TN Permit Practice Test 13

All 20 questions in test 13

Every question below comes from the Tennessee question bank on this page. Open a question to see the correct answer and the explanation. Nothing here is hidden behind a signup.

1. 1. A crash requires immediate police notice, but the driver is physically unable to provide it. Who must act if able?

   1. No one until the driver recovers
   2. A capable passenger
   3. Only the vehicle's registered owner
   4. Only an uninvolved witness
   Show answer

   A capable passenger. If the driver cannot physically provide immediate notice of a qualifying crash, a capable passenger must make the notice or arrange for it to be made. Waiting for the driver's recovery would ignore this alternative responsibility. The manual does not restrict the task to the registered owner or someone outside the vehicle. The useful distinction is ability to give notice, not who was holding the steering wheel.

   Study this in the handbook: What to do after a crash

2. 2. How much extra flood clearance do trucks and SUVs have over cars that float in 18 to 24 inches of moving water?

   1. An additional two to three feet
   2. Trucks and SUVs cannot be swept away
   3. An additional 24 inches exactly
   4. Only an additional six to twelve inches of clearance
   Show answer

   Only an additional six to twelve inches of clearance. Height buys trucks and sport utility vehicles surprisingly little: six to twelve extra inches before moving water makes them buoyant enough to push sideways, even with wheels still touching pavement. Two or three feet of bonus clearance would wrongly suggest fording safety. Claiming immunity ignores buoyancy, the same force that floats ships. Twenty four inches is the depth that already carries most cars downstream. Six inches of fast water can knock a person off their feet, so turn around rather than test any crossing.

   Study this in the handbook: Headlights, night driving and bad weather

3. 3. On a first offense, what driving privilege suspension applies to a 13-to-17-year-old found possessing, consuming, or selling alcohol or drugs?

   1. Six months in every case
   2. One year or until age 17, whichever is longer
   3. Until age 21
   4. Thirty days or until age 16
   Show answer

   One year or until age 17, whichever is longer. For a juvenile offender age thirteen through seventeen, the first-offense suspension lasts one year or until the person reaches seventeen, whichever is longer. The rule can apply even when the young person has never held a license. A fixed six-month term and an automatic extension to twenty-one are not stated. The thirty-day alternative changes both the duration and the age condition. Remember that this is a privilege suspension tied to the conduct, not only to driving at the time.

   Study this in the handbook: How alcohol and drugs affect driving

4. 4. Two vehicles approach a shared center turn lane from opposite directions. Which has priority once one has entered?

   1. The larger vehicle
   2. The vehicle traveling faster
   3. The vehicle making the sharper turn
   4. The vehicle that entered first
   Show answer

   The vehicle that entered first. When vehicles approach the shared center turn lane from opposite directions, the first one to enter has the right-of-way. Do not enter if that would interfere with its intended turn. Size, speed and the angle of the turn are not the deciding factors. Watch both directions before moving into the shared lane, remembering that it serves opposing traffic rather than belonging exclusively to your side.

   Study this in the handbook: Lane use, passing and parking

5. 5. Which headlight beam does the manual say to use when driving in cities and towns at night?

   1. High beams to see street signs sooner
   2. Parking lights while streets are lit
   3. Low beams
   4. High beams only on unlit side streets
   Show answer

   Low beams. The manual says to always use low beams when driving in cities and towns at night. High beams glare at close city distances. Parking lights cannot replace headlights. Unlit side streets get no exception. The manual passage behind this item states: "• Meeting or overtaking vehicles within 500 feet. • Driving in cities and towns always use your low beams"

   Study this in the handbook: Headlights, night driving and bad weather

6. 6. A crash in Tennessee involves only property damage. Above what dollar amount must police be notified immediately?

   1. Over $50
   2. Over $400
   3. Over $500
   4. Over $1,000
   Show answer

   Over $50. The manual requires immediate notice to local police for a crash within a municipality, or to the county sheriff or nearest Tennessee Highway Patrol otherwise, if it involves death, injury, or property damage over $50. If the driver is physically unable to give notice and a passenger can do so, the passenger must make or cause notice to be given. The separate state-reporting threshold is damage to any one person’s property exceeding $400, or any death or injury.

   Study this in the handbook: What to do after a crash

7. 7. On which Tennessee signs is red used as a legend color rather than a background?

   1. STOP and WRONG WAY signs
   2. Interstate route markers
   3. YIELD signs, parking prohibition signs and the prohibitory circle and slash
   4. School crossing signs
   Show answer

   YIELD signs, parking prohibition signs and the prohibitory circle and slash. Red shows up two ways on Tennessee signs. As a background it belongs to STOP signs, DO NOT ENTER messages, WRONG WAY signs, and Interstate route markers. As a legend, meaning the border, lettering or symbol, it marks the YIELD sign, parking prohibition signs, and the red circle with a diagonal bar that says a movement is not allowed. School signs are yellow or fluorescent yellow green. Knowing which part is red helps you read a sign before the words are legible.

   Study this in the handbook: Sign colors, shapes and regulatory signs

8. 8. An oncoming driver at night has not dimmed the high beams. Should you flash yours to warn them?

   1. Yes, flash repeatedly until they dim
   2. Yes, one long flash is required by law
   3. No, flashing might distract them and interfere with their driving
   4. Flash only if you also sound the horn
   Show answer

   No, flashing might distract them and interfere with their driving. The manual says to avoid flashing high beams to warn an oncoming driver because it might distract that driver, interfere with driving, and result in a collision. It advises avoiding glare by watching the right edge of the road and using the white line or road edge as a steering guide. The manual advises avoiding high-beam flashes because they might distract the other driver and contribute to a collision.

   Study this in the handbook: Headlights, night driving and bad weather

9. 9. A driver knowingly ignores clear flood barricades and drives into a flooded road area. What charge may follow?

   1. Reckless driving, plus responsibility for rescue costs
   2. Only a parking citation
   3. No charge if the vehicle makes it through
   4. Only a warning if nobody is hurt
   Show answer

   Reckless driving, plus responsibility for rescue costs. A driver who knowingly ignores clearly visible and adequate flood warning signs or barricades and enters an actually flooded road area can be charged with reckless driving. The driver can also be responsible for restitution of rescue costs. The manual does not condition that warning on failing to cross or injuring someone. The manual names reckless driving as a possible charge for knowingly ignoring adequate flood warnings and entering a flooded road area.

10. 10. For how long may non-U.S. citizens employed in managerial or technical positions in Tennessee drive with a valid license issued by another state, country, or international body before they must apply for a Tennessee license?

    1. A period of 6 months
    2. A period of 1 month
    3. A period of 3 months
    4. A period of 12 months
    Show answer

    A period of 6 months. The manual permits these non-U.S. citizens to drive with a valid license issued by another state, country, or international body for 6 months. They must apply for a Tennessee license at the end of that period. The manual gives a 6-month period, not 1 month. Three months is half the stated duration. Twelve months doubles the period in this passage. The manual passage behind this item states: "a period of 6 months. These individuals must apply for a Tennessee"

11. 11. In Tennessee, white lane markings separate what kind of traffic?

    1. Opposing traffic only
    2. Parking spaces in a lot
    3. Railroad tracks from the road
    4. Lanes of traffic moving in the same direction
    Show answer

    Lanes of traffic moving in the same direction. White lane markings separate lanes of traffic moving in the same direction. Yellow center markings separate opposing traffic. Opposing traffic is separated by yellow markings. Lot striping is not roadway lane guidance. Crossings use their own signs and markings. The manual passage behind this item states: "flow in the same direction are separated by white lane markings. You will find white lane markings"

    Study this in the handbook: Traffic signals and pavement markings

12. 12. What is the safest habit for Tennessee drivers and passengers regarding seat belts?

    1. Buckle up on every trip, including short local drives
    2. Wear belts only on long highway trips
    3. Belts are optional for back seat adults on city streets
    4. Belts matter only for the driver
    Show answer

    Buckle up on every trip, including short local drives. Make buckling up a habit on every trip for you and your passengers. Safety belts and child safety seats help prevent ejection and reduce injuries. The manual notes that half of vehicle crashes occur within 25 miles of home. Short trips still produce serious crashes. Back-seat adults are exempt by law, but buckling remains the safest habit. Every occupant benefits from belt protection.

    Study this in the handbook: Safety belts, child seats and air bags

13. 13. You are behind a funeral procession on a two-lane road. May you pass it?

    1. Yes, if you pass only one procession car at a time
    2. No, passing the procession is prohibited
    3. Yes, whenever the center line is broken
    4. Yes, if you sound the horn first
    Show answer

    No, passing the procession is prohibited. Tennessee prohibits vehicles following a funeral procession on a two-lane roadway from attempting to pass it. This is a separate restriction from driving between procession vehicles. A broken center line does not remove the procession-specific rule, nor does a horn warning. Identify the procession ahead and remain behind it instead of treating the usual opportunity to pass slower traffic as permission in this situation.

    Study this in the handbook: Speed limits and the Basic Speed Rule

14. 14. What daily driving limit does the manual recommend for safer interstate travel?

    1. No more than twelve hours
    2. No more than eight hours
    3. No more than sixteen hours
    4. No more than ten hours
    Show answer

    No more than eight hours. The interstate guidance recommends no more than eight hours of driving in a day for your safety and that of others. This is a daily-duration recommendation, separate from taking periodic breaks. A full tank or an intention to reach a distant destination does not remove fatigue concerns. Plan the trip with the total driving time in mind rather than relying only on how far the vehicle can travel before refueling.

    Study this in the handbook: Interstate driving

15. 15. After parallel parking, what is the maximum distance your vehicle should be from the curb?

    1. 6 inches
    2. 24 inches
    3. 36 inches
    4. 18 inches
    Show answer

    18 inches. When parallel parking is complete, the vehicle should be no farther than 18 inches from the curb. This is the final position, after slowly adjusting and centering the car in the space. A smaller gap may be within the limit, but six inches is not the stated maximum. Before opening the driver's door, check approaching traffic and wait for it to pass as the manual advises.

16. 16. When two or more pedestrians walk where no sidewalk exists in Tennessee, how should they walk together?

    1. Side by side so drivers see a wider group
    2. In single file, never side by side of each other
    3. Either side by side or single file at any speed
    4. Back to back so each watches one direction
    Show answer

    In single file, never side by side of each other. Without a sidewalk, pedestrians walk on the left side of the road facing traffic, and the formation rule is strict for groups. Two or more pedestrians should walk in single file and never side by side of each other. Side by side spreads the group wider toward the travel lane. A free choice between formations ignores the stated single file direction. Back to back is not a formation the manual gives for walking along a road. Face traffic, stay in single file, and keep the group narrow.

17. 17. What added wait applies to an Intermediate Restricted driver who contributes to a traffic crash?

    1. An additional 90 days before becoming eligible for the unrestricted level
    2. No added wait unless a second crash occurs
    3. An additional 30 days
    4. An additional full year
    Show answer

    An additional 90 days before becoming eligible for the unrestricted level. Contributing to a traffic crash adds 90 days to the minimum one-year period before eligibility for an Intermediate Unrestricted License. The manual lists this separately from point totals and repeated seat-belt violations. You should not assume the consequence requires a second crash or a particular point threshold first. The key event here is the teen's contribution to the crash while holding the restricted intermediate license.

    Study this in the handbook: The learner permit

18. 18. A learner permit holder accumulates six points before moving to the next license level. What record period is then required?

    1. Less than six points for 180 consecutive days
    2. A clean record for 30 days
    3. Less than 12 points for 90 days
    4. Simply reaching the sixteenth birthday
    Show answer

    Less than six points for 180 consecutive days. A learner permit holder with six or more points must continue with the permit until the record has fewer than six points for 180 consecutive days. Reaching the required age alone does not remove this condition. The rule concerns the record during the qualifying period, so a brief improvement is insufficient. Keep the full consecutive period in mind when planning progress to the Intermediate Restricted License.

    Study this in the handbook: The learner permit

19. 19. Does having ABS make it safe to take curves faster or change lanes abruptly?

    1. Yes, provided the brake pedal is pressed firmly
    2. Yes, whenever the road surface is dry
    3. No, those aggressive maneuvers remain unsafe with ABS
    4. Yes, if the vehicle also has a parking brake
    Show answer

    No, those aggressive maneuvers remain unsafe with ABS. Anti-lock brakes do not justify more aggressive driving. Tennessee specifically warns against taking curves faster, changing lanes abruptly, or making other aggressive steering movements in an ABS-equipped vehicle. Those actions are not appropriate or safe with any vehicle. Keep a safe space from other vehicles and allow more time and room in hazardous conditions. The ability to steer during an ABS stop is useful, but it does not change these limits on driving behavior.

20. 20. May you exceed the posted speed limit to finish passing another vehicle?

    1. Yes, by up to 10 mph
    2. Yes, for less than 30 seconds
    3. No, passing does not permit speeding
    4. Yes, whenever the opposite lane is clear
    Show answer

    No, passing does not permit speeding. Passing does not entitle a driver to exceed the speed limit. A clear opposite lane is necessary for some passes, but it does not create a speeding allowance. Neither a small excess nor a brief period is an exception in the manual's guidance. Consider whether the pass can be completed safely within the limit before starting, rather than planning to rely on extra speed to finish it.

    Study this in the handbook: Defensive driving and road rage