TN Permit Practice Test 19

All 20 questions in test 19

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. What minimum tire tread depth does the manual identify in the penny test?

   1. 1/32 inch
   2. 3/32 inch
   3. 2/32 inch
   4. 4/32 inch
   Show answer

   2/32 inch. The penny test identifies 2/32 inch as the minimum tread depth. Insert the penny head first; if the tread does not reach Lincoln's head, the tire is described as illegal and unsafe and needs replacement. Less tread is not acceptable simply because the tire still holds air. The manual links worn tires with longer stopping distances and poorer turning performance, especially on wet roads.

   Study this in the handbook: Avoiding collisions and keeping your vehicle safe

2. 2. What stopping is permitted at a white painted curb?

   1. Parking while you shop
   2. Leaving the car to load freight
   3. Only long enough to pick up or drop off passengers
   4. Waiting there until a passenger arrives much later
   Show answer

   Only long enough to pick up or drop off passengers. A white painted curb permits stopping only long enough to pick up or drop off passengers. It is not ordinary parking for shopping or a place to wait indefinitely for someone who has not arrived. Pay attention to the curb color when choosing a stopping place. The allowed activity is a brief passenger transfer, so finish that transfer and move on rather than treating the space as a parking stall.

3. 3. How long is an International Driving Permit valid from its date of issuance?

   1. Five years
   2. Three years
   3. Until age 21
   4. One year only
   Show answer

   One year only. An International Driving Permit lasts one year from issuance, and it dies early if the underlying state license expires unrenewed or is suspended during that year. Five years is the maximum term mentioned for a Temporary Identification License, a separate Tennessee credential. Three years appears in DUI revocation tables, not travel documents. Age twenty one has no connection to this permit. Remember the permit only translates a valid home license; it never authorizes driving by itself in the United States.

4. 4. What scanning order does Tennessee advise before entering an intersection?

   1. Right, then left, then proceed
   2. Left first, then right, then one more quick look left
   3. Look only left, because right side traffic yields
   4. Check the mirrors instead of looking sideways
   Show answer

   Left first, then right, then one more quick look left. Before entering an intersection, look left first because cars coming from the left will be closer. Then look right and take one more quick look left before driving through. Starting right leaves the closer left traffic unchecked longest. Right side traffic must also be checked before entering. Mirrors cover traffic behind, not crossing traffic ahead. The manual passage behind this item states: "look to the left first, since cars coming from the left will be closer to you. Then look to the right and take one more quick look to the left before you drive through."

   Study this in the handbook: Defensive driving and road rage

5. 5. Another driver misjudges a pass and needs room to return ahead of you. What should you do?

   1. Accelerate to prevent the driver cutting in
   2. Hold position regardless of approaching traffic
   3. Slow down and make room to avoid a collision
   4. Move left beside the passing vehicle
   Show answer

   Slow down and make room to avoid a collision. When another driver makes a passing mistake, respond defensively by slowing and allowing room to return to the lane. The manual says not to make the situation worse. Accelerating to prevent the driver from getting back can turn the mistake into a collision. Focus on creating the necessary space rather than punishing the error, especially when the passing driver is facing approaching traffic.

   Study this in the handbook: Defensive driving and road rage

6. 6. What lighting does Tennessee law require on a bicycle used at night?

   1. Only reflectors on the pedals and wheels
   2. A white front lamp visible at least 500 feet ahead and a red reflector or red lamp visible 500 feet to the rear
   3. A white lamp visible 100 feet ahead with no rear device
   4. Lighting is recommended but never required
   Show answer

   A white front lamp visible at least 500 feet ahead and a red reflector or red lamp visible 500 feet to the rear. A bicycle used at night must have a front lamp emitting white light visible from at least 500 feet ahead. It must also have a red reflector or red lamp visible from 500 feet behind when directly in front of lawful upper headlight beams. Drivers should watch the side of the road for bicyclists at night because they can be difficult to see.

   Study this in the handbook: Pedestrians, bicycles, motorcycles and slow vehicles

7. 7. A Tennessee child is two years old and weighs more than 20 pounds. How must the child ride?

   1. In a rear facing restraint until age four in all cases
   2. In a booster seat using only a lap belt
   3. In the front seat if an air bag is switched off
   4. In a forward facing child passenger restraint system
   Show answer

   In a forward facing child passenger restraint system. The manual requires children ages one through three who weigh more than 20 pounds to use a forward-facing child passenger restraint system. It says child restraint seats should be in the rear seat if possible. Its booster rule applies to children ages four through eight who are shorter than four feet nine inches. Rear facing applies under age one or under 20 pounds, not to age four in all cases.

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

8. 8. A driver tailgates you on a road with no lane to your right. What response is advised when passing becomes safe and legal?

   1. Slow gradually to encourage the driver to pass
   2. Brake sharply to make the driver back off
   3. Increase speed indefinitely
   4. Move left to prevent passing
   Show answer

   Slow gradually to encourage the driver to pass. When no right lane is available, wait until the road ahead is clear and passing is legal, then gradually reduce speed to encourage the tailgater to go around. Braking sharply increases the risk of being hit from behind. The clear, legal passing opportunity is a necessary condition, so do not slow abruptly in a place where the following driver has no safe way around.

   Study this in the handbook: Defensive driving and road rage

9. 9. About what share of the information used in driving comes through the eyes?

   1. About 50 percent
   2. About 25 percent
   3. Almost 90 percent
   4. About 70 percent
   Show answer

   Almost 90 percent. Vision supplies nearly ninety percent of driving information, which is why alcohol relaxed eye muscles are so destructive: focus blurs, night sight falls by more than half, side vision shrinks, and each eye receives a slightly different picture that corrupts depth judgment. Half would still understate the dominance of sight. A quarter describes test section weightings, not sensory input. Seventy percent comes closer yet still misses the figure. Any restriction in vision, from impairment or dirty glass, can therefore produce disastrous results quickly.

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

10. 10. You witnessed a crash happen but were not involved. What should you do at the scene?

    1. Drive past slowly to watch the damage
    2. Stop in the nearest lane and direct traffic yourself
    3. Leave immediately to avoid paperwork
    4. Pull safely off to the side of the road, turn on emergency flashers, and tell the officer or trooper you witnessed the crash
    Show answer

    Pull safely off to the side of the road, turn on emergency flashers, and tell the officer or trooper you witnessed the crash. If you witnessed the crash, pull safely off to the side of the road, turn on your emergency flashers, and tell the officer or Tennessee State Trooper that you witnessed it. The manual warns that accident gazing can cause secondary collisions and that drivers should not interfere with emergency responders. Gawking causes secondary collisions. A witness should pull safely off to the side of the road and notify the responding officer or trooper.

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

11. 11. If a child passenger dies as a result of the DUI violation, what classification does the child-endangerment provision give?

    1. Class C felony of especially aggravated child endangerment
    2. Class D felony for serious bodily injury
    3. Class A misdemeanor for having a child passenger
    4. Class E felony solely because it involves DUI
    Show answer

    Class C felony of especially aggravated child endangerment. The manual distinguishes a child's death from serious bodily injury in its DUI child-endangerment discussion. Death is classified as a Class C felony of especially aggravated child endangerment; serious bodily injury is listed separately as Class D. The outcome for the child is the key condition. Choosing the injury classification would overlook that the question describes a death, rather than a child who survives with serious injuries.

    Study this in the handbook: DUI law, implied consent and penalties

12. 12. How long is a Tennessee interim license or ID valid while the permanent card is mailed?

    1. Up to 90 days
    2. Up to 6 months
    3. Up to 20 days
    4. Until the next birthday
    Show answer

    Up to 20 days. The interim license or ID is valid for up to 20 days while the permanent card is mailed to the customer. Interim licenses are printed on security paper and include a photo and signature for identification. Ninety days exceeds the stated interim window. Six months exceeds the stated interim validity of up to 20 days. Validity runs on a day count, not a birthday.

13. 13. An aggressive driver begins following you on the road. What response is advised?

    1. Brake check them to create distance
    2. Go to a police station or a public place where you can get help, and report the incident with the tag number if possible
    3. Speed up to lose them on side streets
    4. Stop and confront the driver face to face
    Show answer

    Go to a police station or a public place where you can get help, and report the incident with the tag number if possible. If an aggressive driver follows you, go to a police station or a public place where you can get help. If harassed, get the license tag number if possible and report the incident. Give angry drivers plenty of space, avoid confrontation, and keep emotions from interfering with your driving. Suddenly slowing to discourage a tailgater increases the risk of being hit from behind.

    Study this in the handbook: Defensive driving and road rage

14. 14. What is the maximum period for which a Tennessee temporary identification (TID) can be issued?

    1. 5 years
    2. 1 year
    3. 3 years
    4. 8 years
    Show answer

    5 years. Temporary identification in Tennessee carries an issue ceiling of five years, so any single TID cannot run longer than that span. One year describes other short term documents and understates this ceiling. Three years also falls short of the stated maximum. Eight years echoes the standard renewal cycle for regular credentials, which is a tempting pattern to copy, but temporary identification follows its own shorter limit and must be handled within that boundary.

15. 15. Within what period should an applicant expect the Voter Registration Card after registering through licensing?

    1. Within 7 days
    2. Within 30 days
    3. Within 90 days
    4. Within 6 months
    Show answer

    Within 30 days. The Driver Service Center forwards the voter-registration application to the local election commission. If you have not received your Voter Registration Card within 30 days of applying, contact your County Election Commission immediately. Only the Election Registrar processes the application and issues the card. Seven days is faster than the expectation stated. Ninety days triples the stated waiting period. Six months is far beyond the described timeframe.

16. 16. On a Tennessee road with a reserved lane marked by a white diamond, when may a driver use that lane?

    1. Only when driving the type of vehicle indicated, or when turning across it within the next half block
    2. Any time traffic in the other lanes is heavy
    3. Only between midnight and 5 a.m.
    4. Whenever the driver signals first
    Show answer

    Only when driving the type of vehicle indicated, or when turning across it within the next half block. Reserved lanes are marked by signs and often by a white diamond on the pavement or beside the road. The manual says not to travel in one unless you are operating the type of vehicle indicated, such as a bus or bicycle, or unless you must turn across the reserved lane in the next half block distance. Heavy traffic, the hour of the day or a turn signal alone does not make the lane available.

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

17. 17. At what speed do vehicles usually proceed within a Tennessee roundabout?

    1. Posted at 15 to 25 mph
    2. Posted at 30 to 40 mph
    3. The same speed as the approach road
    4. Five mph through the entire circle
    Show answer

    Posted at 15 to 25 mph. Within a roundabout, proceed at a slower speed, usually posted at 15 to 25 mph. Exit at the desired street, or continue around again if you miss it. The usual posted range given by the manual is 15 to 25 mph, not 30 to 40 mph. The manual directs a slower speed within the roundabout, usually posted at 15 to 25 mph.

    Study this in the handbook: Right of way, turns and emergency vehicles

18. 18. Traffic ahead on the Tennessee interstate slows in a tie-up. How can you warn drivers behind you?

    1. Turn on the headlights and honk continuously
    2. Lightly tap your brake pedal several times to alert drivers behind you
    3. Shift into neutral and coast without braking
    4. Flash the high beams at the vehicle ahead
    Show answer

    Lightly tap your brake pedal several times to alert drivers behind you. If an interstate traffic tie-up causes you to slow down or stop, the manual advises lightly tapping the brake pedal several times to alert drivers behind you. It also advises watching ahead for signs that traffic is not moving normally and preparing to slow when you see brake lights. The manual’s stated warning for drivers behind you is to tap the brake pedal lightly several times.

    Study this in the handbook: Interstate driving

19. 19. When leaving a Tennessee interstate, when should you begin slowing down?

    1. As soon as the exit sign first appears
    2. While still in the travel lane, well before the ramp
    3. Only after reaching the crossroad at the ramp's end
    4. After entering the deceleration lane; maintain speed until then
    Show answer

    After entering the deceleration lane; maintain speed until then. To leave the interstate, signal and move to the lane nearest the exit. Maintain speed until entering the deceleration lane, then reduce speed to the posted exit-ramp speed. Reduce speed further on the ramp so the vehicle is slowed to the posted limit of the road being entered. The manual says to maintain speed until entering the deceleration lane, rather than slowing when the first exit sign appears.

    Study this in the handbook: Interstate driving

20. 20. Within how long must the operator or owner file the Owner/Driver Report for a reportable crash in Tennessee?

    1. Within 20 days
    2. Within 5 days
    3. Within 10 days
    4. Within 90 days
    Show answer

    Within 20 days. The operator and/or owner of a vehicle involved in a reportable crash must file an Owner/Driver Report with the Department of Safety and Homeland Security within 20 days, regardless of fault. If injury prevents the driver from completing it, the report can be filed on the owner/operator’s behalf. Forms are available from the Department website, Highway Patrol offices, and local police or sheriff’s offices.

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