Tennessee Motorcycle Info: Insurance, Licensing, Safety, and More

Motorcycle Insurance & Requirements

Motorcycle insurance is required to ride in the state. A minimum liability must be maintained for your policy to be valid of:

  • Bodily Injury Liability Limit for Individual: $30,000
  • Bodily Injury Liability Limit for Every Person in Accident: $60,000
  • Property Damage Liability Limit: $25,000

When looking for insurance quotes in Tennessee, you may want to begin by looking at our review of insurance companies or get more detailed information on motorcycle insurance companies from the state regulator's website. You can see the full list of licensed insurers in the state plus get many other useful resources including information on how to file a complaint by visiting the state insurance division web site.

Licensing and Registration

The required examinations in the Tennessee motorcycle license application process vary slightly depending on whether or not you currently have a valid state operator license. If you currently hold a valid Tennessee driver license and bring a certificate of completion from a Tennessee Certified Motorcycle Rider Education Program you will be exempt from taking the motorcycle knowledge and skills road test. Students who successfully complete either course of the Tennessee certified MREP will receive a completion card and a certificate. If you do not currently hold a valid Tennessee driver license, you must also take a knowledge test for a Class D license based on the Tennessee Driver Study Guide. If you have completed a Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) course in any state, you may present the certificate of completion or MSF wallet card and have the ability skills test waived. MSF course completion does NOT waive the required knowledge test(s) for a Class D license. If you already have a valid Class D or PD license, your motorcycle examination will consist of a vision screening, motorcycle rules of the road knowledge test, motorcycle pre-trip inspection and the Motorcycle skills road test.

Please visit these Tennessee websites for updated and detailed information


Helmet Laws

Helmets must be in all riders possession and worn by riders under 19 and worn by novice riders. We strongly advocate the use of helmets at all times for all riders and passengers to protect from injuries.

Use our specialized search to find Tennessee motorcycle resources



Motorcycle Safety Schools and Training Programs

Many states offer motorcycle safety training programs and most insurance companies will offer discounts to bikers that have completed a certified course.
Below is a partial list of The Motorcycle Safety Foundation Certified Safety courses in Tennessee. See www.msf-usa.org for a complete and updated list


Accidents and Safety in Tennessee

According to the National Highway Traffic Association and Federal Highway Administration, in 2008 there were 151,368 motorcycles registered in Tennessee with only 134 motorcycle accident deaths in the state.

StateRegistered MotorcyclesMotorcycle Riders KilledPercent HelmetedPercent Not HelmetedImpaired Riders Killed (BAC=.01+)
TN151.36813489%11%31%
KY64.9949340%60%28%
VA82.6028293%7%46%
NC121.59715991%9%38%
GA186.71916693%7%25%
AL126.6759585%15%27%
MS28.1713979%21%32%
AR71.0805942%58%37%
MO99.02510277%23%36%

Sweet Rides in Tennessee

Here are some of the designated highways to consider for a ride. Enjoy the beautiful vistas the state has to offer bikers.

  • Cherohala Skyway
  • East Tennessee Crossing
  • Great River Road
  • Natchez Trace Parkway
  • Woodlands Trace

Biking Clubs

  • Freemasons RC - A Masonic Motorcycle Riding Club

Useful Resources

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