Master the Tennessee DOS Permit Test
Tennessee's Driver Services knowledge test has 30 questions, with 24 correct needed to pass. Study the state's GDL rules, including the 180-day permit hold and 50 supervised hours with 10 at night, plus Tennessee traffic laws and road signs. Preparing for CDL? Check here
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DMV Question Bank1. The Tennessee driver's license
30 questions available
2. An Introduction to Driving
54 questions available
DMV Question BankHow to Pass the Tennessee DOSHS Permit Test
Cruising near the Great Smoky Mountains or exploring the music streets of Nashville or driving through the scenic roads of Tennessee is within reach, but you must first conquer the DOSHS written permit test. The exam is tough, requiring you to get 24 out of 30 questions correct (80%). Failing results in retake fees and delays in getting your license. Our realistic practice questions ensure you walk into the test center fully prepared.
Learn traffic laws faster with our interactive practice platform. Focus your studies on Road signs, right-of-way rules, and safe driving practices alongside other crucial driving concepts. Start practicing now with our Tennessee DOSHS Exam State Guide or refer to the official Tennessee Driver Handbook.
Quick glance at the Tennessee DOS Permit Test
Your Tennessee DOS Test, Broken Down by Topic
Know exactly what to study before test day. Explore 6 essential Tennessee DOS topics, with clear explanations, key rules, helpful tips, and targeted practice questions for each one.
Learn what matters. Practice with purpose. Walk into the DOS prepared.
Ready to put these tips into practice?
Start with our free practice questions and see how you perform, then upgrade to access our complete study system.
Free Tennessee DOS Practice Test PDF
Download our comprehensive practice test booklet with 50 Tennessee-specific questions. Ideal for printing, studying offline, or taking offline mock exams!
- 50 Real Exam Questions covering signs, signals, and laws
- Answer Key included with the correct answer for every question
- 100% mapped to the official 2026 TN DOS Handbook
- Print-friendly layout for convenient pen-and-paper practice
Your Questions Answered
Quick answers to the most common questions about the Tennessee DOS test
How many questions are on the Tennessee DOS permit test, and what is the passing score?
What is the minimum age and eligibility to get a Tennessee Learner Permit (Class PD)?
How does Tennessee's Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program work for teens?
- Learner Permit (Class PD, age 15): Must hold for at least 180 days (6 months) and complete 50 hours of supervised driving practice (including 10 hours at night) logged on Form SF-1256.
- Intermediate Restricted License (Class IR, age 16): Awarded after passing the road test; enforces an 11:00 p.m.–6:00 a.m. curfew and a 1-passenger limit.
- Intermediate Unrestricted License (Class IU, age 17): Removes curfew and passenger limits after holding Class IR for 1 year with fewer than 6 violation points.
- Regular Class D (age 18): Full adult driver license.
Who is authorized to supervise a learner permit driver in Tennessee?
What night curfew and passenger limits apply to Tennessee Intermediate drivers (Class IR)?
- Curfew: Prohibited from driving between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., unless accompanied by a licensed parent, guardian, or driver age 21+, or when traveling directly to/from work or school activities (with a completed Form SF-1257).
- Passenger Limits: Only one non-family passenger is permitted in the vehicle.
- Cell Phone Ban: Drivers under 18 are completely prohibited from using cell phones while driving (both handheld and hands-free).
What are the default statutory speed limits in Tennessee when unposted?
- Urban Residential & Business Districts: 30 mph (note: Tennessee defaults to 30 mph on city streets, not 25 mph).
- School Zones: 15 to 25 mph when flashing beacons are active or children are present.
- Rural Two-Lane State Highways: 55 mph.
- Four-Lane Divided Highways: 65 mph.
- Interstate Highways: 70 mph (reduced to 65 mph in dense urban corridors).
What are the legal parking distance rules in Tennessee?
- Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant.
- Within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.
- Within 30 feet of a stop sign, yield sign, or traffic signal.
- Within 50 feet of the nearest rail of a railroad crossing.
- Within 20 feet of a fire station driveway entrance (or 75 feet on the opposite side of the street).
- When parallel parking, tires must be within 12 inches of the roadside curb.
When must Tennessee drivers stop for a school bus with flashing red lights?
What are Tennessee's zero-tolerance underage DUI laws and adult BAC limits?
- Under 21 (Zero Tolerance): A Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of 0.02% or higher results in immediate 1-year license revocation, a $250 fine, and public service work.
- Drivers 21 and Older: The legal BAC limit is 0.08% (0.04% for commercial CDL drivers).
- Implied Consent: Operating a vehicle in Tennessee implies consent to chemical sobriety testing. Refusing a test results in an automatic 1-year driver license revocation for a first offense.
What is the mandatory waiting period if you fail the Tennessee DOS permit test?
Know the Questions Before You Take the Test
Questions are manually curated by the DMV Question Bank content team using the Tennessee DOS Handbook (2026). Each page in the DOS handbook is mapped to real permit test questions – so you practice with questions that closely mirror the actual DOS test.
TN DOS Practice Test 1
10 questions
TN DOS Practice Test 2
10 questions
TN DOS Practice Test 3
10 questions
TN DOS Practice Test 4
10 questions
TN DOS Practice Test 5
10 questions
Try the Exact 30-Question Format
Matches the real TN DOS test — 30 questions, need 24 to pass (80%)
Full Question Bank
400+ exam-like questions
Hard Questions
Tricky questions people miss
Road Signs Guide
Master all traffic signs
Our content team reviews the official Tennessee DOS handbook regularly and interviews recent test takers to ensure every question in our question bank is accurate, up to date, and aligned with current test standards.
Helpful Tips & Resources
Master every aspect of the Tennessee DMV test with our expert guides and insider knowledge.
Official TN DOS Audio Handbook
Listen to the entire Tennessee driver manual read aloud. Study hands-free on your commute or workout.
Learner's Document Checklist
Know exactly what to bring to the DOS — ID, proof of residency, SSN card, and more. No surprises.
Find TN DOS Offices
Hours, locations & wait times near you
Study Offline (PDF)
Printable practice tests & answer keys
TN Exact Test
Practice with the exact number of questions on the official test
Driving Schools
Verified behind-the-wheel instruction near you
