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HB1713 • 2026

Traffic Safety

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 55, Chapter 9, Part 4, relative to towing.

Active

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

Sponsor
Shaw, Akbari
Last action
2026-03-17
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 and text do not provide information on whether the change will improve road safety.

Towing Lights for Safety

This bill allows tow trucks in Tennessee to use blue lights on their rear when they are stopped and helping another vehicle.

What This Bill Does

  • Allows tow trucks to have a single, steady or flashing blue light at the back of the truck.
  • The blue light can only be used when the tow truck is not moving and is helping another car.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Tow truck drivers
  • People who need help from a tow truck

Terms To Know

Recovery vehicle
A tow truck that helps other vehicles when they are broken down or in an accident.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not say how the blue lights should be used on the front of a tow truck.
  • It is unclear if this change will make roads safer for everyone.

Bill History

  1. 2026-03-17 Tennessee General Assembly

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

  2. 2026-03-11 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on s/c cal Transportation Subcommittee for 3/17/2026

  3. 2026-03-10 Tennessee General Assembly

    Action Def. in s/c Transportation Subcommittee to 3/17/2026

  4. 2026-03-04 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on s/c cal Transportation Subcommittee for 3/10/2026

  5. 2026-03-03 Tennessee General Assembly

    Action Def. in s/c Transportation Subcommittee to 3/10/2026

  6. 2026-02-25 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on s/c cal Transportation Subcommittee for 3/3/2026

  7. 2026-02-17 Tennessee General Assembly

    Action Def. in s/c Transportation Subcommittee to Next Available Calendar

  8. 2026-02-11 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on s/c cal Transportation Subcommittee for 2/17/2026

  9. 2026-02-02 Tennessee General Assembly

    Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Transportation and Safety Committee

  10. 2026-01-22 Tennessee General Assembly

    Sponsor(s) Added.

  11. 2026-01-22 Tennessee General Assembly

    Assigned to s/c Transportation Subcommittee

  12. 2026-01-22 Tennessee General Assembly

    P2C, ref. to Transportation Committee

  13. 2026-01-22 Tennessee General Assembly

    Introduced, Passed on First Consideration

  14. 2026-01-21 Tennessee General Assembly

    Intro., P1C.

  15. 2026-01-21 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

  16. 2026-01-15 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

Official Summary Text

Abstract summarizes the bill.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
SENATE BILL 1834
By Akbari

HOUSE BILL 1713
By Shaw
HB1713
011110
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 55,
Chapter 9, Part 4, relative to towing.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 55-9-414, is amended by adding the
following as a new subsection:
(h) Notwithstanding subsection (a), a recovery vehicle, as defined in § 55-8-132,
may display a single, steady-burning or flashing blue light to the rear, but not the front, of
the vehicle when stationary and engaged in the recovery of, or otherwise providing
assistance to, another vehicle.
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.