20 questions from the Tennessee driver handbook. Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. Why is it advantageous to remain inside the vehicle during a crash rather than being ejected?
Answer: Ejected occupants are four times more likely to be killed. The handbook states that staying inside the vehicle significantly improves survival chances compared to being ejected.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 46: “Ejected occupants are four times more likely to be killed as those who remain inside the vehicle.”
2. According to the handbook, how far back does a truck's blind spot extend behind the vehicle?
Answer: Up to 200 feet. The handbook states that the blind spot extends up to 200 feet behind the truck.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 123: “A truck’s blind spots are immediate in front, on either side of the car and up to 200 feet in the rear.”
3. Why should drivers give large trucks extra room when they are making wide right turns?
Answer: Truck drivers sometimes need to swing wide to the left to safely negotiate the turn. The handbook explains that trucks swing wide to the left to complete right turns safely, so drivers should allow space rather than squeezing between the truck and the curb.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 122: “Truck drivers sometimes need to swing wide to the left in order to safely negotiate a right turn especially in urban areas.”
4. According to the handbook, what is the effect of wind turbulence between vehicles when meeting a truck or bus coming from the opposite direction?
Answer: It pushes the vehicles apart. The handbook states that turbulence pushes vehicles apart, distinguishing this effect from the common misconception that it sucks them together.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 124: “The turbulence PUSHES vehicles APART. It does NOT suck them together.”
5. What is the recommended action when encountering a 'Road Closed' barrier or adequate flood warning signs?
Answer: Turn around and do not enter the flooded area. The handbook advises drivers to turn around rather than attempting to navigate through flooded roads.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 90: “The solution is simple. TURN AROUND, DON’T DROWN®.”
6. If you are crossing railroad tracks and the warning lights begin flashing or the gates start coming down, what action should you take?
Answer: Keep moving to finish driving through the crossing. The instructions state to continue moving rather than stopping, as the signals allow enough time to clear the crossing.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 128: “If you are crossing the tracks and the warning lights begin flashing or the gates start coming down, don’t stop. KEEP MOVING!”
7. What action does the handbook recommend when driving in front of a truck to maintain safety?
Answer: Keep your speed up to maintain a safe distance in front of the truck. The handbook advises maintaining speed to ensure a safe following distance when positioned ahead of a truck.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 124: “If you are driving in front of a truck, keep your speed up so you maintain a safe distance in front of the truck.”
8. According to the handbook, how should a driver position their body relative to the steering wheel to ensure safety regarding airbags?
Answer: The body should be about 10 to 12 inches back from the steering wheel. The handbook specifies a distance of 10 to 12 inches to ensure the airbag hits the chest rather than the face or neck during a collision.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 41: “Your body should be about 10 to 12 inches back from the steering wheel with or without an air bag.”
9. What does it indicate if you see a yellow line to your right and a white line to your left?
Answer: You are going the wrong way. The handbook defines this specific line configuration as an indicator that the driver is traveling in the incorrect direction.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 56: “If you ever find yourself with yellow to your right and white to your left, you are going the wrong way.”
10. What does a red or orange pennant flag attached to a bicycle's antenna indicate?
Answer: The rider has impaired hearing. The handbook defines this specific flag color combination as a signal that the rider has impaired hearing.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 120: “If you see a bicyclist with a red or orange pennant flag on the antennae attached to the bike, slow down: this is a common symbol to indicate the rider has impaired hearing.”
11. Who is exempt from the Graduated Driver License requirements according to the handbook?
Answer: Anyone age 18 and older. The handbook states that the requirements do not apply to anyone age 18 and older.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 34: “The Graduated Driver License requirements do not apply to anyone age 18 and older OR anyone under the age of 18 who has graduated high school or received their GED.”
12. What is the penalty for a second or subsequent violation of leaving a child unattended in a vehicle under the specific section cited?
Answer: A fine of five hundred dollars ($500). The handbook specifies that while the first offense is $200, subsequent violations carry a $500 fine.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 47: “A second or subsequent violation of this section is a Class B misdemeanor punishable only by a fine of five hundred dollars ($500).”
13. What is the minimum percentage of visible light that must be transmitted through the windows of a passenger car?
Answer: 35%. The handbook specifies that materials attached to passenger car windows must allow at least 35% of visible light to pass through.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 37: “Passenger Car. No material which transmits less than 35% of visible light may be attached to any window.”
14. According to Tennessee state law, how should a driver treat an intersection if the traffic signal is not working?
Answer: As a four-way stop intersection. The handbook states that non-functioning signals require the intersection to be treated as a four-way stop.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 55: “Tennessee state law requires that if a signal is not working, the intersection is to be treated as if it were a ll-way stop intersection.”
15. Which vehicles are required to stop at highway-railway crossings even if the signals are not activated?
Answer: School buses, passenger buses, and trucks carrying hazardous materials. The handbook lists three specific types of vehicles that must stop at crossings regardless of signal status.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 128: “School Buses, Passenger Buses and Trucks carrying hazardous materials must stop at all crossings whether signals are activated to not.”
16. What is the primary purpose of the fluorescent yellow-green clothing worn by law enforcement and workers?
Answer: To ensure visibility under normal, low light, and poor weather conditions. The handbook states that this specific clothing color is used to improve visibility for drivers in various lighting and weather conditions.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 53: “make sure they can be seen under normal conditions and under low light and poor weather conditions.”
17. What is the minimum speed limit for vehicles traveling in the right lane(s) of Tennessee interstate highways under normal driving conditions?
Answer: 45 m.p.h. The handbook states that the minimum speed limit for the right lanes on interstates is 45 mph to prevent hazards.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 61: “On the interstates, the minimum speed limit in the right lane(s) is 45 m.p.h., and under normal driving conditions, all vehicles must travel at least this fast so they are not a hazard to other drivers.”
18. How should a driver respond when spotting a traffic tie-up causing them to slow down or stop on the interstate?
Answer: Lightly tap your brake pedal several times to alert drivers behind you. The handbook advises lightly tapping the brake pedal several times to alert following drivers when encountering a traffic tie-up.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 83: “If you spot a tie-up causing you to slow down or stop, lightly tap your brake pedal several times to alert drivers behind you.”
19. How long does a Temporary Driver License remain valid?
Answer: It is tied to the expiration dates of the holder's legal presence documentation. The validity period of a TDL is directly linked to the expiration date of the applicant's legal presence documents.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 19: “The expiration date of the TDL will be tied to the corresponding dates of the legal presence documentation.”
20. When adjusting the inside rearview mirror, what specific visual cue helps minimize the blind spot on the right side?
Answer: Turn the mirror so that only the edge of the right rear window post is seen. The instructions state that seeing only the edge of the right rear window post in the inside mirror reduces the right-side blind spot.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 41: “To get the smallest blind spot at the right side of the car, turn the inside mirror so that only the edge of the right rear window post is seen.”