GENERAL PROVISIONS

Memphis Code of Ordinances tit. 11, ch. 11-60, art. 1

in effect

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 11-60-1 Definitions.

Sec. 11-60-1. - Definitions. The following definitions shall apply to this chapter: City's registration agent means the agent designated by the city to be in charge of city registrations and to issue certificates of registration pursuant to receiving proper applications from owners/operators of motor vehicles. Motorcycle means a motor vehicle having a saddle for the use of the rider and designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground. Motor vehicle means any device self-propelled in, upon or by which a person or property is transported or drawn upon the streets or the public ways of the city except a motorcycle, farm tractor or special mobile equipment. Owner means the person who holds the legal title of a vehicle, or in the event a vehicle is the subject of an agreement for the conditional sale or lease thereof, with the right of purchase upon performance of the condition stated in the agreement, and with an immediate right of possession vested in the conditional vendee or lessee, or in the event a mortgagor of a vehicle is entitled to possession, then such conditional vendee or lessee or mortgagor shall be deemed the owner for the purpose of this chapter; provided that every agent, servant, or employee operating the vehicle for the owner shall also be defined as owner if the owner, whether a natural person, firm, copartnership, association or corporation, has failed to comply with this article, and such agent, servant or employee shall be required to comply with the registration of the vehicle which he or she is operating, and the owner so designates the agent, servant or employee for this purpose as representing him or her by his or her use of the streets of the city. Person includes every natural person, firm, copartnership, association or corporation and shall be synonymous with "owner" as defined herein and may be used interchangeably. Special mobile equipment means any vehicle not designed or used primarily for the transportation of personal property and incidentally operated or moved over the streets or other public ways. (Code 1967, § 23-59; Code 1985, § 21-266; Ord. No. 244, § 1, 8-20-1968; Ord. No. 2491, § 1, 9-7-1976; Ord. No. 3187, § 1(1), 2-2-1982)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 11-60-2 Persons required to register motor vehicles—Exceptions.

Sec. 11-60-2. - Persons required to register motor vehicles—Exceptions. A. All residents of the city operating any motor vehicle for pleasure or business purposes shall register their motor vehicles and motorcycles with the city's registration agent during the dates prescribed by the state in chapters 1 through 6 of title 55, T.C.A., as presently enacted or hereafter amended, for the original or renewal of state registration of motor vehicles or within five days after the acquisition of any such vehicle. B. Exceptions to the registration requirement are the following: 1. Vehicles owned by governmental agencies, that is, the United States government, state, county and municipal governments, which have a state motor vehicle registration plate designating them as such, are not required to register with the city. If the state motor vehicle registration plate does not so designate the vehicle, city registration must be made, but no registration fee is to be charged; 2. A handicapped veteran, or former prisoner-of-war, who is a permanent resident of the city and who qualifies under section 55-4-209 or 55-4-211, T.C.A., must register, but shall be issued free of charge a city registration tag of the same classification as issued by the state motor vehicle registration department for a state license tag, commencing with city registration for the year 1977; 3. A resident of the state, and permanent resident of the city, who is a recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor, as defined in T.C.A. § 55-4-231; 4. A handicapped person who is permanently and totally confined to a wheelchair when so certified by a physician's statement, and other qualifications as defined in T.C.A. § 55-21-103(a), paragraphs 1, 2, and 3, and is a permanent resident of the city; 5. Any other exceptions allowable under T.C.A. title 55, which would be applicable to the city. (Code 1967, § 23-60; Code 1985, § 21-267; Ord. No. 244, § 1, 8-20-1968; Ord. No. 425, § 1, 4-1-1969; Ord. No. 462, § 1, 4-29-1969; Ord. No. 1979, § 5, 3-5-1974; Ord. No. 2491, § 1, 9-7-1976; Ord. No. 2558, § 1, 2-1-1977; Ord. No. 3187, § 1(2), 2-2-1982; Ord. No. 3310, § 1, 5-31-1983)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 11-60-3 Proof of inspection prerequisite to registration.

Sec. 11-60-3. - Proof of inspection prerequisite to registration. Effective October 1, 1985, no registration of vehicles owned by residents of the city shall be permitted without proof of current inspection. (Code 1985, § 21-267.1; Ord. No. 3458, § 1, 4-30-1985)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 11-60-4 Registration fees.

Sec. 11-60-4. - Registration fees. A. For every motor vehicle which is registered as required by this chapter, the owner thereof as classified under T.C.A. § 55-4-111 shall pay the city's registration agent fees as follows: Vehicle Registration Fee Classes | Current | Proposed Class (A) Motorcycles | $10.00 | $20.00 Class (B) Motorcycles with three wheels, used in furtherance of a commercial enterprise | $21.00 | $62.00 Class (C) Passenger motor vehicles | $30.00 | $60.00 Class (E) Private buses (not for hire) | $30.00 | $60.00 Class (F) Low-speed vehicles "Low Speed Vehicle" means any four wheeled electric or gasoline vehicle, excluding golf carts, whose top speed is greater than 20 mph but not greater than 25 mph, including neighborhood electric vehicles. Low speed vehicles must comply with the standards in 49 FR 571.500. | $30.00 | $60.00 Class (G) Medium-speed vehicles "Medium Speed Vehicle" means any four wheeled electric or gasoline vehicle, excluding golf cans, whose top speed is greater than 30 mph but not greater than 35 mph, including neighborhood electric vehicles and mini-trucks. Medium speed vehicles must meet or exceed the federal safety standards set forth in 49 CFR 571.500. | $30.00 | $60.00 Class (H) (i) Class I off-highway vehicles "Class I off-highway vehicle" means a motorized vehicle with not less than four non-highway tires, no more than six non-highway tires, whose top speed is greater than 35 mph, that is limited in total dry weight up to 2,500 lbs, that is 80 inches or less in width, and that has a non-straddle seating capable of holding no more than four passengers and a steering wheel. "Class I off-highway vehicle" includes mini-trucks. | $30.00 | $60.00 Class (H) (ii) Class II off-highway vehicles "Class II off-highway vehicle" means any off-highway vehicle that is designed to be primarily used for recreational purposes, that has a non-straddle seating capable of holding at least two but no more than four passengers and a steering wheel, and that is commonly referred to as a sand buggy, dune buggy, rock crawler, or sand rail, "Class II off-highway vehicle" does not include a snowmobile or other vehicle designed to travel exclusively over snow or ice. | $30.00 | $60.00 COMMERCIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION FEES CLASS | WEIGHT | MEMPHIS FEE BU1 | 1-7 SEATS | $60.00 BU2 | 8-15 SEATS | $60.00 BU3 | 16-25 SEATS | $60.00 BU4 | 26-25 SEATS | $60.00 BU5 | OVER 25 SEATS | $60.00 BU6 | WITHIN CITY | $60.00 HO1 | 9000 | $68.00 H02 | 16000 | $81.00 H03 | 20000 | $113.00 H04 | 26000 | $144.00 H05 | 32000 | $176.00 H06 | 38000 | $207.00 H07 | 44000 | $239.00 H08 | 55000 | $382.00 H09 | 66000 | $413.00 H10 | 74000 | $476.00 H11 | 80000 | $552.00 J02 | 16000 | $68.00 J03 | 20000 | $81.00 J04 | 26000 | $113.00 J05 | 32000 | $144.00 J06 | 38000 | $176.00 J07 | 44000 | $207.00 J08 | 56000 | $309.00 J09 | 66000 | $382.00 J10 | 74000 | $413.00 J11 | 80000 | $476.00 Z01 | 74000 LOCAL | $413.00 Z02 | 74000 MULTI | $413.00 Z03 | LOCAL CONCRETE | $413.00 Z04 | MULTI CONCRETE | $413.00 Z05 | 80000 LOCAL | $476.00 Z06 | 80000 MULTI | $476.00 FL1 | 9000 | $40.00 FL2 | 16000 | $43.00 FL3 | 20000 | $51.00 FL4 | 26000 | $59.00 FL5 | 32000 | $67.00 FL6 | 38000 | $74.00 FL7 | 44000 | $82.00 FL8 | 56000 | $101.00 F19 | 66000 | $108.00 FL10 | 74000 | $124.00 FL11 | 80000 | $143.00 WDI | WELL DRILLER | $68.00 SPO | SEMI TRAILER B. Registration fee for dealers, manufacturers and transporters. 1. Any manufacturer, transporter or dealer owning a motor vehicle for the sole purpose of resale may obtain "dealer" registration of the vehicle at the hereinafter fees for the specified purpose of operating such vehicles upon the city streets. Operation upon the streets of the city under this special registration is to be limited to operation by their customers for temporary purposes, not in excess of 24 hours, or for movement of any vehicle of the like type upon the city streets solely for the purpose of delivery. The operation of service vehicles owned by a manufacturer or transporter or dealer while using special registration is not permitted. The fee for the first registration shall be at the rate of $41.00, for a passenger motor vehicle and the charge for each additional registration for the manufacturer, transporter or dealer special registration shall be at $21.00 per vehicle. 2. Any dealer engaged in the sale of trucks (freight motor vehicles) at retail may make application for purchase of special dealer registration at a fee of $325.00 per unit. No dealer shall permit such registrations to be used by any person except one who is a prospective purchaser of such track. All other restrictions that apply to such dealers in T.C.A. § 55-4-117 shall also apply to the city registration. C. Proration of fees for any class shall be done in accordance with the laws of the State of Tennessee. D. All city registrations issued for motor vehicles as registered for state purposes under chapters 1 through 6 of title 55, T.C.A., shall expire at the same date set out in T.C.A. § 55-4-104 for the registration with the state. E. These fees shall apply to all vehicles whose registration becomes due from and after the effective date hereof. (Code 1967, § 23-61; Code 1985, § 21-268; Ord. No. 244 § 1, 8-20-1968; Ord. No. 425 § 2, 4-1-1969; Ord. No. 462 § 2, 4-29-1969; Ord. No. 596 § 1, 12-9-1969; Ord. No. 1357 § 1, 7-5-1972; Ord. No. 1979 § 1, 3-5-1974; Ord. No. 2491 § 1, 9-7-1976; Ord. No. 2559 § 1, 2-1-1977; Ord. No. 3187 § 1(3), 2-2-1982; Ord. No. 5912, § 1, 8-6-2024)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 11-60-5 Registration under chapters 1 through 6 of title 55, Tennessee Code Annotated—Required—Penalty for violation of section.

Sec. 11-60-5. - Registration under chapters 1 through 6 of title 55, Tennessee Code Annotated—Required—Penalty for violation of section. A. No vehicle, required to be registered under chapters 1 through 6 of title 55, T.C.A., shall be operated upon any street or public way of the city unless there shall be attached thereto and displayed thereon when and as required by chapters 1 through 6 of title 55, T.C.A., a valid and outstanding registration plate or plates issued therefor to the owner thereof for the current registration year, or a registration plate or plates issued to the owner thereof with the proper tabs, stickers or other devices attached or affixed thereto indicating a valid renewal of such registration plate or plates. Violation of this requirement by the owner or operator hereof shall be a misdemeanor punishable by fine of not more than $50.00. B. Any owner or operator of a vehicle who fails or refuses to display the certificate of registration therefor and in the case of a freight vehicle refusing to submit the vehicle and load for a weighing when directed by an officer of the law shall be guilty of misdemeanor punishable as provided in section 1-24-1. (Code 1967, § 23-68; Code 1985, § 21-269; Ord. No. 218, § 1, 7-23-1968)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 11-60-6 Display of registration plates—Manner.

Sec. 11-60-6. - Display of registration plates—Manner. Registration plates issued for motor vehicles shall be attached in compliance with state law. The registration plate issued for a truck shall be attached to the rear of the vehicle. The registration plate for a truck trailer shall be attached to the front of the vehicle. The registration plate issued for a motorcycle, trailer, semitrailer, or dealer's plate shall be attached to the rear of the vehicle. (Code 1967, § 23-69; Code 1985, § 21-270; Ord. No. 573, § 3, 10-28-1969)

Source: City of Memphis, Code of Ordinances and Charter and Related Laws (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tn/memphis/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT11VETR_CH11-60REVE_ART1GEPRFetched: 10/28/2026