• Tennessee's motor vehicle laws set forth a number of regulations for the state's motorists.Tennessee state contour against blurred USA flag image by Stasys Eidiejus from Fotolia.com
  
  Each of the 50 United States passes down its own laws with regard to motor vehicle safety. Chapter 55 of Tennessee's law governs the operation of motor vehicles within its borders. Specifically, the law sets forth requirements for registration and insurance, adherence to published traffic laws and penalties for those who violate the law, including repeat offenders.
  
  

Registration and insurance

• Per section 55-4-101 of the Tennessee law, you must register your vehicle in the county where you reside, where the vehicle is "based or is to be operated" or, in the even that you are not a Tennessee resident, in-person at a DMV office. In the event that you are leasing your vehicle, you will not receive your registration certificate and license plates until the first 90 days of your lease have passed.
  
  Tennessee drivers are also required to carry insurance. According to subsection D of section 55-12-102, proof of insurance includes a written liability insurance policy worth at least $60,000 per accident, full-coverage insurance with at least $25,000 per person allocated to bodily injury and vehicle damage coverage of $15,000 per accident. Additionally, you may make a $60,000 cash deposit with the commissioner of the department.
  
  

Traffic and DUI

• First-time disobedience of traffic laws, including speed limits, stop lights and correct usage of passing lanes, are considered Class C Misdemeanor violations and can result in tickets, amounts to be determined as per offense.
  
  Driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) is a felony offense in Tennessee. First-time violators can spend up to 11 months behind bars, lose driving privileges for a year and pay up to $1,500 in fines. The license suspension penalty doubles on the second offense, which can bring with it up to a year in jail and $3,500 in fines. If it's your third time, your maximum jail sentence remains unchanged from the second, but you may lose your license for up to a decade and pay up to $10,000 in penalties. This bumps up to $15,000 on your fourth offense, where license suspension and incarceration can extend indefinitely. Any incidence of DUI can result in the installation of an "Ignition Interlock," which a devices that requires you to take a Breathalyzer test before you can start your engine.
  
  

Repeat offenders

• Section 55-10-600 of Tennessee's law is known as the "Motor Vehicles Habitual Offenders Act" and, as its name suggest, is in place to "deny the privilege of operating motor vehicles on public highways to persons who by their conduct and record have demonstrated their indifference to the safety and welfare of others and their disrespect for the laws of the state."
  
  The act sets forth a process said offenders must follow, which includes a uniform "computation of convictions," assembly of and serving with a court order and a jury trial to determine appropriate punishment.