Tennessee § 55-4-221 - Judiciary members.
Full text of Tennessee Tennessee Code Annotated § 55-4-221 — Judiciary members., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 55-4-221. Judiciary members.
Registration plates for members of the judiciary shall be issued in accordance with this part. Registration plates for judges of the state courts of record shall bear individual distinctive numbers, as determined by the commissioner in consultation with the administrative director of the courts. An owner or lessee of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state and who is a duly elected juvenile court judge, upon complying with state motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles, payment of the regular license fee for plates, as prescribed under § 55-4-111, and payment of the additional fee provided for in § 55-4-204, shall be issued a license plate, as prescribed by § 55-4-101, for motor vehicles authorized by § 55-4-210(c), upon which, in lieu of the numbers as prescribed by § 55-4-103, shall be inscribed an individual distinctive number. Former juvenile court judges may also obtain a license plate as provided for in subdivision (c)(1). An owner or lessee of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state and who is a duly elected general sessions court judge or former general sessions court judge, upon complying with state motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles, payment of the regular license fee for plates, as prescribed under § 55-4-111, and payment of the additional fee provided for in § 55-4-204, shall be issued a license plate, as prescribed by § 55-4-101, for motor vehicles authorized by § 55-4-210(c), upon which, in lieu of the numbers as prescribed by § 55-4-103, shall be inscribed with an individual distinctive number. An owner or lessee of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state and who is a retired or former member of the Tennessee judicial conference, upon complying with state motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles, payment of the regular license fee for plates, as prescribed under § 55-4-111, and payment of the additional fee provided for in § 55-4-204, shall be issued a license plate, as prescribed by § 55-4-101 for motor vehicles authorized by § 55-4-210(c), upon which, in lieu of the numbers as prescribed by § 55-4-103, shall be inscribed an individual distinctive number. An owner or lessee of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state and who is a municipal court judge or former municipal court judge, upon complying with state motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles, payment of the regular license fee for plates, as prescribed under § 55-4-111, payment of the additional fee provided for in § 55-4-204, shall be issued a license plate, as prescribed by § 55-4-101, for motor vehicles authorized by § 55-4-210(c), upon which, instead of the numbers as prescribed by § 55-4-103, shall be inscribed an individual distinctive number. The amendments to this section by chapter 336 of the Public Acts of 1987, which applied provisions of this section to certain former judges, shall not apply to any judge who has been convicted of a felony or who has been removed from office. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the commissioner is authorized, and shall issue, license plates to owners or lessees of motorcycles otherwise qualified pursuant to this section upon complying with state motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motorcycles and paying the regular fee applicable to motorcycles and the fee provided for in § 55-4-204. An owner or lessee of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state and whose duty is to serve a judiciary function as a magistrate, upon complying with state motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles, payment of the regular license fee for plates, as prescribed under § 55-4-111, and payment of the additional fee provided for in § 55-4-204, shall be issued a license plate, as prescribed by § 55-4-101, for motor vehicles authorized by § 55-4-210(c), upon which, instead of the numbers as prescribed by § 55-4-103, shall be inscribed an individual distinctive number. Acts 1998, ch. 1063, § 1; 2003, ch. 380, § 1; 2009, ch. 589, § 4; 2010, ch. 1151, § 43; 2018, ch. 1023, § 49; T.C.A. § 55-4-226 . Compiler's Notes. Former part 2 of this chapter, concerning special plates, was repealed and reenacted by Acts 1998, ch. 1063, § 1, effective July 1, 1998. The former provisions, excluding those previously repealed by other acts, were §§ 55-4-201 — 55-4-272 and 55-4-275 (Acts 1984, ch. 966, §§ 1, 9; 1985, ch. 56, §§ 1, 2; 1985, ch. 95, § 1; 1985, ch. 402, §§ 1-11; 1987, ch. 172, §§ 1-5; 1987, ch. 228, §§ 1-11; 1987, ch. 336, §§ 1-3, 5; 1987, ch. 434, § 2; 1988, ch. 575, § 1; 1988, ch. 618, §§ 1, 2; 1988, ch. 687, §§ 1-4; 1988, ch. 781, §§ 1-3; 1988, ch. 810, §§ 1-4; 1988, ch. 864, §§ 1-4; 1989, ch. 16, §§ 3, 4; 1989, ch. 136, § 1; 1989, ch. 158, § 1; 1989, ch. 501, § 1; 1989, ch. 591, § 6; 1990, ch. 871, § 1; 1990, ch. 897, § 1; 1990, ch. 925, §§ 1-4; 1991, ch. 209, §§ 1, 2; 1991, ch. 244, §§ 1, 2; 1991, ch. 450, §§ 1-3; 1991, ch. 482, §§ 1-12; 1992, ch. 543, §§ 1, 2; 1992, ch. 737, §§ 1-3; 1992, ch. 846, §§ 1-3; 1992, ch. 1008, §§ 1, 2; 1993, ch. 66, § 72; 1993, ch. 105, §§ 1-4; 1993, ch. 106, § 1; 1993, ch. 128, § 1; 1993, ch. 145, § 1; 1993, ch. 236, §§ 1-6; 1993, ch. 314, § 1; 1993, ch. 446, §§ 1-3; 1993, ch. 529, § 6; 1994, ch. 624, §§ 1-3; 1994, ch. 637, §§ 1-4; 1994, ch. 665, §§ 1-3; 1994, ch. 879, §§ 1-19; 1994, ch. 930, §§ 1-3; 1994, ch. 959, § 1; 1994, ch. 999, §§ 1-5; 1995, ch. 56, § 1; 1995, ch. 82, §§ 1, 2; 1995, ch. 84, §§ 1, 2; 1995, ch. 122, §§ 1-3; 1995, ch. 132, § 2; 1995, ch. 173, §§ 1, 2; 1995, ch. 195, § 1; 1995, ch. 199, § 1; 1995, ch. 335, §§ 1, 2; 1995, ch. 399, §§ 1-3; 1996, ch. 615, §§ 1-3; 1996, ch. 658, §§ 1-3; 1996, ch. 672, §§ 1-5; 1996, ch. 673, §§ 1-3; 1996, ch. 759, § 1; 1996, ch. 854, §§ 1-5; 1996, ch. 914, §§ 1-5; 1996, ch. 963, §§ 1-4; 1996, ch. 965, §§ 1-4; 1996, ch. 971, §§ 1-4; 1996, ch. 994, §§ 1-4; 1996, ch. 1024, §§ 1-4; 1996, ch. 1030, §§ 1-5; 1996, ch. 1047, §§ 1-4). Acts 2003, ch. 380, § 2 provided that the commissioner of safety is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations to effectuate the provisions of the act. For the Preamble of the act regarding special license plates, please refer to Acts 2009, ch. 589. For the Preamble of the act regarding special license plates, please refer to Acts 2010, ch. 1151.
Source: official Tennessee text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Tennessee § 55-4-221
What does Tennessee Code Annotated § 55-4-221 cover?
Section 55-4-221 ("Judiciary members.") is part of the Tennessee Code Annotated, the codified statutory law of Tennessee. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Tennessee § 55-4-221?
A common citation format is "Tennessee Code Annotated § 55-4-221" (Tennessee). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Tennessee law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Tennessee official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Tennessee attorney.
How does Tennessee § 55-4-221 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Tennessee can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
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