Tennessee Code Annotated

Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-8-103 (2026)

Required obedience to traffic laws - Penalty

✓ current as of May 2026
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It is unlawful and, unless otherwise declared in this chapter and chapter 10, parts 1-5 of this title with respect to particular offenses, it is a Class C misdemeanor, for any person to do any act forbidden or fail to perform any act required in this chapter and chapter 10 of this title.

Acts 1955, ch. 329, § 3; T.C.A., § 59-803; Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 113.


Notes of Decisions
Cited in 21 cases (6 in the last 5 years), 1999–2025 · leading case: State of Tennessee v. Linzey Danielle Smith, 484 S.W.3d 393 (Tenn. 2016).
State of Tennessee v. Linzey Danielle Smith, 484 S.W.3d 393 (Tenn. 2016). · cites it 3× “Additionally, Tennessee Code Annotated section 55-8-103 provides that [i]t is unlawful and, unless otherwise declared in this chapter and chapter 10, *404 parts 1-5 of this title with respect to particular offenses, it is a Class C misdemeanor, for any person to do any act…”
State of Tennessee v. William Whitlow Davis, Jr., 484 S.W.3d 138 (Tenn. 2016). “§ 55-8-103 (2008). In this case, Officer Massey turned on his blue lights and pulled the Defendant over after witnessing the Defendant cross over the double yellow center lane lines of Keller Bend Road with the BMW’s two left wheels.”
Royal v. Cox Transp. Servs., Inc. (W.D. Tenn. 2025). · cites it 4× “) In their 12(b)(6) motion, Defendants argue that Plaintiff’s negligence per se claim against Osterbind is conclusory and devoid of facts, and that Plaintiff failed to plead facts sufficient to establish breach and causation because the Complaint “failed to provide any detail as…”
State of Tennessee v. Linzey Danielle Smith (Tenn. 2016). · cites it 3× “Additionally, Tennessee Code Annotated section 55-8-103 provides that 5 Section 123(1) was initially passed in 1955 and has remained unchanged.”
State of Tennessee v. Bradley Darrin Williams (Tenn. Crim. App. 2016). · cites it 2× “T.C.A. § 55-8-103. In this case, the Class C misdemeanor is punishable by imprisonment of not greater than thirty (30) days or a fine not to exceed fifty dollars ($50.”
Brittany Noel Nelson v. Charles W. Myres (Tenn. Ct. App. 2017). · cites it 2× “T.C.A. §55-8-103 - Crimes and offenses. e.”
Brittany Noel Nelson v. Charles W. Myres (Tenn. Ct. App. 2017). · cites it 2× “T.C.A. §55-8-103 - Crimes and offenses. e.”
State of Tennessee v. Daniel Edrick Lutrell (Tenn. Crim. App. 2017). · cites it 2× “00), or both, unless otherwise provided by statute.” Tenn. Code Ann. § 40 - 35-111 (2016).”
State of Tennessee v. James Larry Williams (Tenn. Crim. App. 2018). · cites it 2× “Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-8-103 . In determining the constitutionality of a traffic stop based on Tennessee Code Annotated section 55-8-123(1), we are guided by our supreme court’s analysis of the statute in Smith.”
State of Tennessee v. Willard Hampton (Tenn. Crim. App. 2019). · cites it 2× “Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-8-103 . Recently, in State v.”
State of Tennessee v. Nathaniel David Labrecque - Concurring/Dissenting (Tenn. Crim. App. 2019). · cites it 2× “Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-8-103 . Therefore, failure to yield the right of way usually is a Class C misdemeanor.”
Mallory Sandridge v. Hollywood Henderson (Tenn. Ct. App. 2024). · cites it 2× “at 536; Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-8-103 . By contrast, the Glover Court recognized longstanding precedent that municipal citations and enforcement proceedings are civil only, not criminal.”
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