Key Tennessee facts: Right-of-Way
In Tennessee oncoming drivers commonly pull to the side for a funeral procession as a sign of respect; on a two-lane road you may not pass a procession, and you may not drive between its vehicles unless an officer directs it. Section B, Chapter 4, Funeral Procession (p. 46) When a blind pedestrian with a white or red-tipped cane or a guide dog is crossing, stay stopped 10 feet or more back until they have left the road, without using the horn. Section B, Chapter 4, Right-of-Way Procedures (p. 53) In a marked school zone with its warning flashers on, a driver must stop for a pedestrian crossing in a crosswalk and stay stopped until the person has crossed. Section B, Chapter 4, Right-of-Way Procedures (p. 53); Section C, Chapter 3, Sharing the Road with Pedestrians (p. 103) Drivers should yield to an emergency vehicle that is about to back, or is backing, into a fire station driveway. Section B, Chapter 4, Right-of-Way Procedures (p. 53) Drivers must yield to a transit bus that has signaled to pull back into traffic from a stop, but are not required to stop for a transit bus loading passengers as they would for a school bus. Section B, Chapter 4, Yield to Emergency Vehicles and Transit Buses (p. 54) Sample Right-of-Way questions
Must you stop for a city transit bus picking up passengers, as you would for a school bus?
Yes, from every direction Yes, but only from behind Only on two-lane roads No, but watch for passengers crossing Show the answer
No, but watch for passengers crossing
The school bus stop law does not apply to transit buses, but riders may cross near them.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Section B, Chapter 4, Yield to Emergency Vehicles and Transit Buses (p. 54)
On a four-lane highway with a center turn lane, a school bus stops with red lights flashing. Who must stop?
Only traffic behind the bus No one, since the turn lane divides the road Traffic going both ways Only the lane next to the bus Show the answer
Traffic going both ways
A center turn lane is a usable lane, not a barrier, so traffic in both directions must stop.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Section B, Chapter 4, The School Bus Stop Law (p. 51)
An emergency vehicle is coming, and the curb to your right is at the mouth of a side road. Where should you pull over?
Into the side road, then stop In the middle of your lane Across the side road anyway Somewhere that leaves the side road clear Show the answer
Somewhere that leaves the side road clear
Leave side roads and driveways open, since the emergency vehicle might have to turn into one.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Section B, Chapter 4, Yield to Emergency Vehicles and Transit Buses (p. 54)
A city transit bus has signaled to pull back into traffic from a bus stop. What must you do?
Honk and hold your lane Stop as you would for a school bus Yield to the bus Speed up to pass it Show the answer
Yield to the bus
Tennessee drivers must yield to a transit bus that has signaled to re-enter the roadway.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Section B, Chapter 4, Yield to Emergency Vehicles and Transit Buses (p. 54)
A marked school zone has its warning flashers on, and a pedestrian is in the crosswalk. What must you do?
Stop and stay stopped until the person has crossed Stop only if a crossing guard is there Honk and continue if there is room Slow down and steer around the person Show the answer
Stop and stay stopped until the person has crossed
With the flashers on, drivers must stop for a crossing pedestrian and wait until they are across.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Section B, Chapter 4, Right-of-Way Procedures (p. 53); Section C, Chapter 3, Sharing the Road with Pedestrians (p. 103)
What fine range does Tennessee set for failing to stop for a stopped school bus?
$25 to $100 $1,000 to $5,000 $250 to $1,000 $50 to $250 Show the answer
$250 to $1,000
Passing a stopped school bus is a Class A misdemeanor with a fine of $250 to $1,000.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Section B, Chapter 4, The School Bus Stop Law (p. 51)
You are behind a funeral procession on a two-lane road in Tennessee. What does the law say?
You must follow within 10 feet You may drive between its cars You may pass if you signal You may not pass the procession Show the answer
You may not pass the procession
On a two-lane road, vehicles following a funeral procession may not pass it.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Section B, Chapter 4, Funeral Procession (p. 46)
A school bus stopped at an intersection is loading children. Which drivers must stop?
Only drivers behind the bus Only drivers facing the bus No one, if their light is green Drivers from every direction Show the answer
Drivers from every direction
At an intersection, traffic from all directions must stop until the bus moves again.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Section B, Chapter 4, The School Bus Stop Law (p. 51)
You are stopped at a red light when an ambulance with its siren on approaches. Your light turns green. What should you do?
Back up to make room Stay stopped until the ambulance has passed Go, since the light is green Turn right to clear the way Show the answer
Stay stopped until the ambulance has passed
A green light doesn't let you go while the emergency vehicle is still coming; wait until it has gone by.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Section B, Chapter 4, Yield to Emergency Vehicles and Transit Buses (p. 54)
A fire engine is backing into its station driveway ahead of you. What should you do?
Pass it quickly on the left Keep going, since its siren is off Yield until it has backed in Honk so the driver sees you Show the answer
Yield until it has backed in
Drivers should yield to an emergency vehicle backing into a fire station driveway.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Section B, Chapter 4, Right-of-Way Procedures (p. 53)
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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.
