WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

SB 620

Motor Vehicles, Titling and Registration - As enacted, authorizes an antique emergency vehicle registered as an antique motor vehicle to be used for participation in, or transportation to and from, community or educational events, including displays at fairs, festivals, and schools, as well as during weekends and holidays; authorizes the installation and operation of emergency lights and sirens on a privately owned antique emergency vehicle under certain circumstances. - Amends TCA Section 39-16-301 and Title 55.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Bobby Harshbarger

Allows privately owned antique emergency vehicles to be used and operate era-representative lights, bells, and sirens at events with written authorization, expanding displays while

Comp. became Pub. Ch. 143
#motorvehicles #titlingandregistration
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 620

Summary of Bill: SB 620 (Session 114) – Tennessee

Note: This bill is enacted as part of the motor vehicles, titling, and registration provisions regarding antique emergency vehicles.

1. Purpose and Intent

  • To authorize the use of privately owned antique emergency vehicles (registered as antique motor vehicles) for additional activities beyond traditional club-related events.
  • To permit the installation and operation of period-appropriate emergency lights, bells, sirens, or exhaust whistles on antique emergency vehicles under specified conditions.
  • To ensure such use is limited to historically appropriate equipment and properly authorized, while protecting public safety and preventing impersonation of active emergency responders.

2. Key Provisions and Changes

Section 1: Expanded Use of Antique Emergency Vehicles

  • Amends 55-4-111(b) and 55-4-111 definitions to allow an antique emergency vehicle (ambulance, fire department vehicle, or law enforcement vehicle meeting antique motor vehicle criteria) registered as an antique motor vehicle to be used:
    • For participation in, or transportation to and from, community or educational events.
    • For displays at fairs, festivals, and schools.
    • This expansion applies to weekends and holidays, in line with other antique vehicle allowances.

Section 2: Lighting Regulations (emergency lights)

  • Adds new subsection (h) to 55-9-402 with restrictions and allowances:
    • Prohibitions on emergency flashing lights do not apply to privately owned antique emergency vehicles if lights are representative of the era.
    • Prohibits operating/illuminating red, white, or blue lights in ways not allowed by the subsection.
    • Allows authorized operation of era-representative lights if:
    • Written authorization from the local chief of the law enforcement agency or fire department is obtained and kept in possession.
    • Authorization can be shown to law enforcement on request.
    • Authorized operation occurs when:
      • Vehicle is stationary on public property at community/educational events (or when displayed at fairs/schools),
      • On public roads during organized parades or ceremonial events, or
      • On private property with owner permission (motion or still).
    • Defines “antique emergency vehicle” consistently with §55-4-111(b).

Section 3: Bell/Siren/Exhaust Whistle Regulations

  • Adds new subsection (e) to 55-9-201:
    • Prohibitions on operating bell, siren, or exhaust whistle do not apply to privately owned antique emergency vehicles if equipment is era-representative.
    • Requires written authorization from local LEA or fire chief and possession/retention of that authorization.
    • Authorized operation permitted under:
    • Stationary public-property display at events,
    • Public road movement during parades/ceremonial events,
    • Private property with owner permission.
    • Defines “antique emergency vehicle” as in §55-4-111(b).

Section 4: Blue Lights Provisions

  • Adds subsection (g) to 55-9-414:
    • Prohibitions on blue flashing lights (and blue with red) do not apply to privately owned antique emergency vehicles if lights are era-representative.
    • Requires written authorization from local chief where operated and possession of authorization.
    • Authorized operation permitted under:
    • Stationary public-property displays at events,
    • Public-road parades/ceremonial events,
    • Private-property use with owner permission.
    • Applies to antique law enforcement vehicles.

Section 5: Criminal Impersonation

  • Amends 39-16-301(b) to add a new subdivision clarifying that operating an antique emergency vehicle under the new provisions does not constitute criminal impersonation of a law enforcement officer.

Section 6: Effective Date

  • The act takes effect July 1, 2025.

3. Affected Parties and Entities

  • Private owners of antique emergency vehicles registered as antique motor vehicles (55-4-111).
  • Local law enforcement agencies and fire departments (responsible for providing written authorization).
  • General public venues (community/educational events, fairs, festivals, schools) where displays or parades may occur.
  • Private property owners where display or operation may occur with permission.

4. Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Written authorization from the appropriate local chief and possession of such authorization are required for operation of lights/sirens.
  • Authorization must be kept in the operator’s possession and presented to law enforcement upon request.
  • Effective date: July 1, 2025.
  • The accompanying fiscal note indicates no significant fiscal impact; the bill’s changes are not expected to meaningfully affect registration numbers or enforcement costs.

5. Fiscal Impact

  • Fiscal Review indicates a not-significant impact.
  • No significant changes to registration volumes or department workloads anticipated.

If you’d like, I can provide a side-by-side comparison of current law vs. amended language or a plain-language FAQ for private antique emergency vehicle owners and event organizers.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.