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South Dakota Street Legal Laws

Texas Street Legal Laws



Tennessee Lift Laws and Vehicle Equipment Laws


Tennessee has street legal laws that limit a vehicle's frame height and bumper height and prohibit the use of front lift blocks. That in mind, the installation of suspension lift kits, aftermarket wheels and tires, performance shocks, aftermarket bumpers, and grille guards is allowed.






Governing Laws

Code

The Tennessee Code (TC) defines the street legal laws for the state.

TC Title 55






Vehicle Dimensions

Dimensions

Vehicle dimensions in Tennessee are limited to an overall width of 96 inches, a maximum height of 13 feet 6 inches, and a maximum single vehicle length of 40 feet.

TC 55-7-201
TC 55-7-202






Tire Restrictions

Tires

Tennessee requires that all tires be in safe condition and free from any exposed cords and bulges. There is no minimum tire tread depth in Tennessee's laws. It is unknown if tires are allowed to be grooved.

TC 55-9-106






Wheel Restrictions

Wheels

There are no laws specifically related to wheels found in Tennessee's laws.






Braking Requirements

Brakes

Vehicles driven in Tennessee are required to have brakes on all 4 wheels. The brakes must be capable of stopping the vehicle from a speed of 20 mph within 30 feet. A secondary, mechanical, parking brake is also required.

TC 55-9-204
TC 55-9-205






Steering Laws

Steering

It is unlawful to modify a vehicle's original steering system in Tennessee. The minimum steering wheel diameter is 12 inches.

TC 55-9-215
TC 55-9-216






Suspension Laws

Suspension

Tennessee prohibits the use of front lift blocks.

TC 55-9-215






Frame Requirements

Frame

The maximum vehicle frame height in Tennessee depends on the vehicle's GVWR. The body floor of the vehicle must not be more than 4 inches above the top of the frame.


Vehicle GVWR

Max. Frame Height

Cars and SUVs

22 inches

Under 4,501

24 inches

4,501 to 7,500

26 inches

7,501 to 10,000

28 inches


( Measured to the bottom of the frame. )



TC 55-9-215






Bumper Restrictions

Bumpers

Four wheel drive vehicles in Tennessee are required to have bumpers that are no lower than 14 inches above the roadway and no higher than 31 inches. Passenger vehicle bumpers must be 22 inches or lower. Bumpers must be at least 4.5 inches tall.

( Measured to the bottom of the bumper. )



TC 55-9-215






Fender Requirements

Fenders

Fenders and mud flaps are only required on commercial vehicles in Tennessee.

TC 55-9-212






Lighting Requirements

Lights

In addition to headlights and tail lights, vehicles in Tennessee are allowed to have 2 auxiliary lights. When a vehicle is equipped with extra lighting, no more than 4 front lights can be on at one time while driving.


Light

Number

Min. Height

Max. Height

Headlights

2 or 4

n/a

n/a

Tail lights

2 min.

n/a

n/a

Aux. driving lights

2 max.

n/a

n/a


( Measured to the center of the light. )



TC 55-9-402






Window Laws

Windows

Tennessee's code does not specifically state that windshields are required. All vehicles that are equipped with windshields are required to have windshield wipers.

TC 55-9-203






Exhaust Requirements

Exhaust

Mufflers are required on all vehicles in Tennessee. Exhaust cutouts and bypasses are prohibited.

TC 55-9-202






Engine Swap Rules

Engine

It is unclear whether or not Tennessee has any engine swap or engine performance modification rules.






Emissions Testing

Emissions

Tennessee started requiring emissions testing in April, 2005. As of 7/1/2014 only Hamilton, Rutherford, Sumner, Williamson and Wilson Counties require emissions testing.

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