NOTE: MORE LINKS ARE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE CONCERNING
RESIDENTS OF TENNESSEE.
TENNESSEE LAW UPDATES
NOTICE TO MOTOR VEHICLE DRIVERS
PUBLIC ACTS, 2003 CHAPTER NO. 299 SENATE BILL NO. 61
CHILD RESTRAINT LAWS EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2004
SECTION 10. THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT JULY 1, 2004, THE PUBLIC WELFARE REQUIRING IT.
- CHILDREN UNDER ONE (1) YEAR OF AGE, OR ANY CHILD, WEIGHING TWENTY (20)_ POUNDS OR LESS, MUST BE SECURED IN A CHILD PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM IN A REAR FACING POSITION, MEETING FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS, IN A REAR SEAT, IF AVAILABLE, OR ACCORDING TO THE CHILD SAFE RESTRAINING SYSTEM OR VEHICLE MANUFACTURER'S INSTRUCTIONS. (NOTE: IF THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT HAS A HIGHER REAR-FACING WEIGHT RATING, USUALLY 30 OR 35 POUNDS, IT MAY BE CONTINUED TO BE USED IN A REAR-FACING POSITION SO LONG AS THE CHILD'S WEIGHT PERMITS. CHECK THE MANUFACTURERS INSTRUCTIONS ACCOMPANYING THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT FOR MORE INFORMATION.)
- CHILDREN AGE ONE (1) THROUGH AGE THREE (3), AND WEIGHING MORE THAN TWENTY (20) POUNDS, MUST BE SECURED IN A CHILD SAFETY SEAT IN A FORWARD FACING POSITION IN THE REAR SEAT, IF AVAILABLE, OR ACCORDING TO THE CHILD SAFETY RESTRAINT SYSTEM OR VEHICLE MANUFACTURER'S INSTRUCTIONS.
- CHILDREN AGE FOUR (4) THROUGH AGE EIGHT (8), AND MEASURING LESS THAN FIVE FEET (5') IN HEIGHT, MUST BE SECURED IN A BELT-POSITIONING BOOSTER SEAT SYSTEM, MEETING FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS IN THE REAR SEAT, IF AVAILABLE, OR ACCORDING TO THE CHILD SAFETY RESTRAINT SYSTEM OR VEHICLE MANUFACTURER'S INSTRUCTIONS. (NOTE: IF THE CHILD IS NOT BETWEEN AGE FOUR (4) AND AGE EIGHT (8), BUT IS LESS THAN FIVE FEET (5') IN HEIGHT, HE/SHE MUST STILL USE A SEAT BELT SYSTEMS MEETING FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS).
- CHILDREN AGE NINE (9) THROUGH AGE TWELVE (12), AND MEASURING FIVE FEET (5') OR MORE IN HEIGHT, MUST BE SECURED. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT ANY SUCH CHILD BE PLACED IN THE REAR SEAT, IF AVAILABLE. (NOTE: IF THE CHILD IS NOT BETWEEN AGE NINE (9) AND AGE TWELVE (12), BUT IS FIVE FEET (5') OR MORE IN HEIGHT, HE/SHE MUST STILL USE A SEAT BELT SYSTEM MEETING FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS.
- CHILDREN AGE THIRTEEN (13) THROUGH AGE FIFTEEN (15) MUST BE SECURE BY USING A PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM, INCLUDING SAFETY BELTS, MEET FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS.
- PROVISION IS MADE FOR THE TRANSPORTATION OF CHILDREN IN MEDICALLY PRESCRIBED MODIFIED CHILD RESTRAINTS. A COPY OF DOCTOR'S PRESCRIPTION TO BE CARRIED IN THE VEHICLE UTILIZING THE MODIFIED CHILD RESTRAINT AT ALL TIMES.
- THE DRIVER OF THE CAR IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING SURE THAT CHILDREN UNDER AGE SIXTEEN (16) ARE PROPERLY RESTRAINED AND MAY BE CHARGED AND FINED $50.00 FOR VIOLATION OF THE LAW. IF THE CHILD'S PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN IS PRESENT IN THE CAR BUT NOT DRIVING, THE PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING SURE THAT THE CHILD IS PROPERLY TRANSPORTED AND MAY BE FINED FOR NON-COMPLIANCE.
- POLICE OFFICERS OBSERVING VIOLATIONS OF THIS LAW ARE PERMITTED TO STOP DRIVERS AND TAKEN ENFORCEMENT ACTION.
PLEASE PROPERLY RESTRAIN CHILDREN
MOVE OVER LAW
(Failure to yield to emergency vehicles)
http://www.tennessee.gov/safety/moveover.htm
TENNESSEE DRIVER LICENSE LAW CHANGES
PLEASE CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW FOR THESE CHANGES:
DRIVER LICENSE INFORMATION AND QUICK LINKS THROUGH THE
STATE OF TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF SAFETY WEB SITE
http://state.tn.us/safety/dlmain.htm.
NEW LAW PERTAINING TO DRIVER LICENSE CERTIFICATE
http://www.tennessee.gov/safety/driverlicense/certificatefordriving.htm