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HB0558 • 2026

Motor Vehicles

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39 and Title 55, relative to documents required when operating a motor vehicle.

Crime
Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor
Capley, Yager
Last action
2025-03-18
Official status
Taken off notice for cal in s/c Transportation Subcommittee of Transportation Committee
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary does not provide details on enforcement mechanisms or the impact of having a license and insurance for unauthorized drivers.

Driver License and Insurance Requirements for Unauthorized Drivers

This bill makes it a crime for people without legal permission to be in the United States to drive cars without proper licenses or insurance.

What This Bill Does

  • Makes it illegal for unauthorized immigrants to operate motor vehicles without possessing a valid driver's license and evidence of financial responsibility.
  • Classifies this offense as a Class A misdemeanor.
  • Limits the maximum fine for breaking this law to $1,000.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People who are in the United States without legal authorization
  • Law enforcement officers

Terms To Know

Class A misdemeanor
A serious crime that can result in jail time and fines.
Unauthorized immigrants
People who are not legally allowed to be in the United States.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify what happens if someone without legal authorization is caught driving but has a license and insurance.
  • It's unclear how this law will be enforced or how it will affect current practices.

Bill History

  1. 2025-03-18 Tennessee General Assembly

    Taken off notice for cal in s/c Transportation Subcommittee of Transportation Committee

  2. 2025-03-17 Tennessee General Assembly

    Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate Judiciary Committee

  3. 2025-03-13 Tennessee General Assembly

    Sponsor(s) Added.

  4. 2025-03-12 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on s/c cal Transportation Subcommittee for 3/18/2025

  5. 2025-03-12 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 3/18/2025

  6. 2025-03-04 Tennessee General Assembly

    Action deferred in Senate Judiciary Committee to 3/18/2025

  7. 2025-02-26 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 3/4/2025

  8. 2025-02-12 Tennessee General Assembly

    Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary Committee

  9. 2025-02-10 Tennessee General Assembly

    Introduced, Passed on First Consideration

  10. 2025-02-10 Tennessee General Assembly

    Sponsor(s) Added.

  11. 2025-02-05 Tennessee General Assembly

    Assigned to s/c Transportation Subcommittee

  12. 2025-02-05 Tennessee General Assembly

    P2C, ref. to Transportation Committee

  13. 2025-02-04 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

  14. 2025-02-03 Tennessee General Assembly

    Intro., P1C.

  15. 2025-01-29 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

Official Summary Text

Abstract summarizes the bill.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
SENATE BILL 745
By Yager

HOUSE BILL 558
By Capley

HB0558
002109
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39
and Title 55, relative to documents required when
operating a motor vehicle.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 55, Chapter 10, Part 2, is amended by
adding the following as a new section:
(a) It is an offense for a person who is in the United States without legal
authorization to operate a motor vehicle without possessing:
(1) A valid driver license as required under § 55-50-301; and
(2) Evidence of financial responsibility as required under § 55-12-139.
(b) A violation of subsection (a) is a Class A misdemeanor, with a maximum fine
of one thousand dollars ($1,000).
SECTION 2. This act takes effect July 1, 2025, the public welfare requiring it.