Seat belts, child seats and phone laws in Tennessee
Seat belts and child seats are the simplest way to survive a crash, and putting the phone away is the simplest way to avoid one. Tennessee has specific rules on both.
Teen drivers face stricter rules than adults: tougher belt requirements for passengers and a full ban on phone calls while driving.
By the end of this topic you can
- You can explain who must wear a seat belt when a teen is driving.
- You can choose the right child restraint for a child's age and size.
- You can describe what the Hands Free Tennessee law bans.
- You can explain the extra phone rule for drivers under 18.
What you need to know and understand
- When a permit or intermediate license holder drives, the driver and every passenger must buckle up.
- The driver is responsible for every child under 16 being properly restrained; the fine is $50.
- Children under 1, or under 20 pounds, ride rear-facing; ages 1 to 3 over 20 pounds ride forward-facing in a child seat.
- Children 4 to 8 who are under 4 feet 9 inches use a booster seat with the seat belt; use the rear seat where possible.
- Under the Hands Free Tennessee law, no driver may hold a phone or mobile device with any part of the body while driving.
- Drivers under 18 may not talk on a phone while driving, even hands-free; this carries 6 points.
- Leaving a child under 7 alone in a vehicle in a public place is an offense.
Buckling up the right way
Wear the lap belt low across your hips and the shoulder belt across your chest, never behind your back or under your arm. Adjust your seat so you sit upright with some distance from the steering wheel airbag.
On a teen license, you are responsible for every person in the car wearing a belt. A second seat belt violation delays your move to the Intermediate Unrestricted license by 90 days.
Child seat stages in Tennessee
- Under 1 year or under 20 pounds: rear-facing seat.
- Ages 1 to 3 and over 20 pounds: forward-facing child seat.
- Ages 4 to 8 and under 4 feet 9 inches: booster seat used with the vehicle's seat belt.
- Older and taller children: seat belt that fits properly, ideally in the rear seat.
Phones and other distractions
Our Tennessee hands free law and driver points guide covers the phone law and its penalties in more depth.
- All drivers: do not hold a phone or device while driving, under the Hands Free Tennessee law (T.C.A. 55-8-199).
- Under 18: no calls at all while the vehicle is moving, even through Bluetooth or a headset.
- Fines rise for repeat offenses and in some situations; check the current amounts with the Department of Safety.
- Other distractions count too: eating, adjusting music, grooming and looking at passengers all take your attention.
Common mistakes
- Putting the shoulder belt behind your back. It gives almost no protection in a crash.
- Moving a child out of a booster too early because they are 8. Height matters too.
- Thinking Bluetooth calls are fine at 16 or 17. Under 18, all calls are banned while driving.
- Setting the GPS while moving. Enter your route before you set off.
Test yourself: Seat belts, child seats and phone laws in Tennessee
Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.
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Go deeper
Sources: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, information as of July 1, 2022 (Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security); Hands Free Tennessee law, T.C.A. 55-8-199, as summarized by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security; Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, Schedule of Points Values. Independent guide, not affiliated with any licensing agency. Always check the latest official rules with the Tennessee licensing agency.