Tennessee Trucking Regulations

Tennessee follows the federal 80,000 lbs GVW limit on interstate highways. The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) issues oversize/overweight permits through the Permits Office. Single-trip permits start at $30. Tennessee operates weigh stations along I-40, I-65, I-24, I-75, and I-81. The Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) conducts CMV enforcement with approximately 40,000 inspections annually. Overweight fines start at $100. Tennessee has specific regulations for I-40 through downtown Nashville — truck traffic on I-440 bypass is encouraged during peak hours. I-81 through northeast Tennessee is a major freight corridor connecting the Southeast to the Northeast.

Memphis is the logistics capital of the southeastern United States. FedEx World Hub at Memphis International Airport makes it the world's largest cargo airport. The Port of Memphis on the Mississippi River, BNSF and Norfolk Southern intermodal yards, and 5 interstate highways (I-40, I-55, I-240, I-269, I-22) converge in the Memphis area. The Memphis metropolitan area handles more freight per capita than any US metro. This creates massive trucking demand for drayage, distribution, and through-freight. Tennessee follows federal HOS and ELD regulations. The I-40 Memphis-Nashville corridor is one of the busiest freight lanes in the Southeast.

Tennessee requires intrastate carriers to register with TDOT. The state does not require periodic safety inspections for commercial vehicles. Tennessee enforces IFTA and IRP requirements. The state has no income tax on earned income (the Hall Tax on investment income was phased out in 2021). This makes Tennessee very attractive for owner-operators. The state has specific mountain driving considerations for I-40 through the Smoky Mountains and I-81 through the Appalachian region. Chain requirements may apply during winter storms in eastern Tennessee mountain passes. The Nashville metro area has significant traffic congestion affecting delivery times.