The concept we are familiar with as "strict liability" is when there is no particular criminal intent is required by a state to convict a person of a traffic offense. In this situation the only proof needed is evidence that the person charged actually committed the unlawful act.

For example, if there is reliable evidence of speeding, it need not also be proven that the driver intended to exceed the speed limit; it normally does not matter for liability purposes if the speeding was inadvertent or purposeful by the driver.

Strict liability traffic offenses typically include such violations as failure to use turn signals, failure to yield, turning into the wrong lane, parking next to a yellow curb and exceeding the speed limit to name a few.

As for driving uninsured, in general it does not need to be shown that you intentionally driving without insurance for you to be cited and found guilty of the offense. It instead usually must just be shown that you were in fact operating a vehicle without at least the state minimum required auto insurance (or financial responsibility) on the vehicle. If you want to know about specific Tennessee laws you should contact a legal professional that can discuss this issue of strict liability and driving uninsured with you and cite TN Statutes which we cannot since we are not legal experts.

According to the TN Department of Safety in Tennessee, failure to show proof of financial responsibility is a Class C misdemeanor whose penalty is 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 of the driver. 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.

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. Instead of risking being caught driving without insurance in TN, contact us for inexpensive car insurance.