# Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-5-102: Theft or embezzlement and recovery of registered vehicle - Notice required - Penalty

> Tennessee · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T55_C5_S55-5-102

## Section

- **Citation:** Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-5-102
- **Heading:** Theft or embezzlement and recovery of registered vehicle - Notice required - Penalty
- **Jurisdiction:** Tennessee
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** TN Code / Title 55 / Chapter 5 / Section 55-5-102

## Text

(a) The owner, lienholder or insurer of the owner of a registered vehicle that has been stolen or embezzled shall notify the Tennessee highway patrol or the local sheriff's office or police department of the theft or embezzlement, but in the event of an embezzlement, the person shall make the report only after having procured the issuance of a warrant for the arrest of the person charged with the embezzlement. (b) Every owner or other person who has given any notice under subsection (a) must notify the Tennessee highway patrol or the local sheriff's office or police department of a recovery of the vehicle. (c) In the event the owner is notified by any law enforcement officer or by a garage or wrecker operator of the recovery of the stolen vehicle, it is the duty of the owner to immediately notify the owner's theft insurer of the vehicle's recovery and its location. (d) Any person, firm or corporation violating this section commits a Class C misdemeanor. Acts 1951, ch. 70, § 71 (Williams, § 5538.171); Acts 1972, ch. 725, § 2; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 59-502; Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 113.
(a) The owner, lienholder or insurer of the owner of a registered vehicle that has been stolen or embezzled shall notify the Tennessee highway patrol or the local sheriff's office or police department of the theft or embezzlement, but in the event of an embezzlement, the person shall make the report only after having procured the issuance of a warrant for the arrest of the person charged with the embezzlement.
(b) Every owner or other person who has given any notice under subsection (a) must notify the Tennessee highway patrol or the local sheriff's office or police department of a recovery of the vehicle.
(c) In the event the owner is notified by any law enforcement officer or by a garage or wrecker operator of the recovery of the stolen vehicle, it is the duty of the owner to immediately notify the owner's theft insurer of the vehicle's recovery and its location.
(d) Any person, firm or corporation violating this section commits a Class C misdemeanor.
Acts 1951, ch. 70, § 71 (Williams, § 5538.171); Acts 1972, ch. 725, § 2; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 59-502; Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 113.

## Nearby sections

- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-5-101 Stolen and recovered motor vehicles - Duties of law enforcement officers - Responsibilities attaching to wrecker, salvage and garage businesses - Penalties](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T55_C5_S55-5-101.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-5-102 Theft or embezzlement and recovery of registered vehicle - Notice required - Penalty](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T55_C5_S55-5-102.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-5-103 Rules and forms for theft or embezzlement reports - Duties of commissioner and department of safety and department of revenue](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T55_C5_S55-5-103.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-5-104 Temporary taking of vehicle - Joyriding - Obtaining possession fraudulently - Neglect to return - Class E felony](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T55_C5_S55-5-104.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-5-105 Chauffeur using automobile without owner's consent - Penalty](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T55_C5_S55-5-105.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-5-106 Required identification numbers](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T55_C5_S55-5-106.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-5-107 Identification numbers - Method of installation](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T55_C5_S55-5-107.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-5-108 Permanent records of transactions - Bills of sales - Inspections - Contraband subject to forfeiture - Rights of claimants - Sale of forfeited property](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T55_C5_S55-5-108.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-5-109 Penalties for sale, shipment, or manufacture of passenger cars or components not bearing identification numbers](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T55_C5_S55-5-109.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-5-110 Application of Sections 55-5-106 - 55-5-109](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T55_C5_S55-5-110.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-5-111 Buying, disposing of or possessing motor vehicle, engine or transmission with removed or altered identification mark or number unlawful](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T55_C5_S55-5-111.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-5-112 Altering or changing of distinguishing number or identification mark - Restoration of vehicle identification number](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T55_C5_S55-5-112.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-5-113 Fraudulent statements in application - Penalty](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T55_C5_S55-5-113.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-5-114 Enforcement of motor vehicle laws - Penalties - Enforcement procedures - Operation without registration plates - Penalties - Failure to license mobile home or house trailer](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T55_C5_S55-5-114.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T55_C5_S55-5-102. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.