Free · 24 short lessons · Quoted from the manual
Tennessee Driver Handbook, Chapter by Chapter
Start with lesson 1Every chapter of the Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual that matters for the written test, cut down to the rules and exact numbers you need. Each point links to the manual text it comes from, with the page, and ends with questions from our free Tennessee practice test.
24 lessons in handbook order
Read one lesson, answer its 3 check questions, then drill that topic in the practice test. Most lessons take about 5 minutes.
- Lesson 1Section A-1 and A-4: Your License and The ExaminationsLaws and paperwork
Getting a license and taking the tests
Tennessee issues licenses by vehicle class, and new residents must switch to a Tennessee license quickly. Every first license needs a vision screening, a knowledge test and a road test, each with its own retest rules.
10 key points · 7 numbers · Handbook pp. 2 to 23
- Lesson 2Section A-3: Intermediate Licenses for Drivers Under 18Laws and paperwork
The learner permit
Drivers under 18 start the Graduated Driver License program with a learner permit at 15. The permit limits when you drive and who rides with you, and you must hold it at least 180 days before moving up.
10 key points · 7 numbers · Handbook pp. 14 to 19
- Lesson 3Section A-3: Intermediate Licenses for Drivers Under 18Laws and paperwork
Intermediate Restricted and Unrestricted licenses
The Intermediate Restricted License comes at 16 after a road test and 50 logged hours, and it limits passengers and late night driving. After a clean year you can move to the Intermediate Unrestricted License at 17, and the regular license comes at 18 or graduation.
10 key points · 10 numbers · Handbook pp. 14 to 19
- Lesson 4Section A-3: Intermediate Licenses for Drivers Under 18Laws and paperwork
Teen penalties, phones and school rules
Points, crashes and seat belt tickets can add time before a teen moves up a license level. Teens with a permit or intermediate license may not use a cell phone at all while driving, and dropping out of school can cost the privilege to drive.
10 key points · 5 numbers · Handbook pp. 17 to 19
- Lesson 5Section B-1: Getting Familiar With Your VehicleSafe driving
Seat, mirrors, steering and the hands free law
Set your seat, head restraint and mirrors before you drive, and hold the wheel with both hands. Tennessee's hands free law bans holding a phone, texting and video while driving.
10 key points · 3 numbers · Handbook pp. 27 to 30
- Lesson 6Section B-2: Tennessee Safety Belt LawsSafe driving
Safety belts, child seats and air bags
Tennessee requires belts for everyone in the front seat and for many back seat riders, and officers can stop you for that alone. Young children need a rear facing seat, a forward facing seat or a booster seat depending on age, weight and height.
10 key points · 7 numbers · Handbook pp. 31 to 33
- Lesson 7Section B-3: Traffic Signs and SignalsRoad signs
Sign colors, shapes and regulatory signs
Every Tennessee sign has a shape and color that tells you its purpose before you can read it. Red and white signs give orders, yellow signs warn, orange marks work zones and green, blue and brown signs guide.
10 key points · 2 numbers · Handbook pp. 35 to 37
- Lesson 8Section B-3: Traffic Signs and SignalsRoad signs
Warning, railroad, work zone and guide signs
Railroad signs, yellow warning signs and advisory speed plates tell you to slow down for what is ahead. Orange work zone signs, flaggers and guide signs help you through construction and along the highway.
10 key points · 4 numbers · Handbook pp. 36 to 41
- Lesson 9Section B-3: Traffic Signs and SignalsSignals and markings
Traffic signals and pavement markings
Signal colors and arrows tell you when to stop, go and yield, and a dark signal means an all way stop. Yellow lines separate opposite traffic and white lines separate lanes going your way.
10 key points · 1 numbers · Handbook pp. 41 to 43
- Lesson 10Section B-4: Rules of the RoadSpeed limits
Speed limits and the Basic Speed Rule
Tennessee sets default limits for highways and interstates, and minimum speeds apply on interstates too. School zones and active work zones carry heavy penalties for speeding.
10 key points · 7 numbers · Handbook pp. 46 to 47
- Lesson 11Section B-4: Rules of the RoadEmergencies
Braking, following distance and required stops
Brake smoothly, keep at least 2 seconds behind the vehicle ahead and know how far you need to stop. Tennessee law requires full stops at stop signs, at railroad crossings when a train is coming and for stopped school buses.
10 key points · 6 numbers · Handbook pp. 48 to 51
- Lesson 12Section B-4: Rules of the RoadRight of way
Right of way, turns and emergency vehicles
The law only says who must yield, so treat the right of way as something to give, not take. Yield at all way stops, left turns and roundabouts, and pull right and stop for emergency vehicles.
10 key points · 2 numbers · Handbook pp. 46 to 59
- Lesson 13Section B-4: Rules of the RoadSignals and markings
Lane use, passing and parking
Keep right, use center and reversible lanes only as marked and pass only when you can finish safely. Know the distances where parking is illegal, such as near hydrants, signals and railroad crossings.
10 key points · 5 numbers · Handbook pp. 59 to 65
- Lesson 14Section B-5: Interstate DrivingSafe driving
Interstate driving
On the interstate you speed up on the ramp to merge, keep left lanes for passing and never back up or turn around. Fight interstate hypnosis with regular breaks and move over for vehicles stopped on the shoulder.
10 key points · 3 numbers · Handbook pp. 68 to 72
- Lesson 15Section B-6: Driving at Night and in Inclement Weather ConditionsSafe driving
Headlights, night driving and bad weather
Tennessee law says when headlights must be on and when high beams must be dimmed. At night, in rain, fog, wind and floods, slow down and adjust so you never outrun your headlights.
10 key points · 4 numbers · Handbook pp. 45 to 76
- Lesson 16Section B-7: Alcohol, Other Drugs and DrivingAlcohol and DUI
How alcohol and drugs affect driving
Alcohol builds up in your blood faster than your liver can remove it, and only time sobers you. Even small amounts hurt judgment, vision and reaction, and drugs, even legal ones, can impair you just as much.
10 key points · 7 numbers · Handbook pp. 79 to 83
- Lesson 17Section B-7: Alcohol, Other Drugs and DrivingAlcohol and DUI
DUI law, implied consent and penalties
Driving with a BAC of 0.08 or higher, or while impaired by any intoxicant or drug, is DUI in Tennessee. Refusing a test and each DUI conviction bring jail, fines, revocation and other penalties that grow with each offense.
10 key points · 8 numbers · Handbook pp. 79 to 82
- Lesson 18Section B-7: Alcohol, Other Drugs and DrivingAlcohol and DUI
Alcohol laws for drivers under 21
Tennessee has three special alcohol laws for people under 21, and they can cost you your license even when you were not driving. Young drivers are at high crash risk at low BAC levels because of low tolerance and little experience.
10 key points · 8 numbers · Handbook p. 83
- Lesson 19Section B-8: Driving ResponsibilitiesLaws and paperwork
Points, suspensions and keeping your license
Tennessee gives points for violations and crashes, and too many points in 12 months brings a notice of proposed suspension. Some offenses cost your license directly, and a suspended license must be turned in within 20 days.
10 key points · 8 numbers · Handbook pp. 85 to 88
- Lesson 20Section B-8: Driving ResponsibilitiesEmergencies
What to do after a crash
If you are in a crash you must stop, call the police and help keep people safe until help arrives. Crashes above certain damage amounts must be reported, and the owner or driver files a written report within 20 days.
10 key points · 3 numbers · Handbook pp. 85 to 90
- Lesson 21Chapter C-1: Defensive Driving and Other PrecautionsSafe driving
Defensive driving and road rage
Defensive driving means staying aware, planning ahead and leaving space so other drivers' mistakes do not become your crash. Handle tailgaters and angry drivers calmly, because you cannot control traffic but you can control your reaction.
10 key points · 5 numbers · Handbook pp. 93 to 95
- Lesson 22Chapter C-2: Special Driving Conditions and Your VehicleSafe driving
Avoiding collisions and keeping your vehicle safe
When a crash looks likely you can stop, turn or speed up, and the right braking method depends on whether you have antilock brakes. Watch for deer, keep your vehicle in good repair and drive only when you are fit to drive.
10 key points · 2 numbers · Handbook pp. 96 to 100
- Lesson 23Chapter C-3: Sharing the Road SafelySafe driving
Pedestrians, bicycles, motorcycles and slow vehicles
Pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists are easy to miss and badly hurt in any collision. Give them room, pass bicycles with at least 3 feet and slow down for farm equipment, horses and other slow vehicles.
10 key points · 2 numbers · Handbook pp. 63 to 111
- Lesson 24Chapter C-3: Sharing the Road SafelyEmergencies
Trucks, school buses, work zones and trains
Large trucks need far more room to stop and have deep blind spots, and trains cannot stop or swerve at all. Slow down in work zones, keep clear of school buses and get out fast if your vehicle stalls on the tracks.
10 key points · 5 numbers · Handbook pp. 109 to 114
Read, check, then practice
- Read a lesson. Open any point's source to see the exact manual wording and page.
- Answer the 3 check questions at the end without looking back.
- Drill that topic in the free Tennessee practice test, then take a full test when every lesson feels easy.
- Keep the Tennessee cheat sheet for a last look before test day.
Source: the Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (July 2022). Lessons are plain English summaries, not the law itself; where they differ, the manual and the statute govern. Every quote on these pages is checked against our saved copy of the manual. Last checked 2026-09-27.