Tennessee TDOSHS permit practice test
25 questions written from the Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, covering licensing laws and penalties, safe and defensive driving, road signs, signals and pavement markings, speed limits and more. Pick an answer to see straight away whether you're right and why. The real Tennessee TDOSHS test has 30 questions and you need 24 right.
-
Question 1What is the minimum age for a Tennessee learner permit (Class PD)?
Show answer
B: 15. You must be 15 and pass the written knowledge test and vision screening for a Class D license to get a Class PD learner permit. Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual: Section A-1: Class PD - Learner Permit, page 17.
-
Question 2How far back from the steering wheel should your body be?
Show answer
D: About 10 to 12 inches. Your body should be about 10 to 12 inches back from the steering wheel so an air bag would strike your chest, not your face. Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual: Section B-1 Getting Familiar With Your Vehicle: Seat Adjustments, page 41.
-
Question 3What does an orange sign background indicate?
Show answer
D: Construction and maintenance warning. Orange is the background color for construction and maintenance signs and is not used for any other purpose. Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual: Section B-3: Color Codes on Highway Traffic Signs, page 49.
-
Question 4In Tennessee, may you turn right on a red light?
Show answer
D: Yes, unless otherwise posted, after a complete stop when no pedestrians or cross traffic are present. Unless otherwise posted, you may turn right on red after a complete stop when no pedestrians or cross traffic are present. Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual: Section B-3: Traffic Signals, page 55.
-
Question 5Unless otherwise posted, what is the speed limit on Tennessee primary and secondary state and federal highways?
Show answer
B: 55 mph. Unless otherwise posted, the speed limit on primary and secondary state and federal highways is 55 mph. Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual: Section B-4: Tennessee Speed Laws, page 61.
-
Question 6What following distance rule does the Tennessee manual describe for normal conditions on highways with moderate speeds?
Show answer
D: Two-second rule. The manual uses the two-second rule for normal conditions: you should not reach the fixed point before counting 'one-thousand-two'. Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual: Section B-4: Braking, Following and Stopping Distances: The Two-Second Rule, page 63.
-
Question 7How should you brake with anti-lock brakes (ABS)?
Show answer
A: Apply firm, steady pressure and steer; never pump. With ABS, apply firm steady pressure, keep your foot on the pedal and steer; pumping disengages the anti-lock system. Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual: Section B-4: Braking, Following and Stopping Distances: Braking, page 62.
-
Question 8When a train is approaching a railroad crossing, how far from the tracks must you stop in Tennessee?
Show answer
B: Between 15 and 50 feet. You must stop between 15 and 50 feet from the tracks when a train is coming, and never stop on the tracks. Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual: Section B-4: Braking, Following and Stopping Distances: Stopping for Railroad Crossings, page 64.
-
Question 9Which vehicles must stop at all Tennessee railroad crossings even if no signals are active?
Show answer
B: Church or school buses, vehicles carrying passengers for hire, and vehicles carrying flammables or explosives. School and church buses, common carriers such as taxis, and vehicles hauling flammables, explosives or dangerous cargo must stop at every railroad crossing. Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual: Section B-4: Braking, Following and Stopping Distances: Stopping for Railroad Crossings, page 65.
-
Question 10About what share of all motor vehicle crashes are intersection-related, according to the manual?
Show answer
A: About 33%. Intersections are implicated in 33 percent of all motor vehicle crashes and 21 percent of fatal crashes. Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual: Section B-4: Intersections, page 66.
-
Question 11On a road with no center line, how much of the road must you give to vehicles coming the other way?
Show answer
B: At least half the road. On a road without center line markings, drivers must give others going the opposite direction at least half the road. Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual: Section B-4: Traffic Lanes and Lane Usage, page 73.
-
Question 12In Tennessee, how close to a fire hydrant may you park?
Show answer
B: No closer than 15 feet. It is illegal to park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant. Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual: Section B-4: Backing and Parking: No Parking Zones, page 79.
-
Question 13What is the basic rule for safe night driving in the Tennessee manual?
Show answer
B: Never outrun your headlights. The basic rule is never outrun your headlights: adjust speed so you can stop within the distance you can see. Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual: Section B-6: Driving at Night, page 88.
-
Question 14By Tennessee law, at least what share of knowledge test questions must deal with alcohol and drugs?
Show answer
B: 25 percent. By law, at least 25 percent of knowledge test questions must deal with driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual: Section B-7 Alcohol, Other Drugs and Driving, page 93.
-
Question 15Who must accompany a Tennessee learner permit holder while driving?
Show answer
D: A licensed driver at least 21 riding in the front seat. A Class PD holder may drive only with a licensed driver at least 21 years old sitting in the front seat beside them. Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual: Section A-1: Class PD - Learner Permit, page 17.
-
Question 16Why should you not drive with your seat reclined or semi-reclined?
Show answer
C: It reduces your vision and ability to react in emergencies. Driving reclined is dangerous because it reduces both your vision and your ability to react to emergencies. Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual: Section B-1 Getting Familiar With Your Vehicle: Seat Adjustments, page 41.
-
Question 17What does a blue sign background indicate?
Show answer
A: Motorist services and information. Blue is used for motorist services such as gas, food, lodging, police and rest areas. Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual: Section B-3: Color Codes on Highway Traffic Signs, page 49.
-
Question 18What is the minimum time Tennessee law requires a yellow light to be shown before red?
Show answer
B: 3 seconds. Tennessee law only requires the yellow light to be displayed for a minimum of three seconds before the red light. Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual: Section B-3: Traffic Signals, page 55.
-
Question 19What is the maximum speed set by Tennessee law for interstate highways?
Show answer
C: 70 mph. The maximum interstate speed set by Tennessee law is 70 mph, posted on most rural sections; urban sections are typically 55 mph. Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual: Section B-4: Tennessee Speed Laws: Interstate Speed Limits, page 61.
-
Question 20Under what conditions should you increase your following distance to at least four seconds?
Show answer
B: In bad weather, at higher interstate speeds, at night, and when following a motorcycle. In inclement weather, higher-speed interstate driving, night driving, and when following a motorcycle, use a minimum of four seconds. Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual: Section B-4: Braking, Following and Stopping Distances: The Two-Second Rule, page 63.
-
Question 21In a vehicle without anti-lock brakes, the car starts to skid while braking. What does the manual recommend?
Show answer
A: Take your foot off the brake and turn the steering wheel in the direction of the skid. Without ABS, take your foot off the brake and turn the wheel in the direction of the skid, if you can do so safely. Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual: Section B-4: Braking, Following and Stopping Distances: Braking, page 62.
-
Question 22About how far from a crossing are trains required to sound their horn?
Show answer
A: About 1,500 feet. Trains are required to signal with a horn when about 1,500 feet from a railroad crossing. Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual: Section B-4: Braking, Following and Stopping Distances: Stopping for Railroad Crossings, page 64.
-
Question 23You meet a school bus with red lights flashing and stop arm out on a two-lane road. What must you do?
Show answer
B: Stop and remain stopped until the stop arm is pulled back and the bus moves. Drivers meeting a school or church bus with red lights flashing must stop and remain stopped until the stop arm is withdrawn and the bus resumes motion. Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual: Section B-4: The School Bus Stop Law, page 65.
-
Question 24What is the Left-Right-Left rule at intersections?
Show answer
B: Look left first, then right, and look both ways again just before moving. Look first to the left to check cross traffic, then to the right, and look both ways again just before you start moving. Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual: Section B-4: Intersections: Approaching Intersections Safely, page 66.
-
Question 25What is the center lane of a two-way, three-lane or five-lane highway used for?
Show answer
A: Only for turning left. The center lane of a two-way three- or five-lane highway is used only for turning left. Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual: Section B-4: Traffic Lanes and Lane Usage, page 73.
Answer every question to see your score.
More Tennessee practice tests
- Practice test 225 questions
- Practice test 325 questions
- Practice test 425 questions
- Practice test 525 questions
- Practice test 625 questions
- Practice test 725 questions
- Practice test 825 questions
- Practice test 925 questions
- Practice test 1025 questions
- Practice test 1125 questions
- Practice test 1225 questions
- Practice test 1325 questions
- Practice test 1416 questions
- Exam simulatorThe real format, 30 questions
How to use these tests
Read each explanation, even when you get the question right: it tells you the rule and the handbook section, so you can look it up. Your answers are saved in this browser only, so the weak spots mode can give you more questions on the topics you miss. When you're scoring well, take the exam simulator: it uses the same number of questions and passing score as the real test.
Our own questions, written from the Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual and checked against it. Not affiliated with the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, Driver Services Division. Found a mistake? Tell us.