Tennessee Code Annotated
Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-8-149 (2026)
Requirements for stop signs - Vehicles and streetcars must stop at stop signs - Penalty
✓ current as of May 2026
- (a) Every stop sign shall bear the word "Stop" in letters not less than eight inches (8") in height and the sign shall at nighttime be rendered luminous by steady or flashing internal illumination, or by a fixed floodlight projected on the face of the sign, or by efficient reflecting elements on the face of the sign.
- (b) Every stop sign shall be erected as near as practicable to the nearest line of the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, if there is no crosswalk, then as close as practicable to the nearest line of the roadway.
- (c) Every driver of a vehicle and every operator of a streetcar approaching a stop sign shall stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection, or in the event there is no crosswalk, shall stop at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, then at the point nearest the intersecting roadway where the driver or operator has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway before entering the intersection, except when directed to proceed by a police officer or traffic control signal.
- (d) A violation of this section is a Class C misdemeanor.
Acts 1955, ch. 329, § 48; T.C.A., § 59-849; Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 113.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 17
cases (1 in the last 5 years), 1980–2025 · 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). “For instance, Tennessee Code Annotated section 55-8-149 renders'it an offense to run a stop sign “except when directed to proceed by a *401 police officer or traffic control signal.”
Scott v. Jones Bros. Constr., Inc., 960 S.W.2d 589 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1997). “Jones Brothers also contends that the trial court erred in charging the jury on the applicability of the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (“MUTCD”) and Tenn.Code Ann. § 55-8-149, arguing that their applicability was a question of law to be determined by the trial court.”
State v. Baker, 966 S.W.2d 429 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1997). “July 6, 1994, a Franklin County grand jury issued a four-count indictment against Appellant for simple possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance in violation of Tennessee Code Annotated Section 39-17 — 418, possession of drug paraphernalia in violation of Tennessee Code…”
City of White House v. Whitley, 979 S.W.2d 262 (Tenn. 1998). “§§ 55-8-146, -147 (defining as misdemeanors the failure the to stop at railroad crossings); Tenn.Code Ann. § 55-8-149 (stating Class C misdemeanor for failure to stop at a stop sign); Tenn.”
United States v. Larry Braswell, 704 F. App'x 528 (6th Cir. 2017). “The magistrate judge further found that Officer Piazza had probable cause to stop Braswell because he witnessed Braswell failing to stop at a stop sign, in violation of Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-8-149 (c). After reviewing Braswell’s objections to the magistrate judge’s Report and…”
United States v. Huff, 630 F. App'x 471 (6th Cir. 2015). “§ 55-8-124(a), and 2) failed to make a proper stop at a stop sign, in violation of Tenn.Code Ann. § 55-8-149(c). At the suppression hearing, Trooper Wilson testified: As I proceeded north down the exit ramp, Exit 60 off 1-75, as we was [sic] approaching the intersection of…”
State of Tennessee v. Patrick Tyler Harris (Tenn. Crim. App. 2018). “Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-8-149 (d). In determining the constitutionality of a traffic stop based on Tennessee Code Annotated section 55-8-149(c), we are guided by our supreme court’s analysis of the statute in Smith.”
Watson v. United States (W.D. Tenn. 2025). “Asserting Watson’s comparative negligence, Defendant contends that she violated each of the same provisions, as well as: Jackson City Ordinance § 15-705 (stop signs); Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-8-149 (stop signs); and Tenn.”
State of Tennessee v. Linzey Danielle Smith (Tenn. 2016). “” Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-8-149 (c) (2012). Likewise, it is an offense for a motorist to exceed the applicable speed limit.”
State of Tennessee v. Scotty Lynn Edmonds (Tenn. Crim. App. 2012). “Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-8-149 (d). This court has previously concluded that a defendant’s failure to stop at stop sign provides officers with “probable cause to believe that a misdemeanor has been committed.”
Ulysses Durham, Jr. ex rel. Ulysses Durham, III, a minor v. John Noble (Tenn. Ct. App. 2012). “Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-8-136 (b) requires all drivers to exercise due care by operating the vehicle at a safe speed, keeping a safe lookout, keeping the vehicle under proper control, and by devoting full time and attention to operating the vehicle.”
State of Tennessee v. Tywan Garcia Armstrong (Tenn. Crim. App. 2010). “See Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-8-149 . Our supreme court has stated that [T]he protection afforded by [a]rticle I, section 7 of the Tennessee Constitution is co-extensive with the protection afforded by the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution.”
— Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-8-149(c) — 4 cases
State of Tennessee v. Linzey Danielle Smith, 484 S.W.3d 393 (Tenn. 2016). “For instance, Tennessee Code Annotated section 55-8-149 renders'it an offense to run a stop sign “except when directed to proceed by a *401 police officer or traffic control signal.”
United States v. Huff, 630 F. App'x 471 (6th Cir. 2015). “§ 55-8-124(a), and 2) failed to make a proper stop at a stop sign, in violation of Tenn.Code Ann. § 55-8-149(c). At the suppression hearing, Trooper Wilson testified: As I proceeded north down the exit ramp, Exit 60 off 1-75, as we was [sic] approaching the intersection of…”
State of Tennessee v. Patrick Tyler Harris (Tenn. Crim. App. 2018). “Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-8-149 (d). In determining the constitutionality of a traffic stop based on Tennessee Code Annotated section 55-8-149(c), we are guided by our supreme court’s analysis of the statute in Smith.”
State of Tennessee v. Scotty Lynn Edmonds (Tenn. Crim. App. 2012). “Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-8-149 (d). This court has previously concluded that a defendant’s failure to stop at stop sign provides officers with “probable cause to believe that a misdemeanor has been committed.”
— Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-8-149(d) — 1 case
State of Tennessee v. Patrick Tyler Harris (Tenn. Crim. App. 2018). “Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-8-149 (d). In determining the constitutionality of a traffic stop based on Tennessee Code Annotated section 55-8-149(c), we are guided by our supreme court’s analysis of the statute in Smith.”
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