HB0359 Increases Penalties for Driving Without Valid License
Tennessee Legislative Events
Summary
HB0359, passed by the Tennessee General Assembly, amends TCA Title 39 and Title 55 to increase penalties for driving without a valid license. First offenses are elevated from Class C to Class B misdemeanors, while second or subsequent offenses within 10 years become Class A misdemeanors. The bill has passed both chambers and awaits the governor's signature.
What changed
HB0359 amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39 and Title 55 to increase criminal penalties for operating a motor vehicle without a valid driver license. The bill elevates the penalty classification from Class C misdemeanor (first offense) to Class B misdemeanor, and from a lower misdemeanor (subsequent offenses) to Class A misdemeanor for violations occurring within 10 years of a prior offense.
Tennessee residents who operate vehicles must ensure possession of a valid license for the vehicle being driven to avoid upgraded misdemeanor charges. Class A misdemeanors carry the most severe penalties among misdemeanor classifications, with potential for higher fines and longer jail sentences compared to Class C offenses. Compliance officers should note the enhanced enforcement posture once the governor signs this legislation.
What to do next
- Monitor for governor's signature and enactment
- Ensure valid driver license when operating vehicles in Tennessee
Archived snapshot
Apr 12, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
ChangeBridge / Tennessee / HB0359 Enrolled HB0359 House Bill Enrolled 2026-04-10
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39 and Title 55, relative to criminal offenses involving driving.
As introduced, increases the penalty for driving upon a highway without a valid driver license for the vehicle being driven from a Class C misdemeanor to a Class B misdemeanor for a first offense and a Class A misdemeanor for a second or subsequent offense committed within 10 years of a prior offense. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 55.
Bill Details
State Tennessee
Session 114th General Assembly
Chamber House
Official Source wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/Default?...
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Sponsors
William Lamberth (Rep - R) Paul Sherrell (Rep - R) Jake McCalmon (Rep - R) Fred Atchley (Rep - R) John Gillespie (Rep - R) John Crawford (Rep - R) Clay Doggett (Rep - R)
Action History
2026-04-10 H Enrolled; ready for sig. of H. Speaker. 2026-04-09 S Passed Senate, Ayes 27, Nays 5 2026-04-09 S Amendment withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - SA0835) 2026-04-09 S Senate substituted House Bill for companion Senate Bill. 2026-02-26 S Received from House, Passed on First Consideration 2026-02-24 H Engrossed; ready for transmission to Sen. 2026-02-23 H Sponsor(s) Added. 2026-02-23 H Passed H., as am., Ayes 85, Nays 5, PNV 0 2026-02-23 H H. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA0558) 2026-02-19 H H. Placed on Regular Calendar for 2/23/2026 2026-02-18 H Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 2/19/2026 2026-02-17 H Rec. for pass. if am., ref. to Calendar & Rules Committee 2026-02-11 H Placed on cal. Finance, Ways, and Means Committee for 2/17/2026 2026-02-11 H Rec for pass if am by s/c ref. to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee 2026-02-04 H Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 2/11/2026 2025-04-09 H Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/14/2025 2025-03-05 H Placed behind the budget 2025-02-26 H Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 3/5/2025 2025-02-26 H Assigned to s/c Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee 2025-02-25 H Sponsor(s) Added. 2025-02-25 H Rec. for pass; ref to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee 2025-02-19 H Placed on cal. Transportation Committee for 2/25/2025 2025-02-18 H Rec. for pass by s/c ref. to Transportation Committee 2025-02-12 H Placed on s/c cal Transportation Subcommittee for 2/18/2025 2025-02-05 H Assigned to s/c Transportation Subcommittee 2025-02-05 H P2C, ref. to Transportation Committee 2025-02-03 H Intro., P1C. 2025-01-27 H Filed for introduction
Votes
2025-02-18 HOUSE TRANSPORTATION SUBCOMMITTEE: Rec. for pass by s/c ref. to Transportation Committee Yea: 6 Nay: 2 2025-02-25 HOUSE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE: Rec. for pass; ref to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee Yea: 14 Nay: 2 2026-02-11 HOUSE FINANCE, WAYS, AND MEANS SUBCOMMITTEE: Rec for pass if am by s/c ref. to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee Yea: 8 Nay: 0 2026-02-17 HOUSE FINANCE, WAYS, AND MEANS COMMITTEE: Rec. for pass. if am., ref. to Calendar & Rules Committee Yea: 23 Nay: 0 2026-02-23 FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR AS AMENDED PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION Yea: 85 Nay: 5 2026-04-09 FLOOR VOTE: Third Consideration Yea: 27 Nay: 5
Committee Referrals
2025-02-05 H Transportation 2025-02-12 H General Sub of Transportation 2025-02-18 H Transportation 2025-02-25 H Finance, Ways & Means 2025-02-26 H Finance, Ways & Means Subcommittee 2026-02-11 H Finance, Ways & Means 2026-02-17 H Calendar and Rules
Amendments
2026-02-17 HA0558
Bill Text Versions
2025-01-27 Draft 2025-01-28 Draft
Subjects
Driver Licenses Legislative data powered by LegiScan (CC BY 4.0)
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