Tenn. Code Ann. § 65-15-109 (2026)

• (a) The department shall adopt rules prescribing the manner and form in which motor carriers and/or contract haulers shall apply for intrastate or interstate permits required by this part. Every application shall be in writing and accompanied by the payment of fifty dollars ($50.00).

• (b) Applications filed for the registration of interstate authority by motor carriers engaged in interstate commerce shall be made in writing and be on such forms as required by the rules and regulations of the department. The application shall contain, among other things:
  • (1) A copy of the interstate commerce commission certificate or permit for which application is made;
  • (2) An equipment list registering and identifying vehicles used in the operation under such interstate commerce commission certificate or permit;
  • (3) Evidence of currently effective insurance or qualifications as a self-insurer under the rules and regulations of the department; and
  • (4) A filing of designation of a local agent for service of process;

    provided, that the fee for additional authority shall not be refundable, except after a request by the carrier within six (6) months of the payment of such fee.

• (c)
  • (1) The department shall by rule promulgate the requirements for motor carriers, contract haulers, and exempt for-hire motor carriers operating on an interstate or intrastate basis, permanently or temporarily, to register their vehicles pursuant to 49 U.S.C. § 11506 [omitted] as amended by § 4005 of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991. Under this single state registration plan, carriers registering with Tennessee shall file a written application annually on forms provided by the department. The application shall be accompanied by a fee of eight dollars ($8.00) for every motor vehicle to be operated by the above-mentioned carriers or contract haulers over the public highways of Tennessee in the calendar year for which the permit is issued. The application shall also be accompanied by the fees charged for every vehicle to be operated in those states participating in the single state registration plan for the same time period. The department shall remit those fees collected on behalf of the other states as provided under relevant interstate commerce commission rules. The application for single state registration shall contain among other things:
    • (A) Evidence of the interstate commerce commission authority or permit under which the motor carrier operates in interstate commerce, where applicable;
    • (B) Equipment list identifying vehicles to be operated in Tennessee and other participating states as permitted by interstate commerce commission rule;
    • (C) Satisfactory proof of currently effective insurance as determined by the department;
    • (D) Designation of a local agent for service of process; and
    • (E) The accompanying fees and all information required on vehicles to be operated in other participating states.
  • (2) All rules to implement single state registration of motor vehicles shall be in conformity with the rules of the interstate commerce commission, 49 C.F.R. Part 1023.

Acts 1933, ch. 119, § 8; C. Supp. 1950, § 5501.9 (Williams, § 5501.8); Acts 1969, ch. 47, §§ 1, 2; 1971, ch. 168, §§ 1-4; 1977, ch. 183, § 1; 1977, ch. 425, § 2; 1979, ch. 137, § 2; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 65-1511; Acts 1985, ch. 94, § 1; 1986, ch. 862, § 3; 1993, ch. 327, §§ 3, 4; 1995, ch. 305, § 30; 1999, ch. 97, §§ 10 - 14.