTS, ARRESTS, CRIMES AND PENALTIES (§§ 55-10-101 — 55-10-804) › Part 2 - CRIMES (§§ 55-10-NEW — 55-10-209) › Section 55-10-206 - Off-road vehicles - Prohibited acts - Penalties

(a)
For the purposes of this section, "motor vehicle" means any motor vehicle as defined in §
55-1-103
, which possesses a four-wheel drive capability and that is designed and suitable for operation off the highway on natural terrain.
(b)
It is unlawful for any person to operate a motor vehicle on private property for the purposes of testing or demonstrating driving skills or ascertaining certain vehicle endurance factors, unless the consent of the owner or person in control of the property has been granted for the activities. The driving skills and vehicle endurance factors include, but are not limited to, cross-country driving, drag racing or testing the motor vehicle's capabilities over natural, rough or muddy terrain.
(c)
Any person found guilty of a violation of this section shall be fined not less than fifty dollars ($50.00) nor more than two hundred fifty dollars ($250) and, in the discretion of the court, the person's driver license shall be subject to suspension for six (6) months.
Acts 1980, ch. 775, §§ 1, 2.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 55 - MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES (§§ 55-1-101 — 55-53-105) › Chapter 10 - ACCIDENTS, ARRESTS, CRIMES AND PENALTIES (§§ 55-10-101 — 55-10-804) › Part 2 - CRIMES (§§ 55-10-NEW — 55-10-209) › Section 55-10-208 - Uniform traffic citation form

(a)
Every law enforcement officer in this state who is authorized to issue traffic citations may use a uniform traffic citation form prescribed by the department of safety.
(b)
The department is authorized and directed to promulgate a uniform traffic citation form which may be used exclusively by all law enforcement officers and agencies in this state in issuing citations for traffic law violations.
Acts 1993, ch. 337, § 1; 1994, ch. 927, §§ 1, 2.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 55 - MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES (§§ 55-1-101 — 55-53-105) › Chapter 10 - ACCIDENTS, ARRESTS, CRIMES AND PENALTIES (§§ 55-10-101 — 55-10-804) › Part 2 - CRIMES (§§ 55-10-NEW — 55-10-209) › Section 55-10-209 - Aggravated reckless driving

(a)
A person commits aggravated reckless driving who:
(1)
Commits the offense of reckless driving, as defined in §
55-10-205
; and
(2)
Intentionally or knowingly impedes traffic upon a public street, highway, alley, parking lot, or driveway, or on the premises of a shopping center, trailer park, apartment house complex, or any other premises accessible to motor vehicles that are generally frequented by the public at large.
(b)
(1)
A violation of this section is a Class A misdemeanor.
(2)
In addition to the penalty authorized by subdivision (b)(1), the court may assess a fine of two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) to be collected as provided in §
55-10-412(b)
and distributed as provided in §
55-10-412(c)
.
Added by 2022 Tenn. Acts, ch. 1022, s 1, eff. 7/1/2022.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 55 - MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES (§§ 55-1-101 — 55-53-105) › Chapter 10 - ACCIDENTS, ARRESTS, CRIMES AND PENALTIES (§§ 55-10-101 — 55-10-804) › Part 3 - PENALTIES AND PROCEDURE (§§ 55-10-301 — 55-10-317) › Section 55-10-302 - Automated license plate recognition system - Limitation on storage of data

(a)
As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1)
"Automated license plate recognition system" means one (1) or more fixed high-speed cameras combined with computer algorithms to convert images of license plates into computer-readable data;
(2)
"Captured plate data" means the global positioning device coordinates, date and time, photograph, license plate number, and any other data captured by or derived from any automated license plate recognition system; and
(3)
"Governmental entity" means any lawfully established department, agency or entity of this state or of any political subdivision of this state.
(b)
Any captured plate data collected or retained by any governmental entity through the use of an automated license plate recognition system may not be stored for more than ninety (90) days unless the data is retained or stored as part of an ongoing investigation, and in that case, the data shall be destroyed at the conclusion of either:
(1)
An investigation that does not result in any criminal charges being filed; or
(2)
Any criminal action undertaken in the matter involving the captured plate data.
Added by 2014 Tenn. Acts, ch. 625,s 1, eff. 7/1/2014.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 55 - MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES (§§ 55-1-101 — 55-53-105) › Chapter 10 - ACCIDENTS, ARRESTS, CRIMES AND PENALTIES (§§ 55-10-101 — 55-10-804) › Part 3 - PENALTIES AND PROCEDURE (§§ 55-10-301 — 55-10-317) › Section 55-10-303 - Disposition of collections

(a)
All fines, penalties and forfeitures of bonds imposed or collected under any of the provisions of chapters 8 and 9 of this title, parts 1-5 of this chapter and §
55-12-139
, except such as may be imposed or collected under §
55-10-401
, shall, within fifteen (15) days following the last day of the month in which the fines, penalties and forfeitures of bond were received, be paid to the commissioner of safety, with a statement accompanying the same, setting forth the action or proceeding in which the moneys were collected, the name and residence of the defendant, the nature of the offense and fines, penalties, forfeitures or sentence, if any, imposed.
(b)
The fines, penalties, and forfeitures of bonds imposed or collected under §
55-10-401
shall be paid to the jurisdiction that initiated the arrest; provided, that the collections that were initiated by state officers shall be retained and deposited in the general funds of the county wherein the case is tried. In counties having a population over six hundred thousand (600,000), according to the 1970 federal census or any subsequent federal census, the collections shall be retained and deposited in the general fund of the county wherein the case is tried, except that whenever the case is tried in a municipal court of a municipality that lies in any county falling within the population category hereinbefore provided, the collections shall be retained and deposited in the general fund of the municipality.
Acts 1931, ch. 82, § 17; 1937, ch. 245, § 7; 1939, ch. 206, § 6; C. Supp. 1950, § 2700.18 (Williams, § 2697); Acts 1955, ch. 329, § 104; 1957, ch. 70, § 1; 1977, ch. 470, § 1; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 59-1024; Acts 1981, ch. 178, § 1; 1986, ch. 753, § 1; 2001, ch. 292, § 2.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 55 - MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES (§§ 55-1-101 — 55-53-105) › Chapter 10 - ACCIDENTS, ARRESTS, CRIMES AND PENALTIES (§§ 55-10-101 — 55-10-804) › Part 3 - PENALTIES AND PROCEDURE (§§ 55-10-301 — 55-10-317) › Section 55-10-304 - Collections of fines and penalties

The commissioner of safety is empowered in the name of the state to take all steps necessary to enforce the collection and prompt return of all the fines, penalties, and forfeitures of bonds; and the same when so collected shall be credited to the department of safety and used to carry out chapters 8 and 9 of this title, parts 1-5 of this chapter and §
55-12-139
.
Acts 1931, ch. 82, § 17; 1937, ch. 245, § 7; 1939, ch. 206, § 7; C. Supp. 1950, § 2700.19 (Williams, § 2698); Acts 1955, ch. 329, § 105; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 59-1025; Acts 2001, ch. 292, § 3.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 55 - MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES (§§ 55-1-101 — 55-53-105) › Chapter 10 - ACCIDENTS, ARRESTS, CRIMES AND PENALTIES (§§ 55-10-101 — 55-10-804) › Part 3 - PENALTIES AND PROCEDURE (§§ 55-10-301 — 55-10-317) › Section 55-10-305 - Cases - How tried

No judge shall try any case except upon warrant duly prepared in the form required by law, which shall be preserved with the other papers pertaining to the judge's office, and no such judge shall collect any fine or cost imposed in any case involving a violation of chapters 8 and 9 of this title, parts 1-5 of this chapter and §
55-12-139
, until that judge has completed the entries pertaining to the case in a docket kept for the making of the judge's records. All such dockets shall be preserved and shall be at all times subject to inspection upon demand of any person named therein, and by all state officials or their duly authorized representatives. All judges shall deliver upon request, without charge, to the accused a receipt showing in detail the amount of fine and cost imposed upon and paid by the accused. No judge shall divide the fees of the judge's office with any constable, sheriff, or other state officer, or with any individual who may assist in making an arrest or furnish evidence in a case arising under chapters 8 and 9 of this title, parts 1-5 of this chapter and §
55-12-139
. Any judge violating any of the provisions of this section or failing or refusing to make returns of convictions and fines or penalties imposed in chapters 8 and 9 of this title, parts 1-5 of this chapter and §
55-12-139
, shall be subject to removal for misdemeanor in office.
Acts 1931, ch. 82, § 18; C. Supp. 1950, § 2700.20 (Williams, § 2699); Acts 1955, ch. 329, § 106; impl. am. Acts 1979, ch. 68, §§ 2, 3; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 59-1026; Acts 2001, ch. 292, § 4.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 55 - MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES (§§ 55-1-101 — 55-53-105) › Chapter 10 - ACCIDENTS, ARRESTS, CRIMES AND PENALTIES (§§ 55-10-101 — 55-10-804) › Part 3 - PENALTIES AND PROCEDURE (§§ 55-10-301 — 55-10-317) › Section 55-10-307 - Adoption of statutes and regulations by municipalities - Exceptions

(a)
Any incorporated municipality may by ordinance adopt, by reference, any of the appropriate provisions of chapter 8 of this title, §§
55-10-101
- 55-10-310, 55-12-139, 55-50-301, 55-50-302, 55-50-304, 55-50-305,
55-50-311
, and 55-10-312, and may by ordinance provide additional regulations for the operation of vehicles within the municipality, which shall not be in conflict with the listed sections. All fines, penalties, and forfeitures of bonds imposed or collected under the terms of §§ 55-50-311 and
55-50-312
, shall be paid over to the appropriate state agency as provided in §
55-50-604
.
(b)
The offenses enumerated in subdivisions (b)(1)-(5) are state offenses and any person arrested for violation of the offenses shall be tried for violation of state law in state courts or in courts having state jurisdiction in which the jurisdiction shall be exclusive. Any existing ordinance presently regulating any of the enumerated offenses and any such ordinance enacted after July 1, 1977, is declared void and of no effect. The enumerated offenses are:
(1)
Driving while intoxicated or drugged, as prohibited by §
55-10-401
;
(2)
Failing to stop after a traffic accident, as prohibited by part 1 of this chapter;
(3)
Driving while license suspended or revoked, as prohibited by §
55-50-504
;
(4)
Drag racing, as defined and prohibited by §
55-10-501
; and
(5)
Possession of five (5) or more grams of methamphetamine, as scheduled in §
39-17-408(d)(2)
, while operating a motor vehicle in this state. A motor vehicle is in operation if its engine is operating, whether or not the motor vehicle is moving.
Acts 2007, ch. 143, § 1; 2010, ch. 966, § 1.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 55 - MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES (§§ 55-1-101 — 55-53-105) › Chapter 10 - ACCIDENTS, ARRESTS, CRIMES AND PENALTIES (§§ 55-10-101 — 55-10-804) › Part 3 - PENALTIES AND PROCEDURE (§§ 55-10-301 — 55-10-317) › Section 55-10-309 - Reexamination

Any judge having jurisdiction over offenses committed under any statute of this state or municipal ordinance of any city or town regulating the operation of motor vehicles on highways shall have the authority to require any person brought before the judge's court for an alleged violation to submit to a reexamination by the department of safety when the judge has good cause to believe that the person, by reason of physical or mental disability, would not be able to operate a motor vehicle with safety upon the highways, or, in the discretion of the judge, would create a hazard to the driving public. However, the operator's or chauffeur's license of the person shall not be withheld or suspended pending the reexamination.
Acts 1970, ch. 365, § 1; T.C.A., § 59-1052.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 55 - MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES (§§ 55-1-101 — 55-53-105) › Chapter 10 - ACCIDENTS, ARRESTS, CRIMES AND PENALTIES (§§ 55-10-101 — 55-10-804) › Part 3 - PENALTIES AND PROCEDURE (§§ 55-10-301 — 55-10-317) › Section 55-10-310 - Uniformity of interpretation

Chapter 8, parts 1-5 of this chapter and §
55-12-139
shall be so interpreted and construed as to effectuate its general purpose to make uniform the law of those states that enact them.
Acts 1955, ch. 329, § 108; T.C.A., § 59-1030; Acts 2001, ch. 292, § 7.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 55 - MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES (§§ 55-1-101 — 55-53-105) › Chapter 10 - ACCIDENTS, ARRESTS, CRIMES AND PENALTIES (§§ 55-10-101 — 55-10-804) › Part 3 - PENALTIES AND PROCEDURE (§§ 55-10-301 — 55-10-317) › Section 55-10-311 - Prima facie evidence of ownership of automobile and use in owner's business - No vicarious liability by dealers for loaner vehicles

(a)
In all actions for injury to persons and/or to property caused by the negligent operation or use of any automobile, auto truck, motorcycle, or other motor propelled vehicle within this state, proof of ownership of the vehicle shall be prima facie evidence that the vehicle at the time of the cause of action sued on was being operated and used with authority, consent and knowledge of the owner in the very transaction out of which the injury or cause of action arose, and the proof of ownership likewise shall be prima facie evidence that the vehicle was then and there being operated by the owner, or by the owner's servant, for the owner's use and benefit and within the course and scope of the servant's employment. The prima facie evidence rules of the preceding sentence shall also apply in cases of the negligent operation of a vehicle being test-driven by a prospective purchaser with the knowledge and consent of the seller or the seller's agent, whether or not the seller or the seller's agent is present in the vehicle at the time of the alleged negligent operation.
(b)
Any automobile dealer who provides a loaner vehicle to a customer without charge while the customer's vehicle is being serviced or repaired by the dealer shall not be vicariously liable under any vicarious liability theory, to any person injured as the result of an accident caused in whole or in part by a customer driving a loaner vehicle provided by the dealer where the dealer was provided with proof of insurance by the customer prior to the customer being provided with the loaner vehicle.
(c)
This section is in the nature of remedial legislation and it is the legislative intent that it be given a liberal construction.
Acts 1921, ch. 162, § 1; Shan. Supp., § 3079a198b1; mod. Code 1932, § 2701; Acts 1957, ch. 123, §§ 1, 2; 1974, ch. 750, § 1; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 59-1037; Acts 2012, ch. 884, § 1.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 55 - MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES (§§ 55-1-101 — 55-53-105) › Chapter 10 - ACCIDENTS, ARRESTS, CRIMES AND PENALTIES (§§ 55-10-101 — 55-10-804) › Part 3 - PENALTIES AND PROCEDURE (§§ 55-10-301 — 55-10-317) › Section 55-10-312 - Registration prima facie evidence of ownership and that operation was for owner's benefit - Exception for dealers' loaner vehicles

(a)
Proof of the registration of the motor-propelled vehicle in the name of any person shall be prima facie evidence of ownership of the motor propelled vehicle by the person in whose name the vehicle is registered; and the proof of registration shall likewise be prima facie evidence that the vehicle was then and there being operated by the owner or by the owner's servant for the owner's use and benefit and within the course and scope of the servant's employment.
(b)
Subsection (a) shall not apply to any automobile dealer who provides a customer a loaner vehicle without charge while the customer's vehicle is being serviced or repaired by the dealer. The dealer shall not be vicariously liable under any vicarious liability theory, to any person injured as the result of an accident caused in whole or in part by a customer driving a loaner vehicle provided by the dealer where the dealer was provided with proof of insurance by the customer prior to the customer being provided with the loaner vehicle.
Acts 1921, ch. 162, § 2; 1923, ch. 59; Shan. Supp., § 3079a198b2; mod. Code 1932, § 2702; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 59-1038; Acts 2012, ch. 884, § 2.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 55 - MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES (§§ 55-1-101 — 55-53-105) › Chapter 10 - ACCIDENTS, ARRESTS, CRIMES AND PENALTIES (§§ 55-10-101 — 55-10-804) › Part 3 - PENALTIES AND PROCEDURE (§§ 55-10-301 — 55-10-317) › Section 55-10-313 - Employer's liability for violations by employee driving nonmotor vehicle - Liability of driver

(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.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 55 - MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES (§§ 55-1-101 — 55-53-105) › Chapter 10 - ACCIDENTS, ARRESTS, CRIMES AND PENALTIES (§§ 55-10-101 — 55-10-804) › Part 3 - PENALTIES AND PROCEDURE (§§ 55-10-301 — 55-10-317) › Section 55-10-314 - Liability for spill of hazardous waste from twin trailer truck

If any person who is driving or in physical control of a twin trailer truck that contains hazardous waste, as defined in §
68-212-104
, is adjudicated to have been at fault in a court of competent jurisdiction for an accident resulting in a spill of the hazardous waste, the employer of the person shall be jointly and severally responsible for:
(1)
Damages incurred as a result of the spill; and
(2)
Any clean-up cost that may result from the spill.
Acts 1982, ch. 912, § 5.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 55 - MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES (§§ 55-1-101 — 55-53-105) › Chapter 10 - ACCIDENTS, ARRESTS, CRIMES AND PENALTIES (§§ 55-10-101 — 55-10-804) › Part 3 - PENALTIES AND PROCEDURE (§§ 55-10-301 — 55-10-317) › Section 55-10-315 - Traffic violation conviction fee

(a)
Any municipality with a population of not less than one hundred sixty thousand (160,000) nor more than one hundred seventy thousand (170,000), according to the 1990 federal census or any subsequent federal census, by ordinance may levy a fee of up to seventy-five cents (75¢), to be collected on all convictions for traffic violations when the traffic citation was issued or the arrest was effected by a law enforcement officer of the municipality. "Traffic violation" for purposes of this section means a violation of any provision of chapter 8 or 9 of this title or parts 1-5 of this chapter, or a violation of a municipal ordinance regulating traffic, or both state law and local ordinance violations. Municipal ordinances regulating traffic include those that regulate parking.
(b)
When the ordinance levying the fee applies to state traffic law violations, the municipal recorder, clerk, or other record keeping official shall forward a certified copy of the ordinance to the court handling traffic violations for the area in which the municipality is located. The court shall then collect the fee in accordance with the terms of the ordinance and remit revenues from the fee to the municipality monthly.
(c)
Revenues from the fee shall be used by the municipality for traffic safety, traffic education and drug education programs.
(d)
In addition to the fee authorized in subsection (a), those municipalities designated in subsection (a) may also by ordinance levy a fee of up to two dollars ($2.00) on each conviction for a traffic violation when the traffic citation is issued or the arrest is effected by a law enforcement officer of the municipality. Except for subsection (c), all pertinent provisions of this section applicable to the fee authorized in subsection (a) shall also apply to the fee authorized by this subsection (d). Revenues from the fee authorized in this subsection (d) shall be used to purchase or maintain, or both, an automated information system to support enforcement of traffic safety laws.
Acts 1992, ch. 685, § 1; 1993, ch. 52, § 1.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 55 - MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES (§§ 55-1-101 — 55-53-105) › Chapter 10 - ACCIDENTS, ARRESTS, CRIMES AND PENALTIES (§§ 55-10-101 — 55-10-804) › Part 3 - PENALTIES AND PROCEDURE (§§ 55-10-301 — 55-10-317) › Section 55-10-316 - Entry into shopping center or office park premises for inspection purposes

Upon receiving written permission of the property owner or manager, a state, county or municipal law enforcement officer is authorized to go onto the premises of any shopping center, or office park, which is generally open to the public at-large in order to inspect any motor vehicle to determine if the vehicle is properly registered and licensed and, where applicable, if a county wheel tax or similar local fee on a motor vehicle is due and owing.
Acts 1993, ch. 126, § 1.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 55 - MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES (§§ 55-1-101 — 55-53-105) › Chapter 10 - ACCIDENTS, ARRESTS, CRIMES AND PENALTIES (§§ 55-10-101 — 55-10-804) › Part 3 - PENALTIES AND PROCEDURE (§§ 55-10-301 — 55-10-317) › Section 55-10-317 - Enforcement of traffic laws on certain privately owned streets

Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, an officer of any state, county, or municipal law enforcement agency that is charged with the responsibility of enforcing traffic laws may also enforce traffic laws, issue citations for violations thereof and impose fines in accordance with state law or county or municipal ordinance, as appropriate, on privately owned streets that are dedicated as rights-of-way for traffic and are located within a residential development having a combination of single family dwellings and multi-family dwellings. The enforcement of traffic laws within a private residential development shall be initiated only after the majority of residents in that development have submitted a written petition to the appropriate local governing body requesting the enforcement of traffic laws on the private street. If the local governing body approves the petition, the governing body shall establish the traffic laws in the development in the same manner as it does for public streets within its jurisdiction.
Acts 1995, ch. 374, § 1.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 55 - MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES (§§ 55-1-101 — 55-53-105) › Chapter 10 - ACCIDENTS, ARRESTS, CRIMES AND PENALTIES (§§ 55-10-101 — 55-10-804) › Part 4 - ALCOHOL AND DRUG RELATED OFFENSES (§§ 55-10-NEW — 55-10-427) › Section 55-10-NEW - [Newly enacted section not yet numbered] (§ 55-10-NEW) › 1

(a)
(1)
No later than September 1, 2024, the speaker of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives shall establish an advisory task force to review impaired driving and boating in Tennessee.
(2)
The task force shall be composed of twelve (12) members, six (6) members to be appointed by the speaker of the senate and six (6) members to be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
(3)
The task force shall study current levels of impaired driving in this state and ways to reduce impaired driving, repeat offenders, and underage offenders.
(b)
(1)
The task force may request and receive assistance from any department, agency, or entity of state government, upon request from the chair.
(2)
The task force shall invite members of the community who have relevant knowledge to testify before the task force.
(c)
The task force is directed to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any suggested legislation, to the general assembly and the governor no later than December 1, 2025.
Added by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 961,s 2, eff. 5/9/2024.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 55 - MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES (§§ 55-1-101 — 55-53-105) › Chapter 10 - ACCIDENTS, ARRESTS, CRIMES AND PENALTIES (§§ 55-10-101 — 55-10-804) › Part 4 - ALCOHOL AND DRUG RELATED OFFENSES (§§ 55-10-NEW — 55-10-427) › Section 55-10-NEW - [Newly enacted section not yet numbered] (§ 55-10-NEW) › 2

The impaired driving advisory council (IDAC) of the Tennessee highway safety office shall submit to the members of the general assembly by December 1 each year all reports, strategic plans, or recommendations to reduce impaired driving in Tennessee.
Added by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 961,s 6, eff. 5/9/2024.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 55 - MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES (§§ 55-1-101 — 55-53-105) › Chapter 10 - ACCIDENTS, ARRESTS, CRIMES AND PENALTIES (§§ 55-10-101 — 55-10-804) › Part 4 - ALCOHOL AND DRUG RELATED OFFENSES (§§ 55-10-NEW — 55-10-427) › Section 55-10-NEW - [Newly enacted section not yet numbered] (§ 55-10-NEW) › 3

(a)
For the purpose of proving a violation of § 55-10-401 (1), evidence that the person was suspected to be impaired secondary to the sedative or otherwise intoxicating effects of a controlled substance, as defined in § 39-17-402, and was administered within twenty-four (24) hours prior to the time of the alleged violation, an opioid antagonist, as defined in § 63-1152, for an opioid-related overdose creates a presumption that the defendant's ability to drive was sufficiently impaired by the controlled substance that caused the opioid-related overdose to constitute a violation of § 55-10-401 (1).
(b)
A first responder who administers an opioid antagonist to an individual experiencing an opioid-related overdose may provide information on the risks associated with driving for a twenty-four-hour period following administration, in an effort to ensure that the individual is informed of the potential dangers and legal responsibilities.
Added by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 1039,s 2, eff. 7/1/2024.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 55 - MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES (§§ 55-1-101 — 55-53-105) › Chapter 10 - ACCIDENTS, ARRESTS, CRIMES AND PENALTIES (§§ 55-10-101 — 55-10-804) › Part 4 - ALCOHOL AND DRUG RELATED OFFENSES (§§ 55-10-NEW — 55-10-427) › Section 55-10-401 - Driving under the influence prohibited - Alcohol concentration in blood or breath

It is unlawful for any person to drive or to be in physical control of any automobile or other motor driven vehicle on any of the public roads and highways of the state, or on any streets or alleys, or while on the premises of any shopping center, trailer park, or apartment house complex, or any other premises that is generally frequented by the public at large, while:
(1)
Under the influence of any intoxicant, marijuana, controlled substance, controlled substance analogue, drug, substance affecting the central nervous system, or combination thereof that impairs the driver's ability to safely operate a motor vehicle by depriving the driver of the clearness of mind and control of oneself that the driver would otherwise possess;
(2)
The alcohol concentration in the person's blood or breath is eight-hundredths of one percent (0.08%) or more; or
(3)
With a blood alcohol concentration of four-hundredths of one percent (0.04%) or more and the vehicle is a commercial motor vehicle as defined in §
55-50-102
.
Amended by 2015 Tenn. Acts, ch. 126,s 1, eff. 4/9/2015.
Amended by 2013 Tenn. Acts, ch. 154,s 1, eff. 7/1/2013.
Acts 1953, ch. 202, § 1 (Williams, § 10830.2); Acts 1961, ch. 63, § 1; 1977, ch. 420, § 1; 1979, ch. 265, § 1; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 59-1031; Acts 1980, ch. 623, § 1; 1980, ch. 635, § 1; 1986, ch. 842, § 12; 1996, ch. 915, § 1; 2002, ch. 855, § 7; 2010, ch. 1015, § 1; 2012, ch. 848, § 58.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 55 - MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES (§§ 55-1-101 — 55-53-105) › Chapter 10 - ACCIDENTS, ARRESTS, CRIMES AND PENALTIES (§§ 55-10-101 — 55-10-804) › Part 4 - ALCOHOL AND DRUG RELATED OFFENSES (§§ 55-10-NEW — 55-10-427) › Section 55-10-404 - Driving prohibitions - Restricted licenses - Revocation and suspension - Commercial licenses and vehicles

(a)
(1)
The court shall prohibit any person convicted of a violation of §
55-10-401
from driving a vehicle in this state for a period of:
(A)
One (1) year, if the conviction is a first offense;
(B)
Two (2) years for a second offense;
(C)
Six (6) years for a third offense; and,
(D)
Eight (8) years for a fourth or subsequent offense.
(2)
In the interest of public safety, a driver who has been prohibited from driving a vehicle in this state pursuant to this subsection (a) may apply for a restricted license subject to §
55-10-409
.
(b)
Nothing in this part shall be construed so as to in any way limit, change, alter, repeal, or amend §
55-50-303
, §
55-50-501
, or §
55-50-502
, nor to limit the power or authority of the department of safety to revoke or suspend a driver license, permit, or privilege under chapter 50 of this title. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the issuance of a restricted license in accordance with §
55-10-409
.
(c)
A person holding a commercial driver license or operating a commercial motor vehicle at the time of the violation of §
55-10-401
for which they are convicted will also be subject to §
55-50-405
.
Amended by 2013 Tenn. Acts, ch. 344,s 1, eff. 5/13/2013.
Amended by 2013 Tenn. Acts, ch. 154,s 4, eff. 7/1/2013.
Code 1932, § 10830; 1979, ch. 68, § 3; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 59-1036.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 55 - MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES (§§ 55-1-101 — 55-53-105) › Chapter 10 - ACCIDENTS, ARRESTS, CRIMES AND PENALTIES (§§ 55-10-101 — 55-10-804) › Part 4 - ALCOHOL AND DRUG RELATED OFFENSES (§§ 55-10-NEW — 55-10-427) › Section 55-10-414 - Seizure and forfeiture of vehicles

(a)
The vehicle used in the commission of a person's second or subsequent conviction of §
55-10-401
, or the second or subsequent conviction of any combination of §
55-10-401
, and a statute in any other state prohibiting driving under the influence of an intoxicant, is subject to seizure and forfeiture in accordance with the procedure established in title 40, chapter 33, part 2. The department of safety is designated as the applicable agency, as defined by §
40-33-202
, for all forfeitures authorized by this section.
(b)
In order for subsection (a) to be applicable to a vehicle, the conviction making the vehicle subject to seizure and forfeiture must occur in Tennessee and at least one (1) of the previous convictions must have occurred within five (5) years of the current conviction.
(c)
It is the specific intent that a forfeiture action under this section shall serve a remedial and not a punitive purpose. The purpose of the forfeiture of a vehicle after a person's second or subsequent DUI conviction is to prevent unscrupulous or incompetent persons from driving on Tennessee's highways while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs endangers the lives of innocent people who are exercising the same privilege of riding on the state's highways. There is a reasonable connection between the remedial purpose of this section, ensuring safe roads, and the forfeiture of a motor vehicle. While this section may serve as a deterrent to the conduct of driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, it is nonetheless intended as a remedial measure. Moreover, the statute serves to remove a dangerous instrument from the hands of individuals who have demonstrated a pattern of driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
(d)
Only POST-certified or state-commissioned law enforcement officers will be authorized to seize these vehicles under this section.
Amended by 2015 Tenn. Acts, ch. 463,s 1, eff. 5/18/2015.
Added by 2013 Tenn. Acts, ch. 154,s 14, eff. 7/1/2013.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 55 - MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES (§§ 55-1-101 — 55-53-105) › Chapter 10 - ACCIDENTS, ARRESTS, CRIMES AND PENALTIES (§§ 55-10-101 — 55-10-804) › Part 4 - ALCOHOL AND DRUG RELATED OFFENSES (§§ 55-10-NEW — 55-10-427) › Section 55-10-415 - Underage driving while impaired - Penalties

(a)
A person under twenty-one (21) years of age shall not drive or be in physical control of an automobile or other motor-driven vehicle while:
(1)
Under the influence of any intoxicant, marijuana, controlled substance, controlled substance analogue, drug, substance affecting the central nervous system, or combination thereof that impairs the driver's ability to safely operate a motor vehicle by depriving the driver of the clearness of mind and self-control that the driver would otherwise possess; or
(2)
The alcohol concentration in the person's blood or breath is two-hundredths of one percent (0.02%) or more.
(b)
The fact that a person who drives while under the influence of narcotic drugs or barbital drugs is or has been lawfully entitled to use the drugs does not constitute a defense to a violation of this section.
(c)
This section establishes the offense of underage driving while impaired for a person under twenty-one (21) years of age. The offense of underage driving while impaired is a lesser included offense of driving while intoxicated.
(d)
The offense of underage driving while impaired by a person eighteen (18) years of age or older but under twenty-one (21) years of age is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by:
(1)
Driver license suspension of one (1) year;
(2)
A fine of two hundred fifty dollars ($250); and
(3)
Public service work, in the discretion of the court.
(e)
The act of underage driving while impaired by a person under eighteen (18) years of age is a delinquent act punishable by:
(1)
Driver license suspension of one (1) year;
(2)
A fine of two hundred fifty dollars ($250); and
(3)
Public service work, in the discretion of the court.
Amended by 2016EX2 Tenn. Acts, ch. 1,s 1, eff. 9/19/2016.
Amended by 2016 Tenn. Acts, ch. 1088,s 1, eff. 9/19/2016.
Amended by 2016 Tenn. Acts, ch. 1030,s 1, eff. 7/1/2016.
Amended by 2013 Tenn. Acts, ch. 154,s 15, eff. 7/1/2013.
Acts 1993, ch. 491, § 1; 1998, ch. 1046, § 3.