TN Permit Practice Test 24

All 20 questions in test 24

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. At 20 mph on a low traction surface, how far can stopping distance grow?

   1. To about 50 feet
   2. To 200 feet or more
   3. To exactly 100 feet
   4. It stays the same as dry pavement
   Show answer

   To 200 feet or more. At 20 m.p.h., low traction can increase stopping distance to 200 feet or more. Use brakes cautiously and maintain a safe speed for the conditions. Abrupt braking can lock the wheels and cause loss of steering control. The manual says low traction can increase the distance to 200 feet or more at 20 m.p.h., not merely about 50 feet. That understates the stated distance by half.

2. 2. What can happen to a Tennessee license after serious or repeated violations?

   1. Nothing beyond a warning letter forever
   2. Automatic upgrade to a commercial license
   3. A refund of license fees
   4. Suspension or revocation of driving privileges
   Show answer

   Suspension or revocation of driving privileges. Serious or repeated violations can lead to suspension or revocation of driving privileges. The manual lists grounds for losing a license and explains that accumulated violation points can lead to suspension. Serious conduct brings stronger action than warnings. The manual describes license suspension or revocation as possible consequences, not an upgrade to a commercial license. The stated possible consequence is loss of driving privileges, not a fee refund.

   Study this in the handbook: Points, suspensions and keeping your license

3. 3. You spot a tornado while driving in Tennessee. What does the manual direct you to do?

   1. Get out of the car, find shelter in a ditch or low-lying area, and lie face down
   2. Drive faster than the tornado in a straight line
   3. Park under an overpass and stay in the car
   4. Stay in the car with the engine running
   Show answer

   Get out of the car, find shelter in a ditch or low-lying area, and lie face down. The manual directs drivers to listen to the car radio and remain alert during severe thunderstorms or tornadoes. If you spot a tornado, it says not to try to outrun it: get out of the car, find shelter in a ditch or low-lying area, and lie face down to protect yourself from flying debris. The manual expressly says not to try to outrun a tornado.

4. 4. Your vehicle stalls on railroad tracks. After everyone gets out, what should you locate and report?

   1. The Emergency Notification System sign; call its number and give the DOT crossing number on the sign
   2. The nearest mile marker and your insurance number
   3. The train schedule posted at the station
   4. Your vehicle registration to the first passing driver
   Show answer

   The Emergency Notification System sign; call its number and give the DOT crossing number on the sign. A stalled vehicle on tracks starts a race the occupants must run on foot and by phone. Everyone exits immediately and moves away from the tracks even if no train is visible. Tennessee then directs locating the Emergency Notification System sign, normally blue and posted on the crossbuck or signal post, calling the emergency number provided, and giving the DOT crossing number found on the sign. That number tells the railroad exactly which crossing to protect. If no sign can be found, calling 911 substitutes. Mile markers and paperwork do none of this work.

   Study this in the handbook: Trucks, school buses, work zones and trains

5. 5. Which direction do vehicles travel around a Tennessee roundabout?

   1. Clockwise, keeping the island on the right
   2. Either direction, whichever lane is open
   3. To the right, in a counter-clockwise direction
   4. Left around the circle when traffic is light
   Show answer

   To the right, in a counter-clockwise direction. Circulation runs counter-clockwise, with every vehicle passing to the right around the central island. Splitter islands and yellow markings at entries exist partly to block anyone attempting the clockwise shortcut, which would meet circulating traffic head on. Light traffic grants no permission to reverse the flow, and open lanes do not make direction optional. Approach in your lane, stay right of the splitter island, and merge into the one way stream moving around the circle.

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

6. 6. At what minimum age can a Tennessee driver hold the hardship license described?

   1. At least 14 years old
   2. At least 16 years old
   3. At least 17 years old
   4. At least 15 years old
   Show answer

   At least 14 years old. A Class H hardship license may be issued to a minor who is 14 years old for a Class D passenger vehicle, a Class M motorcycle, or both. It is issued only for family hardship and is limited to specific needs. Sixteen is the regular licensing age, not this exception. The manual permits issuance at age 14, so 17 is not the minimum age.

   Study this in the handbook: Getting a license and taking the tests

7. 7. Which tests must an applicant who has reached age 15 pass to obtain a Tennessee Class PD learner permit?

   1. The written knowledge test and vision screening
   2. Only a vision screening
   3. The road test and a medical exam
   4. A motorcycle skills test
   Show answer

   The written knowledge test and vision screening. A Class PD learner permit applicant must have reached age 15 and pass the written knowledge test and vision screening for a Class D license. A road skills test is required when exchanging the Class PD permit for a Class D license. Vision alone omits the knowledge requirement. The road test belongs to a later stage. Motorcycle testing is unrelated to this credential.

   Study this in the handbook: Getting a license and taking the tests

8. 8. You notice the yellow center line is on your right side. What does that mean and what should you do?

   1. You are in a reversible lane; continue carefully
   2. The road recently changed to one way travel
   3. You are driving on the wrong side of the road; pull over immediately
   4. Yellow belongs on the right near intersections only
   Show answer

   You are driving on the wrong side of the road; pull over immediately. The manual summarizes lane orientation as white on your right and yellow on your left. It says that if you find yourself driving with the yellow line on your right, pull over immediately because you are on the wrong side of the road. For the situation described, the manual says to pull over immediately because you are on the wrong side of the road.

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

9. 9. How many points go on a minor's Tennessee driving record for using a cell phone while driving on a permit or intermediate license?

   1. 2 points
   2. 6 points
   3. 4 points
   4. 8 points
   Show answer

   6 points. Using a cell phone while driving on a learner permit or intermediate license adds six points to a minor’s record. The manual also lists a Class C misdemeanor, a $50 fine, and a 90-day delay in eligibility for an Intermediate Restricted License. Two points is a low zone speeding value. Four points fits offenses like improper passing. The stated cell-phone penalty is six points, not eight.

   Study this in the handbook: Teen penalties, phones and school rules

10. 10. Parking uphill with a curb, which way should the front wheels be turned?

    1. Toward the curb (right)
    2. Straight ahead at all times
    3. Toward the nearest driveway
    4. Away from the curb
    Show answer

    Away from the curb. When parking uphill with a curb, turn the front wheels away from the curb, to the left. The manual says that if the car rolls back, it will roll into the curb and stop instead of rolling into traffic. Always set the parking brake when parked. For uphill parking with a curb, the manual specifies turning the front wheels away from the curb.

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

11. 11. What minimum time must a yellow light be exhibited before the red light in Tennessee?

    1. One second
    2. Two seconds
    3. Three seconds
    4. Five seconds
    Show answer

    Three seconds. Tennessee law requires the yellow light to be displayed for at least three seconds before red. Stop if it is safe to do so; do not speed up to beat the light. One second is below the three-second minimum. Two seconds falls below the legal floor. Five seconds overstates the required minimum. The manual passage behind this item states: "intersection. Tennessee law only requires the yellow light to be exhibited for a minimum of three seconds before the red light."

    Study this in the handbook: Warning, railroad, work zone and guide signs

12. 12. Within what distance must high beams be dimmed for an oncoming vehicle or a vehicle being followed?

    1. Within 200 feet
    2. Within 1,000 feet for oncoming only
    3. Within 500 feet in either situation
    4. Only when the other driver flashes first
    Show answer

    Within 500 feet in either situation. Dim high beams when an oncoming vehicle is within 500 feet or when following another vehicle within 500 feet. The manual compares 500 feet to about one city block and warns that glare in a rearview mirror can blind another driver, including a motorcyclist. The required dimming distance is 500 feet, not 200 feet. The same distance covers following too. Dimming is a duty, not a response.

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

13. 13. Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for at least how long, equal to what distance at 55 mph?

    1. At least 2 seconds, about half a football field
    2. At least 10 seconds, two football fields
    3. About 1 second, one car length
    4. At least 5 seconds, the length of an entire football field
    Show answer

    At least 5 seconds, the length of an entire football field. Your eyes leave the road for a minimum of five seconds when sending or reading a text. The manual compares this at 55 mph to driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed. The manual states a minimum of five seconds, not two. Ten seconds doubles the stated figure. The manual states five seconds and an entire football field, not one second and one car length.

14. 14. What effect does food in the stomach have on alcohol absorption in the Tennessee manual's account?

    1. It causes alcohol to be absorbed more slowly
    2. It prevents all alcohol from entering the blood
    3. It raises blood alcohol concentration faster
    4. It makes the liver oxidize alcohol twice as fast
    Show answer

    It causes alcohol to be absorbed more slowly. Food in the stomach causes alcohol to be absorbed more slowly, slowing the rate and amount of intoxication. All consumed alcohol eventually enters the blood whether the person has eaten or not. The manual separately says the liver can oxidize about one drink per hour and that this rate cannot be increased. All consumed alcohol eventually enters the blood; food only slows it.

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

15. 15. At what rate can the liver oxidize alcohol in the Tennessee manual's description?

    1. About three drinks per hour
    2. About one drink per hour
    3. About one drink every ten minutes
    4. The rate doubles after eating a meal
    Show answer

    About one drink per hour. The manual says the liver begins oxidizing alcohol when it arrives and can oxidize about one drink per hour. Coffee, exercise, cold showers, or other measures cannot increase that rate. Food slows absorption into the blood rather than speeding oxidation. Three drinks per hour is three times the stated approximate rate, and one drink every ten minutes would be six drinks per hour.

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

16. 16. To what level should a driver adjust the seat head restraint in Tennessee guidance?

    1. At the base of the neck
    2. As low as the seat allows
    3. Above the top of the head by six inches
    4. Even with the back of the head
    Show answer

    Even with the back of the head. Head restraints should be adjusted to a level even with the back of the head. The manual says they are designed to prevent whiplash if the vehicle is hit from behind. The other listed positions do not match the stated adjustment. The base of the neck is too low; the target is the back of the head. The manual specifies a level even with the back of the head, rather than simply lowering the restraint as far as possible.

    Study this in the handbook: Seat, mirrors, steering and the hands free law

17. 17. Why does Tennessee discourage riding the brake?

    1. It improves following drivers' view of the road
    2. It adds wear on the brake system and falsely signals an imminent stop
    3. It keeps brake lights off so traffic flows faster
    4. It only matters on vehicles without ABS
    Show answer

    It adds wear on the brake system and falsely signals an imminent stop. Riding the brake means keeping your foot resting or slightly pressed on the brake pedal. The manual says this adds wear and tear to the braking system and gives other drivers the false impression that a stop is imminent. Covering the brake instead keeps the foot hovering for quicker response. It scrambles, rather than improves, follower expectations. Brake lights glow under a riding foot.

    Study this in the handbook: Braking, following distance and required stops

18. 18. You arrive 10 minutes late for a scheduled Tennessee road test appointment. What happens?

    1. The test proceeds but is shortened by 10 minutes
    2. Your road skills test is canceled and you must reschedule for a later date
    3. The examiner waits up to 30 minutes for late applicants
    4. You pay a late fee and take the test the same day
    Show answer

    Your road skills test is canceled and you must reschedule for a later date. Road tests in Tennessee run by appointment, and arriving more than 5 minutes late cancels the appointment. The applicant must reschedule for a later date rather than squeezing into the same day schedule. Examiners do not simply shorten the drive, and there is no 30 minute grace period in the stated rule. A late fee does not rescue the slot either. Arriving at least 15 minutes early for paperwork protects the appointment. Traffic delays near the service center are worth planning around, because ten minutes is already too late.

19. 19. A deer steps into your path and a collision now seems inevitable. What does Tennessee advise?

    1. Swerve sharply toward the shoulder at full speed
    2. Close your eyes and brake only after impact
    3. Do not swerve; keep the vehicle under control and on the roadway
    4. Aim for the animal's hindquarters on purpose
    Show answer

    Do not swerve; keep the vehicle under control and on the roadway. If a collision with an animal seems inevitable, do not swerve; swerving may increase your risk of personal injury. Keep the vehicle under control and on the roadway. If no vehicle is close behind, brake hard without locking the wheels. If you have time to avoid the animal, reduce speed, tap your brakes to warn other drivers, and sound your horn. Report a crash involving a large animal such as a deer to police.

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

20. 20. What penalty does Tennessee list for driving while a license is revoked, canceled, or suspended?

    1. A Class B misdemeanor with a fine up to $1,000 and/or six months in jail
    2. A warning letter with no fine for a first offense
    3. A $75 fine with no possibility of jail time
    4. Automatic lifetime revocation with no court hearing
    Show answer

    A Class B misdemeanor with a fine up to $1,000 and/or six months in jail. Driving while a license is revoked, canceled, or suspended is a Class B misdemeanor. The manual lists a fine up to $1,000 and/or six months in jail. The separate $75 fine applies to failure to surrender a suspended or revoked license and is in addition to other fines and costs owed. The manual lists a Class B misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $1,000 and/or six months in jail, rather than a warning.