Tennessee permit test cheat sheet

Tennessee-specific rules from our question bank, condensed to one line each with the handbook page. Read it the night before; don’t use it instead of practicing.

Study sheet for before your test. Notes aren’t allowed in the DMV test room. See the study sheets to print.

Test format
30 questions
Passing score
24 of 30 correct (80%)
Permit and test fees
$10.50 total
Minimum age for a permit
15 years
Supervised driving
50 hours (10 at night)
Hold your permit
6 months minimum

Permits & licensing

  • You can apply for a Class PD learner permit once you turn 15, and you must pass the knowledge test and a vision screening. p. 17
  • A permit holder may drive only with a licensed driver who is at least 21 and is sitting in the seat beside the driver. p. 17
  • Permit holders under 18 may not drive from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., even with a supervising adult. p. 33
  • You must hold your learner permit for 180 days (about six months) before you can get the Intermediate Restricted license. p. 28
  • Tennessee requires 50 hours of supervised driving, 10 of them at night, certified on form SF-1256. p. 28
  • Intermediate Restricted drivers may not drive from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. unless an exception applies, such as driving with a parent, to or from work with written permission, or to hunting or fishing between 4 and 6 a.m. with a license. p. 33
  • An Intermediate Restricted driver may have only one other passenger unless, for example, someone 21 or older with a valid license is along, or the passengers are siblings going to or from school with a parent's letter. p. 33
  • You can apply for the Intermediate Unrestricted license at 17 after holding the Intermediate Restricted license for one year with a clean record. p. 28
  • Too many points, an at-fault crash, or a second seat belt violation adds 90 days to the one-year minimum before a teen can get the Intermediate Unrestricted license. p. 33
  • You need at least 20/40 vision in each eye individually and both eyes together, with or without glasses or contacts. p. 35
  • The online test has 30 questions and you need at least 80 percent to pass, which means 24 correct answers. source
  • Tennessee law requires that at least a quarter of the knowledge test cover alcohol and drugs, alongside signs, safe driving and rules of the road. p. 93

Alcohol & drugs

  • A BAC of 0.08 percent or more is always illegal for adult drivers in Tennessee. p. 93
  • Drivers who are at least 16 but under 21 are convicted of underage driving while impaired at a BAC of just 0.02 percent. p. 97
  • Under Tennessee's Implied Consent Law, refusing a requested test after arrest will likely lead to a 12-month suspension. p. 95
  • By driving in Tennessee, you have already given consent to be tested for alcohol or drugs when an officer has reasonable grounds to believe you are impaired. p. 95
  • A first DUI brings at least 48 hours in jail (7 days if BAC was 0.20 or higher), a $350 to $1,500 fine, and a one-year revocation. p. 96
  • If you are 18, 19 or 20 and convicted of buying, trying to buy, or possessing alcohol, you lose your driving privilege for one year; a second time, two years. p. 97
  • Juveniles aged 13 to 17 found to have possessed, consumed or sold alcohol or drugs lose the driving privilege for one year or until age 17, whichever is longer. p. 97
  • A DUI conviction requires litter pickup for three eight-hour shifts while wearing clothing that reads "I am a DRUNK DRIVER." Tennessee residents do this in their home county. p. 95