In 2025, Tennessee enacted significant changes to its vehicle laws, introducing new restrictions that directly impact which vehicles are allowed on public roads. The most notable update is a sweeping ban on certain driverless vehicles, making Tennessee the only state in the nation to implement such a comprehensive prohibition.
This article outlines the specifics of the ban, the vehicles affected, the rationale behind the legislation, and the latest statistics on road safety in Tennessee.
The New Ban: Driverless Commercial Vehicles
Tennessee Senate Bill 310, passed in early 2025, prohibits the operation of driverless vehicles used to transport property in interstate commerce or passengers for compensation—such as automated trucks and robotaxis—unless a human operator is physically present in the vehicle. This means:
1.) Fully autonomous commercial vehicles (including delivery trucks and ride-hailing robotaxis) cannot operate on Tennessee’s public roads without a human driver inside.
2.) The law applies to both goods transport and passenger services.
3.) Tennessee is now the only state with a blanket statutory ban on these types of driverless vehicles.
Rationale Behind the Ban
Lawmakers supporting SB 310 argue that the measure is necessary for public safety and to address concerns about job losses in the trucking industry. However, critics note that:
1.) Automated driving systems have demonstrated significant safety benefits, with research showing an 88% reduction in property damage claims and a 92% reduction in bodily injury claims when compared to human drivers.
2.) The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that human error is a factor in over 90% of vehicle crashes.
3.) ennessee’s urban highways are among the most dangerous in the region, ranking #47 nationally for urban highway fatality ratesccording to the Reason Foundation’s 27th Annual Highway Report.
Additional Vehicle Restrictions in 2025
Beyond the driverless vehicle ban, Tennessee’s 2025 legislative session introduced other notable vehicle-related restrictions:
Ban on box trucks transporting people: New laws prohibit the use of box trucks for transporting passengers, targeting safety concerns after several high-profile incidents.
Ban on unauthorized banners on highways: To improve visibility and reduce distractions, unauthorized banners are now banned from Tennessee highways.
Legal Gray Areas and Enforcement
Despite the ban, Tennessee law already required that all vehicles—autonomous or not—must adhere to safety standards, including having the necessary equipment and following fail-safe procedures.
Violations are classified as a Class A misdemeanor. The new law, however, preemptively blocks the deployment of fully driverless commercial vehicles, even if they meet existing safety requirements.
Latest Road Safety Statistics
Urban highway fatality rate: Tennessee ranks #47 nationallyindicating a high rate of fatalities on urban highways.
Autonomous vehicle safety: Studies show that driverless vehicles, where allowed, have led to a dramatic decrease in both property and bodily injury claims compared to traditional vehicles.
Conclusion
Tennessee’s 2025 ban on driverless commercial vehicles marks a significant policy shift, setting the state apart from the rest of the country. While the intent is to address safety and economic concerns, evidence suggests that autonomous vehicles could actually improve road safety. As technology and legislation continue to evolve, Tennessee’s approach will be closely watched by other states and stakeholders in the transportation industry.
Source:
[1] https://reason.org/backgrounder/tennessee-senate-bill-310-would-prohibit-driverless-vehicles/
[2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=532jKxtF3ZY
[3] https://www.davis-hoss.com/self-driving-cars-and-dui-where-tennessee-stands-in-2025/
[4] https://trackbill.com/bill/tennessee-senate-bill-728-motor-vehicles-as-enacted-authorizes-utility-terrain-vehicles-to-operate-on-county-roads-and-state-highways-throughout-the-state-subject-to-certain-restrictions-amends-tca-title-55/2644744/
[5] https://www.newschannel5.com/news/177-new-tennessee-laws-go-into-effect-july-1st-here-are-the-ones-that-caught-our-eye
[6] https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/revenue/documents/tax_manuals/june-2025/auto-dealership-manual.pdf
[7] https://www.tba.org/?pg=LawBlog&blAction=showEntry&blogEntry=123585