title
An ordinance amending subsections 6.77.110.A. and 6.78.090.A. of the Metropolitan Code of Laws to update requirements for driver permits for entertainment transportation vehicles and seated sightseeing vehicles.
body
WHEREAS, subsections 6.77.110.A. and 6.78.090.A. of the Metropolitan Code of Laws currently require operators of entertainment transportation vehicles (ETVs) and seated sightseeing vehicles (SSVs), respectively, to have commercial driver’s licenses or Passenger (P) endorsements on regular driver’s licenses, regardless of the size of the ETV or SSV, in order to be qualified for driver permits; and,
WHEREAS, pursuant to state law, operators of vehicles that carry fewer than 15 passengers, including the driver, are not eligible for obtain commercial driver’s licenses; and,
WHEREAS, pursuant to state law, operators of vehicles that carry 15 or fewer passengers, including the driver, are not eligible for a P-endorsement on a regular driver’s license; and,
WHEREAS, pursuant to state law, operators of vehicles that carry 15 or fewer passengers, including the driver, may obtain a Class D driver’s license with a For-Hire (F) endorsement; and,
WHEREAS, since subsections 6.77.110.A. and 6.78.090.A. of the Metropolitan Code of Laws require commercial driver’s licenses or P-endorsements for drivers of all ETVs and SSVs, no matter the size of the vehicle or the number of passengers they carry, the Metropolitan Transportation Licensing Commission (TLC) has not been able to offer permits to drivers of ETVs and SSVs that carry 15 or fewer passengers, and who do not have commercial driver’s licenses; and,
WHEREAS, in an effort to allow qualified drivers of ETVs and SSVs to be treated equally, no matter the size of the ETV or SSV they intend to operate or the amount of passengers the vehicle carries, the TLC desires to amend subsections 6.77.110.A. and 6.78.090.A. to fix the discrepancy between local law and state law; and,
WHEREAS, the TLC voted to recommend this ordinance to the Metropolitan Council for approval during its meeting held on July 21, 2026; and,
WHEREAS, the proposed amendments to subsections 6.77.110.A. and 6.78.090.A. of the Metropolitan Code of Laws are in the best interests of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. That subsection 6.77.110.A. of the Metropolitan Code of Laws is deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following language:
6.77.110 - Permit required-Violations and term.
A. No person shall drive or otherwise operate an entertainment transportation vehicle engaged in the transportation of passengers unless that person has a driver's permit and a currently effective Tennessee commercial driver’s license with a passenger (P) endorsement, or other legal driver's license with a for-hire (F) endorsement, as required by law based upon the operated vehicle’s size. To qualify for a permit, an applicant must comply with all of the requirements and stipulations of this chapter and any rules and regulations adopted by the MTLC.
Section 2. That subsection 6.78.090.A. of the Metropolitan Code of Laws is deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following language:
6.78.090 - Permit required-Violations and term.
A. No person shall drive or otherwise operate a seated sightseeing vehicle engaged in the transportation of passengers unless that person has a seated sightseeing vehicle driver's permit and a currently effective Tennessee commercial driver’s license with a passenger (P) endorsement, or other legal driver's license with a for-hire (F) endorsement, as required by law based upon the operated vehicle’s size. To qualify for a permit, an applicant must comply with all of the requirements and stipulations of this chapter and any rules and regulations adopted by the MTLC.
Section 3. This ordinance shall take effect after its passage, the welfare of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.