20 questions from the Tennessee driver handbook. Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. 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.”
2. 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.”
3. According to the handbook, what action should you take when a truck or bus is passing you on the left?
Answer: Move as far as possible to the right of your lane and slow down. The handbook instructs drivers to move right and slow down when being passed by large vehicles.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 91: “When a truck or bus is passing you on the left, move as far as possible to the right of your lane and slow down.”
4. How should a driver enter an interstate highway according to the sample test questions provided?
Answer: Check for cars, increase speed to match the flow of traffic, and merge when clear. The sample question indicates that drivers should match the speed of existing traffic rather than stopping or slowing significantly before merging.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 87: “Check for cars, increase your speed to match the flow of traffic and merge when the way is clear.”
5. Where should a child safety seat be placed if the vehicle has a passenger side air bag?
Answer: In the rear seat, if available. The handbook advises placing the child safety seat in the rear seat rather than the front when a passenger side air bag is present.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 47: “Instead, the child safety seat should be placed in a rear seat, if available.”
6. What is the consequence for a driver who knowingly ignores visible flood warning signs and drives into a flooded area?
Answer: They are charged with reckless driving and responsible for rescue costs. Ignoring these warnings can lead to a reckless driving charge and financial responsibility for rescue costs.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 91: “If a driver knowingly ignores clearly visible and adequate flood warning signs or barricades and drives into a road area that is actually flooded, the driver can be charged with reckless driving. The driver can also be responsible for the restitution of funds for the cost of your rescue.”
7. 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.”
8. 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.”
9. What happens to a driver's BAC level as they consume more alcohol within a fixed amount of time?
Answer: It increases regardless of body weight or beverage type. The handbook confirms that BAC rises with increased consumption in a set time frame, independent of weight or drink type.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 93: “The more you drink in a fixed amount of time, the higher your BAC will register. This happens no matter what you weigh — or what kind of alcoholic beverage you drink.”
10. What is the basic rule for safe night driving regarding speed and visibility?
Answer: Never outrun your headlights. The handbook defines the fundamental rule for night driving as ensuring you can stop within the distance illuminated by your headlights.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 88: “The basic rule for safe night driving is this: NEVER OUTRUN YOUR HEADLIGHTS.”
11. What is the minimum duration a teen driver must hold a learner permit before applying for an Intermediate Restricted License?
Answer: Six months. The handbook states that drivers under 18 must hold their learner permit for at least six months before upgrading.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 33: “Anyone under the age of 18 must have their learner permit for a minimum of six months before applying for an intermediate restricted license.”
12. 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.”
13. What does the eight-sided red sign with white lettering instruct a driver to do?
Answer: Bring the car to a complete stop, not going beyond the crosswalk. The handbook specifies that this specific sign shape and color combination requires a complete stop at the designated line.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 50: “It tells you that you are approaching an important street or highway and that you must bring your car to a complete stop, not going beyond the crosswalk.”
14. What is the minimum requirement for a person with epilepsy to drive in Tennessee?
Answer: Being under the care of a doctor and seizure-free for a minimum of six months. The handbook specifies that drivers with epilepsy must be under medical care and seizure-free for at least six months to be eligible to drive.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 113: “In Tennessee, you may drive if you are under the care of a doctor and have been seizure free for a minimum of six months.”
15. During which hours are drivers with an Intermediate Restricted License prohibited from driving?
Answer: Between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. The handbook specifies the exact time window of 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. when driving is restricted for Intermediate license holders.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 33: “Those with an Intermediate Restricted License are prohibited from driving between the hours of 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.”
16. Why is wearing headphones or earbuds with high volume considered dangerous while driving?
Answer: It interferes with hearing traffic conditions like horns and sirens. The handbook identifies the specific danger as interfering with auditory awareness of critical traffic sounds like horns and sirens.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 32: “It is extremely dangerous to wear headphones or earbuds and have the volume of your radio so high that it interferes with your “hearing” of traffic conditions, such as other vehicle’s warning horns or emergency sirens.”
17. When should a driver stop observing work zone signs and instructions?
Answer: Only when seeing the sign that says 'End Road Work'. Drivers must continue to follow work zone instructions until they encounter the specific sign marking the end of the zone.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 127: “Observe the posted signs until you see the one that says “End Road Work”.”
18. What symptom indicates that a vehicle may have an exhaust leak requiring immediate repair?
Answer: The driver and passengers tend to get a sleepy feeling while driving or riding. The handbook identifies a sleepy feeling among occupants as a specific sign of a potential exhaust leak.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 115: “If you ever start to notice that you and/or your passengers tend to get a sleepy feeling when driving or riding in your car you may have an exhaust leak that needs to be repaired immediately.”
19. How long must a person live in Tennessee before applying for a Tennessee driver license if they are not working in the state?
Answer: Longer than 30 days. The handbook states that residency longer than 30 days triggers the requirement to apply for a Tennessee license.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 16: “A person who moves to Tennessee and has a valid driver license from another state or country must apply for a Tennessee driver license (or TDL) if they: • live in Tennessee longer than 30 days OR • are working in Tennessee OR • would otherwise qualify as a registered Tennessee voter.”
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.”