State comparison · Updated October 2026
Mississippi vs. Tennessee Driving Laws (2026)
Mississippi and Tennessee part ways on 2 of 9 laws we track: phone law and car sales tax.
On a trip from Jackson to Nashville crosses the border, and 2 of the rules switch at the line. Key roads include I-55 on the Mississippi side and I-40 on the side of Tennessee; the capitals, Jackson and Nashville, write the laws for their side.
What changes most: car tax on a $30,000 purchase differs by $600. Residents of Gulfport who drive to Memphis, or vice versa, follow both sets of rules: Mississippi's on I-20 and Tennessee's across the border on I-24. Use the Mississippi vs Tennessee guide when moving from Jackson and Nashville.
For a weekend trip from Jackson to Nashville, pack a helmet and proof of insurance, plan the route ahead of time, and look for the same 70 mph top limit at the border.
| Topic | Mississippi | Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Max speed limit | 70 mph | 70 mph |
| Phone law | Texting ban only | Hands-free law |
| Learner's permit age | Permit at 15 | Permit at 15 |
| Car insurance | 25/50/25 | 25/50/25 |
| Car sales tax | 5% | 7% |
| Car inspection | No regular inspection | No regular inspection |
| New resident deadline | 30 days | 30 days |
| Helmet law | All riders | All riders |
| Lane splitting | Not allowed | Not allowed |
Driving laws: Mississippi vs Tennessee
Mississippi vs Tennessee: Tennessee and Mississippi agree on max speed limit (70 mph) and learner's permit age: Permit at 15.
Phone law: Mississippi vs Tennessee
Tennessee is stricter on phone law, with Mississippi with texting ban only and Tennessee with hands-free law. A call that is legal close to Jackson can be illegal close to Nashville.
Owning a car side by side: Mississippi vs Tennessee
Mississippi vs Tennessee: Tennessee and Mississippi have the same law for car insurance (25/50/25), No regular inspection for car inspection and new resident deadline: 30 days.
Car sales tax: Mississippi vs Tennessee
Mississippi is lower on car sales tax: Mississippi at 5% and Tennessee with 7%. For a $30,000 purchase, state tax is about $1,500 in Mississippi and $2,100 in Tennessee. Buyers from Gulfport or Memphis owe the tax where the car is registered, wherever they buy.
Motorcycle: Mississippi vs Tennessee
Mississippi vs Tennessee: Mississippi and Tennessee match on helmet law: All motorcyclists and lane splitting (Not allowed).
Moving or buying across the border
- Mississippi vs Tennessee: relocating from Mississippi to Tennessee means 30 days for the car registration and 30 days for the license switch.
- The other way: 30 days for registration and 60 days for a license.
Mississippi vs Tennessee: FAQ
Where can you drive faster, Mississippi or Tennessee?
Tennessee and Mississippi each allow up to 70 mph.
Where is the car tax smaller — Mississippi or Tennessee?
Mississippi charges less at the state level (5% vs. 7%).
Is a motorcycle helmet mandatory in both Mississippi and Tennessee?
Mississippi: All motorcyclists; Tennessee: All motorcyclists.