William Gary | April 1, 2025 | Car Accident Lawyer Near Nashville Tennessee
Is It Illegal To Live and Sleep In Your Car In Tennessee?
Is it illegal to sleep in your car in Tennessee? Some people, for different reasons, find themselves in situations where they must sleep or even live out of their vehicle. At times, drivers might simply find the need to pull over and rest overnight in their car. Is sleeping in your car against the law in Tennessee? In some cases, yes.
Tennessee has laws and regulations on how long someone can stay parked in one spot or sleep in their car. In general, people can sleep in their car for up to 3 hours in Tennessee. Depending on where you are, the law can prevent you from parking overnight or camping in a vehicle.
What to Know About Parking Laws in Tennessee
Whether you are a Tennessee resident or visitor to the state, it is important to stay aware of Tennessee parking laws. Parking violations can lead to harsh fines, impoundment of a vehicle, or even being charged with a misdemeanor offense. Some prohibited parking practices in Tennessee include:
- Parking in designated no-parking zones
- Parking too close to an intersection
- Parking on curbs or sidewalks
- Parking too close to fire hydrants
- Parking in handicapped spaces.
When it comes to overnight parking, you will find time restrictions in most areas. Tennessee’s welcome centers and rest areas, for example, have two-hour parking limits, with no overnight parking allowed.
Most Tennessee cities have restrictions on sleeping in cars at public areas and private property. Pulling up to a park to get some rest at night, for example, can lead to a ticket in the morning or worse. Drivers need to be aware of their surroundings and rules that apply to sleeping in cars. Even if a spot is not marked with a sign to cover overnight parking, drivers can still run into trouble.
Tennessee law also prohibits camping on shoulders, berms, or right-of-ways on interstate or state highways. Staying under an overpass or bridge can also lead to a visit from law enforcement in Tennessee.
Where Can You Sleep in Your Car in Tennessee?
The general rule in Tennessee is that you can only keep your car in one spot for up to 3 hours. However, some exceptions can apply. Some cities might have safe parking programs that connect drivers to areas where they can safely stay overnight. Churches, shelters, and nonprofit programs also exist to offer safe harbors for overnight parking. Wherever you are in Tennessee, check ahead to see if a church or other organization will allow you to park and sleep in your car.
While overnight parking in commercial areas is usually illegal in Tennessee, some commercial stores will openly allow people to sleep overnight in their vehicles. Walmart stores across Tennessee will often allow overnight parking. This is usually to accommodate truck drivers and other workers who need to stay in a vehicle at night. Whether you are a trucker or not, Walmart might allow you to stay in your car for at least one night.
Truck stops such as Loves, Flying J, and Pilot can also be an option for drivers who need to sleep in their cars. Overnight fees might apply, so check with management to see what you’ll be asked to pay. It is not safe to assume you can sleep in your car anywhere in Tennessee. Be sure to look up the local laws and regulations and see what locations might allow you to stay in your vehicle.
Contact the Nashville Car Accident Attorneys at Labrum Law Firm Personal Injury Lawyers Today
For more information, please contact the Nashville car accident law firm of Labrum Law Firm Personal Injury Lawyers, to schedule a free consultation today.
We proudly serve Nashville, Brentwood, and its surrounding areas in Tennessee:
Labrum Law Firm Personal Injury Lawyers – Nashville
315 Deaderick St, Suite 1525
Nashville, TN 37238
(615) 338-9500
Labrum Law Firm Personal Injury Lawyers – Brentwood
320 Seven Springs Way, Suite 250
Brentwood, TN 37027
(615) 455-3384
