20 questions from the Tennessee driver handbook. Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. What color lights are permitted to display to the front of a vehicle in Tennessee as of January 1, 2018?
Answer: White or amber. The regulation specifies that front-facing steady-burning lights must be white, amber, or a combination of both.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 59: “Effective January 1, 2018, no vehicle operated in Tennessee shall be equipped with any steady-burning lights that display to the front of the vehicle in any color other than white or amber or in any combination of colors other than white and amber.”
2. Under what condition may a driver cross a broken yellow line to pass another vehicle?
Answer: If there is no oncoming traffic and it is safe to do so. The handbook specifies that crossing broken yellow lines is permitted only when there is no oncoming traffic and conditions are safe.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 56: “Broken yellow lines mean that you MAY cross the line to pass if there is no oncoming traffic and it is safe to do so.”
3. What action should a driver take when a vehicle ahead signals a lane change?
Answer: Slow down and leave space for the change. The handbook instructs drivers to slow down and provide space when another driver signals a lane change to prevent dangerous situations.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 75: “When a driver ahead of you (in your lane or the lane next to you) signals a lane change, slow down and leave space for the change.”
4. Why must a truck swing wide to the left before making a right turn?
Answer: To safely negotiate the turn due to maneuverability limitations. The handbook explains that large vehicles require extra room to maneuver, necessitating a wide swing to complete turns safely.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 123: “Trucks must swing wide to the left to safely negotiate a right turn.”
5. What does the handbook state about the meaning of the WALK signal and GREEN light for pedestrians?
Answer: It means LOOK and then IF it’s safe, proceed to cross. The handbook clarifies that these signals indicate it is the pedestrian's turn to cross, but they do not guarantee safety, so the pedestrian must look and confirm it is safe before proceeding.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 118: “The WALK signal, the GREEN light means LOOK and then IF it’s safe, proceed to cross.”
6. What does Tennessee’s Move Over Law require when approaching a stationary emergency vehicle with flashing lights on a multi-lane roadway?
Answer: Change lanes into a lane not adjacent to the vehicle, or reduce speed and proceed with caution. The law mandates either changing lanes away from the emergency vehicle or slowing down significantly if a lane change is not possible.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 69: “Tennessee’s Move Over Law requires that when approaching any stationary emergency vehicle with lights flashing, you must make a lane change into a lane not adjacent to that of the vehicle, or proceed with caution by reducing the speed of the vehicle and maintaining a safe speed for the current road conditions.”
7. What is the required seating position for children using booster seats in Tennessee?
Answer: Back seat. The law mandates that children in booster seats must sit in the back seat if the vehicle is equipped with one.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 45: “Children in booster seats must be in the back seat of a vehicle, if the vehicle has a back seat.”
8. Which method is stated as effective for sobering up after drinking alcohol?
Answer: Allowing time to pass. The handbook clarifies that common remedies like coffee or showers do not speed up sobriety; only time allows the liver to oxidize the alcohol.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 93: “Contrary to popular belief, this rate cannot be increased by drinking coffee, exercising, taking a cold shower or anything else. Only time can sober a person who’s been drinking.”
9. What maneuver should a driver perform when stopped behind a truck on an uphill grade?
Answer: Stay to the left in your lane so the driver can see you. The handbook instructs drivers to position themselves to the left within their lane to ensure visibility to the truck driver on hills.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 123: “If you are stopped behind a truck on an uphill grade, stay to the left in your lane so the driver can see you.”
10. According to the handbook, where is the recommended tire pressure for a vehicle's original tires typically located?
Answer: On the sticker in the door jamb. The handbook states that the recommended tire pressure sticker is usually found in the door jamb, distinct from the maximum pressure printed on the tire sidewall.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 114: “On many newer cars the vehicle’s recommended tire pressure is on the sticker in the door jamb.”
11. When stopping at a curb, how close should the vehicle be positioned to the curb?
Answer: Within 18 inches. The handbook specifies that drivers should move within 18 inches of the curb when stopping there for proper parking.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 43: “If stopping at a curb, move to within 18 inches of the curb for proper parking.”
12. Which behavior is identified in the handbook as one of the worst congestion offenders?
Answer: Rubbernecking, which involves slowing down to look at crashes or unusual events. The handbook specifically identifies rubbernecking (slowing down to look at incidents) as a major cause of traffic congestion.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 86: “Rubbernecking is perhaps the most frustrating of behaviors. Slowing down to look at crashes or virtually anything else out of the ordinary is one of the worst congestion offenders.”
13. Under what specific circumstance may a driver apply for a restricted driver license after their license has been suspended or revoked?
Answer: When the driver depends on driving to make a living or to continue schooling. The handbook states that restricted licenses are available when the driver depends on driving for employment or education.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 100: “When a driver license is suspended or revoked, but the driver depends on his or her driving to make a living or to continue schooling, there are certain conditions in which the driver may apply for a restricted driver license.”
14. Why does the handbook recommend keeping wrists and forearms out of the main impact area of the air bag?
Answer: To protect the driver in the event of a collision. The handbook explains that proper hand placement keeps limbs out of the air bag's impact zone to ensure safety during a collision.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 110: “This will keep your wrists and forearms out of the main impact area of the air bag located in the steering wheel should you become involved in a collision.”
15. When entering a main road from a driveway, alley, parking lot, or roadside, who must yield the right-of-way?
Answer: The vehicle entering the main road. The handbook specifies that the driver entering the main road from a side area must yield to traffic already established on that main road.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 67: “When entering a main road from a driveway, alley, parking lot or roadside, you must yield to all vehicles already on the main road.”
16. When driving through a work zone, what should a driver do regarding lane changes?
Answer: Stay in their lane and maintain speed until completely clear of the zone. The handbook instructs drivers to remain in their lane and keep speed constant until they have fully exited the work zone area.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 53: “As you leave the work zone, stay in your lane and maintain your speed. Don’t change lanes until you are completely clear of the work zone.”
17. When driving slower than other traffic on an interstate, what lane position does the handbook recommend?
Answer: Stay in the right lane if traveling slower than the other traffic. The handbook instructs drivers traveling slower than other traffic to remain in the right lane.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 85: “Stay in the right lane if traveling slower than the other traffic.”
18. What is the minimum distance you should signal before making a turn?
Answer: At least 50 feet. The handbook requires signaling intentions for at least 50 feet prior to turning.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 71: “Prior to turning, signal your intentions for at least 50 feet”
19. Under what condition is a motorist allowed to respond to a lane change situation by simply slowing down and remaining in the same lane?
Answer: ONLY when traffic conditions make it unsafe to make such lane change. The handbook specifies that staying in the lane and slowing down is permitted only when traffic conditions make changing lanes unsafe.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 86: “ONLY when traffic conditions make it unsafe to make such lane change is the motorist allowed to respond to this situation by simply slowing down and remaining in the same lane.”
20. If two vehicles enter a shared center turn lane from opposite directions, who has the right-of-way?
Answer: The vehicle that entered the lane first. The rule states that priority in the shared center turn lane belongs to the vehicle that entered the lane first.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 74: “When vehicles enter the turn lane from opposite directions, the first vehicle to enter the lane has the right-of-way.”