Tennessee Code Title 65. Public Utilities and Carriers § 65-15-115

(a) Upon petition by a county mayor or the legislative body of any county, the department of safety is authorized to designate that county a “citizen transportation area” authorizing the use of church buses, privately owned school buses, and private citizens to carry passengers for compensation within the boundaries of the county.

(b) The department of safety in designating the county a “citizen transportation area” shall consider the availability of regular fixed route bus service to the area, the charter service actually provided to the citizens of the area by the existing franchised carriers, the potential service available to the community if regulatory requirements were relaxed, and whether the transportation needs of the citizens of that area are best met by the existing regulatory statutes.

(c) The designation shall continue until revoked by the department of safety upon due notice and an opportunity to be heard.

(d) However, the department of safety may inspect vehicles for purpose of safety and vehicles shall be subject to § 65-15-111.