What “Rules of the Road” Apply to Riding an Animal or Animal Drawn Vehicle in Tennessee?

Analysis:  I was recently asked what Tennessee statutes govern whether horses are allowed on roadways and what “rules of the road” would apply to horses or other animal drawn vehicles.  Tennessee has a statute that cover this issue.  T.C.A. § 55-8-105 provides that animals and animal drawn vehicles on the roadway are basically subject to the same laws as all other vehicles on the road.  They are granted the same rights as well as the same duties that are provided to motor vehicles under Tennessee law. 

T.C.A. § 55-8-105 provides as follows:

Every person riding an animal or driving any animal-drawn vehicle upon a roadway shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle by this chapter and chapter 10, parts 1-5 of this title, except those provisions of this chapter and chapter 10, parts 1-5 of this title that by their very nature can have no application.

The only exception listed in this statute where the rules of the road and duties applicable to drivers of motor vehicles do not apply are where the statute by its very nature could have no application.  For example, if there are specific statutes that discuss braking requirements or turn signals, those would not apply to someone who is riding a horse under T.C.A. § 55-8-105.