Tennessee § 39-14-507 - Motor vehicles transporting litter.
Full text of Tennessee Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-14-507 — Motor vehicles transporting litter., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 39-14-507. Motor vehicles transporting litter.
Any motor vehicle that transports litter or any material likely to fall or be blown off onto the highways, shall be required to have such material either in an enclosed space or fully covered by a tarpaulin. If the motor vehicle is a noncommercial, not-for-hire pickup truck, this subsection (a) shall be construed to be complied with if the material on the noncommercial, not-for-hire pickup truck is secured in such a way as to reasonably ensure it will not fall or be blown off the vehicle. All other pickup trucks and other motor vehicles are required to comply with subdivision (a)(1). Any motor vehicle having a gross weight of less than sixteen thousand pounds (16,000 lbs.) that is transporting litter to an energy recovery facility, as defined in § 68-211-501, shall be required to have the material in an enclosed space, unless it is a motor vehicle with a factory installed hydraulic lift system that lifts the entire bed of the truck. This subsection (a) does not apply to motor vehicles transporting recovered materials to a convenience center or scrap dealer for recycling. This section shall not apply to motor vehicles that transport crushed stone, fill dirt and rock, soil, bulk sand, coal, phosphate muck, asphalt, concrete, other building materials, forest products, unfinished lumber, agricultural lime and agricultural products, and that are loaded in compliance with the four inch (4") requirement of § 55-7-109. This exemption shall not apply to any load if any law enforcement officer sees any part of the material blowing off the vehicle. This section shall also not apply to motor vehicles that transport farm produce going to market, or from field to field, or from field to storage. A violation of this section is a Class B misdemeanor. In addition to the penalties for a Class B misdemeanor, the court may, in its discretion, impose any of the penalties set forth in § 39-14-503(d). Acts 2007, ch. 595, § 1. Compiler's Notes. Former part 5, §§ 39-14-501 — 39-14-504 (Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 1; 1990, ch. 900, §§ 1, 2; 1996, ch. 1023, § 1; 1997, ch. 192, §§ 1-3; 1998, ch. 680, § 1; 1999, ch. 287, § 1; 2005, ch. 214, § 1), concerning litter control, was repealed and reenacted by Acts 2007, ch. 595, § 1, effective July 1, 2007. Cross-References. Loose material hauled in open truck bed, § 55-7-109 . Penalty for Class B misdemeanor, § 40-35-111 .
Source: official Tennessee text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Tennessee § 39-14-507
What does Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-14-507 cover?
Section 39-14-507 ("Motor vehicles transporting litter.") 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 § 39-14-507?
A common citation format is "Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-14-507" (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 § 39-14-507 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
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Tennessee.