Category: Tennessee

Photo: Doug Kerr, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Tennessee keeps the route simple for adults. If you are 18 or older, the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security says you must pass the knowledge test, but you do not have to get a learner permit or wait any set time before the road test. There is no driver education requirement and no 50-hour certificate for adults. This guide covers the steps, when a permit is still worth having, and how the road test and retests work at a Driver Services Center.

Key facts

• Tests: vision screening, Class D knowledge test and road skills test.
• Learner permit at 18+: not required, and no waiting period (Department help center).
• Driver education: not required in Tennessee at any age.
• 50-hour certificate and school attendance form: teen requirements only.
• Vision standard: 20/40. If either eye tests worse, you need a vision statement from an optometrist or ophthalmologist.
• Retest: never the same day. The wait depends on how many errors you made.

How do you get a Tennessee license as an adult? Five steps

1. Apply online first. Fill in the Regular Driver License application in the Department’s e-Services and upload documents for pre-approval, which can take up to 5 business days. You still bring the originals or certified copies to the center.
2. Gather your documents: proof of identity, Social Security number, U.S. citizenship or lawful status, and Tennessee residence. Use the US documents checklist to prepare, and decide whether you want a REAL ID.
3. Pass the vision screening and knowledge test at a Driver Services Center. Appointments are available for knowledge tests at some centers. Prep: Tennessee knowledge test guide and Tennessee permit practice test.
4. Practice legally. See the next section.
5. Pass the road skills test and get your Class D license. No Intermediate stages apply to adults.

Should an adult still get a Tennessee learner permit?

You are not required to, but think about how you will practice. You can only drive on public roads with a license or a permit. If you have never driven, a learner permit gives you a legal way to build skills with a licensed driver beside you before you test.

If you hold a learner permit when you go for your road test, the Department says you must be accompanied to the center by a licensed driver aged 21 or older. Without one, you will not be allowed to take the test.

Your situation	Practical route
Never driven	Pass the knowledge test, take the permit, practice with a licensed adult or a driving school, then test
Already drive well (for example, licensed abroad)	Pass the knowledge test, then book the road test. See moving to Tennessee first, in case you can transfer
Learning with a driving school	Some approved driver training programs can give the road test too. Ask the school

Booking the Tennessee road test

• Schedule through the Department’s online ticketing system (choose the regular driver license road test). If you are from out of state, you cannot book online; use the help request form instead.
• Arrive 15 minutes before your appointment. If you are late it may be cancelled and you will be treated as a walk-in.
• Cancel or reschedule in the same system under My Appointments.
• An expired permit blocks online booking, so renew it first.

The road test checks normal driving and maneuvers set out in the Tennessee driver license manual. Prepare with the Tennessee road skills test explained, the road test day checklist and road test car rules.

What happens if you fail the Tennessee road test?

The examiner tells you your errors, how to correct them and what to practice. You cannot retest on the same day. The Department sets a mandatory practice time before your next attempt, based on your total score (number of errors), and applies the same guideline to every later retest. Ask the examiner when you can return.

After you pass: rules for new adult drivers

• Phones: Tennessee’s hands-free law covers every driver. See Tennessee hands-free law and driver points.
• Points: moving violations add points. Adults face a proposed suspension at 12 points within 12 months.
• Traffic school: an approved 4-hour course completed within 90 days of a speeding conviction can remove up to 5 points for that offense.
• Alcohol: under 21, zero-tolerance rules apply. See zero tolerance laws for drivers under 21.

Common questions

Do I need driver’s ed to get a license in Tennessee at 18?

No. Tennessee does not require driver education at any age. Lessons are optional but help if you have never driven.

Can I skip the permit in Tennessee if I’m over 18?

Yes. The Department says applicants over 18 must take the knowledge test but do not have to get a permit or wait a set time. You still need a legal way to practice.

Do I need the 50-hour certificate as an adult?

No. The certificate and the school attendance form are for applicants under 18.

Can I take the knowledge test online at home?

The online test is offered to teens aged 15 to 17 with a parent or guardian as proctor. Adults test at a Driver Services Center.

How much does it cost?

Tennessee sets a fee for each license class. Check the current figure on the Department’s Driver License Fees page before you go. Comparison: license costs by state.

I failed the vision screening. What now?

Get a vision statement from an optometrist or ophthalmologist and bring it to the center.

Back to learning to drive in Tennessee. Other states: learning to drive as an adult in the US.

Sources

• Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, “Adult First-Time Drivers” (tn.gov)
• Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, “How do I obtain a Learners Permit” (safetysupport.tn.gov)
• Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, “How do I make, view, or cancel an appointment at a Driver Service Center?” (safetysupport.tn.gov)
• Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, “Failed Road Test” (safetysupport.tn.gov)
• Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, “What if I cannot pass the vision screening?” (safetysupport.tn.gov)
• Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, “Temporary restricted license-paper copy” (safetysupport.tn.gov)
• Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury, Office of Research and Education Accountability, “Driver Education in Tennessee” (comptroller.tn.gov)

Photo: Daniel Lobo, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

For new Tennessee drivers and parents who want to know what a phone ticket or a speeding ticket does to a license. Under the Hands Free Tennessee law (T.C.A. 55-8-199), it is illegal to hold a cell phone or mobile device with any part of your body while driving. A violation can add points to your record. Drivers under 18 also may not talk on a phone at all while driving, even hands-free.

Key facts

• All drivers: no holding a phone or mobile device while driving.
• Under 18: no talking on a mobile phone while the vehicle is moving, hands-free or not.
• Adult suspension line: 12 or more points within any 12-month period.
• Under-18 line: 6 points.
• Speeding points relief: an approved 4-hour traffic school within 90 days of a speeding conviction removes that offense’s points, up to 5 points.

What the Hands Free Tennessee law bans

The core rule: while driving, you may not hold a cell phone or mobile device with any part of your body. The statute, T.C.A. 55-8-199, sets out what else is banned, what is allowed with a mounted device, and the exceptions. Read it if you rely on your phone for navigation.

The same statute sets the fines, which are higher for repeat offenses. Check the current amounts in the statute or with the Tennessee Department of Safety; they are not listed here. The Tennessee Highway Safety Office runs “Operation Hands Free” enforcement campaigns.

The safe habit for new drivers: set your route before you set off, then put the phone out of reach on Do Not Disturb.

How Tennessee compares with other states: hands-free and texting laws by state.

How Tennessee driver points work

Each moving violation carries a point value set by the Department of Safety. Some examples from the Schedule of Points Values:

Violation	Points
Speeding 1 to 5 mph over the posted limit	1
Speeding 6 to 15 mph over the posted limit	3
Reckless driving	6
Using a cell phone while driving (under 18)	6
Failing to yield right of way	4
Failing to yield to, or move over for, emergency vehicles	6
Passing a stopped school, church or youth bus	8
Failing to stop at a railroad crossing	8
Contributing to a crash with property damage / injury / death	3 / 4 / 8

Check the current schedule before relying on a value. Ask the Department of Safety for the point value of a hands-free violation on a regular license.

Each time a violation or crash is posted to your record, the Department’s system looks back 24 months to check whether you reached 12 points within any 12-month period.

What happens at each points level

Driver	Points	What happens
Under 18	Under 6	Warning letter
Under 18	6 to 9	Administrative hearing with a parent or guardian; possible suspension of 3 to 6 months
18 and over	12 or more in 12 months	Notice of proposed suspension and the chance of a hearing; without a hearing request, suspension of 6 to 12 months

Drivers who request a hearing may be offered a defensive driving class instead of suspension or to shorten it. For Tennessee teens, points also decide whether you can move up a license stage. See Intermediate Restricted license rules.

Removing speeding points in Tennessee

1. Get convicted of (or pay) the speeding ticket.
2. Complete a Department-approved 4-hour traffic school within 90 days of the conviction.
3. The points for that speeding conviction come off, up to a maximum of 5 points.

This works for one speeding offense per course and only once in a set number of years. Official pages differ on the period (4 or 5 years), so check with Driver Services first.

Suspended? Reinstatement basics

• Reinstating a suspended Tennessee license means meeting every requirement and paying reinstatement fees. Requirements and fee payment are online through Driver Services e-Services.
• For a court-reported failure to appear, you have 30 days to clear it with the court before suspension, after which the reinstatement fee is $65 (as of November 2026).
• Some offenses, including two reckless driving violations in 12 months and accumulation of points, can require SR-22 proof of insurance for the length of the suspension.

National background: how US points systems work. Full Tennessee route: learning to drive in Tennessee.

Common questions

Can I use my phone for GPS while driving in Tennessee?

The law bans holding the phone. What you may do with a mounted phone is set out in T.C.A. 55-8-199. The simplest rule is to set the route before you drive and not touch the phone again.

Can a 17-year-old talk on Bluetooth while driving in Tennessee?

No. Drivers under 18 may not talk on a mobile phone while driving, even hands-free.

How many points before your license is suspended in Tennessee?

12 points within 12 months for adults. For drivers under 18, 6 points leads to a hearing and possible suspension.

How long do points stay on your record in Tennessee?

The suspension check looks back 24 months from each new violation. Ask Driver Services how long a conviction stays on your full record.

Does traffic school remove a hands-free ticket?

The 4-hour course point removal covers speeding convictions. For other violations, ask the court or Driver Services.

Can an at-fault crash be removed from my record?

The Department must record all reportable crashes. If the report is wrong, contact the police department whose officer attended. Once a revised report is entered, the Department can correct your record.

Sources

• Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, “Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual” (information as of July 1, 2022) (tn.gov)
• Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, “Temporary restricted license-paper copy” (safetysupport.tn.gov)
• Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, “Do I need SR-22 Insurance?” (safetysupport.tn.gov)
• Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, “E-Services Online Links” (safetysupport.tn.gov)
• Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, “Can an accident be removed from my record since I wasn’t at fault?” (safetysupport.tn.gov)

Photo: Thomas R Machnitzki, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

For Tennessee students under 18 applying for a learner permit or license, and their parents. Tennessee law (T.C.A. 49-6-3017) bars issuing a license to anyone under 18 who cannot show a diploma, GED or proof of school enrollment and satisfactory progress. Most students prove it with form SF-1010, the Certification of Compulsory School Attendance, from their school.

Key facts

• Form: SF-1010, Certification of Compulsory School Attendance.
• Who fills it in: an authorized school official, the principal or the director of schools. The original goes to the student.
• How long it is valid: 30 days, except during summer months when school is out.
• Already graduated? Bring your high school diploma or GED certificate instead.
• Dropping out: withdrawing from school can lead to suspension of your driving privileges.

Who has to prove school attendance in Tennessee?

Every applicant under 18. At the time you apply you must present one of these:

• a high school diploma or certificate of graduation,
• proof you are enrolled in and making satisfactory progress in a secondary school,
• proof you are enrolled in and making satisfactory progress in a GED course, or have a GED, or
• proof you are excused from the requirement because of circumstances beyond your control.

How to get form SF-1010

1. Ask your school office for the SF-1010. The Department of Safety also publishes it as a fillable form.
2. The school official completes and signs it, and gives the original to you.
3. Book your Driver Services visit within 30 days of the date on the form during the school year.
4. Hand the original to the examiner with your other documents and the Minor/Teenage Affidavit. A parent or guardian signs the affidavit in person or has it notarized.

The manual (July 2022 edition) sets out the other routes:

• Homeschooled: a letter from the local director of schools confirming your notice of intent to homeschool, plus form SF-1193 (Verification of Home School Enrollment) signed by a parent or guardian at the center.
• School outside Tennessee, or a private or church school without SF-1010 forms: a letter on school letterhead from the principal or headmaster confirming you are not truant. Copies and faxes are not accepted.
• Summer: an SF-1010 signed in the last 30 days of the school year is accepted until about 30 days after the next year starts.

Report cards and transcripts are not accepted as proof. If you return to school after a first withdrawal, the school completes a section of the SF-1010 and you pay a $20 reinstatement fee plus the usual fees.

What happens if a Tennessee student drops out?

When a student aged 15 or older withdraws, the school notifies the Department of Safety, which can suspend driving privileges.

Situation	Effect on your license
First withdrawal	Not eligible until you return to school and make satisfactory progress, or turn 18
Second or later withdrawal	Driving privileges suspended until your 18th birthday

The Comptroller’s 2010 summary also describes unexcused-absence limits for students in GED courses. Check the current rules with your school or Driver Services if this applies to you.

Where this fits in the Tennessee license process

You need the school proof for the learner permit. Expect to show proof again when you apply for a license before 18, since the rule applies at the time of each application. For the rest of the route, see learning to drive in Tennessee and the Intermediate Restricted license rules. Identity documents are covered in REAL ID and your first license.

Common questions

What school attendance form do I need for a Tennessee permit?

Form SF-1010, the Certification of Compulsory School Attendance, completed by your school.

Can I use an SF-1010 from last semester?

No. It is valid for 30 days, except over the summer when school is out.

Is there a minimum grade to get a Tennessee license?

The law requires satisfactory progress, not a set grade. Your school decides whether you meet it when it completes the form.

I graduated early at 17. Do I still need the SF-1010?

No. Bring your diploma or GED certificate instead.

Can I lose my license for dropping out of school in Tennessee?

Yes. A first withdrawal can suspend your privileges until you return and make progress or turn 18. A second withdrawal suspends them until 18.

Sources

• Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, “Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual” (information as of July 1, 2022) (tn.gov)
• Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury, Office of Research and Education Accountability, “Tennessee’s Graduated Driver Licensing Law” (comptroller.tn.gov)

Photo: Thomas R Machnitzki, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

For Tennessee parents and teens working toward the Intermediate Restricted license. Before a teen can take the road skills test, a parent, legal guardian or driving instructor must certify at least 50 hours of driving experience, including 10 hours at night. Tennessee collects this on the “Certificate of 50 hours Behind the Wheel Driving Experience” from the Department of Safety and Homeland Security.

Key facts

• Hours: 50 in total, of which at least 10 must be at night.
• Who signs: a parent, legal guardian or driving instructor.
• When: handed in when you apply for the Intermediate Restricted license, with the road test.
• Timing: the teen must also be 16 and have held the learner permit for 180 days.
• Driver’s ed: not required in Tennessee. The 50 hours is the state’s practice requirement.

Who can supervise the practice drives?

On a Tennessee learner permit, the teen must drive with a licensed driver aged 21 or older in the front seat. Practice is not allowed between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. That means the 10 night hours are driven after dark but before 10 p.m. In winter that is easy. In June and July, plan evening drives late.

Any licensed driver aged 21 or older can sit in. Only a parent, legal guardian or driving instructor signs the certificate.

Checklist: getting the 50 hours right

• Get the current certificate from the Department of Safety’s Forms and Publications page or a Driver Services Center.
• Keep your own simple log as you go: date, start and end time, day or night, roads driven, skills practiced.
• Count only time with the teen driving and a licensed driver aged 21 or older beside them.
• Check the night total reaches 10 hours before you book the test.
• Have the parent, guardian or instructor sign the certificate before test day.
• Bring the signed certificate to the road test with the learner permit.

A 50 hour plan that covers the road test

Hours	Focus	Where
1 to 5	Controls, smooth starts and stops, steering, mirrors	Empty parking lot
6 to 15	Turns, stop signs, four-way stops, lane position	Quiet residential streets
16 to 25	Busier roads, traffic lights, lane changes, speed control	Town and city roads
26 to 35	Highway merging, following distance, passing	Highways and freeways
36 to 40	Rain and low light, school zones, railroad crossings	Mixed
Night (10)	Headlight use, glare, judging speed in the dark	Spread across the plan, before 10 p.m.
Last few	Mock road tests: backing, parking, full routes with no coaching	Around your Driver Services Center

Useful while you practice: four-way stops, freeway merging and supervised hours in other states.

What comes next

With the certificate signed, book the Tennessee road skills test. After you pass, the Intermediate Restricted license rules apply. Full route: learning to drive in Tennessee.

Common questions

Does Tennessee check the 50 hour log?

The state asks for a signed certification of the hours. Keep your own log anyway. It is the easiest way to be sure the totals add up.

Do driving school lessons count toward the 50 hours?

A driving instructor is one of the people who can certify the hours, so lessons with an instructor are part of the experience the certificate covers.

Can a grandparent sign the Tennessee 50 hour certificate?

Only a parent, legal guardian or driving instructor can certify the hours. A grandparent who is the teen’s legal guardian qualifies.

Do adults need 50 hours in Tennessee?

No. The certificate is part of the graduated license program for drivers under 18.

How do you get 10 night hours if permit holders cannot drive after 10 p.m.?

Drive after sunset and before 10 p.m. Fall and winter evenings make this easiest.

Sources

• Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury, Office of Research and Education Accountability, “Driver Education in Tennessee” (comptroller.tn.gov)
• Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury, Office of Research and Education Accountability, “Tennessee’s Graduated Driver Licensing Law” (comptroller.tn.gov)

Photo: Nicholas Soares, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

For Tennessee 16-year-olds who have just passed the road test, and the parents who set the house rules. The Intermediate Restricted license lets you drive alone, but with one passenger and no driving between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. You keep it for at least a year before moving up to the Intermediate Unrestricted license at 17.

Tennessee Intermediate Restricted license: the rules in one table

Rule	Learner permit (15+)	Intermediate Restricted (16+)	Intermediate Unrestricted (17+)
Supervision	Licensed driver 21 or older in the front seat	None needed	None needed
Night limit	No driving 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.	No driving 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.	None
Passengers	Supervised driving only	One passenger, with exceptions	No limit
Phone (under 18)	No talking on a phone, even hands-free	No talking on a phone, even hands-free	No talking on a phone, even hands-free
Points (under 18)	6 points triggers a hearing	6 points triggers a hearing	6 points triggers a hearing

Who can get an Intermediate Restricted license in Tennessee?

• You are at least 16.
• You have held a learner permit for 180 days.
• A parent, legal guardian or driving instructor has certified 50 hours of driving, including 10 at night. See the 50 hour certificate guide.
• You have fewer than 6 points on your record in the 180 days before you apply. With 6 or more, you keep the permit until you have 180 days in a row under 6 points.
• You pass the road skills test.

How many passengers can a 16-year-old carry in Tennessee?

One. The Tennessee manual (July 2022 edition) gives two exceptions:

• more passengers are allowed if at least one passenger is 21 or older with a valid unrestricted license, or
• brothers and sisters (including step, adopted and foster siblings) who live in your house can ride to and from school, if you carry a letter from your parent allowing it.

Tennessee teen curfew: 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.

On an Intermediate Restricted license you may not drive between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. This is one hour later than the learner permit limit, which is 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. The manual allows driving in that window only if:

• a parent or guardian is with you, or a licensed driver 21 or older whom your parent has named in writing (carry the note);
• you are driving to or from a named school activity, with written parent permission;
• you are driving to or from work, with written parent permission naming the workplace; or
• you are driving to or from hunting or fishing between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m. with a valid license for it.

A forged or fake permission letter means losing the Intermediate Restricted license and going back to a learner permit until 18.

Phones: stricter for Tennessee drivers under 18

All Tennessee drivers are banned from holding a phone while driving. Drivers under 18 face a stricter rule: no talking on a mobile phone at all while the vehicle is moving, even with a hands-free device. The safe habit is to put the phone on Do Not Disturb before you set off. More: Tennessee hands free law and driver points.

Points: the 6-point line for Tennessee teens

• Under 6 points: a warning letter.
• 6 points or more: an administrative hearing, which a parent or guardian must attend, and a possible suspension.
• Moving up at 17: 6 or more points, contributing to a crash, or a second seat belt violation each add 90 days to your year. A second moving violation means you must finish an approved driver education course first. Contributing to a fatal crash means a learner permit only until 18.

As examples, speeding 1 to 5 mph over the limit is 1 point and 6 to 15 mph over is 3 points. Two moderate speeding tickets reach the teen threshold. Confirm current point values on the Department of Safety’s Schedule of Points Values.

Moving up to the Intermediate Unrestricted license

1. Turn 17.
2. Hold the Intermediate Restricted license for one year.
3. Keep your record clean: fewer than 6 points, no at-fault crash and no second seat belt violation, or wait an extra 90 days.
4. Upgrade online through Driver Services e-Services or at a center. No extra test is needed.

The Intermediate Unrestricted license has no time or passenger limits, but it still says “Intermediate” on the front. At 18, or earlier if you graduate high school or get a GED, you can move to a regular Class D license. Full route: learning to drive in Tennessee. How Tennessee compares: GDL laws by state.

Common questions

What time do 16-year-olds have to be off the road in Tennessee?

11 p.m., until 6 a.m., on an Intermediate Restricted license. On a learner permit it is 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Can I drive my friends to school on an Intermediate Restricted license?

Only one passenger, unless an exception applies, such as a passenger aged 21 or older with a valid unrestricted license riding with you.

Can I use Bluetooth calls at 16 in Tennessee?

No. Drivers under 18 may not talk on a phone while driving, even hands-free.

Does a seat belt ticket affect my license?

Yes. A second seat belt violation blocks the move to the Intermediate Unrestricted license.

Does the Intermediate Restricted license end automatically at 17?

No. You become eligible at 17 after one year on the license, then you upgrade online or at a center.

What happens if I get 6 points as a Tennessee teen?

You will be called to an administrative hearing with a parent or guardian, and your license can be suspended.

Sources

• Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, “Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual” (information as of July 1, 2022) (tn.gov)
• Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury, Office of Research and Education Accountability, “Driver Education in Tennessee” (comptroller.tn.gov)
• Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury, Office of Research and Education Accountability, “Tennessee’s Graduated Driver Licensing Law” (comptroller.tn.gov)
• Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, “E-Services Online Links” (safetysupport.tn.gov)

Photo: Doug Kerr, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

For Tennessee permit holders turning 16 and adults booking their first road test. The Tennessee road skills test is the driving test you pass to get an Intermediate Restricted license (under 18) or a Class D license. You can take it at a Driver Services Center or, if you train with an approved program, with a certified instructor.

Key facts

• Teens must be at least 16, have held a learner permit for 180 days, and have 50 hours of certified practice (10 at night) before testing.
• No more than 6 points on your record in the 180 days before you apply.
• A licensed driver aged 21 or older must come with a permit holder to the test.
• Applicants under 16 or from out of state cannot book a road test online.
• If you fail, you cannot retest the same day, and you must practice for a set time before trying again.

Two ways to take the Tennessee road test

Route	How it works	Good to know
Driver Services Center	Book a road skills test appointment online (no login needed for a regular license road test) or through Driver Services	Without an appointment you may not be able to test that day
Driver Training and Testing Program (DTTP)	A certified instructor at an approved driving school gives the test	The student must first complete 30 hours of classroom instruction using the current manual and 6 hours behind the wheel (up to 2 of them on a simulator)

Driver education is optional in Tennessee. The DTTP route only matters if you want to test through a school.

How to book

1. Check you meet the age, permit and practice-hour rules. Have the 50 hour certificate signed.
2. Use the Department’s online road test scheduler, or the Driver Services request form if you are under 16 at booking time or from out of state.
3. To change or cancel, use the online ticketing system’s “My Appointments” and enter the phone number you booked with.
4. Arrive 15 minutes early. If you are late, the appointment can be cancelled and you become a walk-in.

What to bring on test day

• Your learner permit.
• A licensed driver aged 21 or older. Without one, a permit holder cannot go ahead with the test.
• The signed 50 hour certificate (under 18).
• A vehicle with valid tags that passes the pre-trip check. You must show you can use the seat belts, foot and parking brakes, high and low beams, tail and brake lights, wipers, defroster, rearview mirror and horn. The manual also requires clear windows (no windshield tint; other car windows must let through at least 35% of light), a muffler, doors that open from inside and outside, legal bumper height and a working speedometer.

What the Tennessee examiner is looking for

Only you and the examiner ride in the car, and no animals. The manual lists what the examiner watches: how you prepare (mirrors, belt, lights, wipers), move off, control the car, handle intersections and turns, obey signals and signs, drive in traffic, stop (including a quick safe stop), back up (straight, turning, and into or out of a space), keep distance, signal, share the road and adjust speed. Any traffic violation, refusing directions, a dangerous action or contributing to a crash is an immediate fail. Tests are not given in heavy rain, thick fog, snow or ice, severe weather warnings, or in the dark in winter. More than 5 minutes late and the appointment is cancelled. Whatever the route, examiners score the basics that cost most learners their test:

• Full stops behind the line at stop signs, and correct right of way at intersections.
• Mirror and blind-spot checks before moving off, changing lanes and turning.
• Speed that suits the limit and the conditions.
• Steady control while backing and parking.

For the national picture on maneuvers and common fails, see US road tests by state and why people fail the driving test.

If you fail the Tennessee road test

• The examiner tells you your errors, how to correct them and which maneuvers to practice.
• You cannot retake the test on the same day.
• Your wait before a retest depends on your errors (manual Table 4.2): 1 to 6 is a pass; 7 to 9 means retest the next day; 10 to 12 means 7 days; 13 to 15 means 14 days; 16 or more, or an automatic fail, means 30 days. The same rule applies to each later attempt.

After you pass

Under 18, you get an Intermediate Restricted license with passenger and night limits. See Tennessee Intermediate Restricted license rules. The full route is in learning to drive in Tennessee.

Common questions

Can I take my Tennessee road test at a driving school?

Yes, if the school is an approved Driver Training and Testing Program and you complete its 30 hours of classroom work and 6 hours behind the wheel first.

Why can’t I book my road test online?

Online booking is not available if you are under 16 or from out of state. Use the Driver Services request form instead.

Who has to come with me to the road test?

If you hold a learner permit, a licensed driver aged 21 or older. Without one you cannot take the test.

Can I retake the road test the same day?

No. You must wait a set practice time based on how many errors you made.

Do I need a vision test at the road test?

Not usually. You passed vision screening for the permit. It is needed again if you are exchanging a permit or license from another state.

Do points stop me taking the road test?

Teens with more than 6 points in the 180 days before applying cannot get the Intermediate Restricted license.

Sources

• Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, “Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual” (information as of July 1, 2022) (tn.gov)
• Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, “Failed Road Test” (safetysupport.tn.gov)
• Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, “How do I make, view, or cancel an appointment at a Driver Service Center?” (safetysupport.tn.gov)
• Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, “E-Services Online Links” (safetysupport.tn.gov)
• Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury, Office of Research and Education Accountability, “Driver Education in Tennessee” (comptroller.tn.gov)

Photo: w_lemay, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

For Tennessee teens getting ready for the learner permit, and the parents who will proctor or drive them to the test. The Tennessee knowledge test covers road rules, signs and safe driving from the Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual. Teens aged 15 to 17 can take it online at home with a parent or legal guardian as proctor, or in person at a Driver Services Center.

Key facts

• Minimum age for a Tennessee learner permit: 15.
• Two checks: a vision screening and the knowledge test.
• Online test: 30 questions, 60 minutes in total (check the current format with the Tennessee Department of Safety before you start).
• Vision standard: 20/40.
• Study material: the Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, plus the free practice quiz in the MyTN app.

Online or at a Driver Services Center?

	Online at home	At a Driver Services Center
Who can use it	Applicants aged 15 to 17	Any applicant
Supervision	A parent or legal guardian registered as proctor in the Tennessee Proctor ID app	Center staff
Where you sit it	The IDEMIA testing site, reached from the Department’s online test page	At the center; appointments are available for knowledge tests at some centers
Vision screening	Still done at the center when you get the permit	Done at the visit
Catch	The Department may ask you to retake the test at a center even if you passed online	Walk-in waits can be long without an appointment

How the online Tennessee permit test works

1. The parent or legal guardian downloads the Tennessee Proctor ID app and registers as the proctor.
2. The teen opens the IDEMIA testing site from the Department of Safety’s online knowledge test page.
3. The teen answers 30 questions within the 60-minute limit while the parent supervises.
4. After passing, the teen goes to a Driver Services Center with documents, the school attendance form and the signed minor affidavit to get the permit.

The manual (July 2022 edition) says the questions split roughly evenly across four areas: signs and signals, safe driving, rules of the road, and alcohol and drugs. If you fail, you must wait at least one day before trying again, you cannot retest the same day, and each failed attempt costs a $2 application fee. Cheating (notes, talking, phone use or a stand-in) is an automatic fail with a 30-day wait. Check the pass mark on the Department’s online test page.

At a center the test is on a computer, in English, Spanish, Korean or Japanese. A paper translation dictionary without notes is allowed, but interpreters and electronic devices are not. Oral tests can be booked at some centers for applicants who cannot read or have a learning disability (under 18, with a statement from a physician or educational specialist).

What to bring to get the permit

• Proof of identity and Social Security number, and proof of US citizenship or lawful status.
• Form SF-1010, the Certification of Compulsory School Attendance, or your diploma or GED. See Tennessee school attendance rules.
• The Minor/Teenage Affidavit, signed by a parent or guardian in person or notarized.
• Glasses or contact lenses if you need them to see.
• The fee. The July 2022 manual listed $10.50 for an under-18 learner permit. Check the current figure on the Department’s fees page.

The Tennessee vision screening

You need at least 20/40 in each eye. If either eye is worse, you get a Tennessee vision statement for an optometrist or ophthalmologist to complete. If new lenses will bring you up to 20/40, wait until you have them before going back. If you pass with one eye and have no vision in the other, you can still be licensed. Your record then gets restriction code 04, meaning you must keep outside mirrors on both sides of your vehicle.

What to study

The test is built from the manual. Spend most of your time on:

• Sign shapes and colors: US road signs by shape and color
• Right of way: four-way stops and school buses
• Lines and signals: pavement markings and traffic signals
• Alcohol and the law: implied consent and DUI
• Tennessee’s teen rules: permit and intermediate license limits

Then take the free practice quiz in the MyTN app (search “MyTN” in the Apple App Store or Google Play and open the Driver Services section). To compare Tennessee’s test with other states, see permit tests by state.

After you pass: Tennessee learner permit rules

• Drive only with a licensed driver aged 21 or older in the front seat.
• No driving between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
• Hold the permit for 180 days and log 50 hours (10 at night) before the road test. See the 50 hour certificate guide.

Back to the full route: learning to drive in Tennessee.

Common questions

Can I take the Tennessee permit test online at home?

Yes, if you are 15 to 17. A parent or legal guardian must register as your proctor in the Tennessee Proctor ID app and supervise the whole test.

How many questions are on the Tennessee permit test?

The online knowledge test has 30 questions with 60 minutes allowed. Check the current format with the Department of Safety before test day.

Can a grandparent or older sibling proctor the online test?

The online option names a parent or legal guardian as proctor. Anyone else should check with Driver Services first.

If I pass online, do I still go to a Driver Services Center?

Yes. You still need the vision screening, your documents and the fee to get the permit, and the Department may ask you to retake the test there.

What if I fail the vision screening?

You get a vision statement for an eye professional to complete. If corrective lenses bring you to 20/40, come back once you have them.

Can adults take the knowledge test online?

The online option is for applicants aged 15 to 17. Adults take the knowledge test at a Driver Services Center.

Sources

• Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, “Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual” (information as of July 1, 2022) (tn.gov)
• Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, “Are there other ways for me to practice for the knowledge test?” (safetysupport.tn.gov)
• Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, “What if I cannot pass the vision screening?” (safetysupport.tn.gov)
• Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, “What if I am blind in one eye?” (safetysupport.tn.gov)
• Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, “How do I make, view, or cancel an appointment at a Driver Service Center?” (safetysupport.tn.gov)
• Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury, Office of Research and Education Accountability, “Driver Education in Tennessee” (comptroller.tn.gov)
• Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury, Office of Research and Education Accountability, “Tennessee’s Graduated Driver Licensing Law” (comptroller.tn.gov)

Photo: Doug Kerr, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

This guide is for Tennessee teens, their parents and adult first-time drivers who want the full route from learner permit to an unrestricted Class D driver license. In Tennessee you can get a learner permit at 15, an Intermediate Restricted license at 16 after holding the permit for 180 days, an Intermediate Unrestricted license at 17, and the regular Class D license at 18.

Key facts: Tennessee’s graduated driver license at a glance

• Agency: Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, Driver Services. Licenses are issued at Driver Services Centers.
• Handbook: the Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (in print at Driver Services Centers and online from the Department).
• Driver education: not required in Tennessee. Teens instead need 50 hours of supervised driving, 10 of them at night, certified by a parent, legal guardian or driving instructor.
• Vision standard: 20/40. If either eye tests worse, you need a vision statement from an optometrist or ophthalmologist.
• Under 18: you must prove school attendance and progress, and a parent or guardian signs a minor affidavit.

The four stages of a Tennessee driver license

Stage	Minimum age	What you need	Main limits
Learner permit	15	Vision screening and knowledge test; school attendance proof; parent affidavit	Licensed driver 21 or older in the front seat; no driving 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Intermediate Restricted	16	Permit held 180 days; 50 hours (10 at night) certified; road skills test; fewer than 6 points in the 180 days before you apply	One passenger (with exceptions); no driving 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Intermediate Unrestricted	17	Intermediate Restricted held 1 year; fewer than 6 points, no at-fault crash and no second seat belt violation (any of these adds 90 days)	No time or passenger limits, but the license still says “Intermediate”
Regular Class D	18	At 18, or earlier if you graduate high school or get a GED	None from the GDL program

Stage details: Tennessee Intermediate Restricted license rules. Tennessee’s teen phone rule is covered in the hands free law and driver points.

Step by step: from no license to a Tennessee Class D

1. Get your documents together. Proof of identity and Social Security number, proof of US citizenship or lawful status, and (under 18) the school attendance form and the Minor/Teenage Affidavit. If you want a REAL ID, you can book a Driver Services appointment for it. See REAL ID and your first US driver’s license.
2. Prove school attendance (under 18). Tennessee will not license anyone under 18 without a diploma, GED or proof of enrollment and satisfactory progress. Guide: Tennessee school attendance rules for teen drivers.
3. Pass the vision screening and knowledge test. Teens aged 15 to 17 can take the knowledge test online at home with a parent or guardian as proctor, or at a Driver Services Center. Guide: Tennessee learner permit test guide.
4. Practice for at least 180 days. Log 50 hours, including 10 at night. Guide: Tennessee 50 hour driving certificate.
5. Pass the road skills test at 16. Take it at a Driver Services Center or through an approved driver training and testing program. Guide: Tennessee road skills test explained.
6. Upgrade at 17 and 18. The Department’s e-Services site has online links to upgrade an Intermediate Restricted and an Intermediate Unrestricted license.

Adult first-time drivers in Tennessee

The GDL stages apply to drivers under 18. Adults still take the vision screening, knowledge test and road skills test. Adults can fill in the driver license application in e-Services before visiting a center. Adults do not need the 50 hour certificate or school form.

Moving from another state or country? See transferring your license to another state and driving in the US on a foreign license. Under Tennessee law (T.C.A. 55-50-304), a nonresident aged 16 or older with a valid home license can drive in Tennessee only as a Class D driver. Once you become a resident, you need a Tennessee license. You will have to test unless Tennessee has testing reciprocity with your country.

Fees

Tennessee sets fees for each permit and license class. The under-18 learner permit, for example, combines a license cost and an application fee. Check the current figure on the Tennessee Department of Safety’s Driver License Fees page before you go.

The July 2022 manual listed these GDL fees: learner permit $10.50 at any age under 18; Intermediate Restricted $24.50 at 16 or $21.00 at 17; Intermediate Unrestricted $2.00. Swapping an Intermediate license for one without the word at 18 is an $8 duplicate. Each failed test also costs a $2 application fee.

Keeping your license: points, suspension and reinstatement

• Moving violations add points to your record. Under 18, 6 points can lead to a hearing and possible suspension. Adults face proposed suspension at 12 points within 12 months.
• Completing an approved 4-hour traffic school within 90 days of a speeding conviction can remove the points for that offense, up to a maximum of 5 points.
• A suspended license needs a reinstatement fee. A court-reported failure to appear, for example, leads to a $65 reinstatement fee once it becomes a suspension (as of November 2026).
• Some violations, including DUI, implied consent refusal, underage driving while impaired and two reckless driving violations in 12 months, can require SR-22 proof of insurance for the length of the suspension.

More: Tennessee hands free law and driver points and how US points systems work.

Tennessee figures from the manual

The Tennessee-specific numbers in the Comprehensive Driver License Manual (July 2022 edition) that the knowledge test and new drivers most often need:

Topic	Tennessee rule
Seat belts	Permit and intermediate holders: the driver and every passenger buckle up. The driver is responsible for every child under 16 being restrained ($50 fine).
Child seats	Under 1 or under 20 pounds: rear-facing. Ages 1 to 3 over 20 pounds: forward-facing. Ages 4 to 8 under 4 feet 9 inches: booster seat with the seat belt. Use the rear seat where possible.
Pickup beds	No child under 6 in a pickup bed; no child 6 to 12 in one on state or interstate highways (parade and farm work exceptions).
Unattended children	Leaving a child under 7 alone in a vehicle in a public place is an offense.
Headlights	On from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise, whenever you cannot see 200 feet ahead, and whenever the wipers are needed.
Dimming	Dim high beams within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle or a vehicle you are following.
Speed	Interstates up to 70 mph where posted. Follow the posted limit everywhere else and slow for conditions.
Following distance	At least the two-second rule; more in bad conditions.
Turn signals	Signal at least 50 feet before the turn.
Railroad crossings	When a train is coming, stop between 15 and 50 feet from the tracks.
School and church buses	Stop for a bus with flashing red lights and stop arm out, whether you meet it or come up behind it. Never pass on the right.
No parking	Not within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, 20 feet of a crosswalk, 30 feet of a signal or stop sign, or 50 feet of a railroad crossing; not within 20 feet of a fire station driveway (75 feet across the street); not on interstate ramps or shoulders except in an emergency.
Bicycles	Pass with at least 3 feet of space until safely past.
Move Over law	On roads with two or more lanes your way, move out of the lane next to a stopped emergency, highway maintenance, tow or utility vehicle with flashing lights, or slow down.
Funerals	Do not pass a funeral procession on a two-lane road or drive between its vehicles unless an officer directs you.
Littering	Fines from $50 up to $3,000, plus litter-pickup public service. Loads likely to blow off must be enclosed or covered.
Carrying your license	You must have your license with you when driving and show it to an officer on request.

Tennessee alcohol laws for drivers under 21

• Ages 16 to 20: driving with a BAC of 0.02 or more, or under the influence of alcohol or any intoxicant, is underage driving while impaired. Penalty: 1-year loss of license and a $250 fine, sometimes with public service.
• Ages 18 to 20: a conviction for buying, trying to buy or possessing alcohol costs your license for 1 year (2 years for a second), even if no car was involved.
• Ages 13 to 17: possessing, consuming or selling alcohol or drugs means a suspension of 1 year or until 17, whichever is longer (second time: 2 years or until 18), even if you have never been licensed.

More: zero tolerance laws for drivers under 21.

What the Tennessee manual covers on the road (Part B)

The knowledge test draws on the driving chapters of the manual. Most of these rules are shared across US states, so use these guides alongside the Tennessee manual:

Manual topic	Study with
Signs, signals and pavement markings	road signs by shape and color, traffic signals, pavement markings
Rules of the road	four-way stops, right on red, speed limits, parking rules, roundabouts
Safe driving and freeways	freeway driving, seat belt and car seat laws
Sharing the road	motorcycles, bicycles and trucks, pedestrians, school buses, railroad crossings, move over laws, emergency vehicles
Special conditions and emergencies	snow, fog and rain, what to do after a crash
Alcohol and drugs	implied consent and DUI, zero tolerance under 21, drugged driving
Financial responsibility	car insurance for new drivers

For how Tennessee compares with other states, see getting a driver’s license in the US and GDL laws by state.

Common questions

How old do you have to be to get a permit in Tennessee?

15. You must pass the vision screening and the knowledge test, and if you are under 18 you must show proof of school attendance.

Do you have to take driver’s ed in Tennessee?

No. Tennessee does not require a driver education course. Teens need 50 hours of certified practice, including 10 at night. Approved driver training programs are optional, and some can give the road test.

How long do you have to hold a learner permit in Tennessee?

180 days before you can move up to the Intermediate Restricted license, and you must be at least 16.

When can a Tennessee teen drive with no passenger or time limits?

At 17, after holding the Intermediate Restricted license for one year with fewer than 6 points, no at-fault crash and no second seat belt violation.

My learner permit expired. What now?

Try renewing it online through Driver Services e-Services. If that does not work, visit a Driver Services Center, ideally with an appointment.

Can I drive in Tennessee on another state’s permit?

Rules for out-of-state permits vary. See driving with a learner’s permit in another state and check with Tennessee Driver Services.

Sources

• Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, “Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual” (information as of July 1, 2022) (tn.gov)
• Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury, Office of Research and Education Accountability, “Driver Education in Tennessee” (comptroller.tn.gov)
• Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury, Office of Research and Education Accountability, “Tennessee’s Graduated Driver Licensing Law” (comptroller.tn.gov)
• Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, “What if I cannot pass the vision screening?” (safetysupport.tn.gov)
• Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, “E-Services Online Links” (safetysupport.tn.gov)
• Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, “My Learner’s Permit is expired now what?” (safetysupport.tn.gov)
• Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, “How do I make, view, or cancel an appointment at a Driver Service Center?” (safetysupport.tn.gov)
• Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, “I am visiting from another country; can I drive in TN with my overseas license?” (safetysupport.tn.gov)
• Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, “International Driver License” (safetysupport.tn.gov)
• Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, “Temporary restricted license-paper copy” (safetysupport.tn.gov)
• Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, “Do I need SR-22 Insurance?” (safetysupport.tn.gov)

Photo: Travis Saylor, Pexels

Tennessee allows low vision drivers to get a Class D (or PD or H) license using a bioptic telescope, under the state’s driver license vision rule, Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1340-01-13-.10. Your best regular corrected vision must be at least 20/200 with a full visual field, your vision through the telescope must be at least 20/60, the telescope can be no stronger than 4x, and your horizontal field must be at least 150 degrees. Before you apply, you must complete bioptic driver training with a certified driving instructor. Training alone does not entitle you to a license.

This page explains the licensing rule. Whether a bioptic suits your vision is a question for a low vision optometrist or ophthalmologist.

Tennessee bioptic vision requirements

Requirement	Tennessee rule
Best regular corrected acuity (without the telescope)	At least 20/200, with a full visual field; central field loss no more than 5 degrees
Acuity through the telescope	At least 20/60
Telescope power	No more than 4x
Telescope position	Fitted to one or both eyes, above the normal line of sight
Horizontal visual field	At least 150 degrees, without field expanders
Other	Acceptable mobility, with unimpaired eye, head and neck movement, and no mental impairment

Step by step

1. Get fitted and use the bioptic. The low vision specialist’s report cannot be written until you have used the bioptic system for at least 60 days.
2. Complete training. Before applying, complete bioptic telescope driving training from a certified driving instructor, and a certified driver education course while wearing the telescope. Training covers spotting stationary and moving objects, using brief glances through the telescope, and practice as a passenger or pedestrian. Training certification comes from a low vision qualified optometrist or ophthalmologist, or a certified rehabilitation professional.
3. Medical report. A low vision specialist completes the state form, covering the date the system was dispensed, visual findings, diagnosis and onset, and whether your condition is progressive, stable or undetermined. It must be completed within 6 months of your application.
4. Apply and test. Apply for your license with the report and training certification, and complete the usual testing. See Tennessee road skills test explained.

Possible restrictions

The rule allows restrictions such as:

• daylight driving only
• a maximum speed of 50 mph
• outside mirrors on both sides of the vehicle
• limits on area or time of day
• no interstate driving

Your eye doctor or the state’s advisory board can add others.

Renewal

An updated eye report is due every year from the date of your first report. You may need re-examination if your condition becomes less stable.

Teen drivers and learner permits

The rule covers Class D, PD (learner permit) and H (hardship) applicants. A teen using a bioptic still follows Tennessee’s graduated licensing rules, including the supervised hours in Tennessee 50 hour driving certificate for teens and the Tennessee learner permit test. Ask the Department of Safety how the bioptic training fits with your permit stage before you start.

Check the current state guidance

The Department of Safety also publishes low vision guidelines. The figures above come from the rule text. Check with the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security before you start training, and compare other states in Bioptic driving laws by state and Driver’s license vision rules in the South. Full Tennessee licensing steps are in Learning to drive in Tennessee.

Want to practise the eyesight check? Our sister site Driving Eyesight Test has a free US letter chart on drivingeyesighttest.com. It is a practice screen only, not an eye test, and it cannot assess bioptic vision.

Back to the hub: Driving with a medical condition or disability in the US.

Sources

• Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1340-01-13-.10, vision standards (text via law.cornell.edu)
• Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, “Low Vision Guidelines” (tn.gov), not reachable during research

Photo: Dougtone, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Tennessee online knowledge test for 15 to 17 year olds has 30 questions and a 60-minute limit, and this practice test is the same length. Set a timer, answer all 30, then check the explanations. These are original, unofficial questions based on the Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual topics and the Department of Safety and Homeland Security teen rules, not the Department’s own questions.

Tennessee knowledge test format

Item	Online (ages 15 to 17)	At a Driver Services Center
Questions	30	Check with the center
Time	60 minutes	Check with the center
Pass mark	80% (24 of 30), as the Department describes the online test	Check with the center
Proctor	A parent or legal guardian, through the Tennessee Proctor ID app	Center staff

Confirm the current format on the Department’s online test page before you start. The full process, vision screening and documents are in the Tennessee learner permit test guide.

Signs, signals and pavement markings (questions 1 to 9)

1. What shape is a STOP sign?

• A. Circle
• B. Octagon (eight sides)
• C. Triangle
• D. Pentagon

Answer: B. The octagon is used only for STOP signs, so you can recognize one from the back. Manual topic: sign shapes.

2. A pentagon-shaped sign (five sides) warns you about:

• A. A hospital
• B. A no-passing zone
• C. A railroad crossing
• D. A school zone or school crossing

Answer: D. Five-sided signs mark schools and school crossings. Watch for children and lower limits. Manual topic: sign shapes.

3. A pennant-shaped yellow sign on the left side of the road means:

• A. Two-way traffic
• B. Road narrows
• C. Hill ahead
• D. No passing zone

Answer: D. The sideways pennant marks the start of a no-passing zone. Manual topic: warning signs.

4. Orange signs on the road usually mean:

• A. Construction or work zone ahead
• B. Tourist information
• C. Truck route
• D. Hospital ahead

Answer: A. Orange is the work zone color. Slow down, watch for workers and follow flaggers. Manual topic: work zones.

5. A blue sign with white symbols shows:

• A. A speed limit
• B. A school zone
• C. Directions to a city
• D. Motorist services such as food, gas or a hospital

Answer: D. Blue signs are service signs. Green signs give directions and brown signs point to parks and recreation. Manual topic: guide signs.

6. A white rectangular sign with black letters is usually a:

• A. Railroad sign
• B. Recreation sign
• C. Regulatory sign, such as a speed limit
• D. Warning sign

Answer: C. White rectangles state rules you must obey, such as speed limits and lane use. Manual topic: regulatory signs.

7. A flashing red traffic light means:

• A. Slow down and continue
• B. Yield only to trucks
• C. Stop completely, then go when it is safe, as at a STOP sign
• D. The signal is about to turn green

Answer: C. Treat a flashing red signal exactly like a STOP sign. Manual topic: traffic signals.

8. A solid green arrow pointing left means:

• A. Yield to all oncoming traffic before turning
• B. Left turns are banned
• C. Go straight only
• D. You may make a protected left turn in the direction of the arrow

Answer: D. A green arrow gives you a protected turn. Still yield to anyone already in the intersection. Manual topic: traffic signals.

9. Double solid yellow lines down the center of a road mean:

• A. No passing in either direction
• B. A one-way road
• C. Passing is allowed in both directions
• D. A bike lane

Answer: A. Neither side may cross double solid yellow lines to pass. Manual topic: pavement markings.

Right of way, turns and intersections (questions 10 to 14)

10. Two cars reach a four-way stop at the same time. You are on the left. You should:

• A. Wave the other driver through only if they are turning
• B. Honk and go
• C. Let the car on your right go first
• D. Go first

Answer: C. When drivers arrive together, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right. Manual topic: right of way.

11. You are turning left on a solid green light and an oncoming car is coming straight through. You must:

• A. Flash your lights and turn
• B. Yield to the oncoming car, then turn when there is a safe gap
• C. Turn first because you were there first
• D. Stop until the light turns red

Answer: B. Without a green arrow, left turns yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians. Manual topic: turns.

12. A pedestrian steps into a crosswalk as your light turns green. You must:

• A. Drive around them
• B. Go, because you have a green light
• C. Honk so they hurry
• D. Wait until the pedestrian is safely across

Answer: D. Pedestrians already in the crosswalk have the right of way, even when your light is green. Manual topic: pedestrians.

13. Unless a sign says otherwise, turning right on a red light in Tennessee requires you to:

• A. Slow down and turn
• B. Wait for a green light
• C. Stop completely and yield to pedestrians and traffic before turning
• D. Turn only from the left lane

Answer: C. Right on red is allowed after a full stop, unless posted. Yield first. Manual topic: turns.

14. An ambulance with lights and siren is behind you. You should:

• A. Move to the left lane
• B. Stop in your lane
• C. Pull over to the right edge, clear of the intersection, and stop until it passes
• D. Speed up to keep ahead

Answer: C. Yield to emergency vehicles by moving right and stopping. Manual topic: emergency vehicles.

Speed, space and passing (questions 15 to 17)

15. The basic speed rule means you must:

• A. Ignore limits on empty roads
• B. Always drive at the posted limit
• C. Drive 5 mph over in light traffic
• D. Drive no faster than is safe for conditions, even below the posted limit

Answer: D. Posted limits are the maximum for ideal conditions. Rain, fog, traffic and darkness call for lower speeds. Manual topic: speed.

16. A good way to check your following distance is to:

• A. Watch the car’s brake lights
• B. Stay one car length behind
• C. Count seconds after the car ahead passes a fixed object
• D. Use your high beams

Answer: C. Count seconds from when the car ahead passes a sign or pole to when you reach it. Add time in bad weather. Manual topic: following distance.

17. When is passing on the right generally allowed?

• A. When the vehicle ahead is turning left and there is room, or on a multi-lane road
• B. On the shoulder
• C. Whenever you are in a hurry
• D. Never

Answer: A. Pass on the right only where there is a lane for it, never on the shoulder. Manual topic: passing.

Sharing the road (questions 18 to 20)

18. On a two-lane road with no median, a school bus coming toward you stops with red lights flashing. You must:

• A. Pass on the shoulder
• B. Slow to 15 mph
• C. Continue, because you are going the other way
• D. Stop and stay stopped until the lights go off and the bus moves

Answer: D. On an undivided road, traffic in both directions stops for a school bus with flashing red lights. Manual topic: school buses.

19. You see a train approaching a crossing with no gates. You should:

• A. Try to beat it
• B. Honk at the train
• C. Stop on the tracks to look
• D. Stop at least behind the stop line or crossbuck and wait for it to pass

Answer: D. Never race a train. Stop before the crossing and do not start until the tracks are clear. Manual topic: railroad crossings.

20. A large truck ahead signals a right turn and swings left first. You should:

• A. Stay back and give it room to turn
• B. Pass it on the right
• C. Squeeze in beside it
• D. Honk to warn the driver

Answer: A. Trucks swing wide on right turns. Never move into the gap on the right. Manual topic: sharing the road with trucks.

Alcohol, drugs and implied consent (questions 21 to 23)

21. A Tennessee driver aged 18 has a BAC of 0.02% while driving. What is the likely result?

• A. Nothing, because 0.08% is the limit
• B. Only a fine for adults
• C. An underage driving while impaired charge, with a license suspension
• D. A warning letter

Answer: C. For drivers 16 to under 21, a BAC of 0.02% or more is an underage driving while impaired offense. Check current penalties with the Department. Manual topic: alcohol.

22. Which of these lowers your BAC?

• A. Exercise
• B. Time
• C. Coffee
• D. A cold shower

Answer: B. Only time lets your body remove alcohol. Coffee and cold water do not sober you up. Manual topic: alcohol effects.

23. By driving on Tennessee roads, you have agreed to:

• A. Take a chemical test for alcohol or drugs if lawfully asked by an officer
• B. Pay any tolls
• C. Use cruise control on interstates
• D. Carry a spare tire

Answer: A. That is implied consent. Refusing a test has its own penalties. Manual topic: implied consent.

Tennessee learner permit and teen license rules (questions 24 to 29)

24. Who must be with you when you drive on a Tennessee learner permit?

• A. Any passenger aged 16 or older
• B. Any licensed driver aged 18 or older
• C. A licensed driver aged 21 or older in the front seat
• D. No one after 90 days

Answer: C. Permit holders drive only with a licensed driver 21 or older beside them. Topic: learner permit.

25. When may a Tennessee learner permit holder NOT drive?

• A. After sunset
• B. Between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m.
• C. Between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
• D. On weekends

Answer: C. Learner permit holders may not drive from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Topic: learner permit.

26. How long must you hold a learner permit before the road test for an Intermediate Restricted license?

• A. Two years
• B. 90 days
• C. One year
• D. 180 days

Answer: D. Hold the permit for 180 days and complete 50 hours of driving, 10 of them at night. Topic: GDL.

27. On an Intermediate Restricted license, what is the night limit?

• A. No driving after sunset
• B. There is no night limit
• C. No driving from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.
• D. No driving from midnight to 5 a.m.

Answer: C. Intermediate Restricted drivers may not drive between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. Topic: Intermediate Restricted license.

28. How many passengers may an Intermediate Restricted driver normally carry?

• A. Three
• B. One
• C. None
• D. No limit

Answer: B. The general rule is one passenger, with limited exceptions listed in the manual. Topic: Intermediate Restricted license.

29. What happens to a Tennessee driver under 18 who reaches 6 points?

• A. An administrative hearing with a parent or guardian, and a possible suspension
• B. An automatic one-year revocation
• C. A free defensive driving course
• D. Nothing until 12 points

Answer: A. At 6 points, drivers under 18 face a hearing that a parent or guardian must attend. Check current rules with the Department. Topic: points.

Emergencies and adverse conditions (question 30)

30. Your car starts to skid on a wet road. You should:

• A. Ease off the gas and steer in the direction you want the front of the car to go
• B. Slam on the brakes
• C. Turn the wheel hard the other way
• D. Speed up

Answer: A. Stay off the brakes and steer smoothly where you want to go. Manual topic: skids.

How did you do?

Correct out of 30	Result
27 to 30	Ready for the real test
24 to 26	At the 80% line. Fix the topics you missed.
Under 24	Not yet. Reread the manual, then retake this test.

Then try the free practice quiz in the MyTN app, which the Department of Safety recommends. Teen rules are the most common misses: see Tennessee Intermediate Restricted license rules and the Tennessee hands free law and driver points.

Common questions

Are these the real Tennessee permit test questions?

No. They are original, unofficial practice questions. The real test is built from the Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual.

How many questions are on the Tennessee permit test?

The online test for 15 to 17 year olds has 30 questions with 60 minutes allowed. Check the format for in-person testing with your Driver Services Center.

How many can I miss?

The Department describes the online pass mark as 80%, which allows 6 wrong out of 30. Confirm it before you test.

Can I take the Tennessee permit test at home?

Yes, if you are 15 to 17 and a parent or legal guardian proctors you through the Tennessee Proctor ID app. You still visit a center for the vision screening and the permit.

Where is the official study material?

The Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual and the MyTN practice quiz.

Is there a practice test for other states?

Yes: US permit practice tests by state. For the whole Tennessee route, see learning to drive in Tennessee.

Sources

• Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, “Driver License Knowledge Permit Test Online” (tn.gov)
• Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, “Are there other ways for me to practice for the knowledge test?” (safetysupport.tn.gov)
• Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, “Tennessee Motorcycle Operator Manual”, alcohol section (tn.gov)
• Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury, Office of Research and Education Accountability, “Driver Education in Tennessee” (comptroller.tn.gov)