Official Summary Text
ANTIQUE EME
RGENCY VEHICLES
Present law provides that, i
n order to facilitate efficient and uniform enforcement of
motor vehicle laws
, motor vehicles, excepting such motor vehicles as are constructed for the purpose of transporting tangible personal property or othe
r property, and passenger motor vehicles operating for hire, are classified, and the respective registration taxes imposed
.
Upon receipt of an application applying for registration and certifying that the motor vehicle is an
"
antique motor vehicle,
"
the c
ommissioner may issue license plates to
the
owner of
the
antique motor vehicle.
Such a
license plate
must
bear the word
"
ANTIQUE
"
in capital letters at the bottom of the plate, and a unique identifying number in the center of the plate.
As used in presen
t law
,
"
antique motor vehicle
"
means a motor vehicle over 25 years old with a nonmodified engine and body that is used
for all of the following
:
For participation in, or transportation to and from, club activities, exhibits, tours, parades, and similar uses as a collector's item
;
On the highways for the purpose of selling, testing the operation of, or obtaining repairs to or maintenance on such motor vehicle
; and
For general transportation on Saturdays, Sundays, and federal holidays
.
This bill adds that,
if the antique motor vehicle is an antique emergency vehicle, then the vehicle may also be used for participation in, or transportation to and from, community or educational events, including displays at fairs, festivals, and schools. For purposes of thi
s
provision, an
"antique emergency vehicle" means an ambulance, fire department vehicle, or law enforcement vehicle that meets the criteria of an antique motor vehicle.
LIGHTS REQUIRED ON CERTAIN VEHICLES
Present law provides a number of rules and prohi
bitions concerning lights on vehicles operated in this state, including, but not limited to, the following:
G
enerally every motor vehicle
must
be equipped with
two
red tail lamps and
two
red stoplights on the rear of the vehicle, and
one
tail lamp and
one
stoplight shall be on each side
.
Generally prohibits a
nonemergency vehicle
from
operat
ing
or install
ing
emergency flashing light systems in tail light lamp, stoplight area, or factory installed emergency flasher and backup light area
.
G
enerally prohibits a vehicle from being equipped with any flashing lights in any color or combination of colors that display to the front of the vehicle, other than factory installed emergency flashers
.
This bill clarifies that the prohibitions described in the rules and
prohibitions concerning lights on vehicles operated in this state in present law regarding the
installation of emergency flashing lights do not apply to a
registered
privately owned antique emergency vehicle
as long as
the lights are representative of the
era when the antique emergency vehicle was manufactured.
Additionally, this bill:
Prohibits a
person
from
operat
ing
or illuminat
ing
red, white, or blue lights, in any combination, that are steady-burning or flashing and installed on an antique emergency vehicle except in accordance with this
bill.
Authorizes a
person
to
operate or illuminate red, white, or blue lights, in any combination, that are steady-burning or flashing and installed on an antique emergency vehicle if the lights are representative of the era when the antique emergency vehicle was manufactured and
(i)
the person has been authorized to do so in writing by the chief of the local law enforcement agency or fire department, as applicable to the type of antique emergency vehicle being operated in the jurisdiction
;
(ii) the person maintains a copy of the written authorization in their possession and provides it to a law enforcement officer upon request; and
(
iii) the lights are operated or illuminated while the vehicle is stationary and on public property at a community or educational event, including while the vehicle is being used as a display at a fair, festival, or school; are operated or illuminated while the vehicle is on a public road, in motion or stationary, when the vehicle is being used as part of an organized parade, procession, or other ceremonial event; or are operated or illuminated while the vehicle is on private property, in motion or stationary, and the person has permission from the property owner to operate or illuminate the lights
.
HORNS, BELLS, SIRENS, AND EXHAUST WHISTLES
Present law requires every motor vehicle, when operated upon any road, street or highway of the state, to be equipped with a horn in good working order capable of emitting sound audible under normal con
ditions from a distance of not less than 200 feet, and it is unlawful, except as otherwise provided in this section, for any vehicle to be equipped with or for any person to use upon a vehicle any siren, exhaust, compression or spark plug whistle or for a
n
y person at any time to use a horn otherwise than as a reasonable warning or to make any unnecessary or unreasonably loud or harsh sound by means of a horn or other warning device. This bill clarifies that such prohibitions do not apply to a registered p
r
ivately owned antique emergency vehicle registered as long as any equipped bell, siren, or exhaust whistle is representative of the era when the antique emergency vehicle was manufactured. Additionally, this bill:
Prohibits a person from operating a bell, siren, or exhaust whistle installed on a privately owned antique emergency vehicle except in accordance with this bill
.
Authorizes a person to operate a bell, siren, or exhaust whistle installed on an antique emergency vehicle if the bell, siren, or exhaust whistle is representative of the era when the antique emergency vehicle was manufactured and (i) the person has been authorized to do so in writing by the chief of the local law enforcement agency or fire department, as applicable to the type of antique emergency vehicle being operated in the jurisdiction; (ii) the person maintains a copy of the written authorization in their possession and provides it to a law enforcement officer upon request; and (iii) the bell, siren, or exhaust whistle is operated while the vehicle is stationary and on public property at a community or educational event, including while the vehicle is being used as a display at a fair, festival, or school; is operated while the vehicle is on a public road, in motion or stationary, when the vehicle is being used as part of an organized parade, procession, or other ceremonial event; or is operated while the vehicle is on private property, in motion or stationary, and the person has permission from the property owner to operate the bell, siren, or exhaust whistle
.
BLUE FLASHING EMERGENCY LIGHTS
In certain counties, present law generally provides that it is a Class C misdemeanor offense for anyone to install, maintain or exhibit blue flashing emergency lights or blue flashing emerg
ency lights in combination with red flashing emergency lights, except full-time, salaried, uniformed law enforcement officers of the state, county, or city and municipal governments of the state, and commissioned members of the Tennessee bureau of investi
g
ation when their official duties so require. This bill clarifies that such prohibition regarding the installation or maintenance of blue flashing emergency lights or blue flashing emergency lights in combination with red flashing emergency lights does no
t
apply to a registered privately owned antique emergency vehicle as long as the lights are representative of the era when the antique emergency vehicle was manufactured. Additionally, this bill:
Prohibits a person from operating or illuminating blue flashing emergency lights or blue flashing emergency lights in combination with red flashing emergency lights that are installed on a privately owned antique emergency vehicle except in accordance with this bill
.
Authorizes a person to operate or illuminate blue flashing emergency lights or blue flashing emergency lights in combination with red flashing emergency lights that are installed on an antique emergency vehicle if the lights are representative of the era when the antique emergency vehicle was manufactured and (i) the person has been authorized to do so in writing by the chief of the local law enforcement agency where the vehicle is being operated; (ii) the person maintains a copy of the written authorization in their possession and provides it to a law enforcement officer upon request; and (iii) the lights
are operated or illuminated while the vehicle is stationary and on public property at a community or educational event, including while the vehicle is being used as a display at a fair, festival, or school; are operated or illuminated while the vehicle is on a public road, in motion or stationary, when the vehicle is being used as part of an organized parade, procession, or other ceremonial event; or
are operated or illuminated while the vehicle is on private property, in motion or stationary, and the person has permission from the property owner to operate or illuminate the lights.
CRIMINAL IMPERSONATION
Present law provides that a
person commits criminal impersonation who pretends to be a law enf
orcement officer for the purpose of
(
i
)
e
ngaging in an activity that is ordinarily and customarily an activity established by law as a law enforcement activity; and
(
ii
)
c
ausing another to believe that the person is a law enforcement officer.
This bill cl
arifies that a person
does not commit criminal impersonation under this
provision
solely for operating an antique emergency vehicle in accordance with
this bill.
Current Bill Text
Read the full stored bill text
SENATE BILL 620
By Harshbarger
HOUSE BILL 442
By Hulsey
HB0442
000040
- 1 -
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Section
39-16-301 and Title 55, relative to antique
emergency vehicles.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 55-4-111(b), is amended by adding
the following as a new subdivision:
(6) Notwithstanding subdivision (b)(1), if the antique motor vehicle is an antique
emergency vehicle, then the vehicle may also be used for participation in, or
transportation to and from, community or educational events, including displays at fairs,
festivals, and schools. For purposes of this subdivision (b)(6), "antique emergency
vehicle" means an ambulance, fire department vehicle, or law enforcement vehicle that
meets the criteria of an antique motor vehicle.
SECTION 2. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 55-9-402, is amended by adding the
following as a new subsection (h) and redesignating the existing subsection accordingly:
(1) The prohibitions in subdivision (b)(1) and subsection (d) regarding the
installation of emergency flashing lights do not apply to a privately owned antique
emergency vehicle registered under § 55-4-111; provided, that the lights are
representative of the era when the antique emergency vehicle was manufactured.
(2) A person shall not operate or illuminate red, white, or blue lights, in any
combination, that are steady-burning or flashing and installed on an antique emergency
vehicle except in accordance with this subsection (h).
(3) A person may operate or illuminate red, white, or blue lights, in any
combination, that are steady-burning or flashing and installed on an antique emergency
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vehicle if the lights are representative of the era when the antique emergency vehicle
was manufactured and:
(A) The person has been authorized to do so in writing by the chief of the
local law enforcement agency or fire department, as applicable to the type of
antique emergency vehicle being operated in the jurisdiction;
(B) The person maintains a copy of the written authorization in their
possession and provides it to a law enforcement officer upon request; and
(C)
(i) The lights are operated or illuminated while the vehicle is
stationary and on public property at a community or educational event,
including while the vehicle is being used as a display at a fair, festival, or
school;
(ii) The lights are operated or illuminated while the vehicle is on a
public road, in motion or stationary, when the vehicle is being used as
part of an organized parade, procession, or other ceremonial event; or
(iii) The lights are operated or illuminated while the vehicle is on
private property, in motion or stationary, and the person has permission
from the property owner to operate or illuminate the lights.
(4) For purposes of this subsection (h), "antique emergency vehicle" means an
ambulance, fire department vehicle, or law enforcement vehicle that meets the criteria of
an antique motor vehicle, as defined in § 55-4-111(b).
SECTION 3. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 55-9-201, is amended by adding the
following as a new subsection (e) and redesignating the existing subsection accordingly:
(1) The prohibition in subsection (a) does not apply to a privately owned antique
emergency vehicle registered under § 55-4-111; provided, that any equipped bell, siren,
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or exhaust whistle is representative of the era when the antique emergency vehicle was
manufactured.
(2) A person shall not operate a bell, siren, or exhaust whistle installed on a
privately owned antique emergency vehicle except in accordance with this subsection
(e).
(3) A person may operate a bell, siren, or exhaust whistle installed on an antique
emergency vehicle if the bell, siren, or exhaust whistle is representative of the era when
the antique emergency vehicle was manufactured and:
(A) The person has been authorized to do so in writing by the chief of the
local law enforcement agency or fire department, as applicable to the type of
antique emergency vehicle being operated in the jurisdiction;
(B) The person maintains a copy of the written authorization in their
possession and provides it to a law enforcement officer upon request; and
(C)
(i) The bell, siren, or exhaust whistle is operated while the vehicle
is stationary and on public property at a community or educational event,
including while the vehicle is being used as a display at a fair, festival, or
school;
(ii) The bell, siren, or exhaust whistle is operated while the vehicle
is on a public road, in motion or stationary, when the vehicle is being used
as part of an organized parade, procession, or other ceremonial event; or
(iii) The bell, siren, or exhaust whistle is operated while the
vehicle is on private property, in motion or stationary, and the person has
permission from the property owner to operate the bell, siren, or exhaust
whistle.
- 4 - 000040
(4) For purposes of this subsection (e), "antique emergency vehicle" means an
ambulance, fire department vehicle, or law enforcement vehicle that meets the criteria of
an antique motor vehicle, as defined in § 55-4-111(b).
SECTION 4. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 55-9-414, is amended by adding the
following as a new subsection (g):
(1) The prohibition in subsection (a) regarding the installation or maintenance of
blue flashing emergency lights or blue flashing emergency lights in combination with red
flashing emergency lights does not apply to a privately owned antique emergency
vehicle registered under § 55-4-111; provided, that the lights are representative of the
era when the antique emergency vehicle was manufactured.
(2) A person shall not operate or illuminate blue flashing emergency lights or
blue flashing emergency lights in combination with red flashing emergency lights that are
installed on a privately owned antique emergency vehicle except in accordance with this
subsection (g).
(3) A person may operate or illuminate blue flashing emergency lights or blue
flashing emergency lights in combination with red flashing emergency lights that are
installed on an antique emergency vehicle if the lights are representative of the era when
the antique emergency vehicle was manufactured and:
(A) The person has been authorized to do so in writing by the chief of the
local law enforcement agency where the vehicle is being operated;
(B) The person maintains a copy of the written authorization in their
possession and provides it to a law enforcement officer upon request; and
(C)
(i) The lights are operated or illuminated while the vehicle is
stationary and on public property at a community or educational event,
- 5 - 000040
including while the vehicle is being used as a display at a fair, festival, or
school;
(ii) The lights are operated or illuminated while the vehicle is on a
public road, in motion or stationary, when the vehicle is being used as
part of an organized parade, procession, or other ceremonial event; or
(iii) The lights are operated or illuminated while the vehicle is on
private property, in motion or stationary, and the person has permission
from the property owner to operate or illuminate the lights.
(4) For purposes of this subsection (g), "antique emergency vehicle" means a
law enforcement vehicle that meets the criteria of an antique motor vehicle, as defined in
§ 55-4-111(b).
SECTION 5. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 39-16-301(b), is amended by
redesignating the existing language as subdivision (1) and adding the following as a new
subdivision (2):
A person does not commit criminal impersonation under this subsection (b) solely
for operating an antique emergency vehicle in accordance with § 55-4-111(b) and § 55-
9-201(e), § 55-9-402(h), or § 55-9-414(g).
SECTION 6. This act takes effect July 1, 2025, the public welfare requiring it.