Tennessee DOT Compliance Guide for Fleet Owners
Navigate Tennessee-specific trucking regulations, inspection requirements, and fine schedules. Enforced by the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
Tennessee Trucking Compliance Overview
Commercial truck operators in Tennessee must comply with both federal FMCSA regulations and Tennessee-specific requirements enforced by the Tennessee Highway Patrol. With 18 active inspection stations statewide, the likelihood of a roadside inspection is significant for any carrier running regular routes through Tennessee.
Tennessee's gross vehicle weight limit of 80,000 lbs aligns with the federal standard, while truck speed limits are set at 70 mph on most interstate routes. The state's FMCSA operations are coordinated through the FMCSA Tennessee Division - 404 BNA Dr Suite 220, Nashville, TN 37217.
Tennessee Trucking Fine Schedule - 2026
| Violation Type | First Offense | Repeat Offense | OOS Violation | Max Fine |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DOT Inspections | $1,000 | $5,000 | $4,000 | $16,000 |
| Medical Card Renewal | $1,200 | $6,000 | $4,000 | $16,000 |
| Clearinghouse | $1,500 | $7,500 | $5,000 | $16,000 |
| Fines & Penalties | $1,000 | $5,000 | $4,000 | $16,000 |
| HOS Rules | $1,250 | $6,250 | $4,000 | $16,000 |
| Drug Testing | $2,000 | $10,000 | $5,000 | $16,000 |
| Maintenance | $800 | $4,000 | $4,000 | $16,000 |
| DQF Compliance | $1,000 | $5,000 | $3,000 | $16,000 |
| CSA Scores | $1,000 | $5,000 | $4,000 | $16,000 |
| Safety Audit | $1,500 | $7,500 | $5,000 | $16,000 |
Tennessee Compliance Topics
Compliance Guides by City in Tennessee
Select your city for local compliance requirements, inspection station locations, and city-specific fine schedules.
Neighboring State Compliance Guides
Automated Tennessee Compliance Monitoring
Compliance Concierge tracks your medical card renewals, Clearinghouse queries, and CSA score in Tennessee - automatically.