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You need a Tennessee driver’s license or learner’s permit if you want to drive on Tennessee streets and highways. To qualify for a Class D license, you must be at least 16 years of age, and must pass a vision screening, knowledge test, and driving test. The TN DMV written test covers the contents of the Tennessee Driver's Handbook, and includes questions on road rules, road signs and signals, and safe driving practices. The Tennessee DMV test consists of 30 questions, and you must score 80% or higher (at least 24 correct answers) to pass. Practice with this sample DMV test to familiarize yourself with the format of the Tennessee written test.
1. Drivers have the right-of-way when they are:
Entering a traffic circle.
Already in a traffic circle.
Leaving a parking lot.
2. Which of the following is NOT a defensive driving technique?
Looking for possible danger.
Being friendly to other drivers.
Acting right away to prevent a crash.
3. When driving in fog, you should:
Turn on your high beam headlights.
Slow down and use your low beam headlights.
Increase your speed to avoid causing an accident.
4. What does this sign indicate?
parallel railroad crossing
Low ground clearance railroad crossing.
Parallel railroad crossing (side road).
Parallel railroad crossing (crossroad).
5. A four-way stop sign means:
4 way stop sign
Traffic from all four directions must stop.
If two vehicles reach the intersection at the same time, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.
All of the above.
6. At an intersection with traffic signals, if you are not in the proper lane to make a right or left turn you should:
Signal the direction you want to go and wait for a gap.
Continue to the next intersection to make the desired turn.
Stop and wait until the way is clear before turning.
7. Highway hypnosis is a driving condition that can result from:
Frequent rest stops.
Traveling on HOV lanes.
Staring at the roadway for long periods of time.
8. You are traveling on a two-lane road and you want to pass a bicyclist who is ahead of you to your right. An oncoming vehicle is approaching. You should:
Keep driving, you have the right-of-way.
Slow down and let the oncoming vehicle pass first.
Honk your horn to warn the bicyclist.
9. Which of these vehicles must stop before crossing railroad tracks?
Sport utility vehicles carrying four or more persons.
Motorhomes or pickup trucks towing a trailer.
Tank trucks marked with hazardous materials placards.
10. If there are no sidewalks, pedestrians should:
Stop walking.
Walk in the direction of traffic.
Walk facing oncoming traffic.
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Frequently Asked Questions

The age requirements to obtain a class D driver license in Tennessee are established by the four steps of the Graduated Driver License Program:
  • For a learner permit, you must be 15 years old.
  • For an intermediate restricted license, you must be 16 years old and have held the permit for 180 days.
  • For an intermediate unrestricted license, you must be 17 years old and have held an intermediate restricted license for one year.
  • For a regular driver license, you must be 18 years old or have completed high school or obtained a GED.
The Graduated Driver License (GDL) requirements do not apply to emancipated teens (due to active duty military service, marriage, or court order), individuals under 18 who have finished school, or individuals who are 18 or older.

Teenagers between the ages of 15 and 17 can take the DMV written test online under the supervision of a parent or legal guardian registered on the PID (Proctor Identification) App. Alternatively, it is possible to schedule an appointment for permit tests at a Tennessee driver services center. First-time applicants should complete the application before visiting the center.
You'll need to bring the following documents:
  • Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal presence (in case of a name change, documentation must be provided).
  • Two proofs of Tennessee residency (such as a home utility bill or bank statement).
  • Proof of full Social Security Number.
If you are under 18, you'll also need:


The DMV written test is available in English, Spanish, Korean, or Japanese. Additionally, individuals who speak another language may also utilize translation dictionaries. For applicants with learning disabilities or those unable to read, oral tests are available by appointment. In case the applicants are deaf, an interpreter will be provided to assist them during the oral exam.

To prepare for the DMV written test, study the Tennessee Driver's Handbook thoroughly. At the end of each chapter, you’ll find practice questions to help you verify your knowledge of traffic laws. You can also find additional practice tests on DMV Premium to further improve your preparation.

The DMV written test in Tennessee consists of 30 multiple-choice questions based on the driver's manual. These questions cover topics such as road signs, parallel parking, turning, passing a vehicle, yielding the right of way, etc. You will have 60 minutes to complete the exam.

You can make up to 6 mistakes on the Tennessee DMV written test. To pass, you need to answer at least 24 questions correctly, achieving an 80% accuracy rate. Take your time to read each question accurately.
If you have a learner permit:
  • You must drive with a licensed driver aged 21 or older seated in the front seat.
  • Driving between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. is not permitted.

If you have an intermediate restricted license:  
  • You are allowed to have only one passenger in the car with you unless they are licensed drivers aged 21 or older, or if transporting siblings.
  • Driving between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. is prohibited unless under the supervision of a parent/guardian, or someone designated by the parent/guardian, or for school or work activities. Exceptions also apply for driving to/from hunting or fishing between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m. with a valid hunting or fishing license.


You must wait 1 day before another attempt. However, after a second online failure, you will need to go to a Tennessee driver services center to retake the DMV written test in person. If you were caught cheating, the test will automatically fail and you have to wait 30 days before retaking it.