20 questions from the Tennessee driver handbook. Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. 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”.”
2. What is a common characteristic of materials used to indicate a work zone?
Answer: They are commonly orange. The handbook identifies orange as the standard color for work zone materials such as cones, barrels, and signs.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 126: “The common theme among work zones is the color orange.”
3. What is the recommended action when encountering strong crosswinds while driving?
Answer: Slow down to gain more control. The handbook advises slowing down as the primary method to maintain control when driving in strong winds.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 91: “To gain more control over vehicles in a strong wind, slow down.”
4. What is the recommended action if you feel angry or excited before driving?
Answer: Give yourself time to cool off and calm down. The handbook advises drivers to take time to calm down if they are experiencing strong emotions like anger or excitement.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 113: “If you are angry or excited, give yourself time to cool off and calm down.”
5. What is the recommended action for a driver whose vehicle breaks down on the interstate?
Answer: Stay in or near the vehicle on the side away from traffic. The handbook advises staying in or near the vehicle on the side away from traffic, noting that walking along the interstate is dangerous.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 86: “If possible, it is better to stay in or near your vehicle on the side away from traffic.”
6. If a teen driver contributes to the occurrence of a fatal accident under the GDL Program, what is the requirement regarding their license level?
Answer: They must maintain a Learner Permit only until the teen reaches the age of 18. The handbook lists contributing to a fatal accident as an incident that requires the driver to maintain only a Learner Permit until they turn 18.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 30: “Must maintain a Learner Permit only until teen reaches the age of 18”
7. How should a pregnant woman position her safety belts according to the provided guidelines?
Answer: The lap belt should be worn below the abdomen and the shoulder belt above the belly. The handbook specifies that pregnant drivers must position the lap belt below the abdomen and the shoulder belt above the belly for proper safety.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 45: “Pregnant women should wear the lap belt below the abdomen and the shoulder belt above the belly.”
8. What lighting equipment is required for a bicycle used at night in Tennessee?
Answer: A front lamp emitting white light visible from 500 feet and a rear red reflector or lamp visible from 500 feet. The handbook mandates a front white lamp visible from 500 feet and a rear red reflector or lamp visible from 500 feet for night riding.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 120: “Tennessee law requires that a bicycle used at night must be equipped with a lamp on the front that emits a white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front and either a red reflector or lamp emitting a red light that is visible from distance of 500 feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful upper beams of head lamps on a motor vehicle.”
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. What action should a driver take if a collision with an animal seems inevitable?
Answer: Keep the vehicle under control and on the roadway. The handbook advises maintaining vehicle control and staying on the roadway rather than swerving, which could increase the risk of personal injury.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 111: “Keep your vehicle under control and on the roadway when you hit the animal.”
11. 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.”
12. Under what specific circumstance is it permitted for a child to ride in the bed of a pickup truck in Tennessee?
Answer: When the vehicle is part of an organized parade, procession, or ceremonial event and does not exceed 20 mph. The handbook lists specific exceptions to the general prohibition, including participation in organized parades or ceremonies with a speed limit of 20 mph.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 47: “One exception to this law is when a child is being transported in the bed of the vehicle when it is part of an organized parade, procession or other ceremonial event and the vehicle must not exceed the speed of twenty (20) miles per hour.”
13. According to the handbook, how does spacing alcoholic drinks over a longer period of time affect intoxication compared to consuming them quickly?
Answer: It slows the rate at which you become intoxicated. The handbook states that spreading drinks out over time slows the rate of intoxication compared to drinking them quickly.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 93: “Spacing the drinks over a longer period of time will slow the rate at which you become intoxicated and indicates responsible drinking habits.”
14. 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.”
15. 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.””
16. Why is it important to yield the right-of-way to trains at crossings?
Answer: Because a train traveling at 55 miles per hour takes a full mile to stop. The handbook highlights the significant stopping distance of trains as a reason for yielding, noting that trains cannot stop quickly like cars.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 127: “A train traveling at 55 miles per hour takes a full mile to stop.”
17. 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.”
18. What additional requirement is imposed if driving privileges are revoked for failure to establish financial responsibility for a crash?
Answer: The driver must have a liability insurance carrier file an SR-22 form with the Department of Safety. The handbook specifies that filing an SR-22 form with the Department of Safety is required alongside paying fees to reinstate privileges in this specific situation.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 103: “you will also be required to pay a reinstatement fee and have a liability insurance carrier file a SR-22 form with the Department of Safety before driving privileges can be reinstated.”
19. Why is it important to check tire pressure before using a 15-passenger van?
Answer: To prevent loss of control situations and rollovers. The handbook links improper tire inflation directly to loss of control and rollover accidents.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 128: “Excessively worn or improperly inflated tires can lead to a loss of control situation and rollover.”
20. 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.”