DMV Tennessee · Fees, age, and practice test
Tennessee Permit Test: Cost, Age, and DMV Facts
Sourced procedural facts for Tennessee DMV, plus a free 180-question practice test with real sign images and audio.
How much does the Tennessee permit test cost?
No separate test fee; learner permit fee is $10.50 for applicants under 18 ($5.50 for 18+)
- Learner permit / application fee: Learner Permit (Class PD): $5.50 total for 1 year ($3.50/year plus $2.00 application fee); county clerk locations add a $4.00 administrative fee
- Knowledge (written) test fee: No separate test fee; learner permit fee is $10.50 for applicants under 18 ($5.50 for 18+)
- Initial driver license fee: Regular Driver License (Class D, Operator): $28.00 total for 8 years ($3.25/year plus $2.00 application fee)
Source: TN Dept. of Safety and Homeland Security - Driver Services · Last verified 2026-07-06. Our 180-question Tennessee practice test is free and separate from these DMV fees.
Quick facts
Minimum permit age
15 years old (must also pass vision screening and knowledge test)
Knowledge test fee
No separate test fee; learner permit fee is $10.50 for applicants under 18 ($5.50 for 18+)
Permit fee
Learner Permit (Class PD): $5.50 total for 1 year ($3.50/year plus $2.00 application fee); county clerk locations add a $4.00 administrative fee
Initial license fee
Regular Driver License (Class D, Operator): $28.00 total for 8 years ($3.25/year plus $2.00 application fee)
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
24 hours before retesting via the online knowledge test option (max 2 online attempts); no stated wait for in-person retests
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 test fee; learner permit fee is $10.50 for applicants under 18 ($5.50 for 18+) (official source). Permit fee: Learner Permit (Class PD): $5.50 total for 1 year ($3.50/year plus $2.00 application fee); county clerk locations add a $4.00 administrative fee (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 test fee; learner permit fee is $10.50 for applicants under 18 ($5.50 for 18+) | source |
| Permit fee | Learner Permit (Class PD): $5.50 total for 1 year ($3.50/year plus $2.00 application fee); county clerk locations add a $4.00 administrative fee | source |
| Initial license fee | Regular Driver License (Class D, Operator): $28.00 total for 8 years ($3.25/year plus $2.00 application fee) | source |
Studying for it? Take the free Tennessee DMV practice test (180 questions, instant explanations, no signup).
What a Tennessee driver license covers
Initial license fee: Regular Driver License (Class D, Operator): $28.00 total for 8 years ($3.25/year plus $2.00 application fee) (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 test fee; learner permit fee is $10.50 for applicants under 18 ($5.50 for 18+). If you fail the knowledge test: 24 hours before retesting via the online knowledge test option (max 2 online attempts); no stated wait for in-person retests. 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 180 questions across 9 topics
QualitySpace is expanding to Tennessee
We are a California-based independent insurance brokerage working on licensing in more states. We cannot help with Tennessee insurance yet. Leave your email and we will let you know when we can.