All 39 Tennessee Permit Test Questions

Every question in our Tennessee bank, with the correct answer and an explanation. Free to read, no signup.

Free Tennessee Permit Practice Test 1Free Tennessee Permit Practice Test 2Free Tennessee Permit Practice Test 3Tennessee Road Signs TestGeneral road-rules questions (all states)
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Licensing & Permits

In Tennessee, the minimum age for a Learner Permit is:
Answer: 15
You must be at least 15 for a Tennessee Learner Permit.
A Tennessee Learner Permit must be held for at least how long before an Intermediate License?
Answer: Six months
You must hold the Learner Permit at least six months.
Before a Tennessee Intermediate License, you must certify behind-the-wheel driving (SF-1256) of at least:
Answer: 50 hours (10 at night)
You must certify 50 hours of behind-the-wheel experience, including 10 at night.
A Tennessee Intermediate License applicant cannot have how many points on their record in the prior 180 days?
Answer: Six or more
You cannot have six or more points during the 180 days before applying.
A Tennessee Intermediate Restricted License allows only:
Answer: One passenger
An Intermediate Restricted License allows only one passenger.
A Tennessee Intermediate Restricted License holder cannot drive between:
Answer: 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
No driving 11:00 p.m.–6:00 a.m.
A Tennessee Intermediate License requires seatbelts for all passengers ages:
Answer: 4 through 17 (child restraint if under 4)
Seatbelts are mandatory for all passengers ages 4 through 17 (child restraint if under 4).
Tennessee's graduated licensing order for under-18 drivers is:
Answer: Learner Permit, Intermediate License, then Regular
The order is Learner Permit, Intermediate License, then Regular Driver License.
To be licensed in Tennessee you must pass a:
Answer: Vision test
A vision test is required for licensing.

Alcohol, Drugs & the Law

.02under 21.08adult
In Tennessee, a BAC of what level is always illegal (intoxication)?
Answer: .08
A BAC of .08 is the level of intoxication that is always illegal.
.02under 21.08adult
In Tennessee, a driver 16 to under 21 with a BAC of .02% is convicted of:
Answer: Underage Driving While Impaired
A driver 16–20 with a BAC of .02% is convicted of Underage Driving While Impaired.
Tennessee notes that at .08% BAC, judgment and reasoning are:
Answer: Severely hampered — definitely unsafe to drive
At .08%, judgment and reasoning are severely hampered — definitely unsafe to drive.
A Tennessee commercial driver is DUI at a BAC of:
Answer: .04
Commercial drivers are DUI at .04.
Under Tennessee's implied consent law, refusing a chemical test brings:
Answer: A license suspension
Refusing a chemical test triggers a license suspension.
The only thing that lowers your blood alcohol content is:
Answer: Time
Only time removes alcohol from your body.
If you plan to drink in Tennessee, the safest choice is to:
Answer: Arrange a sober ride or designated driver
Line up a sober ride before you drink.

Sharing the Road

In Tennessee, a car at 55 mph stops in about 240 feet, but a truck at the same speed needs about:
Answer: 450+ feet
A truck at 55 mph needs about 450+ feet to stop — far more than a car.
In Tennessee, if you cannot see a truck driver's mirrors, then:
Answer: They cannot see you
If you can't see the truck's mirrors, the driver can't see you — stay out of blind spots.
RR
In Tennessee, a train traveling 55 mph takes about how far to stop?
Answer: A full mile
A train at 55 mph takes a full mile to stop — never try to beat one.
RR
Tennessee notes you are how many times more likely to die in a collision with a train than a car?
Answer: 30 times
You are 30 times more likely to die in a train collision than a car collision.
When an emergency vehicle approaches with lights and siren in Tennessee, you should:
Answer: Pull to the right and stop
Pull to the right edge and stop until it passes.
move over
Tennessee's Move Over law requires that, for a stopped emergency vehicle with flashing lights, you:
Answer: Move over a lane if safe, or slow down
Move over a lane if safe, otherwise slow down.
give a full lane
A motorcycle in Tennessee is entitled to:
Answer: A full lane of travel
Motorcycles are entitled to a full lane.

Safe Driving

In Tennessee, reading a text takes your eyes off the road for at least 5 seconds — at 55 mph that's like driving:
Answer: The length of a football field with eyes closed
At 55 mph, 5 seconds is the length of a football field driven blind.
If you become drowsy while driving in Tennessee, you should:
Answer: Pull over safely and rest
Only rest cures drowsiness — pull over.
A safe following distance in Tennessee gives you:
Answer: Time to react and avoid a crash
Space ahead gives you time to react and avoid rear-ending others.
Even at the posted Tennessee limit, in rain, snow, or fog you should:
Answer: Slow down for conditions
Reduce speed for weather and road conditions.
Keeping a safe following distance behind the vehicle ahead helps you:
Answer: React safely to sudden stops
Space ahead gives you time to react and avoid rear-ending others.

Speed Limits & Speed Management

In Tennessee, trucks making right turns often must:
Answer: Swing wide
Trucks swing wide to make right turns — don't try to squeeze between them and the curb.
Tennessee requires you to drive at a speed that is:
Answer: Reasonable and prudent for conditions
Always drive at a speed reasonable and prudent for conditions.
In Tennessee, driving much slower than surrounding traffic:
Answer: Can be dangerous and impede traffic
Going too slowly can be dangerous and impede other traffic.

Vehicle Equipment

Tennessee law requires the driver and passengers to:
Answer: Wear seat belts
Buckle up — Tennessee's seat-belt law is enforced.
If your turn signals fail in Tennessee, you should:
Answer: Use hand signals
Use hand signals if your turn signals fail.
In Tennessee you must use headlights:
Answer: At night and when visibility is reduced
Use headlights at night and whenever visibility is low.

Signaling & Communication

An arm extended straight out the driver's window means:
Answer: Left turn
Arm straight out = left turn.
A Tennessee hardship license holder (at least 15) has privileges like a Class PD license when:
Answer: Accompanied by a responsible licensed adult
Hardship license holders drive with the same privileges when accompanied by a responsible adult.

Points & Penalties

If you are involved in a crash in Tennessee, you must:
Answer: Stop and give information
Stop and exchange information at any crash.
In Tennessee, accumulating too many points can lead to:
Answer: A license suspension or required hearing
Too many points can suspend your license or require a hearing.
A Tennessee Intermediate driver graduates to a Regular License by driving without at-fault crashes or major violations and reaching age:
Answer: 18
You graduate to a Regular License at 18 (with a clean record).