Tennessee § 55-9-409 - Inspecting and testing lamps emitting glare — Order to remove illegal lamps — Arrest of drivers.
Full text of Tennessee Tennessee Code Annotated § 55-9-409 — Inspecting and testing lamps emitting glare — Order to remove illegal lamps — Arrest of drivers., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 55-9-409. Inspecting and testing lamps emitting glare — Order to remove illegal lamps — Arrest of drivers.
Any member of the highway patrol having reasonable ground to believe that any headlamp or auxiliary driving or fog lamp or any device upon a vehicle emits a glaring light as defined in §§ 55-9-406 and 55-9-408, or otherwise fails to comply with the requirements of this part, may require the driver of the vehicle to stop and submit the lamp to an inspection or test. The officer making the inspection shall require the driver of the vehicle to remove the illegal lamp within twenty-four (24) hours, and may arrest the driver and give the driver a notice to appear, and may further require the driver or the owner of the vehicle to produce in court satisfactory evidence of the removal of the illegal lamp. In the event any headlight or auxiliary driving or fog light, by reason of faulty adjustment or otherwise, emits a glaring light as defined in §§ 55-9-406 and 55-9-408 or otherwise fails to comply with this part, the officer making the inspection shall direct the driver to make the light or lights conform to the requirements of this part within forty-eight (48) hours. The officer may also arrest the driver and give the driver a notice to appear, and further require the driver or the owner of the vehicle to produce in court satisfactory evidence that the light or lights have been made to conform with the requirements of this part. Acts 1937, ch. 245, § 5; 1939, ch. 206, § 5; C. Supp. 1950, § 2700.16 (Williams, § 2695); T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 59-912; Acts 2013, ch. 308, §§ 40, 41. Law Reviews. The Legal Approach to Automobile Maintenance: The Law and the Owner Operator, 21 Vand. L. Rev. 970.
Source: official Tennessee text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Tennessee § 55-9-409
What does Tennessee Code Annotated § 55-9-409 cover?
Section 55-9-409 ("Inspecting and testing lamps emitting glare — Order to remove illegal lamps — Arrest of drivers.") 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 § 55-9-409?
A common citation format is "Tennessee Code Annotated § 55-9-409" (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 § 55-9-409 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.