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Tennessee Cell Phone and Text Messaging Laws
Tennessee Text Messaging Ban
Beginning July 1st, 2009 text messaging is banned for all drivers under the rules set in Senate Bill 393. The new text messaging laws makes it a Class C misdemeanor offense to text while:
"Using a hand held mobile telephone or a hand held personal digital assistant to transmit or read a written message while such vehicle is in motion."
A violation of this law will cost up to $50 plus court costs not to exceed $10. For more information on the new law please visit the State of Tennessee Website and Read Senate Bill 393
Tennessee Driving and Hands-Free Cell Phone Legislation
Tennessee has two specific laws dealing with cell-phone use while driving. The first law is Senate Bill 36 that was signed by the Governor of Tennessee in 2005.
The bill prohibits drivers with a learners permit or an intermediate license from using a mobile telephone while operating a motor vehicle.
If a driver with a permit or intermediate license is caught driving while using a cell-phone they will be fined $100 and may receive delayed eligibility for their next license type. This law does not permit the use of a hands-free device.
The other law dealing with cell-phone use while driving is found in Public Chapter 180 and references Senate bill 208 and House Bill 564.
This law was signed by the Governor of Tennessee in 2003 and prohibits the driver of a school bus from using a cell-phone while the bus is in motion and transporting children.
There are exceptions for emergency use and to communicate with central dispatch or the School transportation department. A violation of this cell-phone law is $50
More Information Tennessee's Hands-Free Driving Law
Here is the State of Tennessee's website that has the text of the legislation on the cell-phone driving laws.
State Website- Information on Tennessee's Cell-Phone Driving Law
State Website- Information on Tennessee's Cell-Phone Driving Law for School Bus Drivers