Select Your Free 2023 Tennessee Practice Permit Test to Get Started

Tennessee’s Graduated Driver’s Licensing Program (GDL) requires teens to progress through a series of stages to earn their full, unrestricted license. The stages and age requirements are:

• Learner’s Permit – 15 years old
• Intermediate Restricted Driver’s License – 16 years old
• Intermediate Unrestricted Driver’s License – 17 years old
• Full, Unrestricted Driver’s License – 18 years old

In addition to the stages above, 14 year olds may be eligible for a “hardship license,” which is available to a teen whose family is going through a hardship.

• Proof of citizenship/permanent residency
• Proof of identity
• Proof of Tennessee residency
• Social Security Number
• Form SF-0259 signed by parent or legal guardian
• Proof of school enrollment (if graduated, then diploma or GED)
• Form SF-1010 – Proof of school attendance/progress
• $10.50 for permit fee

Here are the documents that are OK to submit as proof of the above.

You should file your application at a local Driver Services Center.

Visit https://www.tn.gov/safety/driver-services/locations for office locations and contact information.

No, driver’s ed is not required in Tennessee – unless you receive multiple moving violations while holding your Intermediate Restricted Driver’s License.

You can transfer an out-of-state permit if you are 15 or above and you can transfer an out-of-state driver’s license if you are 16 or above. If ready to apply for a Tennessee driver’s license, you must have held your learner’s permit for at least 180 days.

The written test covers information necessary to drive safely, such as traffic laws, road signs and safe driving techniques. Questions are taken from Section B of the Tennessee Driver’s Manual. Here are two examples of content from the manual that you could be tested on:

• Outside mirrors should always be adjusted before driving to reduce blind spots and provide maximum visibility.
• The Basic Speed Rule (BSR) is not Tennessee law but rather a safe driving principle. It says that the speed you may drive is limited by current conditions.

The Tennessee written test is multiple choice.

No, questions are taken from Section B of the Tennessee Driver’s Manual and are not written to “trick you” into giving a wrong answer. Their only purpose is to ensure you have the knowledge to drive safely.

There are 30 questions on the test and you must answer at least 24 of them correctly to pass.

Study Section B of the Tennessee Driver’s Manual thoroughly. You can then test your understanding of the material presented by taking online practice tests. If you take the tests and notice certain subjects that you are having a difficult time with, be sure to devote extra study time to those areas.

We offer the driver’s manual for free.

Questions on the Tennessee written test roughly correspond to the following percentages: Traffic signs and signals – 25%; safe driving principles – 25%; rules of the road – 25%; and drugs and alcohol – 25%. Be sure to study these areas extensively. You can take practice tests to identify weak areas and direct your studies.

It would be beneficial to read through the driver’s manual again and to take practice tests to ensure you understand the material and don’t need to spend more time studying a specific area. You should also be sure to get a good night’s rest so that you are rested and ready for the test the next day.

To avoid a potentially long wait, you may want to contact your local Driver Services Center to see if appointments are accepted.

You will take the test at a Driver Services Center.

• Proof of citizenship/permanent residency
• Proof of identity
• Proof of Tennessee residency
• Social Security Number
• Form SF-0259 signed by parent or legal guardian
• Proof of school enrollment (if graduated, then diploma or GED)
• Form SF-1010 – Proof of school attendance/progress
• $10.50 for permit fee

Here are the documents that are OK to submit as proof of the above.

You should be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Yes, you will need to pay a fee of $10.50.

The test has 30 questions covering road signs, rules of the road, safe driving principles and drugs and alcohol. You will need to answer at least 24 questions correctly to pass. You will not be able to refer to any notes or to the driver’s manual while taking the test. To get more familiar with the test format, take a practice test.

You will receive your Learner’s Permit and can begin behind-the-wheel driver training. You need to complete 50 hours of driver training, with at least 10 hours at night. Your supervising driver must be at least 21 years of age.

You can retake the test.

You will have to wait seven days and pay a $2 fee to retake the test.

You need to log 50 hours of driving practice with a supervising driver who is at least 21 years of age. Also, of the 50 hours of practice, at least 10 must be completed at night.

Once you have completed the 50 hours of supervised driving practice and held your permit for at least 180 days you can apply for an Intermediate Restricted Driver’s License.

Yes, you can drive on any Tennessee public or private road as long as you are accompanied by a licensed driver age 21 or older.

No, you are required to complete at least 10 hours of driving practice at night.

Yes, you must be accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old.

You must apply for a replacement in person. Visit your local Driver Services Center with proper identification. You will also need to pay a replacement fee of $8.

The best way to ensure you are prepared is to study the Tennessee Driver’s Manual and to practice driving as much as possible with a responsible supervising driver. You should practice both making common vehicle maneuvers and driving safely in traffic.

Maneuvers you should practice include turns, including three point turns; stopping and accelerating; parking; and backing up.

You should practice completing maneuvers such as backing up, turning and parking as well as driving in traffic. When driving in traffic be sure to obey road signs and to be observant of surrounding traffic.

Schedule an appointment online at https://www.tn.gov/ or by calling toll-free 1-866-849-3548

You will take the test at a Driver Services Center.

• Form-1256 – Proof of 50 Hours of Driving Training
• Financial responsibility form signed by parent or guardian

• Proof of citizenship/permanent residency
• Proof of identity
• Proof of Tennessee residency
• Social Security Number
• Proof of school enrollment (if applying with out-of-state license or permit)
• Vehicle
• Vehicle registration
• Proof of insurance

Here are the documents that are OK to submit as proof of the above.

A licensed parent or legal guardian should bring you.

The examiner will give you directions, for example to complete certain maneuvers or to drive down a certain road, and then will watch your performance and evaluate whether or not you can drive safely. You will not be asked to do anything illegal.

Common reasons include: violation of any traffic law; lack of cooperation with the examiner or refusal to follow directions; any dangerous action; or contributing to an accident.

• Exceeding the speed limit
• Using poor driving posture or incorrect hand position on wheel
• Failing to come to a complete stop
• Failing to yield the right of way
• Not signaling for a turn

You will be allowed to retake the test. You may not retest before the next working day.

The amount of time you have to wait to retake the test will be determined by the number of errors your commit. Following the test, the examiner will go over your test with you, identify your mistakes and let you know how soon you can retake the it.

You will receive your Intermediate Restricted Driver’s License.

• You cannot drive between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. unless accompanied by a licensed driver age 21 or over; traveling to from school or work; or it’s between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m. and you are going hunting or fishing.

• You cannot drive with more than one passenger unless accompanied by licensed driver age 21 or they are immediate family members

Once you are 17, have held your restricted license for one year and have not accumulated more than six points on your driving record you can apply for your Intermediate Unrestricted License.

Once you turn 18 or graduate high school, you can get your full, unrestricted license.

Tennessee is a “fault” state which means whoever is legally determined at fault for an accident is responsible for paying for injuries and damage. Tennessee requires drivers carry at least the following minimum insurance coverage to pay for accidents:

• $25,000 for bodily injury
• $50,000 for bodily injury when 2 or more people are hurt
• $15,000 for property damage

Tennessee Driver’s Licenses are valid for five years and expire on your birthday. The Tennessee Department of Safety will mail you a renewal notice approximately 8 to 10 weeks before the expiration date with instructions for how to renew.

You can replace a lost or stolen Tennessee Driver’s License in person at a Driver Services Center. In addition, you may be eligible to replace your license online.

You can renew your license online, in person or by mail.

No, you are not required to take a vision test. You are only required to take the test when you first apply for your license. To pass the test, you must have at least 20/40 vision in each eye individually and both eyes together. This may be with or without glasses or contact lenses.