Tennessee DOS Permit Test 2026

Who Can Get a Learner's Permit

To apply for a Class PD learner permit in Tennessee, you must be at least 15 years old. Tennessee uses a Graduated Driver License (GDL) program that phases in driving privileges as teens gain experience.

If you're under 18, a parent or legal guardian must sign a Minor/Teenage Affidavit and Cancellation form (SF-0259) to give consent. This consent can be revoked at any time before you turn 18 by the parent or guardian who signed the form.

School attendance: If you're under 18, you must provide a Proof of School Attendance form (SF-1010) from your current or most recent school. This form is only valid for 30 days from the date it was issued. If you've already graduated or earned a GED, bring your diploma or GED certificate instead.

Adults (18+): If you're 18 or older and have never held a license, you can apply directly for a regular Class D license. You'll still need to pass the knowledge test and road skills test, but you skip the GDL program entirely.

How to Apply

Tennessee offers an online pre-application through the Department of Safety's e-Services portal. You can complete the application online and have your documents pre-approved before visiting a Driver Services Center. Document verification takes up to 5 business days through the online process.

Alternatively, you can walk into any Driver Services Center and complete everything in one visit — application, documents, payment, vision test, and knowledge test. Scheduling an appointment in advance is recommended to reduce wait times.

Teens (15-17): You can also take the knowledge test online before visiting a Driver Services Center. If you pass the online test, you'll still need to visit in person to have your documents verified, pay the fee, take the vision test, and have your photo taken. More on the online test option below.

Fees and What You Pay For

Tennessee's permit and license fees are among the lowest in the country:

The Driver Services Center and county clerk locations accept cash, check, and card payments. Tennessee does not charge a separate fee for the knowledge test or retakes of the knowledge test.

Documents You Need

All documents must be originals or certified copies — photocopies are not accepted. You'll need the following:

Teens (under 18): In addition to the documents above, you'll need:

Name changes: If your name has changed since the documents were issued (marriage, court order, etc.), bring all documents connecting your current name to your original name (marriage certificate, court order, etc.).

Where to Go

You can get your permit at any Tennessee Driver Services Center. These are operated by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security. Some county clerk offices also offer driver services.

Appointments are recommended but not required. Walk-ins are accepted, but wait times can be significant, especially at busy locations in Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville. You can schedule an appointment online through the Department of Safety website.

What Happens at the Driver Services Center

Here's what a typical visit looks like, in order:

The whole process typically takes 1 to 2 hours depending on how busy the location is. The knowledge test itself takes most people about 20 to 30 minutes.

The Vision Screening

The vision screening is a quick test to verify you can see well enough to drive safely. You'll look into a viewing machine and read a line of letters or numbers. Tennessee requires a minimum visual acuity of 20/40 in at least one eye (with or without corrective lenses).

If you wear glasses or contact lenses, keep them on during the test. If you pass with corrective lenses, your permit will note that you must wear them while driving. The screening takes less than a minute.

When They Take Your Photo

Your photo is taken during the document processing step, typically after your identity documents are verified and your fee is paid. This happens before you take the written test — so come prepared to have your picture taken when you first arrive. The photo will be used on your learner permit and eventually on your driver license.

The Written Knowledge Test

The Tennessee knowledge test covers traffic laws, road signs and signals, safe driving practices, and drug and alcohol awareness. All questions are based on the Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual. It is a multiple-choice test with 30 questions.

The test includes four main topic areas:

There is no time limit for the in-person test, so you can take as long as you need. The test is available in English and Spanish. There is no separate road signs test — sign questions are included in the main exam.

What the Test Looks Like

At the Driver Services Center, you'll take the test on a computer. Each screen shows one question with multiple answer choices. You select your answer and move to the next question.

The test is straightforward — read each question carefully, choose the best answer, and confirm. Take your time since there is no time pressure for the in-person test.

Taking the Test Online (Ages 15-17)

Tennessee offers an online knowledge test for applicants ages 15 to 17. This lets you take and pass the knowledge test from home before visiting a Driver Services Center.

How it works: A parent or legal guardian must act as your proctor. They need to download the Tennessee Proctor ID app on their own device (phone or tablet — not the device you're testing on). You'll need a computer, tablet, or laptop with a current version of Chrome, Edge, Safari, or Firefox.

After passing online: You still need to visit a Driver Services Center to verify your documents, pay the fee, take the vision screening, and get your photo taken. The state may also require retesting in person despite passing online. Adults (18+) cannot take the test online — they must test in person.

Passing Score and Results

The test has 30 questions, and you must answer at least 24 correctly to pass. That's an 80% passing threshold — you're allowed up to 6 wrong answers.

When you finish the test, you'll be told immediately whether you passed or failed. If you passed, the clerk will proceed with issuing your permit.

After You Pass

When you pass the knowledge test, the Driver Services Center will issue your Class PD learner permit. This permit allows you to begin driving — but only under supervision.

You must always be accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old and sitting in the front seat. You cannot drive alone under any circumstances with a learner permit.

Start logging your hours immediately. You'll need 50 hours of supervised driving practice (including 10 hours at night) before you can advance to a Level 2 Intermediate Restricted License. Your parent, guardian, or approved supervisor must certify these hours.

If You Don't Pass

The retake rules depend on whether you tested online or in person:

The test questions are pulled from a large question bank, so you'll see different questions on each attempt. Study the Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual thoroughly and take practice tests to improve your score before retesting.

Learner Permit Rules and Restrictions

Your Class PD learner permit is valid until your 18th birthday. Within that time, you need to hold the permit for at least 180 days and complete 50 hours of supervised driving before you can advance to the next level.

While driving with a learner permit:

Tennessee's Graduated Driver License Program

Tennessee's GDL program has been in effect since July 1, 2001. It phases in driving privileges across multiple levels to give new teen drivers time to build experience before gaining full driving privileges.

Cell phone use is prohibited at all GDL levels (Level 1, 2, and 3). The “Under 21” indicator remains on your license until you turn 21, but the “Intermediate” designation is removed at age 18 when you receive your regular Class D license.

Intermediate Licenses (Level 2 and 3)

Level 2 — Intermediate Restricted License: To advance from your learner permit to Level 2, you must:

Level 2 restrictions include a curfew of 11 PM to 6 AM and a limit of 1 passenger (siblings are allowed with written parental permission).

Level 3 — Intermediate Unrestricted License: At age 17, you can advance to Level 3 if you:

Getting Your Full License

You receive your regular Class D license at age 18 — or upon high school graduation or earning your GED, whichever comes first. At this point, the “Intermediate” designation is removed, and you have full driving privileges with no curfew or passenger restrictions.

The “Under 21” indicator remains on your license until you turn 21 (this is related to alcohol laws, not driving restrictions). No additional tests are required to advance from Level 3 to a full Class D license.

Out-of-State Transfers

If you have a valid driver license from another U.S. state, you'll need to visit a Driver Services Center, submit your application, provide documents, pay the fee, and take the vision test. You will need to take the written knowledge test — Tennessee does not waive it for out-of-state transfers.

If you hold a valid out-of-state license, the road skills test may be waived. You'll surrender your old state's license when you receive your Tennessee license. Tennessee requires new residents to obtain a Tennessee license within 30 days of establishing residency.

International License Holders

Visitors with a valid foreign driver license can drive in Tennessee temporarily. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended as a supplementary translation but is not legally required.

If you become a Tennessee resident, you must apply for a Tennessee driver license. You'll go through the full process: application, documents, fee, vision test, written knowledge test, and road skills test. There is no exemption from the written test for international license holders.

The Driver Manual

The Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual is the official study guide for the knowledge test. Every question on the exam is based on information in this manual. It covers Tennessee traffic laws, road signs and signals, right-of-way rules, safe driving practices, and alcohol and drug laws.

The manual is available in English and Spanish. You can access it online through the Tennessee Department of Safety website or through the Tennessee State Library and Archives digital repository. Printed copies may be available at Driver Services Centers.

Study tip: Focus on Section B of the manual (approximately pages 25 through 90), which covers the material tested on the knowledge test. Pay special attention to road signs, right-of-way rules, and Tennessee-specific laws like the GDL restrictions and cell phone prohibitions.

Practice Tests

Taking practice tests is one of the most effective ways to prepare. They help you identify gaps in your knowledge and get comfortable with the question format.

DMV Question Bank practice tests: For thorough preparation, you can take Tennessee DOS practice tests on DMV Question Bank. The question bank covers all topics from the Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual and simulates the real test experience, including the same question format and scoring. It's a good way to test yourself repeatedly until you're consistently scoring above 90%.

A common study strategy is to read through the manual once, then take practice tests to see where you're weak. Go back and re-read the sections you missed questions on, then test again. Repeat until you can consistently pass with room to spare.

Behind-the-Wheel Requirements

After getting your permit, you need to accumulate supervised driving practice hours before you can take the road skills test and advance to the next GDL level.

Quick Reference

Official Links