Tennessee § 55-8-156 - Special speed limitations — Penalties.
Full text of Tennessee Tennessee Code Annotated § 55-8-156 — Special speed limitations — Penalties., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 55-8-156. Special speed limitations — Penalties.
No person shall drive any vehicle equipped with solid rubber or cushion tires at a speed greater than a maximum of ten miles per hour (10 mph). No person shall drive a vehicle over any bridge or other elevated structure constituting a part of a highway at a speed which is greater than the maximum speed that can be maintained with safety to such bridge or structure, when the structure is signposted as provided in this section. The department of transportation, upon request from any local authority, shall, or upon its own initiative may, conduct an investigation of any bridge, or other elevated structure constituting a part of the highway, and if it thereupon finds that the structure cannot with safety to itself withstand vehicles traveling at the speed otherwise permissible under this chapter, the department shall determine and declare the maximum speed of vehicles that the structure can safely withstand, and shall cause or permit suitable signs stating the maximum speed to be erected and maintained at a distance of one hundred feet (100') before each end of the structure. Upon the trial of any person charged with a violation of this section, proof of the determination of the maximum speed by the department and the existence of the signs shall constitute conclusive evidence of the maximum speed which can be maintained with safety to the bridge or structure. A violation of this section is a Class C misdemeanor. Acts 1955, ch. 329, § 55; impl. am. Acts 1959, ch. 9, § 3; impl. am. Acts 1972, ch. 829, § 7; T.C.A., § 59-856; Acts 1981, ch. 261, § 12; 1989, ch. 591, § 113. Cross-References. Penalty for Class C misdemeanor, § 40-35-111 .
Source: official Tennessee text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Tennessee § 55-8-156
What does Tennessee Code Annotated § 55-8-156 cover?
Section 55-8-156 ("Special speed limitations — Penalties.") 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 § 55-8-156?
A common citation format is "Tennessee Code Annotated § 55-8-156" (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 § 55-8-156 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.