TN Permit Practice Test

How to use this TN practice test

1. Take the 30 question exam-length practice test above once, untimed, to find your weak topics.
2. Work through the numbered 20 question sets below. Each one is fixed, so a second attempt is a fair comparison.
3. Read the explanation on every miss. The wording comes from the Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, which is what the examiners use.
4. When you pass three sets in a row at 80 percent or better, book the real test.

TN practice tests, 20 questions each

Fixed sets in a fixed order so you can retake one and compare your score.

1. Test 1
2. Test 2
3. Test 3
4. Test 4
5. Test 5
6. Test 6
7. Test 7
8. Test 8
9. Test 9
10. Test 10

Printable TN practice test with answer key

All 30 questions, TN exam length

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. In which direction does traffic travel around a Tennessee roundabout or traffic circle?

   1. To the left, clockwise around the circle
   2. Straight across the center island
   3. Either direction, whichever lane is open
   4. To the right, counterclockwise around the circle
   Show answer

   To the right, counterclockwise around the circle. Because Tennessee drives on the right side of the road, every roundabout, traffic circle and town square is entered with a right turn and tr Full explanation in Test 1

2. 2. Where does the X-shaped crossbuck sign identify the railroad tracks?

   
   1. Only at a hospital entrance
   2. At the beginning of a school zone
   3. At the railroad grade crossing itself
   4. On the far side of a construction detour
   Show answer

   At the railroad grade crossing itself. The crossbuck is placed at the railroad grade crossing and shows where the tracks are located. Full explanation in Test 2

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, w Full explanation in Test 3

4. 4. What does the octagon shape of this traffic sign identify?

   
   1. Stop
   2. Yield
   3. Railroad crossing ahead
   4. A hazardous condition ahead
   Show answer

   Stop. The manual assigns the octagon shape to the stop message. Full explanation in Test 4

5. 5. When may a Tennessee driver get a regular Class D license without the Intermediate level?

   1. Only at age 21
   2. At 18, or on graduating from high school or earning a GED, whichever is sooner
   3. At 17 after any six months of driving
   4. At 16 after passing the road test
   Show answer

   At 18, or on graduating from high school or earning a GED, whichever is sooner. A Class D regular license is available at 18 or when the driver graduates from high school or receives a GED, whichever comes first. Full explanation in Test 5

6. 6. What roadway condition does the divided-highway warning sign announce?

   
   1. A one-lane bridge with traffic alternating directions
   2. A three-way intersection with no median
   3. A place where U-turns are required
   4. The directions of travel will separate around a median
   Show answer

   The directions of travel will separate around a median. The split-arrow symbol warns that opposing directions will be separated by a divided highway or median. Full explanation in Test 6

7. 7. At an all-way stop, two vehicles arrive at different times. Who should proceed first?

   
   1. The vehicle approaching from the widest road
   2. The vehicle that arrived second
   3. The vehicle with more passengers
   4. The vehicle that reached the intersection first
   Show answer

   The vehicle that reached the intersection first. At an all-way stop, every vehicle must stop, and the first vehicle to reach the intersection gets to go first. Full explanation in Test 7

8. 8. What fine does Tennessee list for an underage driving while impaired conviction?

   1. $50
   2. $250
   3. $350
   4. $1,000
   Show answer

   $250. A driver at least 16 but under 21 found driving with a BAC of . Full explanation in Test 8

9. 9. What should you do when a steady yellow light appears and stopping can be done safely?

   1. Accelerate so the vehicle enters before red
   2. Prepare to stop and stop rather than speeding up to beat the light
   3. Treat yellow as permission to turn without checking
   4. Stop only when a pedestrian signal is also red
   Show answer

   Prepare to stop and stop rather than speeding up to beat the light. A steady yellow signal warns that the red stop signal will appear immediately afterward. Full explanation in Test 9

10. 10. When the light turns green at an intersection, what does the Tennessee manual warn drivers not to do?

    1. Wait for a full second before moving
    2. Jump the gun by starting early or making a quick left turn in front of oncoming traffic
    3. Yield to pedestrians still in the crosswalk
    4. Look left and right before entering
    Show answer

    Jump the gun by starting early or making a quick left turn in front of oncoming traffic. Green is permission, not a starting pistol. Full explanation in Test 10

11. 11. According to the Tennessee manual, what is the Basic Speed Rule?

    1. A general safety principle rather than a Tennessee law
    2. The minimum speed required on interstates
    3. A law that sets 55 mph on every state highway
    4. The fine schedule for work zone speeding
    Show answer

    A general safety principle rather than a Tennessee law. The manual is unusually candid here: the Basic Speed Rule is not written into Tennessee law. Full explanation in Test 1

12. 12. Which of these can lead to suspension or revocation of a Tennessee driver license?

    1. Driving away from a gas station without paying for fuel
    2. Parking in a two-hour zone for three hours
    3. Letting a passenger eat in the car
    4. Using cruise control on an interstate
    Show answer

    Driving away from a gas station without paying for fuel. Tennessee's list of grounds for suspending or revoking a license includes driving a vehicle away from a gas station without paying for dispe Full explanation in Test 2

13. 13. Which traffic-sign message is represented by the triangular shape shown here?

    
    1. Stop
    2. Yield
    3. Railroad crossing here
    4. Route direction
    Show answer

    Yield. The triangular shape identifies a yield sign. Full explanation in Test 3

14. 14. How many people were killed by distracted driving in 2019, according to NHTSA figures in the Tennessee manual?

    1. About 100
    2. About 50,000
    3. About 800
    4. 3,142
    Show answer

    3,142. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 3,142 people were killed by distracted driving in 2019, and cell phone use Full explanation in Test 4

15. 15. What license revocation period applies to a second DUI conviction in Tennessee?

    1. 1 year
    2. 6 months
    3. 2 years
    4. 10 years
    Show answer

    2 years. A second DUI conviction brings 45 days to 11 months 29 days in jail, a fine of $600 to $3,500, a two-year license revocation, and possible s Full explanation in Test 5

16. 16. What should you do when the pictured keep-right sign is posted around an obstruction?

    
    1. Use the left shoulder to pass the obstruction
    2. Stay centered across both lanes
    3. Drive to the right of the obstruction
    4. Treat the sign as permission to pass on either side
    Show answer

    Drive to the right of the obstruction. A keep-right instruction directs traffic around a median, island, or other obstruction on its right side. Full explanation in Test 6

17. 17. What maximum speed may Tennessee law set for interstate highways?

    1. 65 mph
    2. 55 mph
    3. 70 mph
    4. 80 mph
    Show answer

    70 mph. Tennessee law permits a maximum interstate speed of 70 mph. Full explanation in Test 7

18. 18. How often may a Tennessee driver use a Defensive Driving Course to avoid or shorten a suspension?

    1. Once a year
    2. As often as needed
    3. Only once in a lifetime
    4. Only once in any five-year period
    Show answer

    Only once in any five-year period. Drivers facing suspension may attend a Defensive Driving Course to avoid it or shorten it, but the option is available only once in any five Full explanation in Test 8

19. 19. What does Tennessee's Implied Consent Law require when an officer asks for an alcohol or drug test?

    1. The driver must submit to a vehicle inspection every month
    2. The driver automatically admits guilt to DUI
    3. The driver gives permission for a random home search
    4. The driver will take a test to determine alcohol or drug content in the blood
    Show answer

    The driver will take a test to determine alcohol or drug content in the blood. Implied consent means that driving carries an agreement to take a test when asked to determine alcohol or drug content in the blood. Full explanation in Test 9

20. 20. When passing a horseback rider on a Tennessee roadway, a driver should:

    1. Sound the horn repeatedly to warn the horse
    2. Rev the engine so the rider knows the car is nearby
    3. Pass as close as possible before the horse moves
    4. Use a reasonable speed and distance without sounding the horn or revving the engine
    Show answer

    Use a reasonable speed and distance without sounding the horn or revving the engine. Horseback riders are protected by the rules of the road, and horses can react unpredictably to loud sounds or a close vehicle. Full explanation in Test 10

21. 21. What should a driver do after recognizing drowsiness while driving?

    1. Open a window and continue until the next town
    2. Drive faster to reach the destination sooner
    3. Quit driving and take a break
    4. Stare straight ahead to maintain concentration
    Show answer

    Quit driving and take a break. The manual identifies drowsiness as the first step toward falling asleep and advises drivers to quit driving when they are drowsy. Full explanation in Test 1

22. 22. When may a driver turn left on a red light in Tennessee?

    1. From a one-way street onto another one-way street, after stopping and yielding
    2. From any street onto a two-way street without stopping
    3. Only when a police officer is not watching
    4. Never, even between two one-way streets
    Show answer

    From a one-way street onto another one-way street, after stopping and yielding. Tennessee permits a left turn on red in the limited situation of turning from a one-way street into another one-way street, after the driver Full explanation in Test 2

23. 23. An emergency vehicle approaches while you are already inside an intersection. What does the Tennessee manual tell you to do?

    1. Stop immediately where you are
    2. Back up out of the intersection
    3. Turn around and drive away from the emergency vehicle
    4. Drive on through the intersection before pulling over
    Show answer

    Drive on through the intersection before pulling over. Stopping inside the intersection is the instinct, and it is the wrong one, because your vehicle then blocks the exact path the ambulance or Full explanation in Test 3

24. 24. What action is normally appropriate when you see a yellow diamond warning sign?

    1. Continue at the same speed because it gives route information
    2. Watch for a hazardous or unexpected condition and consider slowing
    3. Stop immediately at the sign even when the road is clear
    4. Treat it as a regulation that sets a mandatory speed
    Show answer

    Watch for a hazardous or unexpected condition and consider slowing. A yellow diamond sign warns of a condition ahead that may require caution, reduced speed, or another safe response. Full explanation in Test 4

25. 25. What does the orange triangle on the rear of a slow-moving vehicle indicate?

    1. The vehicle may be passed without checking traffic
    2. The vehicle has priority to make any sudden lane change
    3. The vehicle is carrying hazardous materials
    4. The vehicle is moving slowly and requires caution from following drivers
    Show answer

    The vehicle is moving slowly and requires caution from following drivers. The fluorescent or reflective orange triangle identifies a slow-moving vehicle, such as farm equipment or construction machinery. Full explanation in Test 5

26. 26. A new resident under 18 has an out-of-state permit. What must be true before an Intermediate Restricted License can be issued?

    1. The Tennessee permit has been held 30 days at any age
    2. Only a certified school record is needed
    3. The out-of-state permit automatically converts immediately
    4. A permit has been held 180 total days and the applicant is 16
    Show answer

    A permit has been held 180 total days and the applicant is 16. A new resident who is fifteen receives a Tennessee learner permit even when a prior state issued a valid permit. Full explanation in Test 6

27. 27. What information do black and white regulatory signs provide?

    1. Only directions to parks and cultural attractions
    2. Selected traffic laws, regulations, or instructions
    3. Temporary warnings about construction workers
    4. Motorist service locations such as rest areas
    Show answer

    Selected traffic laws, regulations, or instructions. Black and white regulatory signs communicate selected traffic laws or regulations and may instruct drivers about matters such as speed limit Full explanation in Test 7

28. 28. What fine range does Tennessee list for a first DUI conviction?

    1. $350 to $1,500
    2. $50 to $250
    3. $600 to $3,500
    4. $3,000 to $15,000
    Show answer

    $350 to $1,500. The first DUI conviction fine ranges from $350 to $1,500, with at least 48 hours in jail and a one-year license revocation. Full explanation in Test 8

29. 29. What does an advisory speed plate beneath a warning sign provide?

    1. The minimum speed required on the entire roadway
    2. The recommended maximum safe speed for the condition ahead
    3. The speed at which every vehicle must travel regardless of conditions
    4. The legal speed limit for all roads in that county
    Show answer

    The recommended maximum safe speed for the condition ahead. An advisory speed plate supplements a warning sign by giving a recommended maximum safe speed for the upcoming condition. Full explanation in Test 9

30. 30. At an all-way stop, two vehicles arrive at the same time. Who should go first?

    1. The vehicle on the left
    2. The vehicle traveling straight, regardless of position
    3. The vehicle with more passengers
    4. The vehicle on the right
    Show answer

    The vehicle on the right. At an all-way stop, every vehicle must stop. Full explanation in Test 10