Tennessee Code Title 55. Motor and Other Vehicles § 55-4-143

(a) As used in this section, “eligible operator” means:

(b) Upon the death of an eligible operator, in order to secure a refund of the unused portion of the registration fee paid, the certificate of registration and related license plate must be surrendered to, and a copy of the death certificate of the deceased eligible operator must be submitted to, the department.

(c) Within thirty (30) days following receipt of the surrendered certificate and plate, death certificate, and any form as may be required by the department, the department shall issue a refund of the unused portion of the registration fee paid, which is proportionate to the number of full months remaining in the registration period for which registration was issued, to the surviving spouse of the deceased eligible operator or the personal representative of the deceased eligible operator's estate.

(d) A refund is limited to the unused portions of the registration fees paid for no more than three (3) freight motor vehicles of the eligible operator.

(e) The department may prescribe the form and manner of submitting any proof or documentation required by this section.

(f) This section does not apply to refunds of another state's apportioned registration fees governed by a reciprocity agreement.