Waste Tire Hauler Program
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Illegal dumping of waste tires in Tennessee poses significant harm to the environment, threatens public health, and places a financial burden on communities across the state. To address these issues, the Tennessee General Assembly passed T.C.A. § 68-211-1101 through 1105 (effective July 1, 2025). Under this legal authority, the Waste Tire Hauler (WTH) Program was established on February 4, 2026, to improve oversight of commercial waste tire transportation and help prevent illegal dumping.
The WTH Program requires individuals and businesses that commercially haul waste tires in and out of Tennessee to register with the Division of Land Protection (DLP). Through registration, tracking, and financial responsibility requirements, the program strengthens oversight of waste tires transportation to approved facilities and supports cleanup efforts when illegal dumping occurs.
By increasing accountability and transparency, the WTH Program protects communities, supports local governments, and promotes proper end-of-life management of waste tires statewide.
The program is currently under development and Rule 0400-11-04 is currently in the process of final approval through the Governor’s Office. Once Rule 0400-11-04 has been uploaded to the Secretary of State’s website, this page will be updated with direct hyperlinks to the Rule. Additionally, the online application portal is currently under construction, but we are aiming to start accepting registration applications in the fall of 2026. Until then, we encourage potential applicants to familiarize themselves with the program details found below.
To be notified of the application opening date and receive news on upcoming trainings, please email us at Waste.Tire.Hauler@tn.gov to sign up for updates.
A manifest is a form used to track waste tires from their point of origin to their final destination. It records the quantity of tires being moved, identifies where they were generated, where they are being transported, and where they will be disposed of, treated, or stored.
A waste tire generator is anyone whose actions result in a tire becoming a waste tire or who first makes the tire subject to regulations. This does not include everyday drivers whose normal use or damage to a tire causes the tire to be replaced by a tire shop.
A waste tire hauler is a person or business that is paid to transport waste tires to be stored, processed, or disposed.
A waste tire receiver is an approved location that is allowed to accept waste tires, such as a permitted landfill, tire processing or storage facility, certain government collection sites, or other authorized facilities in Tennessee or other states that receive waste tires from a licensed hauler.
A waste tire processing facility is a place where used tires are broken down or changed. This can include cutting, burning, crushing, or recycling the tires to get useful materials or to make sure the tires are no longer whole. It also includes mobile machines, pyrolysis units, and tire baling or compacting operations.
A applicant is any individual or business entity (such as a corporation, LLC, or partnership) seeking to register as a waste tire hauler with the DLP.
A registrant is any individual or business entity (such as a corporation, LLC, or partnership) registered with the DLP as a waste tire hauler.
Scrap tires are shredded or processed tires. The WTH Program does not regulate hauling shredded or processed tire material.
The waste tire hauler registration application serves as a notification to the DLP of the intent to haul waste tires. An application must be submitted and approved by the DLP 30 days prior to hauling waste tires. Once approved, a Waste Tire Hauler Registration Number and vehicle decal will be provided by the DLP.
Hauling waste tires without a valid registration or decal is a violation and may result in penalties.
Anyone who commercially hauls waste tires within or out of Tennessee must register with the DLP.
Anyone who commercially hauls waste tires into or out of Tennessee is required to comply with the waste tire hauler regulations found in Rule 0400-11-04.
The following are exempt from registering:
1. Government entities, except those that receive waste tires
2. Individuals or businesses that do not haul waste tires commercially, including farmers hauling their own waste tires
3. Tires that are not considered waste tires, as defined in Rule 0400-11-04-.02:
a. New tires from a tire manufacturer
b. Off-specification tires generated during tire manufacturing
c. Tires produced as part of motor vehicle original equipment manufacturing
Applicants must provide the following information and documentation when registering or renewing their registration:
• Business and owner contact information and addresses
• Location where any records will be maintained
• If applicable, the corporate form (e.g., general partnership, limited liability company, etc.) of the applicant and the identity of all officers and owners
• Proof of general liability insurance
• Estimated number of waste tires expected to be hauled per calendar month (or number hauled last year for renewals)
• A list of all facilities where waste tires are delivered (including out-of-state facilities)
• Proof of required financial assurance or bond
• Proof of good standing with the Tennessee Secretary of State (if the applicant is an LLC, corporation, etc.)
• A list of any past crimes related to illegal disposal of solid waste (including waste tires) or hazardous waste. This requirement applies to the applicant. If the applicant is a business, this also includes anyone who owns 10% or more of that business.
• Any other documentation or information the Commissioner deems necessary
Per Rule 0400-11-04-.10 every registered vehicle hauling waste tires must display an active state decal on the driver’s door. These decals serve as visible proof of registration and are required for commercial hauling of waste tires.
Issuance: After an application is approved, the decal will be mailed to the applicant.
Expiration: Decals are valid until March 31 each year (unless registration is revoked or suspended).
Under Rule 0400-11-04-.06, all waste tire haulers are required to provide financial assurance to the Commissioner. The required amount is based on the approximate number of waste tires hauled and must be at least $10,000.
Financial Assurance Tiers
Financial Assurance Tier 1
$10,000 for up to 60,000 tires hauled per year
Financial Assurance Tier 2
$20,000 for over 60,000 tires hauled per year
Financial assurance must be issued in favor of the Department and may be provided using one or more of the following approved mechanisms:
1. Surety bond
2. Irrevocable letter of credit
3. Personal Bond supported by securities (Cash Bond or Certificate of Deposit)
4. Insurance
5. Trust Fund
6. Corporate financial test
7. Other evidence of financial responsibility assurance approved by the Commissioner
The financial assurance worksheet must be completed before submitting a waste tire hauler application.
Financial assurance is required to participate in the program, and the DLP is currently developing a financial assurance model as well as mechanism templates to be used specifically for the new WTH Program. A digital copy of the financial assurance mechanism must be uploaded with the application via the MyTDEC portal, and the original hard copy must be mailed to:
Division of Land Protection
ATTN: Financial Assurance
Davy Crockett Tower, 7th Floor
500 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN 37243
For questions about financial assurance, please contact Brianna Rives at Brianna.Rives@tn.gov or at 615-308-0104.
New applicants must submit the following items to the DLP:
1. A completed registration application via MyTDEC Forms at least 30 days before transporting waste tires
2. A financial assurance worksheet
3. Proof of general liability insurance
4. $100 registration fee per vehicle
5. Any other documentation or information the Commissioner deems necessary
Registration will be managed through the MyTDEC Forms online portal, allowing you to complete registration, pay fees, and submit documents digitally upon launch later this year. As this registration system is currently under development, please email Waste.Tire.Haulers@tn.gov to sign up for updates on the application opening date and upcoming training opportunities.
After an application is submitted, it will be reviewed for accuracy and completeness. Processing typically takes up to 60 business days once the application is complete. In some cases, review may take up to 90 days. Once the application is approved, the registrant will receive the following by mail:
- Approval letter
- Registration decal(s) Which must be displayed on the vehicle(s)’ driver side door.
- A Manifest Form Template The Manifest Form Template may be used to create a four-copy (carbon or carbonless) manifest form. Contact an external provider to obtain pads of the manifest form for your use or registrants may use their own manifest form that has been approved by DLP. Please email a copy of your form to Waste.Tire.Hauler@tn.gov for review.
A waste tire generator who commercially transports waste tires must use either the Manifest Form Template or an equivalent form approved by the DLP. The manifest must include the following information:
- Names, contact information, and addresses for the following parties:
• Waste tire haulers
• Waste tire generators
• Waste tire receivers
2. A description, quantity, and type of waste tires provided by the waste tire generator for shipment or transport (e.g., truck, tractor, passenger, etc.)
3. Any additional information the Commissioner deems necessary
The Manifest Form Template** may be used to create a four-copy (carbon or carbonless) manifest form. Contact an external provider to obtain pads of the manifest form for your use.
Any changes to the prescribed template, customization, or alternate documentation must be approved by the DLP before use. **The Manifest Form Template is currently going through the process of being issued as an official State form and will be made available here for download once finalized.
The manifest must consist of at least four (4) copies to ensure each of the following parties receives a record:
1. Waste Tire Generator
2. Waste Tire Receiver
3. A final completed copy returned to the Waste Tire Generator
4. A final completed copy retained by the Waste Tire Hauler
Returning to Generator
If the waste tire generator does not receive the final copy of the manifest from the hauler within 35 days of the waste tires being picked up by the hauler, the generator must notify the DLP in writing within 10 additional days (a total of 45 days from the pickup date). The written notification must include a legible copy of the manifest for which delivery confirmation was not received.
All parties must:
• Retain an updated copy of the manifest during transport of waste tires within the state
• Maintain a copy of the manifest for three (3) years from the date the manifest is created
• Provide copies of the manifest to the DLP upon request
Waste tire receivers must verify the information on the manifest. Any discrepancy in quantity or type of waste tires received must be noted on the manifest. A legible copy of the manifest with the discrepancy must be submitted to the DLP within 30 days of delivery.
Manifest discrepancies may be submitted to the DLP by emailing Waste.Tire.Hauler@tn.gov.
If a waste tire receiver accepts a shipment that is not accompanied by a manifest, they must submit an Unmanifested Waste Tire Report to the DLP within 15 days of receipt. This report should be submitted as a signed letter, emailed to Waste.Tire.Hauler@tn.gov, and must include:
• The hauler’s name and contact information
• The number and type of waste tires received
Registrations must be renewed annually. To ensure your registration does not lapse, renewal applications must be submitted at least 30 days before your current expiration date. All registrations expire annually on March 31st.
Renewal Requirements:
• Renewal fee: $100 per vehicle
• Renewal Application: Confirm current details and report any changes to fleet or registration information
• Financial Assurance: Financial assurance adjustments based on number of tires hauled during the previous year
• Manifests: Submission of all waste tire manifests from the previous year.
• Additional Documentation: Any other information or documentation required by the Commissioner
Financial Assurance for Renewals
Important: There are different requirements and deadlines based on whether your financial assurance tier stays the same or changes. Please review each tab below for the financial assurance requirements for renewals.
If a registrant needs to change financial assurance tiers, the registrant will need to submit one of the following financial assurance mechanisms:
1. Execute a brand new instrument covering the new amount required by the updated tier.
2. Execute an amendment to the original instrument (a.k.a a rider) to increase or decrease the coverage based on the new amount required by the updated tier.
A digital copy of the financial assurance mechanism must be uploaded with the renewal application via the MyTDEC portal, and the original hard copy must be mailed to:
Division of Land Protection
ATTN: Financial Assurance
Davy Crockett Tower, 7th Floor
500 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN 37243
For questions about financial assurance, please contact Brianna Rives at Brianna.Rives@tn.gov or at 615-308-0104.
If a registrant does not need to change financial assurance tiers, the registrant will need to submit records verifying that the financial assurance mechanism is still valid. This verification can be done by completing a validation statement, an updated amendment or rider, or a letter of continuation provided by the financial institution. A template for the validation statement is under development by the DLP. A digital copy of the record must be uploaded with the renewal application via the MyTDEC portal, and the original hard copy must be mailed to:
Division of Land Protection
ATTN: Financial Assurance
Davy Crockett Tower, 7th Floor
500 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN 37243
For questions about financial assurance, please contact Brianna Rives at Brianna.Rives@tn.gov or at 615-308-0104.
How to Submit a Annual Renewal
Annual registration renewal applications will be managed through the MyTDEC Forms online portal, allowing you to complete registration, pay fees, and submit documents digitally upon launch later this year. Detailed instructions on how to submit an annual renewal application will be added to this webpage once the registration portal has been launched later this year.
The DLP regulates waste tire hauling to protect Tennessee’s environment and public health. To ensure safety and compliance, the DLP may:
- Review Registrations: Registrations may be denied, revoked, or suspended at any time for failure to comply with state requirements.
- Inspect Facilities: The DLP may inspect sites where waste tires are generated, transported, stored, or disposed of and review all related records.
- Require Corrective Action: If requirements are not met and effective steps aren't taken to fix the issue, the Commissioner may issue an order requiring corrective action.
- Issue Penalties: Per T.C.A. § 68-211-1104(e), violations may result in administrative orders or fines of up to $500 per day, per violation.
Once an applicant is approved, they become a registrant. Registrants must follow all waste tire hauler registration requirements. If hauling tires across state lines, the registrant is responsible for following both Tennessee requirements and those of the other state(s) involved.
Training and Assistance
The DLP will host in-person and online workshops in the summer of 2026. These workshops will be held across the state to review new rules, registration, and manifest procedures.
To receive news on upcoming trainings, please email us at Waste.Tire.Hauler@tn.gov to sign up for updates.
You may register a fleet of vehicles on a single application, provided they all operate out of the same office. However, if your company has multiple locations (e.g., a Memphis office and a Knoxville office), you must submit a separate application for each location.
If a vehicle is permanently moved to a different office location (e.g., from Memphis to Knoxville), you must update your registration. Decals are tied to a specific vehicle and a specific office location. If you move a vehicle permanently from one office to another, you must notify the DLP by submitting a Registration Update Form via MyTDEC Forms within 15 calendar days to transfer that vehicle’s registration. This ensures that manifests and inspections are associated with the correct location.
You must submit an application to add the new vehicle to your fleet and pay the $100 fee before it can be used to haul waste tires. Once approved, you will receive a new decal for that specific vehicle.
You are an applicant while your paperwork is being processed. Once your application is approved and you receive your decals, you are a registrant.
You must keep the manifest for at least three (3) years from the date they are created.
Yes, but applications submitted after March 1st may not be processed before your current registration expires on March 31st. Operating with an expired registration may lead to fines.
The waste tire hauler should make a note of the date, time, and circumstances surrounding the refusal, including any reasons given by the receiver and then return the shipment to the generator.
The generator will then need to submit a Rejected Shipment Report, along with a copy of the unsigned manifest to the DLP. This report should be submitted as a signed letter, emailed to Waste.Tire.Hauler@tn.gov, and must include:
- Date, time, and circumstances surrounding the refusal, including any reasons given by the receiver and then return the shipment to the generator.
- Date, time, the returned shipment was received by the generator, and the signature of the person who accepted the shipment.
Yes. If the tires originate in Tennessee or are being transported through the state, you must follow Tennessee’s regulations in addition to the rules of the other state(s).
If a decal is lost or damaged, submit a Decal Replacement Request via the MyTDEC portal.
There is a $10 decal replacement fee.
We encourage you to start keeping track of how many tires you haul (by count or by weight in tons) using a manifest system. Starting now will make things much easier when the official rules begin and will benefit all parties involved from the point of collection to the destination. Plus, keeping good records now will help you apply for your registration, your annual renewal, and meet financial assurance requirements.
| Waste Tire Hauler Program Waste.Tire.Hauler@tn.gov |
| Christina Perez 901-425-6183 Christina.Perez@tn.gov |
| Kayse Smith 615-856-9306 Kayse.Smith@tn.gov |
This Page Last Updated: April 24, 2026 at 9:34 AM