15-116. State registration plates--definitions; registration plates required on vehicles; manner of attachment and display; using plates of others and lending; and offense.
   (1)   Definitions:
      (a)   "Passenger vehicle." Every motor vehicle, except motorcycles and motor driven cycles, designed for carrying ten (10) passengers or less and used for the transportation of persons.
      (b)   "Truck." Every motor vehicle designed, used, or maintained primarily for the transportation of property.
      (c)   "Tractor." Every motor vehicle designed and used primarily for drawing other vehicles and not so constructed as to carry a load other than a part of the weight of the vehicle and load so drawn.
      (d)   "Trailer." Every vehicle with or without motive power other than a pole trailer, designed for carrying persons or property and for being drawn by a motor vehicle and so constructed that no part of its weight rests upon the towing vehicle.
      (e)   "Semitrailer." Every vehicle without motive power and not a motor vehicle as herein defined, other than a pole trailer, designed for carrying persons or property and for being drawn by a motor vehicle and so constructed that some part of its weight and that of its load rests upon or is carried by another vehicle.
      (f)   "Motorcycle." Every motorcycle having a seat or saddle for the use of the rider and designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground, but excluding a tractor.
      (g)   "Motor driven cycle." Every motorcycle, including every motor scooter, with a motor which produces not to exceed five (5) brake horsepower.
      (h)   "Registration." The registration certificate or certificates and registration plates issued under the laws of the state pertaining to the registration of vehicles.
   (2)   Registration plates required. Except as otherwise provided in the Tennessee Code Annotated, no person shall operate any vehicle within the corporate city limits unless such vehicle shall have affixed thereto a current registration plate issued for the operation of the vehicle.
   The registration plate issued for passenger motor vehicles shall be attached on the rear of the vehicle. The registration plate issued for those trucks with a manufacturers ton rating not exceeding three-quarters ton and having a panel or pick-up body style, and also those issued for all motor homes, regardless of ton rating or body style thereof, shall be attached to the rear of the vehicle. The registration plate issued for all other trucks and truck tractors shall be attached to the front of the vehicle. All dealer plates, and those registration plates issued for motorcycles, motor driven cycles, trailers, and semitrailers, shall be attached to the rear of the vehicle.
   (3)   Manner of attachment and display. Every registration plate shall, at all times, be securely fastened in a horizontal position to the vehicle for which it is issued so to prevent the plate from swinging, and at a height of not less than twelve (12) inches from the ground, measuring from the bottom of such plate, in a place and position to be clearly visible, and shall be maintained free from foreign materials and in a condition to be clearly legible.
   (4)   Using plates of others or lending. No person shall lend to another any certificate of title, certificate of registration, registration plate, special plate, or permit issued to him, if the person desiring to borrow the same would not be entitled to the use thereof, nor shall any person knowingly permit the use of any of the same by one not entitled thereto, nor shall any person display upon a vehicle any certificate of registration, registration plate, or permit not issued for such vehicle or not otherwise lawfully used thereon.
   (5)   Offense. Any person violating any of the provisions of this article shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and fined accordingly.
(1970 Code, § 9-124)