Tennessee § 55-50-705 - Nonresidents — Citation — Collateral or bond — Surrender of nonresident's license — Temporary driving permit.
Full text of Tennessee Tennessee Code Annotated § 55-50-705 — Nonresidents — Citation — Collateral or bond — Surrender of nonresident's license — Temporary driving permit., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 55-50-705. Nonresidents — Citation — Collateral or bond — Surrender of nonresident's license — Temporary driving permit.
Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, a Tennessee highway patrol officer observing a violation of a traffic law, ordinance, rule or regulation by a nonresident shall issue a citation as appropriate and shall require the nonresident to post collateral or bond to secure appearance for trial. In the event that a nonresident fails to post collateral or bond, the nonresident shall surrender any chauffeur's or operator's license to the highway patrol, after which the highway patrol officer shall issue to the offending nonresident a temporary driving permit. The temporary driving permit will entitle the nonresident holder thereof to lawfully drive on the roads and highways of this state or any other state: Until the time the traffic violation is appropriately adjudicated in a court of law of proper jurisdiction; For thirty (30) days after the adjudication, during which time the court or the department shall be able to determine whether or not the nonresident will comply with the decree of the court; and The temporary driving permit shall state on its face the period of its validity which shall be not less than the period of time covered by subdivisions (b)(1)(A) and (B). In the event that the court determines that the nonresident violator is guilty of the offenses charged, the surrendered license shall only be returned when the nonresident appropriately complies with the decree of the court. In the event that the court determines that the nonresident is not guilty of the offenses charged, the surrendered license shall immediately be returned to the nonresident. Upon the failure of any nonresident to comply with the issued citation, the highway patrol officer shall otherwise comply with § 55-50-703(b) and (c), except for the personal recognizances requirements, and other applicable Tennessee law. The procedures for surrendering the nonresident license, issuing a receipt for the license and the forwarding of the license to the department shall be, to the extent possible, the same as the procedures set forth in part 8 of this chapter, relative to deposit of a license in lieu of bail, as shall be determined to be practicable. In order to effectuate this section, the department is authorized to promulgate necessary rules and regulations in accordance with the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, compiled in title 4, chapter 5. The department is directed to suitably fashion a temporary driving permit that may be issued to certain nonresident drivers as provided for in this section. Acts 1983, ch. 366, §§ 1, 2; 1986, ch. 686, § 1; T.C.A., §§ 55-7-326 , 55-7-726 ; T.C.A., § 55-50-726 . Compiler's Notes. Former § 55-50-726 has been redesignated as § 55-50-705 by authority of the Code Commission in 2017. Cross-References. Reciprocal agreements concerning appearance of nonresidents, § 55-50-702 . Law Reviews. Selected Tennessee Legislation of 1983 (N. L. Resener, J. A. Whitson, K. J. Miller), 50 Tenn. L. Rev. 785 (1983).
Source: official Tennessee text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Tennessee § 55-50-705
What does Tennessee Code Annotated § 55-50-705 cover?
Section 55-50-705 ("Nonresidents — Citation — Collateral or bond — Surrender of nonresident's license — Temporary driving permit.") 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 § 55-50-705?
A common citation format is "Tennessee Code Annotated § 55-50-705" (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 § 55-50-705 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.