State Trucking Laws
Tennessee
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (Title 49, Parts 350-399) govern all vehicles engaged in interstate traffic.
There are some situations where a tractor-trailer or other commercial motor vehicle is involved in only intrastate travel. For example, an appliance store in Tennessee may own a truck that only makes in-state deliveries.
The Tennessee Department of Public Safety has adopted Title 49, Parts 382-384 and 390-399 of the federal regulations.
The following provisions are an overview of Tennessee laws that affect trucks
operating only in Tennessee:
Driver Qualification
Tennessee has adopted Part 391 of the Federal Regulations with some modifications. A driver must be 21 years of age. However, a driver may obtain a Class A license at age 19 if no special endorsements are required, the vehicle is operated within 100 miles of the job, and the driver is solely intrastate. A driver may obtain a Class B license at age 18 if the above conditions are met.
Parts and Accessories
Tennessee has adopted Part 393 of the Federal Regulations. Semi-trailers less than 1,500 lbs. gross weight need not have breaks, otherwise federal standards apply.
Loads
Tennessee has adopted Part 393 of the Federal Regulations, including regulations dealing with projecting and shifting or falling in its entirety.
Crash reports are available from:
Department of Safety
1150 Foster Ave.
Nashville, TN 37249-4000
(615) 741-3954