Tennessee Tightens Traffic Laws in Sweeping 2026 Safety Overhaul

A focus on shared roads and accountability

One of the most notable changes is the requirement for all new driver's license applicants to learn and be tested on bicyclist hand signals. The new test questions will cover the standard signals for a left-hand turn (left arm extended straight), a right-hand turn (right arm extended straight or left arm extended upward), and slowing or stopping (arm extended downward).

This “hasn't been a part of the test until now with this new law," said Matthew Paul, president of Ride JC, a bicycle advocacy group. He shared a personal story of a near-miss incident when a driver misinterpreted his hand signal, highlighting the law's practical importance. This move reinforces Tennessee's legal requirement for motorists to "exercise due care" around cyclists, a rule that applies whether bicyclists are on the road, sidewalk, or bike paths.

A major shift in DUI enforcement and penalties

The most substantial legal changes center on driving under the influence, targeting what authorities call a "100 percent preventable crime". A cornerstone of the new approach is the introduction of roadside oral fluid testing. Officers can now use cotton swabs to screen for drug impairment during traffic stops, and the results can be used as evidence in court to obtain warrants for more precise blood draws.

"I think ultimately it's going to help public safety and just remind everyone that driving impaired on any substance is an incredibly reckless and dangerous and against the law thing to do," said Steven Burritt of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). This tool addresses a critical gap, as data shows drugs were a factor in nearly 18% of DUI cases in some Tennessee counties.

The laws also carry stronger consequences for non-compliance. The penalty for refusing a blood test during a DUI investigation has increased; a driver's license can now be suspended for up to one and a half years, up from one year. The legislation explicitly authorizes officers to use "reasonable force" to obtain a blood sample when a warrant has been secured. Penalties for repeat convictions of vehicular assault, a more serious charge than DUI, have also been increased to correct a previous "inequity" in sentencing.

Other key changes affecting drivers

Several other new laws will impact Tennessee motorists:

• Drivers required to use ignition interlock devices after a DUI offense will have more flexibility, with a two-week window to attend mandatory calibration appointments instead of facing penalties for missing a specific day
• It is now a Class B misdemeanor to drive with an invalid license, and the state will no longer recognize out-of-state driver's licenses issued exclusively to individuals without legal U.S. status
• A proposed bill for the 2026 legislative session would require a human driver to be present and able to take control of any autonomous vehicle used as a robotaxi or for transporting goods

The drive for safer roads

These laws arrive against a sobering backdrop: approximately one in three fatal car crashes in Tennessee involves DUI. Law enforcement, having long prioritized traffic safety since the first "Corner Men" directed traffic in Nashville intersections in 1912, views the new tools as essential.

"If people saw the numbers that we've seen or the things that we've seen on these scenes, they would absolutely understand why it's so important," said Sullivan County patrol Sgt. Jacob Hulse. He described the legislation as giving officers "more teeth to bite with and more muscle to deter these offenders from re-offending".

For the readers of YourAccident.com, Tennessee's legislative shift is a powerful reminder that roadway safety is a shared responsibility, enforced by ever-evolving laws. The changes underscore the severe legal and personal consequences of impaired and careless driving, while promoting a culture of awareness and mutual respect among all road users.