20 questions from the Tennessee driver handbook. Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. What is the rule regarding driving over a fire department hose at an emergency site?
Answer: Do not drive over any unprotected fire department hose unless the fire department official in command says it is okay. Drivers must avoid crossing unprotected hoses unless authorized by the official in charge of the scene.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 68: “If your car passes an emergency site, do not drive over any unprotected fire department hose unless the fire department official in command says it is okay.”
2. What is the required action when your vehicle is turning a corner and pedestrians are crossing with the light?
Answer: Yield to the pedestrians. The handbook lists this scenario under rules for yielding right-of-way to pedestrians, indicating the driver must yield.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 67: “When your car is turning a corner and pedestrians are crossing with the light;”
3. If you are already inside an intersection when an emergency vehicle approaches, what should you do?
Answer: Drive on through the intersection before pulling over. The handbook advises completing the crossing before stopping to avoid blocking the emergency vehicle's path.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 68: “If you are in an intersection, drive on through the intersection before pulling over, or you may block the emergency vehicle’s path through the intersection.”
4. What is the required action when exiting a vehicle parked on the side of the road?
Answer: Check traffic before opening the driver side door and exit quickly. The handbook mandates checking traffic before opening the door and exiting quickly to ensure safety.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 80: “As you prepare to exit the vehicle, be sure to check the traffic before opening the driver side door. Wait until any traffic has passed, get out quickly and shut the door as soon as you can.”
5. Which of the following is listed as a moving traffic violation for non-commercial vehicles?
Answer: Operating vehicle while using cell phone (under 18). The handbook specifically lists 'Operating vehicle while using cell phone (under 18)' as a violation, distinguishing it by age group.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 101: “Operating vehicle while using cell phone (under 18)”
6. Why is "riding the brake" considered an unsafe driving practice?
Answer: It adds wear and tear and gives other drivers the false impression that a stop is imminent. The handbook states that riding the brake causes unnecessary wear and misleads following drivers about stopping intentions.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 62: ““Riding the brake” is keeping your foot resting or slightly pressed down on the brake. This adds much wear and tear on the vehicle’s brake system, and also gives other drivers the false impression that a stop is imminent.”
7. When is it appropriate to use hand and arm signals instead of vehicle turn signal lights?
Answer: When the sun is shining brightly, making turn signal lights harder to see. The handbook advises using hand signals in bright sunlight because glare can make electronic turn signals difficult for others to see.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 69: “Hand signals should be used when the sun is shining brightly. This makes your turn signal light harder for other drivers to see easily.”
8. When is it permissible to cross the center line while in a 'no-passing zone'?
Answer: When making a left turn into or out of an alley, intersection, private road, or driveway. The handbook specifies that crossing the center line is allowed in a no-passing zone only for specific turning maneuvers into or out of designated areas.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 77: “You are allowed to turn across the center line if you are making a left turn into or coming out of an alley, intersection, private road or driveway while in the “no-passing zone”.”
9. When making a left turn, where should you position your vehicle within the intersection?
Answer: Drive just to the right of the center line of the street you’re entering. The handbook instructs drivers to drive just to the right of the center line of the street they are entering when making a left turn.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 71: “Drive just to the right of the center line of the street you’re entering and be sure to turn into the first lane past the center line.”
10. When is it permissible to use the paved shoulder of an interstate highway?
Answer: For deceleration when marked or for emergencies. The handbook limits shoulder usage strictly to marked deceleration lanes or emergency situations.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 84: “The paved shoulder of the interstate should not be used for vehicular travel except for deceleration when marked for this purpose or for an emergency.”
11. According to the handbook, what is the specific purpose of the center lane on a two-way, three-lane highway?
Answer: It is used only for turning left. The handbook states that this specific lane configuration is designated exclusively for left turns.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 73: “The center lane of a two-way, three-lane or five-lane highway is used only for turning left.”
12. What should a pedestrian do when the "WALK" signal appears?
Answer: Continue crossing as quickly as possible before the signal shifts. The handbook instructs pedestrians who have begun crossing to proceed quickly to the other side before the signal changes.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 56: “Pedestrians, who have started to cross the street or intersection when the “WALK” signal or walking person sign appears, should continue as quickly possible to the other side of the street before the signal shifts to“DON’T WALK.””
13. According to the 'Left-Right-Left Rule' for navigating intersections, in what order should a driver look for traffic?
Answer: Left, Right, Left. The rule dictates checking left first, then right, and finally checking both sides again before moving.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 66: “Look first to the left to make sure cross traffic is yielding the right-of-way. Then look for traffic from the right. If stopped, look both left and right just before you start moving.”
14. According to the handbook, what action should a driver take when encountering a flashing yellow arrow at an intersection?
Answer: Turn left after yielding to all oncoming traffic and pedestrians. The handbook states that a flashing yellow arrow allows a left turn only after yielding to oncoming traffic, bicyclists, and pedestrians.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 55: “If you see a flashing yellow arrow,youareallowedtoturn left after yielding to all oncoming traffic and to any bicyclists and pedestrians in the crosswalk.”
15. What action should a driver take if stopped by an officer after dark?
Answer: Turn on the vehicle’s interior light before the officer approaches. The handbook specifies that turning on the interior light before the officer arrives is the required action during nighttime stops.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 66: “If the stop is made after dark, turn on the vehicle’s interior light before the officer approaches.”
16. When two vehicles arrive at an intersection at the same time and stop, which driver must yield?
Answer: The driver on the left yields to the driver on the right. The handbook specifies that when vehicles stop simultaneously, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 56: “The right-of-way law says that if there are two or more vehicles at the intersection stopping at the same time, the driver on the left would yield to the driver on the right.”
17. How should a driver approach driving situations regarding the right-of-way according to the handbook?
Answer: Think of the right-of-way as something to be given, not taken. The handbook advises drivers to view right-of-way as something to be given rather than taken, emphasizing defensive driving.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 67: “In all driving situations, think of the right-of-way as something to be given, not taken.”
18. Why might a bicyclist move away from parked cars toward the center of the lane?
Answer: To avoid being injured by persons getting out of those cars. The handbook explains that cyclists move toward the center of the lane near parked cars specifically to avoid collisions with opening car doors or exiting passengers.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 119: “Similarly, when cyclists are traveling past parked cars, they tend to move away from the cars, toward the center of the lane. This is to avoid injuring or being injured by persons getting out of those cars.”
19. What action should a driver take before moving to the left lane to pass?
Answer: Check your blind spot for any vehicle that may be starting a pass around your vehicle. The handbook instructs drivers to check their blind spot for other vehicles before changing lanes to pass.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 76: “Check your blind spot for any vehicle that may be starting a pass around your vehicle.”
20. What is the recommended speed strategy when approaching and crossing an intersection?
Answer: Slow down before reaching the intersection, drive at your slowest speed just before entering, and gradually increase speed as you cross. The handbook details a specific speed control method: slowing down prior to entry, maintaining the lowest speed at entry, and accelerating gradually while crossing.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 66: “You should slow down before reaching the intersection, drive at your slowest speed just before entering the intersection and gradually increase your speed as you cross the intersection.”