Motorcycle Laws & Licensing for Tennessee, United States

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 stoplights 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. 

You may not need Tennessee motorcycle insurance to purchase a motorcycle, but you are required to have it by the time you are ready to begin traveling across Tennessee. If 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 in the accident. Make sure to carry proof of ownership, as you must be able to show it at traffic stops, accident scenes, and vehicle inspections.

Motorcycle insurance that you get in Tennessee or outside of the state has to be able to provide coverage for bodily injuries and property damages:

• $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 for coverage that deals with complex situations revolving around accidents, you may need to include these kinds of insurance:

• Uninsured coverage

• Underinsured coverage

• Collision coverage

• Comprehensive coverage

• Medical payment coverage

• Bodily injury coverage 

Tennessee requires that riders and passengers alike have a three-quarter or full-face helmet on at all times.

Even though motorcyclists must 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 reduce the risk of fatal injuries by 37% and reduce the risk of severe injuries by 69%

Either a three-quarter or a full-face 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. If you are looking for a motorcycle helmet, make sure that they have the following features:

If you have already passed your 15th birthday, you are then legally allowed to collect a Tennessee motorcycle learner’s permit.

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

If you want to have a permit that is valid in Tennessee, 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 required fees

Because there are dangers on the street and drivers cannot distinguish an experienced rider from a novice, those in possession of the Tennesse learner’s permit have to operate only under the following circumstances:

• Can only operate a motorcycle with a maximum cylinder size of 650 ccs

• 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

If you have already passed your 16th birthday, you are then legally permitted to obtain a Tennessee motorcycle license.

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:

*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 required 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 within the last three years have the option of waiving the knowledge portion of the Tennessee motorcycle license test

Knowledge Portion:

• 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 a controlled, off-street area

• Your motorcycle will be subjected to a pre-ride inspection to ensure it meets safety standards

• Demonstrate a 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

There is no minimum age restriction for motorcycle passengers in Tennessee.

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 passenger pillion 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 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

In Tennessee, lane splitting is considered an illegal action on the road. The primary reason motorcycle accidents occur is that motorcyclists 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

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.

• Horn

• Wheels

• Tires

• Handlebars 

•  Front and Rear Brakes 

• Controls

• Headlight 

•  Taillight 

•  Stop Light 

• Exhaust System

•  Muffler 

•  Rearview Mirrors 

• Windshield

• Tennessee Motorcycle Operator Manual
• Tennessee Department of Revenue - Why You Should Have Auto Insurance 
• Tennessee Motorcycle License 
• Tennessee Driver License Fees