QandAs: Autos

What are the Tennessee State Driving Laws?

Answer:
The state of Tennessee uses a point system to

track dangerous drivers. Most moving violations carry a point value. If you are convicted of a moving violation, you will have points added to your record. Here are some common violations and the amount of points they are assigned:

·                    Speeding – 4 – 8 points (depending on speed)
·                    Reckless driving – 6 points
·                    Leaving the scene of a crash – 5 points
·                    Negligent driving – 4 points

If you earn 12 or more points in a year, you will face a license suspension.

You must always follow the posted speed limit while driving in Tennessee. On interstates the speed limit will be between 55 mph and 70 mph. Roads in the city have a speed limit between 25 and 35 mph. Failure to follow the posted speed limit will result in a fine and points added to your record. The amount of the points and the fine will depend on how high over the posted speed limit you are traveling. The only drivers who are banned from using cell phones in Tennessee are school bus drivers, those with a learner’s permit, and those with an intermediate license.

Under the state’s seatbelt law, all front seat occupants must be buckled in. also; any children who are under the age of 16 must wear a seatbelt. Children who are under the age of four must be in a car seat. Children who are over the age of four but younger than the age of eight must be in a booster seat. Violating the adult seatbelt law results in a $10 fine and two points added to your record. Drivers who have children in their cars that are not properly restrained will pay a $50 fine. Anyone who is on a motorcycle must wear a helmet.

Always yield the right of way to emergency vehicles. If you can, you must pull to the right hand side of the road and stop. You must stay stationary until the emergency vehicles has passed.

Tennessee has High Occupancy Vehicle lanes (HOV lanes). These lanes are marked by a diamond shape on the road or the overhead signage. You must only use these lanes if you have two or more people in your car. However, these lanes are occasionally opened to all drivers in times when traffic is slow.


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