Tennessee CMV Compliance Guide
TN DOT regulations for commercial motor vehicles
TN Highway Patrol Commercial Vehicle EnforcementOfficial TN DOT websiteOverview
Tennessee Highway Patrol Commercial Vehicle Enforcement handles motor carrier safety. Tennessee is a major freight crossroads with I-40, I-24, I-65, and I-75 all intersecting in the state. Memphis (FedEx Hub) and Nashville are significant distribution centers.
Inspection & Enforcement Program
Tennessee operates weigh stations and mobile enforcement units. THP CVE officers perform Level I through Level III inspections. The state has strong enforcement presence on I-40, I-24, and I-65.
Weight Limits & Oversize/Overweight
Tennessee follows federal weight limits of 80,000 lbs GVW on Interstate highways. The state issues overweight permits through TDOT. Tennessee has specific weight restrictions on mountain roads in the Great Smoky Mountains area.
Tennessee-Specific Requirements
- Tennessee requires a state fuel tax account for intrastate carriers not operating under IFTA.
- The state has specific routing requirements for hazmat loads in the Memphis and Nashville metropolitan areas.
- Mountain grades on I-75 and I-40 near the Smokies have runaway truck ramps and brake check areas.
Contact
THP CVE: (615) 251-5166
Federal Requirements That Apply in Tennessee
In addition to Tennessee-specific regulations, all federal DOT and FMCSA requirements apply to commercial vehicles operating in TN. These guides cover each federal requirement in detail:
This information is provided as a general reference. State regulations change frequently. Always verify current requirements with the Tennessee DOT or your compliance advisor before relying on any information presented here.