SAMPLE FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY(INSURANCE) LAW ORDINANCE
(If Adopted Separate From Other Traffic Violations)

ORDINANCE NO. _______________________________________

AN ORDINANCE TO MAKE A VIOLATION OF TENNESSEE CODE ANNOTATED  § 55‑12‑139 A MUNICIPAL ORDINANCE VIOLATION

WHEREAS, under the authority of T.C.A. § 16-18-302, municipalities are authorized to make violations of T.C.A. § 55‑12‑139 municipal ordinance violations,

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ENACTED BY THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE CITY OF ________________________________________, THAT:
(Note: Use whatever introductory language is required by the city’s charter and by custom.)

Section 1. Compliance with financial responsibility law required.

(1)       Every vehicle operated within the corporate limits must be in compliance with the financial responsibility law.

(2)       At the time the driver of a motor vehicle is charged with any moving violation under Title 55, Chapters 8 and 10, Parts 1‑5, Chapter 50; any provision in this title of this municipal code; or at the time of an accident for which notice is required under T.C.A. § 55‑10‑106, the officer shall request evidence of financial responsibility as required by this section. In case of an accident for which notice is required under T.C.A. § 55‑10‑106, the officer shall request such evidence from all drivers involved in the accident, without regard to apparent or actual fault.

(3)       For the purposes of this section, “financial responsibility” means:

(a)       Documentation, such as the declaration page of an insurance policy, an insurance binder, or an insurance card from an insurance company authorized to do business in Tennessee, stating that a policy of insurance meeting the requirements of the Tennessee Financial Responsibility Law of 1977, compiled in T.C.A. Title 55, Chapter 12, Part 1, has been issued;

(b)       A certificate, valid for one (1) year, issued by the commissioner of safety, stating that a cash deposit or bond in the amount required by the Tennessee Financial Responsibility Law of 1977, compiled in T.C.A. Title 55, Chapter 12, Part 1, has been paid or filed with the commissioner of revenue, or the driver has qualified as a self‑insurer under T.C.A. § 55‑12‑111; or

(c)        The motor vehicle being operated at the time of the violation was owned by a carrier subject to the jurisdiction of the Department of Safety or the Interstate Commerce Commission, or was owned by the United States, the state of Tennessee or any political subdivision thereof, and that such motor vehicle was being operated with the owner's consent.

Section 2. Civil Offense.
It is a civil offense to fail to provide evidence of financial responsibility pursuant to this ordinance. Any violation of this ordinance is punishable by a civil penalty of up to fifty dollars ($50). The civil penalty prescribed by this ordinance shall be in addition to any other penalty prescribed by the laws of this state or by the city's municipal code of ordinances.

Section 3. Evidence of Compliance after Violation.
On or before the court date, the person charged with a violation of this ordinance may submit evidence of compliance with this ordinance in effect at the time of the violation. If it is the person's first violation and the court is satisfied that the financial responsibility was in effect at the time of the violation, the charge of failure to provide evidence of financial responsibility shall be dismissed. Upon the person's second or subsequent violation of this section, if the court is satisfied that the financial responsibility was in effect at the time of the violation, the charge of failure to provide evidence of financial responsibility may be dismissed. Any charge that is dismissed shall be dismissed without costs to the defendant and no litigation tax shall be due or collected.

Section 4. This ordinance shall take effect immediately upon adoption by the governing body upon final reading, the public welfare requiring.

Passed first reading: _____________________________

Passed second reading: __________________________

Passed third reading: ____________________________

Signed: _______________________________________
                                                         Mayor

Attest: ________________________________________
                                                          Recorder

Approved as to form: ____________________________
                                                          City Attorney

EDITOR'S NOTE: If at the time of the violation, an accident resulting in bodily injury or death and such person was at fault for the accident, the municipal court shall have no jurisdiction unless it has general sessions jurisdiction. Public Chapter 479 (2013, effective 7/1/13)