There are some Tennessee laws that are pretty important to know. There are so many fun places to visit in Tennessee, but getting a ticket, a fine or even arrested, would put a BIG damper on all of your fun! Here are some laws that you will want to know to ensure you have the most fun on your trip!

Hands Free in Tennessee Law

This is Tennessee’s newest law and one that might be very different than the laws in your state. It is now illegal to:

• Hold a cellphone or mobile device with any part of the body
• Write, send or read any text-based communication
• Reach for a cellphone or mobile device in a manner that requires the driver to no longer be in a seated driving position or properly restrained by a seat belt
• Watch a video or movie on a cellphone or mobile device
• Record or broadcast video on a cellphone or mobile device

Drivers are allowed to use GPS to navigate. Drivers can use one swipe or tap to turn a feature on or off, if the phone is mounted on the vehicle’s dashboard, windshield or center console,

Don’t Drink and Drive! It’s the Law!

Tennessee has mandatory jail time for DUI offenders. A first-time DUI offender gets 48 hours in jail — unless that person is found to have a blood alcohol concentration of more than 0.20 percent. If that is the case, the sentence can range from a minimum of seven days to a maximum of nearly one year in jail.

Alcohol in State Parks

The public display of any container of alcoholic beverages and the consumption of alcoholic beverages within state park areas that are open to the general public is prohibited. You may have alcohol in facilities that are licensed to sell alcoholic beverages like clubhouses, restaurants, etc.

Wildlife Viewing

There are some cool wildlife in TN! Especially in the Smoky Mountains! But there are some laws that go along with it as well. Most visitors understand that feeding wildlife is against the law, but many people do not realize that disturbing park wildlife is also a violation of federal regulations and can result in fines and arrest.

The laws protecting park wildlife are contained in the Code of Federal Regulations. It states that “Willfully approaching within 50 yards (150 feet), or any distance that disturbs or displaces bear or elk is prohibited.” In addition, feeding, touching, teasing, frightening, or intentionally disturbing wildlife is prohibited.

MySmokyMountainVacation.com says: as a rule of thumb, if you approach an animal so closely that it changes its behavior, you have approached too closely. Instead use binoculars, spotting scopes and cameras with telephoto lenses to enjoy wildlife. Watch for any modification in an animal’s behavior that indicates that you have approached too closely. Move away from the animal until you reach a distance at which the animal feels comfortable once again and resumes whatever activity it was engaged in before you approached.

I hope you visit Tennessee soon and I hope these laws help you enjoy every minute of it safely!