What records does the law require regarding seller transactions?

No scrap metal dealer may purchase or otherwise acquire scrap metal from a person unless that person presents a state or federally issued photo identification card that appears valid on its face. The dealer shall record the name, sex, height, date of birth, residence address and the identification card number.

If the seller does not have a state or federally issued photo identification card, the dealer shall require the seller to present some form of state identification, record the information on the card, take a photograph of the seller and obtain a right thumbprint impression.

The dealer shall also record the license plate number and make and model of the motor vehicle the seller is driving. If the vehicle is a commercial vehicle, the dealer shall record the name of the business owning or leasing the vehicle. If the dealer is driving a commercial vehicle, the buyer shall record the name of the business owning or leasing the vehicle.

Prior to purchase, the dealer shall conduct a reasonably diligent inquiry into the sale, considering the seller, quantity of metal offered for sale and any other circumstances surrounding the transaction to determine whether the seller has a legal right to sell or deliver the scrap metal. If the seller presents a bill of sale, receipt or other documentation indicating lawful possession or acquisition, the dealer must photocopy the document. T.C.A. 62-9-103