DMV Tennessee · Fees, age, and practice test
Tennessee Permit Test: Cost, Age, and DMV Facts
Start the free Tennessee practice testSourced procedural facts for Tennessee DMV, plus a free 210-question practice test with real sign images and audio.
How much does the Tennessee permit test cost?
No separate knowledge-test charge is listed in the state fee table; Class PD permit totals are $10.50 under 18 or $5.50 at 18+
- Learner permit / application fee: $10.50 under age 18 or $5.50 at 18+ for a one-year Class PD permit, including application fee; county clerks add $4
- Knowledge (written) test fee: No separate knowledge-test charge is listed in the state fee table; Class PD permit totals are $10.50 under 18 or $5.50 at 18+
- Initial driver license fee: $28 for a regular eight-year Class D license; under-18 intermediate restricted GDL exchange is $24.50; county clerk partners add $4
Source: TN Dept. of Safety and Homeland Security - Driver Services · Fee source checked 2026-10-05. Our 210-question Tennessee practice test is free and separate from these DMV fees.
Your 3-stage Tennessee study path
- Stage 1: Study the sheets. Read the Tennessee cheat sheet for signs, numbers, and must-know rules.
- Stage 2: Drill topics. Run the free Tennessee practice test with instant explanations until weak topics turn green.
- Stage 3: Simulate the exam. Take the timed exam simulator under real test conditions.
Tennessee verified practice bank · 210 questions rev 2026-10-12-ca500
Before your Tennessee knowledge test
Cost details
- Class PD costs $10.50 under 18 or $5.50 at 18+, including the $2 application fee; county clerk partners add $4. Official cost source
Before you apply
These notes cover selected application steps. Check the linked official instructions for the full requirements for your situation.
- You can submit the application and documents online for preapproval; allow up to five business days, then bring originals or certified copies. Official application instructions
- Under-18 applicants need a parent/guardian and school-attendance proof; ages 15-17 may test online with a parent or guardian proctor. Official application instructions
Cost and application notes checked .
Quick facts
Minimum permit age
15 years old (must also pass vision screening and knowledge test)
Knowledge test fee
No separate knowledge-test charge is listed in the state fee table; Class PD permit totals are $10.50 under 18 or $5.50 at 18+
Permit fee
$10.50 under age 18 or $5.50 at 18+ for a one-year Class PD permit, including application fee; county clerks add $4
Initial license fee
$28 for a regular eight-year Class D license; under-18 intermediate restricted GDL exchange is $24.50; county clerk partners add $4
Questions on the knowledge test
The test consists of 30 questions (60 minutes allowed)
Passing score
A minimum score of 80% is required to pass
Retake wait after failing
Online knowledge-test applicants must wait 24 hours after failing; a maximum of two online attempts is allowed
Supervised driving before road test
50 hours of behind-the-wheel driving, including 10 at night, before the Intermediate Restricted License road test
Documents to bring
Proof of US citizenship/lawful presence, proof of Social Security number, two proofs of TN residency, proof of school enrollment, parent/guardian signature if a minor
Find an office / appointment
Tennessee Dept. of Safety provides a Driver Service Locations and Appointments tool (searchable by county, zip, or city); appointments recommended/schedulable at select centers (not all).
REAL ID status
REAL ID available; obtaining one requires an in-person visit with proof of citizenship/legal presence, SSN, and two proofs of TN residency. Optional (non-REAL ID licenses remain valid). Federal enforcement date May 7, 2025.
Motorcycle license
Motorcycle Only License at 16 (permit at 15). Requires vision screening, knowledge test, and on-cycle road skills test.
Commercial license (CDL)
Minimum age 18; drivers under 21 are restricted to operating only within Tennessee.
Official source: TN Dept. of Safety and Homeland Security - Driver Services
Things like renewing registration, REAL ID, or a change of address are outside what this page covers -- go straight to the official Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, Driver Services Division site.
How much is the Tennessee permit test?
Tennessee knowledge test fee: No separate knowledge-test charge is listed in the state fee table; Class PD permit totals are $10.50 under 18 or $5.50 at 18+ (official source). Permit fee: $10.50 under age 18 or $5.50 at 18+ for a one-year Class PD permit, including application fee; county clerks add $4 (official source).
How many questions are on the Tennessee permit test?
The official Tennessee knowledge test: The test consists of 30 questions (60 minutes allowed) (official source). Passing score: A minimum score of 80% is required to pass (official source).
Tennessee DMV fees at a glance
| Fee | Official figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Knowledge test fee | No separate knowledge-test charge is listed in the state fee table; Class PD permit totals are $10.50 under 18 or $5.50 at 18+ | source |
| Permit fee | $10.50 under age 18 or $5.50 at 18+ for a one-year Class PD permit, including application fee; county clerks add $4 | source |
| Initial license fee | $28 for a regular eight-year Class D license; under-18 intermediate restricted GDL exchange is $24.50; county clerk partners add $4 | source |
Studying for it? Take the free Tennessee DMV practice test (210 questions, instant explanations, no signup).
What a Tennessee driver license covers
Initial license fee: $28 for a regular eight-year Class D license; under-18 intermediate restricted GDL exchange is $24.50; county clerk partners add $4 (official source)
REAL ID status: REAL ID available; obtaining one requires an in-person visit with proof of citizenship/legal presence, SSN, and two proofs of TN residency. Optional (non-REAL ID licenses remain valid). Federal enforcement date May 7, 2025. (official source)
The gold star marks a REAL ID compliant card. Many states hand you a paper interim license the day you pass and mail the physical card later; the interim paper generally works for driving but not for TSA airport ID. Check the official Tennessee DMV site for exact card timelines.
Getting a license in Tennessee
Getting your first permit
In Tennessee, the minimum permit age is 15 years old (must also pass vision screening and knowledge test). When you apply for a permit or license, bring: proof of US citizenship/lawful presence, proof of Social Security number, two proofs of TN residency, proof of school enrollment, parent/guardian signature if a minor. Tennessee Dept. of Safety provides a Driver Service Locations and Appointments tool (searchable by county, zip, or city); appointments recommended/schedulable at select centers (not all).
Fees, retakes, and practice hours
No separate knowledge-test charge is listed in the state fee table; Class PD permit totals are $10.50 under 18 or $5.50 at 18+. If you fail the knowledge test: online knowledge-test applicants must wait 24 hours after failing; a maximum of two online attempts is allowed. Before the road test, the state requires 50 hours of behind-the-wheel driving, including 10 at night, before the Intermediate Restricted License road test.
REAL ID, motorcycle, and CDL
REAL ID available; obtaining one requires an in-person visit with proof of citizenship/legal presence, SSN, and two proofs of TN residency. Optional (non-REAL ID licenses remain valid). Federal enforcement date May 7, 2025. For a motorcycle license: motorcycle Only License at 16 (permit at 15). Requires vision screening, knowledge test, and on-cycle road skills test. For a commercial license (CDL): minimum age 18; drivers under 21 are restricted to operating only within Tennessee.
The Tennessee bank has 210 questions across 9 topics
Test day: what to bring and where to go: a printable Tennessee checklist of the documents for the permit test, plus the official office finder and appointment links.
Study the handbook, chapter by chapter: 24 free lessons that boil the Tennessee driver manual down to the rules and exact numbers on the test, each quoted with its page.
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