Tennessee law requires a catalytic converter in your car (and any vehicle 1975 or newer). Driving without one can result in penalties, including hefty fines.
Unless you’re a car enthusiast, you may not be super familiar with your catalytic converter—let alone your state’s laws regarding them. But did you know there are quite a few state and federal regulations regarding catalytic converters? That’s because they’re an essential piece to the safe functioning of your car.
They’re also valuable—in Tennessee, catalytic converter theft has risen by the thousands, with college campuses like the University of Tennessee taking the hardest hits. So, what do you need to know about your catalytic converter to keep it safe and up-to-code?
Here to answer your questions is Jerry
, your ultra-talented car insurance
broker for life and the only insurance super app for car owners. Ready to cover Tennessee’s catalytic converter laws? Read on for an overview of the statutes, plus tips and tricks to keep your converter safe (and save money). We'll even show you how to save on Tennessee car insurance costs
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4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers Do I need a catalytic converter in Tennessee?
The short answer is yes, in Tennessee you need to have a catalytic converter in any car year 1975 or newer. or newer. Without one, you won’t pass emissions testing—and that’s not all. As recently as July of 2021, Tennessee legislators passed a law further regulating the buying and selling
of catalytic converters in response to rising rates of theft across the state. This new law makes it illegal to sell catalytic converts independently without first registering as a scrap metal dealer and notifying local authorities. To do otherwise would constitute a misdemeanor. In Tennessee, that can mean up to a month in jail and $2,500 in fines.
We’ll get into the reasoning for Tennesee’s stringent catalytic converter laws below—but before we do, it’s important you know that regulations on catalytic converters also exist at the federal level. Specifically, if you’re replacing a cat-con system in your vehicle, it must meet the following requirements:
It’s installed in the same location as the original converter
It’s the same type as the original converter
It’s the valid model for your vehicle
It’s correctly installed and connected
You could face legal penalties if your catalytic converter fails to meet state and federal guidelines.
Penalties for driving without a catalytic converter
What are these penalties, exactly? Well, it depends on the situation:
You may receive a ticket if caught driving without a catalytic converter because it was stolen. However, it’s more likely that you’ll be advised to replace it as soon as possible (which is what you should do anyway!). Your car will still run normally without a cat-con, but it’s not technically legal, so you’ll want to take care of the problem quickly.
On the other hand, if you’re responsible for tampering with, disabling, or removing your catalytic converter, the charges could be more serious. You’ll also fail your emissions testing, which could land you additional fines.
For the selling or buying of an unregistered (stolen) catalytic converter, you can be charged with a Class A misdemeanor—and also held liable to pay for the victim’s reparations.
MORE: How to get cash for junk cars in Nashville
Why are catalytic converters being stolen?
The last two years have seen a steady rise in catalytic converter theft
across the country, with schools like the University of Tennessee and other college campuses becoming major targets. But what’s so special about a car part that deals with toxic gas? Catalytic converters are made with precious metals—specifically platinum, rhodium, and palladium. These metals help oxidize carbon monoxide and neutralize other harmful chemicals before they’re expelled through your car’s exhaust pipe.
Those valuable metals translate into hundreds or even thousands of dollars in re-sale, and their general positioning in your vehicle’s undercarriage makes it easy for crooks to slip under your car and pry it out. All of these factors combined help explain the recent rise in cat-con crime—which shows no signs of stopping soon.
How to keep your catalytic converter safe
The good news is that you don’t have to play a game of fate with arguably one of your car's most expensive and essential pieces. There are ways you can protect yourself against catalytic converter theft! Here are a few steps to take:
Install an anti-theft device. There are tons of gadgets out there that can help make your catalytic converter harder to steal, from a protective metal cage to alarms and locks. Depending on your budget, some devices come cheaper than others. Still, no matter what you spend, you’ll save money in the long run by not losing your catalytic converter.
Pick a safe parking space. A well-lit, highly trafficked street will naturally deter criminals from targeting your vehicle.
Engrave your catalytic converter with your plate number or VIN. Another helpful measure you can take is etching or engraving your license plate or vehicle identification number into your catalytic converter. If they do steal it, it will make buyers much less likely to purchase it.
Is catalytic converter theft covered by insurance?
Another way you can protect yourself from catalytic converter theft is with a good insurance policy! Comprehensive coverage
protects against theft and vandalism, which means you are only responsible for your comprehensive insurance deductible in the unfortunate event you find it missing. Luckily, Jerry
can help you find all-inclusive coverage
that fits your budget—in this next section, we’ll show you how! Keep your car safe with the best insurance
Whether you’re shopping for comprehensive coverage or looking to lower your premium, Jerry
, the trustworthy insurance comparison app
, can help. It’s this simple: download the app, enter your basic insurance information, and in less than 45 seconds, Jerry can find you competitive quotes from the top insurance providers. Shop and compare rates side-by-side, right in the app. Then, when you’ve selected the perfect policy, Jerry takes care of the rest—securing your new policy and helping you cancel your old one upon request. It’s all of the coverage with none of the hassles.
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