§ 24-115. State driver's license required; compliance with financial responsibility law required; evidence of compliance.

(a)

For purposes of this section:

Financial responsibility means:

(1)

Documentation, such as the declaration page of an insurance policy, an insurance binder, or an insurance card from an insurance company authorized to do business in the state, stating that a policy of insurance meeting the requirements for the state financial responsibility law has been issued;

(2)

A certificate, valid for one year, issued by the commissioner of safety, stating that a cash deposit or bond in the amount required by the state financial responsibility law has been paid or filed with the commissioner, or has qualified as a self-insurer under the state financial responsibility law; or

(3)

The motor vehicle being operated at the time of the violation was owned by a carrier subject to the jurisdiction of the department of safety, or the Interstate Commerce Commission, or was owned by the United States, the state, or any political subdivision thereof, and that such motor vehicle was being operated with the owner's consent.

(b)

No person shall operate any motor vehicle on any street or highway without having in his possession a driver's license valid under the laws of the state for the type or class of vehicle being driven.

(c)

Every vehicle driven on the streets of the incorporated areas of the county shall be in compliance with the state financial responsibility law.

(d)

At the time the driver of a motor vehicle is charged with any moving violation under this chapter regulating traffic or at the time of an accident for which notice is required under state law, the officer shall request evidence of financial responsibility as required by this section. In case of an accident for which notice is required under state law, the officer shall request such evidence from all drivers involved in the accident, without regard to apparent or actual fault.

(e)

It is a violation of this section to fail to provide evidence of financial responsibility pursuant to this section.

(f)

Any fine imposed by this section shall be in addition to any other fine imposed by this chapter for any other violation under this article.

(g)

On or before the court date, the person so charged, may submit evidence of compliance with this section at the time of the violation. If the court is satisfied that compliance was in effect at the time of the violation, the charge of failure to provide evidence of financial responsibility may be dismissed.

(Code 1992, § 20-37; Ord. No. 90, § 1, 8-5-1991; Ord. No. 342, 8-27-2007; Ord. No. 352, exh. A, 12-11-2007)

State law reference

Accidents, notice to police, T.C.A. §§ 55-10-102 and 55-10-106; financial responsibility law of 1977, T.C.A. § 55-12-101 et seq.