20 questions from the Tennessee driver handbook. Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. What is the correct posture for operating the pedals while driving?
Answer: The heel should remain on the floor while the foot moves smoothly from the accelerator to the brake. The handbook instructs drivers to keep their heel on the floor to ensure smooth movement between the accelerator and brake.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 41: “Your foot should move smoothly from the accelerator to the brake while the heel is kept on the floor.”
2. How should a bicyclist position themselves relative to the flow of traffic?
Answer: On the right side, with the flow of traffic. The handbook instructs bicyclists to ride with the flow of traffic on the right side to avoid missing traffic control devices.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 120: “Ride on the right side, with the flow of traffic.”
3. According to the handbook, what action should a motorist take upon first notice of an approaching work zone?
Answer: Merge to the appropriate lane as soon as possible. The handbook instructs drivers to move to the appropriate lane immediately upon seeing the work zone to help maintain traffic flow.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 126: “Motorists can help maintain traffic flow and posted speeds by moving to the appropriate lane at first notice of an approaching work zone.”
4. 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.”
5. What charge may apply if a driver under the influence causes a crash resulting in the death of another person?
Answer: Vehicular Homicide. The handbook defines vehicular homicide as the charge for causing death while driving under the influence.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 96: “If you are operating a motor vehicle under the influence of a drug or alcohol, and you are involved in a crash resulting in the death of another person(s), you may be charged with vehicular homicide.”
6. 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;”
7. 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.”
8. 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.”
9. What penalty applies to a person aged 18-20 convicted of purchasing or possessing alcohol?
Answer: Loss of driving privilege for one year. The handbook states that drivers aged 18-20 lose their driving privilege for one year upon conviction.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 97: “If you are 18, 19 or 20 years old and are convicted of purchasing, attempting to purchase, or possessing any alcoholic beverage, you will lose your privilege to drive for one year.”
10. If it is impossible or unsafe to change lanes when approaching a stationary vehicle with flashing lights, what is the required procedure?
Answer: Proceed with due caution, reduce speed, and maintain a safe speed. The handbook specifies that if a lane change is not feasible, the driver must slow down and proceed with caution rather than stopping or ignoring the situation.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 86: “If changing lanes would be impossible or unsafe, proceed with due caution, reduce the speed of the vehicle and maintain a safe speed for road conditions.”
11. What does the Reverse Turn Sign indicate?
Answer: Two turns in opposite directions less than 600 feet apart. The handbook defines the reverse turn sign as marking two opposite turns located within 600 feet of each other.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 52: “The reverse turn sign is used to mark two turns in opposite directions that are less than 600 feet apart.”
12. During what hours is a driver holding a learner permit prohibited from driving?
Answer: Between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. The handbook specifies that learner permit holders under age 18 cannot drive during the hours of 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 33: “Anyone under the age of 18 who has a learner permit is prohibited from driving between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.”
13. What is the recommended minimum space cushion between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead?
Answer: Two seconds or more. The handbook states that drivers should maintain a space cushion of at least two seconds or more.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 111: “Also remember to always keep at least a two second (or more) space cushion between your car and the vehicle ahead in order to have an emergency out available.”
14. 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)”
15. Why does the handbook advise against crossing your arms when steering?
Answer: It causes clothing and jewelry to interfere with safe turning and increases injury risk from airbags. The handbook cites interference from clothing/jewelry and increased injury risk from airbags as reasons to avoid crossing arms.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 42: “But crossing arms may cause clothing and jewelry to interfere with safe turning. Also, you would suffer more serious injuries should the air bag deploy.”
16. 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.”
17. 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.”
18. According to Tennessee law, which of the following devices is prohibited for a driver holding a learner permit or intermediate driver license while operating a vehicle?
Answer: Handheld cellular telephone. The handbook defines the prohibited devices to include handheld cellular telephones, cellular car telephones, and other mobile phones.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 32: “A cell phone is defined as: (a) handheld cellular telephone (b)cellular car telephone or (c) other mobile phone”
19. How should a driver adjust their braking technique when driving on wet roads?
Answer: Brake lightly and briefly to gradually slow the vehicle. The handbook instructs drivers to brake lightly and briefly to avoid skidding, rather than slamming or holding the brakes.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 90: “Brake lightly and briefly. Do NOT slam on the brakes or hold the brake pedal down. You want to gradually slow the vehicle.”
20. What is the recommended action for a mentor when a new driver makes a major mistake during a practice session?
Answer: Stop as soon as possible and discuss the mistake while it is fresh. The handbook advises stopping promptly to discuss errors immediately after they occur to reinforce learning.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 131: “Stop as soon as you can, while a major mistake is still fresh in the new driver’s memory. Then take time to discuss what happened and what the safest response should be.”