Both you and your 17 would likely be facing penalties plus be held personally responsible for the damages your minor, teenage son caused if he was in an accident while driving without a license and in an uninsured vehicle.

According to the Tennessee Department of Safety a conviction for driving without being licensed (or having a permit or certificate for driving) is a Class B misdemeanor. The penalty is a fine up to $500 and/or 6 months in jail. This is under TN Code Section 55-50-301 that it is required to have a valid license to drive a motor vehicle. TN Law section 55-50-603 then lists the penalty as a Class B misdemeanor.

Driving without a license may also delay your son's ability to obtain a Tennessee driver's license; he would need to check with the TN Department of Safety about this issue. If it was your vehicle that he was driving and you allowed him to than you may want to check with a lawyer to see what your liabilities are. We have read about parents who are found liable in court based on negligent entrustment. Tennessee recognizes a cause of action for the negligent entrustment of an automobile to one who is incompetent to use it, such as one that is unlicensed.

As for driving without insurance, according to the TN Department of Safety failure to show proof of financial responsibility is a Class C misdemeanor. This type of offense comes with a penalty of a fine of not more than $100. Once the state is notified of a conviction for this offense, the violator’s driver's license will be suspended.

Also a STOP will be placed against the vehicle's registration. If financial responsibility can be shown prior to the court date though they might be able to dismiss charges, the driver will need to submit proof of Financial Responsibility again to the TN Financial Responsibility Division before their registration is renewed.

If your son contributed to the accident and a claim is filed with the Tennessee Department of Safety by the other party than he (and you possibly with him since he is a minor) will need to obtain notarized releases from all parties that filed claims with the department or post a bond for the amount of the damages sustained by other parties. If these requirements are not complied with, driver's licenses and registrations can be revoked.

If your driving privileges are revoked due to a conviction or failure to file security after an accident, in addition to all other requirements you must have a liability insurance carrier file an SR-22 form with the Department of Safety before privileges can be reinstated.

As you should be aware Tennessee state law requires minimum Bodily Injury Liability limits of $25,000 per injured person up to a total of $50,000 per accident, and Property Damage Liability coverage with a minimum limit of $10,000. This basic coverage is often referred to as 25/50/10 coverage. Contact us for inexpensive car insurance quotes if you have a vehicle that is not covered by TN auto insurance.

Since your son is 17, and thus a minor, not only will he be held responsible for damages he caused while driving without insurance and without a license but likely yourself as his parent can also be held liable. As to what extent the parents can be held responsible in TN, you would need to check with someone that is an expert with the Tennessee legal system, such as a lawyer or perhaps even the TN Department of Commerce and Insurance, the insurance regulator for Tennessee could help you.