25 sample questions from DriveDrill's 234-question Tennessee bank. Pick an answer to see if you got it right, and why.
Q1. You should switch on your headlights:
A From sunset to sunrise and whenever visibility is poorB On unlit roads only, even in broad daylightC After it is fully dark, but not from sunset until thenD Whenever another driver already has theirs turned on
Headlights are about being seen as much as seeing. Most states also require them in rain, fog, snow or whenever wipers are on.
Q2. In Tennessee, the law requires a car seat or booster seat until:
A The child turns 9, or reaches 4 feet 9 inchesB The child turns 4, or reaches 4 feet 9 inchesC The child turns 16, or reaches 4 feet 9 inchesD The child turns 12, or reaches 4 feet 9 inches
State law is a minimum. Safety experts recommend a booster until the adult belt fits properly: lap belt low across the hips and shoulder belt across the chest, not the neck.
Q3. In Tennessee, a learner permit must be held for at least how long before the road test?
A 3 monthsB 6 monthsC 30 daysD 9 months
The holding period exists so new drivers practice across seasons and conditions rather than cramming a license in a weekend.
Q4. In Tennessee, using a hand-held cell phone while driving is:
A Illegal for all drivers, but enforced as a secondary offenseB Illegal for all driversC Banned in school and work zones, and texting is banned everywhereD Banned in work zones, and texting is banned everywhere
The state requires hands-free operation for every driver. Novice drivers are usually barred from using a phone at all, even hands-free.
Q5. In Tennessee, the move-over law requires you to change lanes, or slow down, when passing:
A Stopped emergency vehicles and certain work or service vehicles showing warning lights, but not ordinary cars with hazard lights onB Any stopped vehicle showing hazard lights or another warning signal, not just emergency vehiclesC Vehicles stopped inside a work zone marked by cones, barrels or warning signs specifically, not vehicles stopped elsewhere on the shoulderD Stopped police, fire and ambulance vehicles specifically, not tow trucks or highway maintenance crews
Move to a lane that is not next to the stopped vehicle when you safely can. When you cannot, slow down. People working at the roadside are struck every year by drivers who did neither.
Q6. In Tennessee, the minimum age to apply for a learner permit is:
A 14, 6 monthsB 15C 14D 15, 6 months
Applicants under 18 also need parental consent, and the permit must be held for a set period before the road test.
Q7. In Tennessee, a newly licensed driver under 18 generally may not drive between:
A 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.B 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.C midnight to 5 a.m.D 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Documented exceptions usually cover work, school activities, emergencies and driving with a licensed adult. Carry the paperwork if you rely on one.
Q8. When a train is coming and you must stop at a railroad crossing, stop no closer to the nearest rail than:
A 2 feetB 5 feetC It does not matter if the gate is downD 15 feet
Fifteen feet keeps you clear of the train's overhang and of the gate arm. Most states also say to stop no farther than 50 feet back, so you can still see the tracks.
Q9. Brown signs on a highway point to:
A Parks, campgrounds and recreational or historic sitesB Truck weigh stations and inspection sitesC Toll plazas, toll booths and express lanesD Emergency evacuation routes and shelters
Brown is the color for recreational and cultural interest areas: parks, campgrounds, ski areas, museums and historic sites, for example. Blue, by contrast, marks motorist services.
Q10. You are in the left lane of a highway and a line of traffic builds up behind you. You should:
A Tap your brakes as a warningB Slow down to make them back offC Keep your speed and stay putD Move to the right lane when it is safe
The left lane is for passing. Once traffic stacks up behind you, moving right is both safer and, in many states, required.
Q11. In Tennessee, you may not park within how many feet of a traffic signal or stop sign?
A 15 feetB 50 feetC 10 feetD 30 feet
Tennessee prohibits parking within 30 feet of a traffic signal, stop sign, or other traffic control device.
Q12. In Tennessee, it is illegal to park within how many feet of a railroad crossing?
A 20 feetB 30 feetC 50 feetD 15 feet
Tennessee law prohibits parking within 50 feet of a railroad crossing.
Q13. Driving without the insurance your state requires can result in:
A A points penalty alone, with no fine or suspensionB No consequence to worry about if the crash was not your faultC Just a warning, with no fine or license consequenceD Fines, suspension of your license and registration, and vehicle impoundment
Financial responsibility is a condition of driving. The penalties apply whether or not you have a crash.
Q14. A green arrow pointing left means:
A You may turn left after yielding to oncoming trafficB Left turns are allowed only for busesC You may turn left and oncoming traffic is being held by a red lightD You must turn left
A green arrow is a protected turn. Still check the crosswalk for people before you move.
Q15. The accelerator sticks open. You should:
A Keep pumping the accelerator pedal until it frees itselfB Switch off the engine while still at full driving speedC Pull the parking brake on hard while still at full speedD Shift to neutral, brake, and steer to the side of the road
Neutral disconnects the engine from the wheels so you keep power steering and brakes. Once stopped, shut the engine off.
Q16. The basic speed law means:
A Speed limits are only advisory, not enforceableB You may exceed the posted limit while passing another carC You must never drive faster than is safe, even below the limitD You may always drive at the full posted speed limit
The posted limit is the maximum for perfect conditions. In rain, fog, traffic or at night, the legal safe speed is lower.
Q17. In Tennessee, the handbook says reading or sending a text takes your eyes off the road for a minimum of:
A 10 secondsB 1 secondC 5 secondsD 2 seconds
Tennessee's manual notes that reading or sending a text takes your eyes off the road for a minimum of 5 seconds.
Q18. The only thing that reduces blood alcohol concentration is:
A CoffeeB ExerciseC A cold showerD Time
The liver processes alcohol at a fixed rate. Nothing speeds it up, so the only plan that works is not driving.
Q19. After a crash with injury or significant damage you must usually:
A Report it only when you believe you were the one at faultB Report it only if a vehicle had to be towed from the sceneC Report it to law enforcement or the state as your state requiresD Report it to your insurance company, and skip law enforcement
Every state sets a damage threshold and a deadline for reporting. Exchange information at the scene and file the report on time.
Q20. Liability insurance pays for:
A Only your own medical bills after a crash you causedB Your car being stolen or vandalizedC Repairs to your own vehicle after a crash you causedD Injury and damage you cause to other people
Liability is the coverage states require. Collision and comprehensive, which cover your own vehicle, are optional.
Q21. In Tennessee, an applicant under 18 must log how much supervised driving before the road test?
A 50 hours, including 10 at nightB 40 hours, including 10 at nightC 30 hours, including 10 at nightD 20 hours, including 2 at night
A parent or guardian certifies the hours. Night driving is where new drivers crash most, which is why a share of the total has to be after dark.
Q22. Speeding fines in a work zone are usually:
A The same as elsewhereB Waived if no workers are presentC Only issued at nightD Higher than normal, often doubled
Most states increase work-zone fines and add penalties when workers are present, whether or not the crew is visible at that moment.
Q23. You may park in a space marked with the International Symbol of Access:
A If no other parking space at all happens to be open nearbyB If you only expect to be parked there for just a few short minutesC If you simply switch on your hazard lights the whole time you are parkedD Only if the vehicle displays a valid disability placard or plate and is transporting that person
Accessible spaces need a valid placard or plate, and the person it belongs to must be involved in the trip. Fines are steep and vehicles are towed.
Q24. An exit number on a green sign tells you:
A The distance in miles to the next city down the roadB The number of travel lanes the exit ramp hasC The speed limit that is posted on the exit ramp itselfD Which exit to take for a destination or route
Exit numbers usually match the nearest mile marker, which makes it easy to judge how far away your exit still is.
Q25. On a long downgrade you should:
A Shift to neutral and coast down the grade to save fuelB Ride the brake pedal steadily all the way down the gradeC Shift to a lower gear and brake in short applications on the way downD Switch off the engine and coast down under gravity alone
Continuous braking overheats the brakes and they fade. Let the engine hold the vehicle back and brake in short firm applications.
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