The Tennessee knowledge test
Passing score 24 of 30 (80%)
Practice test 30 questions The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security sets the passing score at 80% .
Practice by topic
Road Signs What signs mean and what to do when you see them Right-of-Way Who goes first at intersections, crosswalks and roundabouts Traffic Signals Lights, arrows and pedestrian signals Lanes & Turns Lane markings, turns, passing and merging Speed Limits Limits and how to adjust your speed Parking Curb colors, hills and where you can't park Safe Driving Following distance, weather, night driving and sharing the road Alcohol & Drugs Blood alcohol limits, DUI rules and medication Emergencies Breakdowns, emergency vehicles and railroad crossings License Rules Permits, restrictions for new drivers and points Insurance & Collisions Required coverage and what to do after a crash Phones & Distraction Phone rules and other distractions Sample Tennessee practice questions
At what point does Tennessee treat your car as a slow-moving vehicle?
Only when driving a tractor When going under 25 mph When going 1 mph under the limit When going 10 mph or more under the maximum limit Show the answer
When going 10 mph or more under the maximum limit
Driving 10 mph or more below the lawful maximum makes you a slow-moving vehicle.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Section B, Chapter 4, Slow-Moving Vehicles (p. 46)
Which pavement marking warns that a railroad crossing is ahead?
A large X with the letters RR A bicycle symbol A white diamond A row of white triangles Show the answer
A large X with the letters RR
Railroad crossings are marked on the pavement with a big X and RR, plus a stop line.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Section B, Chapter 4, Stopping for Railroad Crossings (p. 50); Section B, Chapter 3, White Crossbuck with RR (p. 43)
What is the minimum jail time for a first DUI conviction in Tennessee when the BAC was under .20 percent?
30 days 24 hours 48 hours 7 days Show the answer
48 hours
A first DUI carries at least 48 hours in jail.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Section B, Chapter 7, DUI Penalties table (p. 82)
What speed is usually posted inside a roundabout?
35 to 45 mph 55 mph 5 mph 15 to 25 mph Show the answer
15 to 25 mph
Roundabouts are low-speed intersections, usually posted at 15 to 25 mph.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Section B, Chapter 4, Roundabouts (p. 59)
Is it legal to make a U-turn on a Tennessee interstate?
Yes, at night with light traffic Yes, if you missed your exit No, never Yes, through a median crossover Show the answer
No, never
U-turns on interstates are illegal; if you miss an exit, go on to the next one.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Section B, Chapter 4, Special Turns: U-Turns (p. 59)
What is the maximum fine the manual gives for texting while driving in Tennessee?
$5, with no court costs $500, plus court costs $1,000, plus jail time $50, plus up to $10 in court costs Show the answer
$50, plus up to $10 in court costs
Texting while driving can cost up to $50 plus court costs of up to $10.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Section B, Chapter 1, Texting While Driving (p. 30); Section A, Chapter 3, Texting while Driving is Prohibited (p. 18)
How is a fourth or later DUI conviction classified in Tennessee?
As a Class E felony As a civil violation As a traffic infraction As a Class C misdemeanor Show the answer
As a Class E felony
A fourth or subsequent DUI is a felony, with at least 150 days in jail.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Section B, Chapter 7, DUI Penalties table (p. 82)
What vision does Tennessee's vision screening require?
At least 20/40 in each eye and in both together At least 20/20 in each eye At least 20/70 in the better eye At least 20/100 with both eyes Show the answer
At least 20/40 in each eye and in both together
You need 20/40 or better in each eye separately and both eyes together, with or without lenses.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Section A, Chapter 4, Vision Screening (p. 21)
With a BAC of .10 percent, about how much more likely are you to cause a crash than when sober?
About 25 times About 50 times About 7 times About 2 times Show the answer
About 7 times
At .10 percent the crash risk is about seven times the sober rate, and it climbs steeply after that.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Section B, Chapter 7, Relationship of Alcohol to Traffic Crashes (p. 79)
A Tennessee student under 18 drops out of school for the second time. When may they apply for a license again?
After 90 days After returning to school At age 18 After passing a new knowledge test Show the answer
At age 18
Returning to school only helps after a first dropout; after a second, the student must wait until 18.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Section A, Chapter 3, Proof of School Attendance/Progress (p. 17)
Take the full practice test
Next steps
Share this test
Copy link
Email
About these questions
We wrote these practice questions from the facts in the Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (PDF printing of March 2025 (Authorization No. MT3Q28), information current as of July 1, 2022 per its notice, downloaded 2026-11-08 edition) and from official sources on road signs. Every answer links to its source, so you can check it and read more.
DMV Decoded is an independent guide, not a government agency. This practice test is not connected to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, and your actual test will have different questions. Study the handbook, and check the agency's website for current rules.
