Tennessee TDOSHS road test: what to expect

What the examiner checks

• Preparing to drive (mirrors, belt, lights, wipers)
• Starting and entering traffic
• Vehicle control and curves
• Intersections and left/right turns
• Obeying signals and signs
• Driving in traffic, yielding
• Stopping (including a quick stop)
• Backing (straight line, turning, into/out of a space)
• Judging distance
• Communicating
• Sharing the road
• Adjusting speed to conditions

How it's scored

Errors are counted: 1-6 = pass; 7-9 = retest the next day; 10-12 = retest in 7 days; 13-15 = retest in 14 days; 16 or more, or an automatic failure = retest in 30 days.

Mistakes that end the test

• Violation of any traffic law
• Lack of cooperation or refusal to follow directions
• Any dangerous action
• Contributing to an accident

Your car

• Valid registration and safety law compliance
• Safety belts, regular and parking brakes, high/low headlights, tail/brake lights, two wipers, defroster/fan, rearview mirror, horn
• No windshield tint; side windows no darker than 35% light transmission (passenger car)
• Working muffler, speedometer, doors opening inside and out

After you pass

Drivers under 18, or on graduating high school or receiving a GED, whichever is sooner. Intermediate Unrestricted at 17, after holding the Intermediate Restricted license for 1 year. get a provisional or junior license first. Its restrictions:

• Intermediate Restricted: only one passenger unless a passenger is 21+ with an unrestricted license, or the passengers are siblings going to/from school with a parent letter
• No driving 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. unless with a parent/guardian or a designated licensed driver 21+, or going to/from a school activity or work (with written permission), or to/from hunting/fishing 4-6 a.m. with a license
• Seat belts for the driver and passengers ages 4-17
• 6+ points, an at-fault crash, or a 2nd seat belt violation adds 90 days; a 2nd moving violation requires driver education; a forged letter or a fatal crash means back to a learner permit until 18

How to prepare

• Practise in the car you'll take the test in, including parking and backing up.
• Drive the kinds of roads near the test site with your supervising driver: intersections, lane changes, school zones.
• Check the car the day before: lights, signals, horn, brakes, mirrors, tires, seat belts, and current registration and insurance documents.
• On the day, signal every turn and lane change, check mirrors and blind spots visibly, and come to full stops behind the line.