Tennessee DMV Practice Test 2026

Practice Questions

12 free Tennessee DMV practice questions

Real Tennessee-specific questions sourced from the official Tennessee Driver Handbook. Read each one, pick your answer, then check the explanation.

1. Question 1 · Speed Limits

   What does Tennessee's Basic Speed Rule require?

   • ADriving at or below the posted speed limit at all times
   • BMatching your speed exactly to surrounding traffic
   • CDriving at a speed that is reasonable and prudent for current road and weather conditions✓ Correct

   Why: The Basic Speed Rule requires your speed to be reasonable and proper for existing conditions — traffic, road surface, weather, and visibility — not simply at or below the posted limit.

   Source: Tennessee Driver Handbook, page 46 · Section B Ch4 - Rules of the Road

2. Question 2 · DUI Laws

   What is the only way to remove alcohol from your body?

   • ADrinking coffee or water
   • BTime — the body eliminates alcohol at a fixed rate✓ Correct
   • CEating food after drinking

   Why: Nothing can speed up alcohol elimination. Only time allows your body to process and remove alcohol from your system — coffee, food, and a cold shower do not help.

   Source: Tennessee Driver Handbook, page 83 · Section B Ch7 - Prevention of Drinking and Driving

3. Question 3 · Right of Way

   When entering a roundabout, who has the right-of-way?

   • AThe entering vehicle, if it signals
   • BTraffic already circulating in the roundabout✓ Correct
   • CThe larger vehicle

   Why: When entering a roundabout you must yield to traffic already circulating inside it. Enter only when there is a safe gap, and keep moving with the flow of traffic.

   Source: Tennessee Driver Handbook, page 58 · Section B Ch4 - Roundabouts

4. Question 4 · Highway Driving

   When entering a highway from an entrance ramp, what should you do?

   • AStop at the end of the ramp and wait for a gap
   • BUse the acceleration lane to match traffic speed before merging✓ Correct
   • CEnter at any speed and let traffic adjust to you

   Why: Use the acceleration lane to increase your speed to match the flow of traffic, then merge into the nearest lane when a safe gap is available. Stopping on the ramp is dangerous.

   Source: Tennessee Driver Handbook, page 68 · Section B Ch5 - Entering the Interstate

5. Question 5 · Weather & Visibility

   In fog, which headlights should you use?

   • AHigh beams for maximum visibility
   • BLow beams — high beams reflect off the fog✓ Correct
   • CNo headlights, because they make fog worse

   Why: Use low-beam headlights in fog. High beams reflect off the fog and bounce light back at you, reducing visibility rather than improving it.

   Source: Tennessee Driver Handbook, page 75 · Section B Ch6 - Driving in Inclement Weather

6. Question 6 · Lane Changes & Passing

   After passing another vehicle, when should you return to your lane?

   • AImmediately after clearing its front bumper
   • BWhen you can see the passed vehicle in your rearview mirror✓ Correct
   • CAfter signaling for three seconds

   Why: Do not return to your lane until you can see the vehicle you passed in your rearview mirror with adequate clearance. Cutting back in too early can clip the other vehicle.

   Source: Tennessee Driver Handbook, page 61 · Section B Ch4 - Passing Other Vehicles

7. Question 7 · Sharing the Road

   On a two-lane road, when must you stop for a school bus?

   • AOnly when you are following the bus
   • BWhen traveling in either direction, unless separated by a physical barrier✓ Correct
   • COnly during posted school hours

   Why: You must stop when meeting or following a school bus with flashing red lights, whether it is ahead of you or oncoming, unless a physical barrier or median separates the roadways.

   Source: Tennessee Driver Handbook, page 51 · Section B Ch4 - School Bus Stop Law

8. Question 8 · Pedestrian Laws

   When must you yield to a pedestrian using a guide dog or white cane?

   • AOnly at marked crosswalks
   • BAlways — a pedestrian using a guide dog or white cane has the right-of-way✓ Correct
   • COnly when they have a walk signal

   Why: You must always yield to blind or visually impaired pedestrians using a guide dog or white cane. They have the right-of-way at all crossings — stop and wait until they have crossed safely.

   Source: Tennessee Driver Handbook, page 103 · Section C Ch3 - Sharing the Road with Pedestrians

9. Question 9 · Parking Rules

   It is illegal to park within how many feet of a railroad crossing?

   • A20 feet
   • B50 feet✓ Correct
   • C100 feet

   Why: It is illegal to park within 50 feet of a railroad crossing. This keeps sightlines clear so approaching trains and drivers can see each other at the crossing.

   Source: Tennessee Driver Handbook, page 65 · Section B Ch4 - Rules of the Road

10. Question 10 · Accidents & Emergencies

    What should you do if you experience a tire blowout while driving?

    • ABrake hard immediately
    • BGrip the wheel firmly, ease off the gas, and steer to safety✓ Correct
    • CTurn off the engine right away

    Why: In a tire blowout, grip the wheel firmly, ease off the accelerator, and steer gradually to a safe stop. Braking suddenly can cause you to lose control of the vehicle.

    Source: Tennessee Driver Handbook, page 96 · Section C Ch2 - Avoiding Collisions

11. Question 11 · Turns & Intersections

    Before making a right turn on red in Tennessee, you must first:

    • ASlow down and yield if pedestrians are present
    • BCheck for traffic and proceed if it is clear
    • CCome to a complete stop at the line or crosswalk✓ Correct

    Why: When making a right turn at a red light, you must first come to a complete stop before the marked or unmarked crosswalk or stop line, then yield to traffic and pedestrians before proceeding — unless a sign prohibits the turn.

    Source: Tennessee Driver Handbook, page 58 · Section B Ch4 - Rules of the Road

12. Question 12 · Traffic Signs & Signals

    What does a steady yellow arrow traffic signal mean?

    • AYou may turn freely in the direction of the arrow
    • BThe protected turn phase is ending — prepare to yield✓ Correct
    • CSpeed up to complete your turn

    Why: A steady yellow arrow means the protected turn phase is ending. Prepare to stop, or proceed with caution and yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians before turning.

    Source: Tennessee Driver Handbook, page 41 · Section B Ch3 - Traffic Signals

How to get your Tennessee driver's license

The knowledge test is one step in Tennessee's licensing process. Here's how the path typically works for a new driver.

1. 1

   Check the age and eligibility requirements

   Eligibility in Tennessee: 15 for a learner permit; 16 for an intermediate restricted license after holding the permit at least 180 days. Have your proof of identity, residency, and any required parental consent ready.

2. 2

   Study the official handbook

   Read the Official Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (tn.gov) and practice with DMV Ace until you're consistently scoring above 80%.

3. 3

   Pass the knowledge test

   The Tennessee written test has 30 questions, and you need 24 correct (80%) to pass. You have 60 minutes. Permit/licensing fee: $10.50 for a learner permit for applicants under 18.

4. 4

   Build supervised driving experience

   Hold your permit for the period Tennessee requires and log supervised driving hours with a licensed adult before you schedule the road test.

5. 5

   Pass the road test and get licensed

   After you pass the behind-the-wheel road test, Tennessee issues your driver's license — often an intermediate/provisional license first for younger drivers.

Steps are a general guide — always confirm the current process with your local Tennessee DMV office.

How DMV Ace prepares you for the Tennessee test

• 1,000+ Tennessee-specific questions

  Every question is sourced from the official Tennessee Driver Handbook — same wording style, same topic mix as the real test.

• Explanations on every answer

  Right or wrong, you see exactly why — with a handbook page citation so you can dig deeper.

• Hard Questions module

  A curated bank of the trickiest Tennessee questions — the ones most testers fail. Master these and you're ready.

• Smart progress tracking

  See exactly which topics you've mastered and which need work. A pass-readiness score tells you when you're truly ready for the Tennessee DMV.