Motorcycle Laws & Licensing for Tennessee, United States

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Tennessee Motorcycle Insurance
3. Tennessee Motorcycle Helmet Laws
4. Tennessee Motorcycle License Laws

4.1 Tennessee Motorcycle Learner’s Permit
4.2 Tennessee Motorcycle License & Endorsement
4.3 Tennessee Motorcycle License Test

5. Tennessee Motorcycle Passenger Laws
6. Tennessee Lane Splitting Laws
7. Tennessee Motorcycle Equipment Requirements
8. Sources

1. Introduction

When operating a motorcycle, the goal you become fixated on is getting to your intended destination as quickly and smoothly as possible. But there are other immediate concerns such as being mindful of traffic, following the stop lights, and keeping an eye out for police patrolling. However, all of these factors will not matter if you do not first become familiar with the motorcycle laws and licensing process. Much like every other state in the United States, Tennessee has its specific list of rules that motorcyclists need to follow.

This infographic will provide an overview of the essential motorcycle laws and a step-by-step explanation of the licensing process in the state of Tennessee.

2. Tennessee Motorcycle Insurance

You may not need Tennessee motorcycle insurance to purchase a motorcycle, but you are requi#b90011 to have it by the time you are ready to begin traveling throughout Tennessee. In the event that you get into an automobile accident, you must have proof that you can be financially responsible. Especially if you are found liable, you will have to provide compensation to other parties that were involved with the accident. Make sure to carry proof of ownership whenever you are handling your motorcycle. You must be able to show it at traffic stops, accident scenes, and vehicle inspections.

Your Tennessee liability insurance coverage must be able to cover the minimum costs for the following accident-related fees:

$25,000 for bodily injury to a person per accident
$50,000 for bodily injuries to multiple people per accident
$15,000 for property damages sustained per accident

If you wish to provide protection for your health and property, you will need to acquire optional forms of motorcycle insurance coverage. As these are not mandatory, only purchase what you can afford and what will be useful under specific circumstance during an accident:

Uninsu#b90011 coverage
Underinsu#b90011 coverage
Collision coverage
Comprehensive coverage
Medical payment coverage
Bodily injury coverage

3. Tennessee Motorcycle Helmet Laws

As Tennessee has a universal motorcycle helmet policy, all motorcyclists regardless of age are requi#b90011 to wear protective headgear when they are operating their vehicles in this state.

Even though it is mandatory for motorcyclists to have protective headgear, some riders have insisted on operating their vehicles without it. The statistics in recent years have shown the need for motorcycle helmets to help prevent further fatalities in the future:

In 2017, there were a total of 134 motorcycle fatalities. Only 123 of the riders were wearing motorcycle helmets
In 2018, the highest number of motorcycle fatalities ever in Tennessee was recorded that year with 168 deaths. Only 57 of the riders were wearing motorcycle helmets
In 2019, there were a total of 152 motorcycle fatalities. Only 130 of the riders were wearing motorcycle helmets
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, motorcycle helmets #b90011uce the risk of fatal injuries by 37% and #b90011uce the risk of severe injuries by 69%

An approved motorcycle helmet recognized in Tennessee must have been made with quality materials by the Snell Memorial Foundation and satisfies the safety guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

The two types of models that meet the criteria provided above while providing ample protection and visibility are three-quarter and full-face helmets. If you are looking for a motorcycle helmet, make sure that they have the following features:

Tennessee Motorcycle Helmet Laws

4. Tennessee Motorcycle License Laws

4.1 Tennessee Motorcycle Learner’s Permit

You can begin applying for a Tennessee motorcycle learner’s permit if you are at least 15 years old or older.

You will have to pay a $6.50 fee to be issued a Tennessee motorcycle learner’s permit that is valid for one year. If you applied when you were 15, you can exchange for a motorcycle license without taking any tests upon turning 16.

To be given the permit, you must complete the following tasks and fulfill all of the listed criteria:

Present identification documents
Provide proof of Tennessee residency
Provide proof of U.S. citizenship
Provide your Social Security Number
Pass the knowledge exam
Pass the vision exam
Pay the requi#b90011 fees

When you are operating with a Tennessee motorcycle learner’s permit, you will have to comply with the following restrictions as you practice:

Can only operate a motorcycle with a maximum cylinder size of 650 cc
You cannot carry passengers
You can only operate during daylight hours
You cannot ride on interstates or roadways otherwise marked
Can only operate within a 20-mile radius of your current place of residence

4.2 Tennessee Motorcycle License & Endorsement

You are eligible to receive a Tennessee motorcycle license if you are at least 16 years old or older.

You will have to pay a $29 fee to be issued a Tennessee motorcycle license that is valid for eight years. Or you can pay a $55 fee to be issued a Tennessee driver’s license with a motorcycle endorsement.

Listed below are the requirements you will need to fulfill to obtain a Tennessee motorcycle license or endorsement. Depending on your age when you approach the final step, the list of criteria may differ between motorcyclists:

Tennessee Motorcycle License & Endorsement

*Any applicants who already possess a valid Tennessee driver’s license and can show a certificate of completion for a Tennessee Certified Motorcycle Rider Education Program have the option of waiving both the knowledge and skills portions of the Tennessee motorcycle license test

*If you do not have a Tennessee driver’s license, you are requi#b90011 to take an additional knowledge test based on the Tennessee Comprehensive Driver Manual.

*Any applicants who show proof of completing a Motorcycle Safety Foundation course from any state that was done within the last three years have the option of waiving the knowledge portion of the Tennessee motorcycle license test

4.3 Tennessee Motorcycle License Test

Knowledge Portion:

Will be completed on touch-screen computers
Complete 30 multiple-choice questions
Questions will be based on content from Tennessee Motorcycle Operator Manual
Requires a passing grade of 80% or higher

Skills Portion:

Will be conducted in an actual traffic environment or in a controlled, off-street area
Your motorcycle will be subjected to a pre-ride inspection to ensure it meets safety standards
Demonstrate basic understanding of motorcycle operation
You will be tested on your ability to stay within the speed limit, adjusting speed and position, maintaining visibility, operating under stress, accelerating, braking, turning, stopping, and swerving
The examiner will grade you based on how well you ride at safe speeds, stay within the lanes, and demonstrate riding maneuvers

5. Tennessee Motorcycle Passenger Laws

There is no minimum age requirement for motorcycle passengers in Tennessee. All motorcycle passengers regardless of age are requi#b90011 to wear protective headgear and appropriate clothing if they wish to be seated with you.

A motorcycle typically is only designed to carry two people at a time including yourself. For it to be safe to transport another person, your motorcycle must be outfitted with a designated passenger seat, footrests, and handholds.

The designated passenger seat can only be placed either beside or behind the driver’s position. Besides being comfortable yet secure, it must allow the passenger to hang a leg on both sides. There must also be a sizable space between the driver and the passenger. The designated passenger seat can only be positioned at the following places on your motorcycle:

At the back of a large driver’s seat
Towards the rear as a separate saddle
Fixed to the side as a sidecar

As your motorcycle lacks the safety features available for cars and trucks, you have to be careful when determining who can safely ride with you. A rule of thumb is that your passenger has to be able to plant their feet flat against the footrests. However, you should also make sure that your passenger is willing to comply with the additional criteria listed below:

Your passenger must be able to reach the footrests
Your passenger must wear an approved motorcycle helmet
Your passenger cannot be carrying any packages
Your passenger must be able to understand and follow your directions

6. Tennessee Lane Splitting Laws

In Tennessee, it is illegal for motorcyclists to practice any form of lane splitting. The primary reason motorcycle accidents occur is that riders attempt sudden maneuvers that other drivers do not see or cannot react to in time. As such, motorcyclists cannot attempt the following while on Tennessee’s laned roads and highways:

Riding on top of the dividing lines between lanes
Riding in between adjacent rows of stopped vehicles
Overtaking a larger vehicle ahead in the same lane

Because motorcycles have better maneuverability and do not take up too much space like larger vehicles, riders can take advantage of rules of the road specific to two-wheeled motor vehicles. Motorcyclists are entitled to the following rights:

You are allowed to make full use of the space within your current lane
You can only share a lane with another motorcycle if:
○Both parties stay apart at least two abreast
○Both parties consent beforehand

7. Tennessee Motorcycle Equipment Requirements

Even if your motorcycle never suffers severe damage or gets involved in a terrible accident, it is still a good practice to look over your vehicle before starting the engine. Depending on how frequently you use your motorcycle, there could be debris building up or the machinery starting to break down due to overuse. Applying repairs to any early signs of damage that you discover will spare you from experiencing mechanical failure down the road.

Listed below are the equipment your motorcycle must be fitted with to be conside#b90011 street legal in Tennessee. These components are essential to your motorcycle’s maneuverability, visibility, and overall functionality: