Exemptions From Classified And Commercial Licensing

(1) Driver licenses are not required for drivers who operate the vehicles described below, under the conditions specified for each: (a) Any member of the armed forces, reserves, and national guard while operating a motor vehicle owned or leased by any branch of the armed services of the United States; (b) Any person while driving or operating any road machine, farm tractor, or implement of husbandry operated or moved on a highway for the purposes of conducting agricultural or construction operations; (c) Nonresidents at least sixteen (16) years old who have in their immediate possession a valid driver license issued by their home state or country, provided that the out of state license is equivalent to the class license required in Tennessee, and provided that thirty (30) days after residency is established, a Tennessee class license is obtained; and (d) Students pursuing driver training course in a public school or a private secondary school approved by Tennessee’s Commissioner of Education or by a recognized regional or national accrediting agency, or in a duly licensed commercial driver training school, provided that: 1. The student is operating a Class D motor vehicle bearing the school’s identification, and is accompanied at all times by an instructor certified and registered by the Tennessee Department of Education. (2) Commercial driver licenses are not required for drivers who operate the vehicles described below, under the conditions specified for each: (a) Vehicles which are controlled and operated by a farmer or nurseryman that are used to transport either agricultural products, farm machinery, or farm supplies to or from a farm or nursery, and are not used in the operations of a common or contract motor carrier and are used within one hundred fifty (150) miles of the person’s farm or nursery; (b) Vehicles designed and used solely as emergency vehicles which are necessary for the preservation of life or property, or the execution of emergency governmental functions performed under emergency conditions and not subject to normal traffic regulation. This exemption shall apply to vehicles operated by paid or non-paid personnel; (c) Vehicles of the United States Department of Defense when operated by military personnel on active duty, members of the Reserves and National Guard on active duty including personnel on full-time National Guard duty, personnel on part-time training and National Guard military technicians or civilians who are required to wear military uniforms and are subject to the code of military justice; CLASSIFIED AND COMMERCIAL DRIVERS LICENSES CHAPTER 1340-01-13 AND TEMPORARY DRIVER LICENSES (d) Vehicles designed and used primarily as recreational vehicles as defined in 1340-01- 13-.02; or (e) Vehicles leased strictly and exclusively to transport personal possessions or family members for non-business purposes. (3) Drivers who operate the vehicles described in subpart (2) above must comply with all requirements specified elsewhere in 1340-01-13-.03 and 1340-01-13-.04 for a Class D license with the proper endorsement. (4) For up to six (6) months, non U.S. citizens who are employed in managerial or technical positions in this State may operate under a valid driver’s license issued by another state, country, or international body.