Sharing the road in Tennessee
Tennessee roads carry far more than cars. Bicyclists, pedestrians, motorcyclists, large trucks, school buses and trains all need space, and each one changes how you should drive.
Several of the most serious point penalties in Tennessee come from failing to share the road, such as passing a stopped school bus or failing to stop at a railroad crossing.
By the end of this topic you can
- You can pass a bicyclist safely and legally.
- You can explain the no-zones around large trucks.
- You can respond correctly to school buses and emergency vehicles.
- You can cross railroad tracks safely.
- You can yield to pedestrians at crosswalks and intersections.
What you need to know and understand
- When passing a bicyclist, leave at least 3 feet until you are safely past.
- Motorcycles are entitled to a full lane; do not share a lane with one.
- Large trucks have big blind spots (no-zones) at the front, rear and both sides.
- Stop for a school or church bus with flashing red lights and a stop arm; passing one carries 8 points.
- When a train is coming, stop between 15 and 50 feet from the nearest rail; failing to stop carries 8 points.
- Move over or slow down for stopped emergency, maintenance, tow and utility vehicles with flashing lights.
- Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, marked or unmarked.
People without a car around them
Pedestrians and bicyclists have no protection in a crash. Slow down near schools, parks and neighborhoods, and look for people stepping out between parked cars. Before turning, check crosswalks on both sides.
Bicycles may use the road. Give them at least 3 feet when you pass, and wait behind them if there is not room. Check for bicyclists before you open a car door or turn right across a bike lane.
Big vehicles and motorcycles
- If you cannot see a truck driver's mirrors, the driver cannot see you.
- Pass trucks quickly on the left and do not cut back in until you can see the whole front of the truck in your mirror.
- Leave extra room behind trucks and buses, which need longer to stop and may swing wide to turn right.
- Motorcycles are small and easy to miss. Look twice before turning left or changing lanes, and allow more following distance.
Buses, emergency vehicles and trains
Our Tennessee hands free law and driver points guide lists the point values for these offenses, and our road test guide explains how examiners judge sharing the road.
- School or church bus with red lights and stop arm: stop, and wait until the lights go off and the arm is pulled in. Never pass on the right. Only traffic on the far side of a highway divided by a median or barrier may continue.
- Emergency vehicle approaching with lights or siren: pull to the right edge and stop until it passes.
- Stopped emergency or service vehicle: move out of the adjacent lane on multi-lane roads, or slow down.
- Railroad crossing with a train coming: stop 15 to 50 feet from the tracks and do not go until it is safe, even after the train passes.
Common mistakes
- Squeezing past a bicyclist with less than 3 feet of space.
- Lingering beside a truck in its side blind spot.
- Starting across railroad tracks before there is room on the other side to clear them.
- Passing a stopped school bus because you are in a hurry or think it is about to move.
Test yourself: Sharing the road in Tennessee
Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.
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Sources: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, information as of July 1, 2022 (Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security); Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, Schedule of Points Values. Independent guide, not affiliated with any licensing agency. Always check the latest official rules with the Tennessee licensing agency.