Laws by state / Tennessee
Tennessee
What Tennessee's statutes say about riding each kind of personal electric vehicle. Local rules can be stricter.
E-bikes
How the law defines it: Three-class system. 2 or 3 wheels (at least one 20 in or larger), working pedals, motor under 750 W. Class 1: pedal-assist to 20 mph. Class 2: throttle, to 20 mph. Class 3: pedal-assist to 28 mph. Not a motor vehicle; bicycle laws apply.
Road
Local rules decide
Class 1/2 may use any part of a street or highway where bicycles may travel, including the shoulder. Since April 2026, a local government (including on state highways in its area) or a state agency may regulate or ban Class 1/2 there for public safety.
Bike lane
Local rules decide
Class 1/2 allowed in bike lanes unless a local government or state agency restricts them. Class 3 only in a bike lane, shoulder or path within or next to the road, or where the local government or state agency permits it.
Sidewalk
Allowed with limits
Only where the local government or state agency allows bicycles on that sidewalk, and only with the motor disabled.
Paths and trails
Allowed with limits
Class 1/2 allowed on paths and trails meant for bicycles unless a local government or state agency restricts them. Class 3 not allowed on paths or trails unless within or next to a road, or permitted by the local government or state agency.
- Helmet
- Class 3: required for all riders and passengers.
- Minimum age
- Class 3: 16 (raised from 14 on July 1, 2026). Younger riders may be passengers.
- Speed limit or cap
- 20 mph motor assist (Class 1 and 2), 28 mph (Class 3)
- Motor power cap
- Under 750 W
- License, registration, insurance
- Exempt from motor vehicle laws, including driver licensing, financial responsibility, title and registration.
- Also worth knowing
- Manufacturers must label class, top assisted speed and wattage; modifying speed without relabeling is a misdemeanor. Class 3 needs a speedometer on streets. Pub. Ch. 651 (2026) gave local governments and state agencies power to regulate or ban Class 1/2 e-bikes on streets and raised the Class 3 age to 16. Base code text verified on Justia (2025 Tennessee Code); the 2026 changes verified from the adopted amendments on the Tennessee General Assembly site. The official code is hosted by LexisNexis and was not accessible.
Checked October 26, 2026
Statutes: Tenn. Code 55-8-301; 55-8-302; 55-8-305; 55-8-306 (as amended by Pub. Ch. 651, 2026); 55-8-307 (as amended by Pub. Ch. 651, 2026); 55-8-101(41)
- Tenn. Code 55-8-301 (Electric bicycle definitions)
- Tenn. Code 55-8-302 (Laws applicable to electric bicycles)
- Tenn. Code 55-8-305 (Equipment requirements)
- Tenn. Code 55-8-306 (Where e-bikes may operate)
- Tenn. Code 55-8-307 (Class 3 age and helmet)
- Tenn. Code 55-8-101 (Definitions: electric scooter, motor vehicle)
- Tenn. Pub. Ch. 651 (2026), SB1782: bill history (effective Apr. 6 and July 1, 2026)
- SB1782 Senate Amendment 1 (SA0525), adopted: amends 55-8-306(a) and 55-8-307(a)
- SB1782 Senate Amendment 2 (SA0556), adopted: Class 3 on paths and trails
- Tenn. Pub. Ch. 823 (2016), SB1705 adopted amendment SA0733 (original e-bike law)
E-scooters
How the law defines it: "Electric scooter": under 100 lb, handlebars, electric motor and/or human power, top motor speed 20 mph. Not a motor vehicle. The e-bike rules in 55-8-302 apply to it.
Road
Local rules decide
Treated like an e-bike under 55-8-302 (bicycle laws apply). Counties and cities may regulate or ban scooters by ordinance.
Bike lane
Local rules decide
Not specifically addressed; bicycle laws apply through 55-8-302. Local governments may regulate or ban scooters.
Sidewalk
Local rules decide
Not specifically addressed; local governments may regulate or ban scooters.
Paths and trails
Local rules decide
Not specifically addressed; local governments may regulate or ban scooters.
- Helmet
- Not addressed in statute.
- Minimum age
- None in statute.
- Speed limit or cap
- Device top speed 20 mph
- Motor power cap
- None in statute (100 lb weight limit)
- License, registration, insurance
- Exempt from motor vehicle laws, including driver licensing, title and registration.
- Also worth knowing
- For DUI purposes an electric scooter counts as a motor-driven vehicle (55-10-401). Verified against Justia (2025 Tennessee Code) and the enacted 2019 amendment on the Tennessee General Assembly site. The official code is hosted by LexisNexis and was not accessible.
Checked October 26, 2026
Statutes: Tenn. Code 55-8-101; 55-8-208; 55-8-302
- Tenn. Code 55-8-101 (Definitions: electric scooter, motor vehicle)
- Tenn. Code 55-8-208 (Regulation of electric scooters)
- Tenn. Code 55-8-302 (Laws applicable to electric bicycles)
- Tenn. Pub. Ch. 388 (2019), SB1107 adopted amendment HA0475 (electric scooter law)
Electric boards (incl. Onewheel-style)
Not addressed in statute. We found no Tennessee statute that covers this vehicle by name or by a definition that clearly fits it. That isn't permission: police and cities may treat it under another category. No statute names electric skateboards. The 'electric scooter' definition requires handlebars.
Checked October 26, 2026
Something wrong in this section? Tell us.Electric unicycles
Not addressed in statute. We found no Tennessee statute that covers this vehicle by name or by a definition that clearly fits it. That isn't permission: police and cities may treat it under another category. No statute names electric unicycles. The 'electric scooter' definition requires handlebars.
Checked October 26, 2026
Something wrong in this section? Tell us.