Tennessee’s Minimum Requirements for Car Insurance
· All vehicles in Tennessee must be covered by liability insurance., according to the state’s Insurance Division.
· Liability minimums in Tennessee:
o $25,000 covers an individual injured or killed in an accident.
o $50,000 covers an accident where multiple individuals were injured or killed.
o $15,000 covers an accident where property damaged was incurred.
New Driver Licensing Requirements
· All drivers in Tennessee must be licensed to operate a vehicle. Tennessee’s Graduated Driver License (GDL) Program is designed to allow young drivers to progress in skill and maturity prior to obtaining a full-unrestricted driver’s license. The program consists of the following steps for drivers ages 15 to under 18.
· Learner Permit. The applicant must be 15 years old or older, pass the knowledge exam and pass the vision test to qualify for this permit. The applicant must show proof of school enrollment or progress. Restrictions with this permit include:
o The applicant may only drive with a licensed driver age 21 or older.
o The applicant is restricted from driving between 10pm and 6am.
· Intermediate Restricted License. After holding the Learner Permit for at least 180 days, reaching age 16 and passing the skills test, the applicant may apply for this license. The following guidelines apply:
o The applicant must accumulate 50 hours of driving experience. This includes 10 hours of required night driving.
o All other restrictions are lifted at this point, but maintaining a clean driving record is the requirement to graduating to the next step.
· Intermediate Unrestricted License. The driver must be at least 17, have kept the restricted license for at least 1 year, have accumulated less than 6 points (violations) on his/her license, have had no at-fault traffic accidents and have had no more than 2 safety belt violations to apply for this license.
· Regular Driver’s License. After holding the Intermediate Unrestricted License until turning 18 or passing the GED (whichever occurs first), the license automatically transfers to a regular driver’s license.
· Vision Screening. Without a visual acuity of at least 20/40 and a peripheral field of vision of at least 140 degrees, the applicant may not pass the vision test without restrictions. Tennessee provides numerous restrictions for applicants with differing acuities and peripherals.
· Knowledge Test. Tennessee’s Department of Public Safety has posted a practice exam on their website for interested applicants. The information included on the exam is found in the Tennessee Driver’s Manual. The test covers traffic signs and signals, safe driving principles, rules of the road and drugs and alcohol. A 7-day waiting period is required for a failed test.
· Road Test. Included in the Driver’s Manual is a section listing the items included in both the vehicle inspection and driving portions of this exam. The administrator will ride with the applicant and have him/her demonstrate a number of typical vehicle maneuvers. The waiting period for a failed test is determinate upon the number of points deducted during the failure.
· Fees. Each applicant must pay the following fees:
o Learner Permit (under age 18): $10.50
o Learner Permit (18 or older): $5.50
o Intermediate Restricted License: $24.50
o Intermediate Unrestricted License: $2.00
o Graduating to Class D: $8.00
DUI/DWI Laws
· BAC limit: .08 The Tennessee Department of Public Safety describes the state’s DUI laws (TCA § 55-10, 57-5), and the department’s website clearly outlines the penalties and reinstatement fees associated with DUI convictions.
· First Offense:
o Jail: minimum 48 hours – maximum 11 months, 29 days
o License revocation: 1 year
o Fine: $350 to $1,500
o Alcohol and drug treatment program
o Ignition Interlock Device (IID): at judge’s discretion (first year cost runs $1,000)
o Restitution payments
· Second Offense:
o Jail: minimum 45 days – maximum 11 months, 29 days
o License revocation: 2 years with restriction after first year
o Fine: $600 to $3,500
o Alcohol and drug treatment program
o Ignition Interlock Device (IID): at judge’s discretion
o Restitution payments
o Possible vehicle forfeiture
· Third Offense:
o Jail: minimum 120 days – maximum 11 months, 29 days
o License revocation: minimum 6 to 10 years. No restriction possible
o Fine: $1,100 to $10,000
o Alcohol and drug treatment program
o Ignition Interlock Device (IID): at judge’s discretion
o Restitution payments
o Possible vehicle forfeiture
· Fourth and subsequent offense(s) will be charged with a felony.
Texting & Driving Laws
Distraction.gov states that Tennessee has put a ban on hands-free and handheld cell phone devices for novice drivers and bus drivers. Texting is banned for every driver.
Unique Laws
Safety is a key to the necessity of laws, and sometimes that means regulating “fun”. Tennessee has had to implement a few of those laws like prohibiting minors from playing pinball. Also, the state has made it illegal to tie oneself to the back of a vehicle while rollerblading down the highway. If one is riding on a scooter with a group of friends, the group must remain in single file at all times. And while a woman drives a car in Memphis, it is required by law that either her husband or another man run in front waving a red flag to warn approaching citizens!
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