TCA 39-13-606
Electronic tracking of motor vehicles
MISDEMEANOR AClass A Misdemeanor
Sentence enhancement may apply
What does this charge mean?
It is illegal to secretly place a GPS tracker or electronic tracking device in or on someone's vehicle without their permission in order to monitor or follow them. This is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to 11 months and 29 days in jail and $2,500 in fines. Exception: Parents or guardians may legally track their minor child's vehicle, and police may track vehicles during criminal investigations with proper legal authority.
Penalty Details
ClassificationClass A Misdemeanor
Maximum Jail11 months 29 days
Maximum Fine$2,500
Penalty SummaryClass A misdemeanor; 11 months 29 days; fine up to $2,500
(a) (1) (A) Except as provided in subsection (b), it is an offense for a person to knowingly install, conceal or otherwise place an electronic tracking device in or on a motor vehicle without the consent of all owners of the vehicle for the purpose of monitoring or following an occupant or occupants of the vehicle. (B) It is an offense for a person who leases a motor vehicle to knowingly install, conceal, or otherwise place an electronic tracking device in or on the motor vehicle without the consent of the lessee of the vehicle. (2) As used in this section: (A) “Lease” has the same meaning as defined in § 39-14-147; (B) “Owner” includes a person who has purchased a motor vehicle using a loan; and (C) “Person” does not include the manufacturer of the motor vehicle. (b) (1) It shall not be a violation if the installing, concealing or placing of an electronic tracking device in or on a motor vehicle is by, or at the direction of, a law enforcement officer in furtherance of a criminal investigation and is carried out in accordance with applicable state and federal law. (2) If the installing, concealing or placing of an electronic tracking device in or on a motor vehicle is by, or at the direction of, a parent or legal guardian who owns or leases the vehicle, and if the device is used solely for the purpose of monitoring the minor child of the parent or legal guardian when the child is an occupant of the vehicle, then the installation, concealment or placement of the device in or on the vehicle without the consent of any or all occupants in the vehicle shall not be a violation. (3) It shall also not be a violation of this section if the installing, concealing or placing of an electronic tracking device in or on a motor vehicle is for the purpose of tracking the location of stolen goods being transported in the vehicle or for the purpose of tracking the location of the vehicle if it is stolen. (c) This section shall not apply to a tracking system installed by the manufacturer of a motor vehicle. (d) A violation of this section is a Class A misdemeanor.
View on official sourceLast verified: Feb 25, 2026
Quick Facts
MISDEMEANOR A
TCA Section39-13-606
Max Jail11 months 29 days
Max Fine$2,500