Tennessee Driving Laws
Our lawyers are skilled at showing when driver negligence is due to traffic violations
Every day; whether they’re local, from another county, or another state, drivers on any Tennessee road must comply with Tennessee’s driving laws. These laws regulate safe driving in Knoxville and the rest of the state. Most car, truck, motorcycle, Uber, and Lyft accidents occur because a driver violated one of these laws. At Banks & Jones, our lawyers work with the police, investigators, victims, and other witnesses to show that the driver who struck your vehicle violated one or more of Tennessee’s driving laws and that the violation was the direct cause of your injuries or the death of a loved one.
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How can we help?
- What Tennessee driving laws govern all drivers?
- What traffic laws should visitors to Tennessee know?
- Laws for special types of vehicles or driving situations
- Are there special driving rules for truck drivers in Tennessee?
- Are there special driving rules for motorcyclists in Tennessee?
- Do you have a Tennessee driving laws lawyer near me?
What Tennessee driving laws govern all drivers?
There are numerous Tennessee driving laws. All citations are from Chapter 55 of the Tennessee Code annotated. Please know that the police don’t need to cite a driver and/or for the government to prosecute the driver for you to file a negligence case. These laws are guidelines as to what driving errors caused your accident.
Some of the more common Tennessee driving laws that all drivers (unless an exception applies such as when drivers operate their cars on private roads) must follow include:
- Construction work. Generally, the state’s traffic laws apply to workers on their way to and from a construction site – but not at the construction site. Nearby drivers must comply with the Tennessee traffic laws.
- Traffic signals. This section applies to lights, signs, and police officers who are directing traffic.
- Passing and overtaking vehicles. Tennessee has a few laws that regulate passing vehicles, including laws about passing vehicles traveling in opposite directions, passing on the left, passing on the right, passing a school, youth, or church bus, and general passing laws. Among other requirements, the driver must pass at a safe distance and shouldn’t reenter the original lane until the vehicle is completely overtaken.
- 55-8-116. Passing Vehicles Proceeding in Opposite Directions
- 55-8-117. Overtaking and Passing of Vehicles
- 55-8-118. Overtaking and Passing on the Right
- 55-8-151. Overtaking and Passing School, Youth or Church Bus — Markings — Discharging Passengers — Penalties — Installation of Cameras on School Buses
- 55-8-119. Limitations on Overtaking and Passing on the Left
- Driving through and turning at intersections. Tennessee also has laws that govern nearing an intersection, entering the intersection, turning left, and other conditions. For example, drivers who are turning left will likely be held liable if there is a collision with a driver coming from the opposite direction, provided that the driver’s light hasn’t turned red.
- Pedestrians. Drivers need to use due care such as respecting where a pedestrian can cross, using their horn, and being careful when driving near children or people who are incapacitated.
- Turns. Several laws regulate what signals drivers should use when turning.
- Speed limits. Except for some exceptions for four-lane state highways, the highest speed limit on Tennessee roads is 65 mph. Drivers must not exceed the posted speed limits. Drivers must also drive slowly enough for traffic and weather conditions so they can control their vehicles.
- Driving under the Influence. Drivers can be charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, controlled substances, marijuana, and other equivalents if they drive while impaired or while their blood alcohol content (BAC) level is .08 or higher. The BAC limit for commercial drivers is just .04.
Other Tennessee driving laws that Knoxville drivers must follow include:
- 55-8-112. Flashing Signals
- 55-8-124. Following Too Closely
- 55-8-131. Vehicle Entering Highway From Drive, Private Road, or Private Driveway
- 55-8-150. Emerging From Alley, Driveway or Building
- 55-8-163. Limitations on Backing
- 55-8-165. Obstruction of Driver’s View or Interference With Driver’s Control — Penalties
- 55-8-166. Driving on Mountain Highways
- 55-8-167. Coasting Prohibited — Penalties
- 55-8-183. Funeral Processions
- 55-8-187. Obscene or Patently Offensive Bumper Stickers, Window Signs, or Other Markings Prohibited
- 55-8-188. High Occupancy Vehicles — Lanes
- 55-8-194. Required Training for Emergency Vehicle Drivers
- 55-8-197. Failure to Yield Right-of-Way
- Part 5 – Drag Racing
What traffic laws should visitors to Tennessee know?
A few notable traffic laws for visitors to Tennessee, according to the Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security include:
- Texting while driving. The use of wireless telecommunication devices or stand-alone electronic devices while driving is prohibited. This section applies to writing, sending, or receiving text messages. This section also applies to watching movies or videos that aren’t related to the car or truck’s navigation. Some exceptions apply such as “Using an earpiece, headphone device, or device worn on a wrist to conduct a voice-based communication.”
- Wearing a seatbelt. All drivers and passengers in the front seat who are four years and older are required to wear a seatbelt. There are additional child restraint safety laws for infants less than one year old, toddlers one to three years old, and children up to eight years old.
- Emergency vehicles. Drivers who approach an emergency vehicle that is stopped with the visual emergency lights activated must move over into the closest available lane. If there is no such lane, the driver must slow down and use caution to avoid the emergency vehicle.
- Speeding in construction zones. Drivers need to obey reduced speed limits and be extra cautious to avoid a construction accident in Knoxville.
- Open containers. It is illegal to drive with “an open container of an alcoholic beverage or beer while operating a motor vehicle in Tennessee.”
Laws for special types of vehicles or driving situations
Some of the driving laws that apply to traffic in Tennessee that may cause serious vehicle accidents include the following:
- A slow-poke law. Tennessee law states that on interstates and multilane divided highways that have two or more lanes in each direction, a driver should not drive in the passing lane unless the driver is overtaking or passing a vehicle that is in a “non-passing lane.” There are exceptions such as when it’s necessary to be in the passing lane to turn left and when there are hazards in the non-passing/slow poke lane.
- Bicycle lanes. Cars, trucks, and motorcycles should not drive in lanes that are designated for bicycles.
- Autonomous vehicles. Generally, Tennessee authorizes the use of autonomous vehicles if autonomous vehicles comply with all other safety regulations within any political subdivision. A vehicle is considered “autonomous” if the vehicle has technology with the capability to drive without any supervision by a human operator. Other driving conditions apply.
- Electric bicycles. There are driving laws for electric bicycles depending on the “class” of bicycle. Generally, class 1 and class 2 bicycles can travel anywhere bicycles can travel – including bicycle lanes and any part of the road where bicycles can ride. Local governments and state agencies may have additional authority to regulate the operation of electric bicycles.
- 55-8-201. Operation of a Platoon
- 55-8-203. Off-Highway Vehicles
- 55-8-206. Guidelines for Best Behavior During Traffic Stops
- 55-8-209. Regulation of Use and Operation of Personal Delivery Device
- 55-8-307. Prohibited Operation of Class 3 Electric Bicycle by Person Under 14 Years of Age — Helmet Requirements
- 55-8-208. Regulation of Use and Operation of Electric Scooter
Are there special driving rules for truck drivers in Tennessee?
All drivers need to be extra cautious when there are trucks nearby because the cargo can spill, trucks take up a lot more room than cars, and all trucks have dangerous blind spots. Many Tennessee laws govern truck equipment, commercial driving licenses, and other aspects of driving a truck.
The Tennessee laws that specifically address driving a truck in Tennessee include:
- Commercial driver’s license. Drivers of commercial trucks in Tennessee (whether the driver lives in Tennessee or another state) must have a commercial driver’s license (CDL). There are different types of CDLs depending on the type of truck being driven and if any of the cargo is hazardous.
- The DUI law we discussed earlier provides that the BAC limit to be charged with driving under the influence is just .04 for commercial truck drivers, compared to .08 for passenger car drivers.
- Lanes of travel. The Tennessee Department of Transportation has the authority to provide rules and regulations “directing truck tractors and semitrailers…to specific lanes, as indicated by appropriate highway signage on interstate and multilane divided highways that are three (3) or more lanes in each direction.”
There are also federal laws that regulate truck driving, including the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Hours of Service rules that regulate how long truck drivers can drive before they must take a rest break.
Are there special driving rules for motorcyclists in Tennessee?
All drivers also need to be careful when there are motorcycles nearby. It’s easy to fail to see a motorcycle or understand the dangers of riding a motorcycle. Just one small driving mistake can cause a motorcycle to come crashing down.
Tennessee requires that all motorcycle operators and passengers comply with the following:
- All drivers and passengers must wear an approved safety helmet
- Motorycle riders must wear safety goggles, a face shield, or glasses with impact-resistant lenses, unless the motorcycle has a windshield
- Motorcycle drivers can use a high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane
- Motorycle drivers are entitled to the full use of their lane
- Motorycle drivers cannot pass another vehicle in the same lane
- Two motorcycles can ride abreast
- A motorcycle driver cannot share a lane with a car or truck
Do you have a Tennessee driving laws attorney near me?
At Banks & Jones, we meet car accident and other vehicle accident victims at our Knoxville office located at 2125 Middlebrook Pike. If you’re too ill or immobile to come to our office, we will speak to you about meeting you at your home or a healthcare facility. We also conduct consultations by phone or video.
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Speak with our experienced Knoxville car accident lawyers today
Car accidents cause serious injuries that often require surgery or cause chronic pain. Many victims live with a lifetime of agony. The drivers who caused your accident deserve to be held accountable for your medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and property damage. At Banks & Jones, we’ve been convincing insurance adjusters and juries how your accident happened and when Tennessee driving laws were violated. Please call us or use our contact form to schedule a free consultation about how you can assert your rights.
