Tennessee § 55-3-102 - Driving or moving unregistered vehicle upon highway a misdemeanor — Exception.
Full text of Tennessee Tennessee Code Annotated § 55-3-102 — Driving or moving unregistered vehicle upon highway a misdemeanor — Exception., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 55-3-102. Driving or moving unregistered vehicle upon highway a misdemeanor — Exception.
It is a Class C misdemeanor for any person to: Drive or move or for any owner knowingly to permit to be driven or moved on any highway any vehicle of a type required to be registered under chapters 1-6 of this title that is not registered or for which the appropriate fee has not been paid when and as required under chapters 1-6 of this title; or Operate or for any owner knowingly to permit to be operated on lands, other than a highway, an off-highway motor vehicle for which certificate of title has not been issued or for which the appropriate fee has not been paid when and as required under chapters 1-6 of this title. Notwithstanding subdivisions (a)(1)(A) and (B), when application accompanied by proper fee has been made for a certificate of title for a vehicle, the vehicle may be operated temporarily pending issuance of a certificate of title upon displaying a duplicate application for the certificate of title, duly verified by the county clerk of the county in which the vehicle has been registered, which shall be prepared by the county clerk, upon request, without the payment of an additional fee. It is a Class C misdemeanor for any person to occupy or for any owner knowingly to permit to be occupied any mobile home or house trailer required to be registered under chapters 1-6 of this title, that is not registered, for which certificate of title has not been issued or for which the appropriate fee has not been paid when and as required under chapters 1-6 of this title. Notwithstanding subdivision (b)(1), when an application accompanied by proper fee has been made for a certificate of title for a mobile home or house trailer, the mobile home or house trailer may be occupied temporarily pending issuance of a certificate of title upon the displaying of a duplicate application for the certificate of title, duly verified by the county clerk of the county in which the house trailer has been registered, which shall be prepared by the county clerk, upon request, without the payment of an additional fee. The duly authorized agent, employee, or representative of any town, city, incorporated municipality, county, and the department are authorized and empowered to enforce chapters 1-6 of this title, and the agent, employee or representative shall be expressly authorized without the necessity of a search warrant to go upon the premises, land or real property of any person for the purpose of inspection or examination of any mobile home or house trailer, located on the property, for the purpose of carrying out chapters 1-6 of this title. Acts 1951, ch. 70, § 27 (Williams, § 5538.127); Acts 1963, ch. 143, § 4; impl. am. Acts 1978, ch. 934, §§ 22, 36; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 59-302; Acts 1983, ch. 102, § 2; 1988, ch. 817, § 2; 1989, ch. 591, § 113; 1995, ch. 305, § 108. Cross-References. Penalty for Class C misdemeanor, § 40-35-111 .
Source: official Tennessee text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Tennessee § 55-3-102
What does Tennessee Code Annotated § 55-3-102 cover?
Section 55-3-102 ("Driving or moving unregistered vehicle upon highway a misdemeanor — Exception.") 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 § 55-3-102?
A common citation format is "Tennessee Code Annotated § 55-3-102" (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 § 55-3-102 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.