20 questions from the Tennessee driver handbook. Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. Where should a driver position themselves before initiating a pass?
Answer: Well behind the vehicle to allow a better view of the road ahead. The handbook advises staying well behind the vehicle being passed to improve visibility of the road ahead.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 76: “Stay well behind the vehicle you want to pass to allow yourself a better view of the road ahead.”
2. What is the correct procedure for driving on a road without center line markings when vehicles are coming from opposite directions?
Answer: Give others going in the opposite direction at least half the road. The handbook states that on unmarked roads, drivers must ensure oncoming traffic has at least half the width of the road.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 73: “drivers must give others going in the opposite direction at least half the road.”
3. What does a steady yellow "X" signify on a lane control device?
Answer: The use or direction of the lane is changing. The handbook states that a steady yellow X indicates a change in lane usage or direction, requiring drivers to exit the lane safely.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 75: “A steady yellow “X” means that the use/direction of the lane is changing and you should move out of it as soon as it is safe to do so.”
4. According to the handbook, what is the correct procedure regarding vehicle doors when stopped by an officer?
Answer: Keep all vehicle doors closed and remain in the vehicle unless asked to get out. The handbook instructs drivers to keep doors closed and stay inside the vehicle unless specifically instructed otherwise by the officer.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 66: “Keep all vehicle doors closed and remain in the vehicle unless asked to get out.”
5. What is the correct procedure for making a left turn at a cloverleaf interchange?
Answer: Take the right turn just after passing the overpass. The handbook specifies that left turns at cloverleaf interchanges are achieved by taking the right turn immediately after the overpass.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 84: “To turn left, take the right turn just after the overpass.”
6. What is the maximum distance a vehicle may travel within a shared center turn/two-way left turn lane?
Answer: No more than 300 feet. The rule limits the use of these shared lanes to a distance not exceeding 300 feet.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 74: “These lanes cannot be used for passing and cannot be used for travel farther than 300 feet.”
7. When approaching a railroad crossing with an oncoming train, what is the required stopping distance from the tracks?
Answer: Between 15 and 50 feet from the railroad tracks. The handbook mandates a stopping distance range of 15 to 50 feet from the tracks.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 64: “When you approach a railroad crossing and a train is coming, you must stop between 15 and 50 feet from the railroad tracks.”
8. How should you indicate your intention when exiting a roundabout?
Answer: Always indicate your exit using your right turn signal. The handbook specifies that drivers must use their right turn signal to indicate when exiting a roundabout.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 73: “Exit the roundabout carefully. Always indicate your exit using your right turn signal.”
9. What action is required when yielding to a blind pedestrian?
Answer: Yield to them if they are carrying a white, metallic, red tipped white cane or using a guide dog. The handbook specifies yielding to blind pedestrians identified by these specific aids.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 117: “Always yield to blind pedestrians carrying a white, metallic, red tipped white cane or using a guide dog.”
10. When making a left turn from a one-way street onto a two-way street, what is the correct procedure regarding the red light?
Answer: You cannot make this left turn on a red light. The handbook states that left turns from a one-way street onto a two-way street cannot be made on a red light.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 71: “You CANNOT make this left turn on a red light.”
11. What should you do if you observe a car approaching from the other direction while you are being passed?
Answer: Slow down to allow the passing driver more space to return to the lane. The handbook instructs drivers to slow down in this scenario to give the passing vehicle enough room to merge back safely.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 77: “Slowing down if you observe a car approaching from the other direction while you are being passed. By slowing down, you will allow the passing driver more space to pull back into the right lane in front of you before meeting the oncoming vehicle.”
12. Which vehicle type is listed as being required to stop before crossing ANY railroad grade crossing?
Answer: Church or school buses, regardless of whether such buses are carrying any passengers at the time of crossing. The handbook specifically lists church and school buses as vehicles required to stop at all railroad crossings.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 65: “Church or school buses, regardless of whether such buses are carrying any passengers at the time of crossing;”
13. What is the primary purpose of lightly pumping your brakes a few times when signaling a stop?
Answer: To attract attention with your brake lights. The handbook states that pumping brakes is done specifically to draw attention to the vehicle via the brake lights.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 69: “When signaling a stop, lightly pump your brakes a few times to attract attention with your brake lights.”
14. When driving on a highway with separate roadways divided by a median space or barrier not suitable for vehicular traffic, what is required of a driver approaching a stopped school bus?
Answer: The driver need not stop, but should proceed with caution. The handbook specifies that on divided highways with suitable barriers, drivers do not need to stop for a school bus on the opposite side.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 65: “When driving on a highway with separate roadways for traffic in opposite directions, divided by median space or a barrier not suitable for vehicular traffic, the driver need not stop, but should proceed with caution.”
15. Why is it important to physically turn your head when checking blind spots?
Answer: Mirrors alone may not show vehicles next to you. The handbook explains that checking mirrors alone is insufficient for seeing nearby vehicles, necessitating a physical head turn to check blind spots.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 75: “He would need to physically turn his head and look over his shoulder in each direction to see those vehicles next to him.”
16. According to the handbook, what is the required action for a driver traveling in the left lane when a faster vehicle approaches from behind?
Answer: Move one lane to the right. The handbook instructs drivers in the left lane to shift right when overtaken by faster traffic to maintain flow.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 83: “If you are traveling in the left lane and someone comes up behind you at a faster speed, move one lane to your right.”
17. What is the correct procedure at an ALL-WAY stop if two vehicles arrive at the intersection simultaneously?
Answer: The vehicle on the left yields the right of way to the vehicle on the right. The handbook states that when arriving simultaneously at an all-way stop, drivers must yield to the vehicle on their right.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 68: “If more than one vehicle arrives at the same time, yield the right of way to the vehicle on the right;”
18. What is the correct procedure when approaching a yellow traffic signal?
Answer: Prepare to stop and adjust speed to come to a smooth stop if safe. The handbook instructs drivers to prepare to stop and adjust speed for a smooth stop when seeing a yellow light, rather than speeding up or stopping unnecessarily if unsafe.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 55: “YELLOW: Caution—prepare to stop. The red stop signal will be exhibited immediately after the yellow light appears. Adjust speed immediately to come to a smooth stop. You must stop if it is safe to do so.”
19. What information do interstate reference markers provide to help motorists identify their location?
Answer: The route number, direction of travel, and log mile. The handbook lists exactly three pieces of information displayed on these markers: route number, direction of travel, and log mile.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 55: “The signs display information about the route number, direction of travel and the “log mile” in tenths of a mile.”
20. What is the correct procedure when entering a shared center turn lane to make a left turn?
Answer: Enter the shared center turn lane just before you want to make the turn. Drivers should enter the center turn lane immediately before turning to avoid interfering with other drivers who may need to use the lane.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 74: “Enter the shared center turn lane just before you want to make the turn. If you enter too soon, you may interfere with another driver’s use of the lane.”