Tennessee

GHSA maintains data on state laws surrounding a number of highway safety issues. Below is information regarding laws in the state of Tennessee. For more information, consult the State Highway Safety Office.

Tennessee
Bike helmets required?

Bicycle helmets required for all riders under 16.

Tennessee
Motorcycle Helmet Required?

Universal helmet law enacted 1967.

Tennessee
Length of Regular Renewal Cycle

8 years

Tennessee
Provisions for Mature Drivers

60 and over: fee reduced 65 and over: no expiration

Tennessee
Marijuana Possession and Use

Illegal

Tennessee
Marijuana Impaired Driving

None

Tennessee
DUID Zero Tolerance or Per se Laws for Some Drugs

None

Tennessee
Rural Interstates: Cars (MPH)

70

Tennessee
Rural Interstates: Trucks (MPH)

70

Tennessee
Urban Interstates: Cars (MPH)

70

Tennessee
Urban Interstates: Trucks (MPH)

70

Tennessee
Other Limited Access Roads: Cars (MPH)

65

Tennessee
Other Limited Access Roads: Trucks (MPH)

65

Tennessee
Increased penalty for high BAC

0.2

Tennessee
Administrative license suspension on first offense

1 year

Tennessee
Limited driving privileges during suspension

yes

Tennessee
Ignition Interlocks

Mandatory for repeat convictions; highly incentivized for first convictions

Tennessee
Open container laws

No

Tennessee
Repeat Offender Laws

Yes

Tennessee
Child Restraint Required

Under 1 yr or 20 lbs or less in rear-facing child safety seat, following manufacturer instructions

1-3 yrs and over 20 lbs in harnessed child safety seat, following manufacturer instructions

4-9 yrs and shorter than 4'9" in booster seat, following manufacturer instructions (until 9th birthday)

9 yrs or younger and taller than 4'9", seat belt and in rear seat if available

Rear seat recommended for 9-12 yrs

Tennessee
Adult Safety Belt Permissible

9 yrs and older if taller than 4'9"

Tennessee
Intermediate Stage: Passenger Restrictions (Except Family, Unless Noted)

No more than 1

Tennessee
Full Privilege Minimum Age

17 years

Tennessee
Learner Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)

15

Tennessee
Learner Stage: Minimum Duration (Months)

6

Tennessee
Learner Stage: Supervised Driving Hours (Night Hours in Parenthesis)

50 (10)

Tennessee
Intermediate Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)

16

Tennessee
Intermediate Stage: Nighttime Driving Restriction

11 p.m. - 6 a.m.

Tennessee
Type of Law

Primary

Tennessee
Who is Covered?

16 and over

Tennessee
In What Seat?

Front

Tennessee
Hand-Held Ban?

Yes. Primary law.

Tennessee
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers

Yes. Primary law.

Tennessee
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers

Drivers with learner or intermediate license. Primary law.

Tennessee
Text Messaging Ban?

All drivers, while vehicle is in motion. Primary law.

Tennessee
Speed Cameras: Where Permitted

In school zones; on any S-curve that inhibits a driver's vision through the bend

Tennessee
Red Light Cameras: State Law

Permitted by state law and city ordinance

Tennessee
Red Light Cameras: Where Permitted

Statewide

Tennessee
Speed Cameras: State Law

Permitted by state law

Drunk Driving Repeat Offenses Drop With Ignition Interlock Removal Laws

States that have laws to govern when ignition interlock devices may be removed from drunk driving offenders’ vehicles have significantly lower rates of repeat driving under the influence (DUI) offenses than states which do not. Those are the main findings of a new study recently released by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), a nonprofit organization representing state highway safety offices, that addressed measures to help reduce the number of drunk driving repeat incidents.

Ford Fund and Governors Highway Safety Association Award Grants to Help Combat Teen Speeding, Announce Return of Hands-On Training Clinics

Ford Motor Company Fund, the philanthropic arm of Ford, & GHSA are extending their 18-year commitment to improving teen driving skills by awarding grants totaling $135,000 to six State Highway Safety Offices & announcing the return of Ford Driving Skills for Life hands-on driver training clinics.

Ford Fund and Governors Highway Safety Association Award Grants to Help Combat Teen Speeding, Announce Return of Hands-On Training Clinics

Ford Motor Company Fund and GHSA are extending their 18-year commitment to improving teen driving skills by awarding grants totaling $135,000 to six State Highway Safety Offices and announcing the return of Ford Driving Skills for Life hands-on driver training clinics.

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