Effective January 1, 2027, Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-4-144 requires applicants seeking initial registrations for certain motor vehicles to provide documentation that the applicant is a U.S. citizen, a lawful permanent resident of the United States, or a person whose presence in the United States has been authorized by the federal government for a specific purpose and for a specified period of authorized stay.
In addition to the documentation above, proof of residency and identification is required to register a vehicle.
Now, the new Tennessee drivers must provide proof that they are a United States citizen.
Tennessee applicants must provide:
Title
Bill of sale
Identification
Proof of residency
This applies to those applying for vehicle registration in Tennessee, not to those who already have a Tennessee registration.
Lucky Knott is a longtime broadcaster, sportscaster, and news reporter, having worked in radio here in the Sequatchie Valley and in Coffee and Grundy County for many years. You can hear his news reports weekday mornings and afternoons on The River 104.9 WEPG in Marion County and Country Roads 93.3 in Dunlap/Pikeville. He is also Editor for SValleyNow.com - Sequatchie Valley Now.
