The Strange Laws in Tennessee That Tourists Keep Forgetting

Tennessee might be famous for its country music and smoky mountains, but it also has some truly unusual laws that catch visitors off guard.

Many of these codes are still technically active today, even though they sound like they belong in a history book.

Before you explore the Volunteer State, you’ll want to know about these quirky regulations to avoid any awkward surprises.

1. Sharing Your Netflix Password Could Land You in Trouble

Back in 2011, Tennessee became one of the first states to crack down on digital theft with a law that makes sharing streaming passwords illegal.

If you knowingly give your Netflix, Hulu, or other subscription service login to someone without permission from the company, you could technically face misdemeanor charges.

This law was designed to protect businesses from losing money through unauthorized account sharing. While enforcement is rare, it’s still a valid code that surprises many tourists who casually share their accounts with friends or family back home during their trip.

2. Live Skunks Are Strictly Forbidden Across State Lines

Planning to bring a pet skunk into Tennessee? Think again. State law explicitly prohibits importing, transferring, or possessing any live skunk, with narrow exceptions for zoos and scientific research facilities.

This regulation exists primarily as a public health measure to prevent the spread of rabies, which skunks can carry and transmit. Wildlife officials take this seriously because rabies poses a significant threat to both humans and domestic animals.

Even if you’ve raised a skunk from birth and consider it tame, Tennessee’s borders remain closed to these black-and-white critters, so leave your unusual pet at home.

3. Coasting Downhill in Neutral Is Against the Law

That old trick of putting your car in neutral to save gas while rolling downhill? Completely illegal in Tennessee. State traffic code specifically prohibits operating a motor vehicle while coasting downhill with the transmission or clutch disengaged.

This safety regulation was created to ensure drivers maintain full control of their vehicles at all times. When you disengage the transmission, you lose engine braking power, which can make stopping more difficult in emergencies.

Modern cars don’t even save fuel this way anymore, so there’s really no benefit to breaking this law. Keep your car in gear when driving Tennessee’s beautiful mountain roads.

4. You Cannot Lasso Fish in Tennessee Waters

Cowboys might rope cattle, but in Tennessee, you definitely can’t rope fish. State fishing regulations explicitly ban the use of lassos or any similar devices for catching fish in Tennessee waters.

The law requires that all fishing be done through traditional, approved methods like rods, reels, hooks, nets, and traps. This bizarre-sounding rule exists to protect fish populations and maintain fair sporting practices.

While it’s hard to imagine anyone actually trying to lasso a bass or catfish, the code remains active and enforceable. Stick to conventional fishing gear during your Tennessee fishing trip to stay on the right side of the law.

5. Selling Hollow Logs Is Prohibited by State Code

Among Tennessee’s strangest laws is one that specifically bans the sale of hollow logs. This head-scratching regulation appears in the state’s criminal code and has puzzled legal experts for decades.

Some historians believe this law was originally created to prevent timber fraud, where dishonest sellers would pass off worthless hollow logs as solid lumber. Others speculate it was meant to stop smuggling operations that used hollow logs to hide contraband.

Whatever its original purpose, the code remains technically active today. If you’re planning to sell firewood or lumber during your Tennessee visit, make sure those logs are solid all the way through.

6. Eating Roadkill Is Perfectly Legal Under Certain Conditions

If you accidentally hit a deer or other animal with your car in Tennessee, you’re legally allowed to take it home for dinner. State law permits possession and consumption of road-killed animals, as long as they’re not federally protected or non-game species.

This surprisingly practical law helps prevent waste and provides free meat to those who want it. You’ll need to follow proper procedures and possibly obtain a permit, but the basic concept is legal and actively used by Tennessee residents.

Many visitors from other states find this shocking, but locals see it as common sense. Just make sure you know which species are legal to harvest before loading any roadkill into your trunk.

7. Duelists Forfeit Their Right to Hold Public Office

Tennessee’s state constitution contains a provision that sounds like it came straight from the 1800s: anyone who participates in a duel is permanently barred from holding any public office in the state.

This constitutional clause has never been removed and technically remains enforceable today.

While dueling has been illegal and virtually non-existent for over a century, this quirky rule still sits in

Tennessee’s founding document. It’s a fascinating reminder of the state’s history when disputes were sometimes settled with pistols at dawn. Modern political candidates don’t need to worry about this law, but it’s still technically valid and could theoretically be applied if anyone were foolish enough to engage in a formal duel.

8. Misrepresenting Food Quality Is a Criminal Offense

Restaurant owners and food vendors in Tennessee need to be completely honest about their products. State criminal code makes it illegal to misrepresent food or make it appear more wholesome, fresh, or tasty than it actually is.

This consumer protection law covers everything from false advertising to deceptive food preparation practices. If a restaurant claims something is fresh when it’s frozen, or homemade when it’s store-bought, they’re technically breaking the law.

While this might seem like common sense, having it codified as a criminal statute shows how seriously Tennessee takes food honesty. Tourists can feel more confident that what they order is accurately described on Tennessee menus.

9. Bizarre Local Ordinances Still Exist in Various Tennessee Cities

Beyond statewide laws, many Tennessee cities maintain their own peculiar municipal codes that rarely get enforced but remain technically active. From outdated fortunetelling restrictions to unusual business regulations, these local ordinances can vary wildly from one town to another.

While Knoxville’s famous fortunetelling ban has been repealed, similar oddball rules persist in other Tennessee communities. These local codes often reflect the specific concerns or historical quirks of individual towns.

Tourists exploring different Tennessee cities might unknowingly break these obscure rules, though enforcement is virtually unheard of. It’s worth checking local ordinances if you’re planning any unusual activities during your Tennessee travels.

10. Driving with Ice Cream in Your Pocket Is Technically Illegal

Back in the days when horse theft was a serious problem, Tennessee lawmakers got creative with their rules. Apparently, thieves would sometimes lure horses away by placing sweet treats in their pockets, and ice cream was one tempting option. So the state made it illegal to carry ice cream in your pocket, hoping to stop this sneaky trick.

Today, nobody’s stealing horses with dairy desserts, but this bizarre law remains in the legal code. Most police officers wouldn’t dream of enforcing it, yet technically you could be breaking the law during a hot summer day. If you’re visiting Tennessee and craving a frozen treat, just hold it in your hand like a normal person.

This odd regulation reminds us how laws can outlive their original purpose by decades or even centuries.