20 questions from the Tennessee driver handbook. Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. When passing a large vehicle, what condition must be met before pulling back into the lane in front of the truck?
Answer: You can see the whole front of the vehicle in your rearview mirror. The handbook states that you should only pull in front of a truck when the entire front of the vehicle is visible in your rearview mirror.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 123: “When passing a large vehicle, do NOT pull back over into the lane in front of the truck unless you can see the whole front of the vehicle in your rearview mirror.”
2. When parking a vehicle at night, what lighting should be left on?
Answer: Emergency and parking lights. The handbook specifies that emergency and parking lights should be left on when parking at night, rather than headlights.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 89: “Whenever you park on or along a highway at night, leave your emergency and parking lights on.”
3. When turning onto a one-way street, into which lane should you turn?
Answer: The first lane closest to the left curb. The handbook instructs drivers turning onto a one-way street to turn sharply into the first lane closest to the left curb.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 71: “Turn sharply into the FIRST lane. Remember, you are turning onto a one-way street, so both lanes will be traveling in the same direction. You should turn into the first lane closest to the left curb.”
4. What is the consequence of driving while your license is suspended?
Answer: The suspension period is extended and criminal prosecution may occur. Driving on a suspended license extends the suspension duration and can lead to criminal prosecution according to the handbook.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 100: “DRIVING WHILE YOUR LICENSE IS SUSPENDED WILL RESULT IN THE EXTENSION OF THE SUSPENSION PERIOD AND COULD ALSO RESULT IN CRIMINAL PROSECUTION.”
5. What is the minimum distance your vehicle should maintain from the car in front when preparing to parallel park?
Answer: Two feet. The instructions for parallel parking specify that the vehicle should not be closer than two feet to the other parked car.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 80: “Your vehicle should not be any closer than two feet from the other vehicle.”
6. What is the purpose of a triangular No Passing Zone sign?
Answer: It tells drivers where passing is not permitted. The handbook defines No Passing Signs, including the triangular ones, as signs that indicate where passing is not permitted.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 51: “No Passing Signs: These signs tell you where passing is not permitted.”
7. What should drivers already on the interstate do when a vehicle is attempting to enter from an on-ramp?
Answer: Make allowance for the entering vehicle for their own safety. The handbook states that existing drivers should accommodate entering vehicles to ensure safety, rather than ignoring them or stopping abruptly.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 82: “Drivers already on the interstate should, for their own safety, make allowance for vehicles attempting to enter.”
8. What is the primary purpose of properly adjusting seat head restraints to be even with the back of the head?
Answer: To prevent whiplash if hit from behind. The handbook specifies that head restraints are intended to minimize whiplash injuries in rear-end collisions.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 41: “Head restraints are designed to prevent whiplash if hit from behind.”
9. When approaching an intersection, in what order should a driver scan their surroundings?
Answer: Look left first, then right, then left again. The handbook specifies a specific sequence: left, right, then left again, prioritizing the left side because vehicles there are closer.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 107: “At any intersection, look to the left first, since cars coming from the left will be closer to you. Then look to the right and take one more quick look to the left before you drive through.”
10. What is the correct procedure for starting a right turn using the Push-Pull method?
Answer: Start with hands at the proper 9 and 3 o'clock positions. The instructions for the right turn specify beginning with hands positioned at 9 and 3 o'clock.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 43: “For a right turn, start with hands at the proper 9 and 3 o’clock positions.”
11. When should a driver use high beams when encountering an oncoming bicycle rider at night?
Answer: Do not use high beams. The handbook instructs drivers to avoid using high beams when approaching an oncoming bicycle rider at night to prevent visibility issues.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 119: “At night, do not use high beams when you see an oncoming bicycle rider.”
12. Why might a heavy vehicle still be swept away by floodwaters despite its weight?
Answer: Buoyancy allows water force to push the vehicle sideways even if wheels touch the pavement. The handbook explains that buoyancy allows moving water to push vehicles sideways regardless of their weight or wheel contact.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 90: “In moving water, all that is needed is for a vehicle to become buoyant enough to allow the water’s force to push it sideways, even while the wheels remain in contact with the pavement.”
13. When a vehicle is turning left and a bicyclist is entering the intersection from the opposite direction, what is the correct procedure for the driver?
Answer: Wait for the bicyclist to pass before making the turn. The handbook states that drivers must wait for the bicyclist to pass before completing a left turn when the cyclist is approaching from the opposite direction.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 119: “When your vehicle is turning left and there is a bicyclist entering the intersection from the opposite direction, you should wait for the bicyclist to pass before making the turn.”
14. What is the required timeframe for filing an Owner/Driver Report of a crash to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security?
Answer: Within 20 days. The handbook specifies that the report must be filed within 20 days regardless of fault.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 103: “Regardless of who is to blame, the operator and/or owner of a vehicle involved in a reportable crash in this state must file an Owner/Driver Report of the crash to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security within 20 days.”
15. Before starting a vehicle with a manual transmission, what condition must be met regarding the clutch?
Answer: The clutch must be depressed. The handbook specifies that depressing the clutch is a necessary step to start a manual transmission vehicle.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 42: “In vehicles with manual transmissions, the clutch must be depressed before the vehicle will start.”
16. How many points within a 12-month period cause an adult driver (18 years or older) to receive a notice of proposed suspension?
Answer: 12 or more points. The handbook states that adult drivers face a proposed suspension notice if they accumulate 12 or more points within a year.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 100: “Adult drivers (18 years of age or older) who accumulate 12 or more points within a 12-month period receive a notice of proposed suspension.”
17. What does a lane marked with both a curved arrow and a straight arrow indicate?
Answer: You may turn in the direction of the arrow or go straight. The handbook clarifies that a lane with both arrows allows the driver to either turn or proceed straight.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 57: “If your lane is marked with both a curved and a straight arrow, you may turn in the direction of the arrow or you may go straight.”
18. Why should drivers avoid using dark sunglasses or tinted contact lenses at night?
Answer: They cut down the light needed to see clearly. The handbook states that dark lenses reduce the amount of light available for clear vision at night.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 113: “Avoid using dark sunglasses or tinted contact lenses at night, they cut down the light you need to see clearly.”
19. When should you move an injured person from a wrecked vehicle?
Answer: Only if you have necessary medical or rescue training or there is immediate danger such as fire. The guidelines advise moving injured persons only if the mover has specific training or if there is an immediate hazard like fire.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 103: “Do not attempt to move an injured person from a wrecked vehicle unless you have the necessary medical or rescue training or there is an immediate danger such as fire.”
20. When using a designated crossover on a divided four-lane highway to make a left turn, how should you position your vehicle within the crossover area?
Answer: Keep to the right side of the crossover paved area. The handbook instructs drivers to keep to the right side of the paved area in the crossover, treating it like a cross street.
Tennessee driver handbook, page 74: “On a divided four-lane highway, when using a designated crossover for a left turn (or a Uturn where permitted), treat the crossover/opening the same as a cross street by keeping to the right side of the crossover paved area.”