Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-4-201 (2024)

As used in this part:

• (1) "Collegiate plate" or "collegiate license plate" means the class of cultural motor vehicle registration plates enumerated in § 55-4-203(c)(5)(C), which features on each individual plate a special reference to or identification or information on:
  • (A) A two-year or four-year college or university located within this state;
  • (B) A four-year college or university located outside this state; or
  • (C) A four-year law school located within this state that is not accredited by the American Bar Association;

• (2)
  • (A) "Cultural plate" or "cultural license plate" means:
    • (i) A special or cultural motor vehicle registration plate authorized by statute prior to July 1, 1998, and enumerated in § 55-4-203(c)(5); or
    • (ii) An honorary motor vehicle registration plate authorized by statute on or after July 1, 1998, which statute does not specifically earmark the funds produced from the sale of the plate;
  • (B) "Cultural plate" or "cultural license plate" includes collegiate plates and personalized plates unless those plates are specifically excluded from this definition by statute;

• (3) "Memorial plate" or "memorial license plate" means those motor vehicle registration plates, as enumerated in § 55-4-203(c)(4) and defined in § 55-4-250, that are issued free of charge, including the regular registration fee, pursuant to § 55-4-204(b);

• (4) "New specialty earmarked plate" or "new specialty earmarked license plate" means a motor vehicle registration plate authorized by statute on or after July 1, 1998, which statute earmarks the funds produced from the sale of that plate to be allocated to a specific nonprofit organization or state agency or fund to fulfill a specific purpose or to accomplish a specific goal;

• (5) "Off-highway vehicle plate" or "off-highway vehicle license plate" means those motor vehicle registration plates, as enumerated in § 55-4-203(a) and described in chapter 4, part 7 of this title, that are issued to Class I and Class II off-highway vehicles as defined in § 55-8-101;

• (6) "Personalized plate" or "personalized license plate" means the class of cultural motor vehicle registration plates that features on each individual plate not less than three (3) nor more than seven (7) identifying numbers, letters, positions or a combination thereof for a passenger motor vehicle, recreational vehicle or truck of one-half or three-quarter-ton rating or, if authorized, not less than three (3) nor more than six (6) identifying numbers, letters, positions or a combination thereof for a motorcycle, as requested by the owner or lessee of the vehicle to which that plate is assigned;

• (7) "Personalized trailer plate" or "personalized trailer license plate" means a motor vehicle registration plate that is permitted, but not required, to be registered to a trailer or semitrailer that features on each individual plate not less than three (3) nor more than seven (7) identifying numbers, letters, positions or a combination of numbers, letters or positions for a trailer or semitrailer, as requested by the owner or lessee of the trailer or semitrailer to which the plate is assigned;

• (8) "Special purpose plate" or "special purpose license plate" means all other motor vehicle registration plates issued pursuant to this part, including antique motor vehicle, dealer, disabled, emergency, firefighter pursuant to § 55-4-224, general assembly, government service, judiciary, national guard, OEM headquarters company, sheriff, special event, boat transport, United States house of representatives, United States judge and United States senate plates; and

• (9) "Specialty earmarked plate" or "specialty earmarked license plate" means a motor vehicle registration plate authorized by statute prior to July 1, 1998, and enumerated in § 55-4-203(c)(6), which statute earmarks the funds produced from the sale of that plate to be allocated to a specific organization, state agency or fund, or other entity to fulfill a specific purpose or to accomplish a specific goal.

Amended by 2021 Tenn. Acts, ch. 97, s 1, eff. 7/1/2021.

Amended by 2020 Tenn. Acts, ch. 660, s 40, eff. 7/1/2020.

Amended by 2020 Tenn. Acts, ch. 571, s 1, eff. 7/1/2020.

Amended by 2018 Tenn. Acts, ch. 1023, s 49, eff. 7/1/2018.

Amended by 2016 Tenn. Acts, ch. 790, s 6, eff. 1/1/2017.

Amended by 2013 Tenn. Acts, ch. 117, s 1, eff. 4/12/2013.

Acts 1998, ch. 1063, § 1; 2007 , ch. 142, § 4; 2009 , ch. 530, § 120; 2009 , ch. 589, § 41.