Amateur Radio Emergency License Plates
Recently, the Sumner Co. Clerk has been enforcing a code that has been on the Tennessee books for some time. This has come as a shock to many amateur operators, including the SumnerARES team. This was NOT instigated nor endorsed by the SumnerARES team or it's officers, nor were we informed ahead of time of this change.
We have been inundated with requests for cards to be delivered or mailed. We simply cannot afford the cost or time to meet the demand. We will be happy to issue cards upon completion of an ARES Application at our monthly meetings, which take place the 2nd Thursday of every month at the Emergency Services Center, 255 Airport Rd., in Gallatin directly following the Sumner Co. Amateur Radio Association (SCARA) meeting at 7pm.
The SumnerARES team is a newly reinvigorated ARES team in Sumner Co., which is very active in the community and has been working side-by-side with the Sumner EMA and other local public safely agencies. We would love to have any licensed operator be a part of our team. We think you'll enjoy it. We also welcome you to join the also newly reinvigorated SCARA club. With both groups there is new, enthusiastic officers, and growing membership. Please join us.
For those interested, the TN code regarding amateur license plates states:
(e) (1) To be eligible for an amateur radio license plate issued pursuant to § 55-4-202(c)(1)(A) without paying the fee prescribed by § 55-4-203(a)(4)(A)(ii) in addition to the regular fee for the plate, the registrant shall furnish proof to the commissioner, through the county clerk, that the registrant is a member of a squad or group that actively participates in needed services during any and all emergencies, as determined by the civil defense, rescue squads or other organizations that are engaged in volunteer emergency services.
(2) Notwithstanding any provision of this part to the contrary, to be eligible for an amateur radio license plate without paying the fee prescribed by § 55-4-203(a)(4)(A)(ii) in addition to the regular fee for the plate, the registrant shall furnish proof to the commissioner, through the county clerk, that the registrant is a member of the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES).
(e) (1) To be eligible for an amateur radio license plate issued pursuant to § 55-4-202(c)(1)(A) without paying the fee prescribed by § 55-4-203(a)(4)(A)(ii) in addition to the regular fee for the plate, the registrant shall furnish proof to the commissioner, through the county clerk, that the registrant is a member of a squad or group that actively participates in needed services during any and all emergencies, as determined by the civil defense, rescue squads or other organizations that are engaged in volunteer emergency services.
(2) Notwithstanding any provision of this part to the contrary, to be eligible for an amateur radio license plate without paying the fee prescribed by § 55-4-203(a)(4)(A)(ii) in addition to the regular fee for the plate, the registrant shall furnish proof to the commissioner, through the county clerk, that the registrant is a member of the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES).
To be clear, any amateur radio operator holding a valid amateur radio license can get an emergency plate for their vehicle. However, only those with a valid ARES ID card, will have the fee waived.
Thank you for your patience in this matter.
The Sumner County Amateur Radio Emergency Service
