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Free Tennessee DOS Permit practice questions

Tap an answer to see if you are right, and why. 20 questions across 11 topics, mostly Alcohol and drugs (2).

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Questions last updated October 15, 2026 · Original practice questions written from the Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, text current as of July 1, 2022, printed March 2025) and checked against its text; not official Department questions. Not affiliated with the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security.

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30 questions · 24 correct (80%) to pass · 60-minute limit.

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  1. Alcohol and drugs1 of 20

    How soon does alcohol begin to be absorbed into the bloodstream after a drink?

    The answer

    Answer: A. Alcohol begins to be absorbed into the bloodstream within one to two minutes after an alcoholic beverage is consumed. Intoxication occurs when you drink alcohol faster than the liver can oxidize it. As the percentage of alcohol in your blood increases, you become more intoxicated.

    Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual — Section B, Chapter 7: How Alcohol Affects the Body, p. 79

  2. Intersections and turns2 of 20

    What is the rule of thumb for line colors on the road?

    The answer

    Answer: B. White on your right and yellow on your left is the basic principle of right-hand traffic. If you find yourself with the yellow line to your right, pull over immediately: you are on the wrong side of the road. Always drive on the right side of a two-lane highway except when passing.

    Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual — Section B, Chapter 4: Lane Usage, p. 59

  3. Licensing (GDL)3 of 20

    Who may ride with a Class PD permit holder who is practicing driving?

    The answer

    Answer: B. A permit driver may operate an automobile only when accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old and sits in the seat beside the driver. A passenger in the back seat, or someone under 21, does not meet that rule.

    Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual — Section A, Chapter 1: Class PD, p. 3

  4. Occupant safety4 of 20

    Who must wear a safety belt in Tennessee?

    The answer

    Answer: D. Safety belts are required for all drivers and all passengers in the front seat any time the vehicle is in motion. Officers can stop and ticket drivers solely for disobeying safety belt and child restraint laws. Failure to use a safety belt contributes to more fatalities than any other single traffic safety-related behavior.

    Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual — Section B, Chapter 2: Safety Belt Laws, p. 31

  5. Parking5 of 20

    If you cannot see the side mirrors on the truck ahead of you, what does that mean?

    The answer

    Answer: D. If you cannot see the side mirrors on the truck or bus you are following, the driver cannot see you. You are following too closely and greatly increasing your chance of a rear-end collision. All you can see are the back doors, which also blocks your view of the traffic ahead.

    Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual — Section B, Chapter 4: Backing, p. 64

  6. Passing schoolbus6 of 20

    What do flashing red lights and an extended stop arm on a school bus mean?

    The answer

    Answer: B. When the red lights are flashing and the stop arm is extended, the bus has stopped and children are getting on or off. Motorists must stop and wait until the lights are off, the arm is withdrawn and the bus begins moving.

    Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual — Section B, Chapter 4: The School Bus Stop Law, p. 51

  7. Sharing the road7 of 20

    Who has the right-of-way at a railroad crossing?

    The answer

    Answer: B. You don't share the road with trains. You stop and let them have the right-of-way, because you can stop your car suddenly but a train can't. Drivers must always yield to trains because it's the law. The average car weighs 3,000 pounds and the average loaded train weighs 12 million pounds.

    Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual — Section C, Chapter 3: Trains, p. 113

  8. Traffic signals and markings8 of 20

    At a green light, what must you still do?

    The answer

    Answer: D. Green means go if the intersection is clear. You must yield to pedestrians and vehicles still in the intersection at the light change, and yield to oncoming vehicles if turning left. Never try to jump the gun by starting early.

    Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual — Section B, Chapter 3: Traffic Signals, p. 41

  9. Road signs9 of 20

    What color is used as the background for stop, yield, do not enter and wrong way messages?

    The answer

    Answer: C. Red is used for stop, yield, do not enter and wrong way messages. Red is used only as a background color for STOP signs, ALL WAY plates, DO-NOT-ENTER and WRONG WAY signs and on Interstate route markers, and as a legend color on YIELD and parking prohibition signs.

    Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual — Section B, Chapter 3: Sign Colors, p. 35

  10. Special conditions10 of 20

    After a crash with no serious injuries, a drivable vehicle may be moved to where?

    The answer

    Answer: A. If the vehicle is still drivable and there are no serious personal injuries or deaths, you may pull it to the emergency lane and await a trooper. Never move a seriously injured victim unless directed by emergency personnel, and do not leave the scene.

    Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual — Section B, Chapter 5: Crash on the Interstate, p. 72

  11. Speed and space11 of 20

    How are highway work zones easily recognized?

    The answer

    Answer: D. Highway work zones are easily recognized by orange or yellow-green signs, other orange traffic control devices, flashing lights on equipment and workers dressed in highly visible orange or yellow-green clothing. Work zones include construction, maintenance or utility work on the road or its shoulders, such as tree trimming and survey activities.

    Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual — Section B, Chapter 4: Work Zones, p. 47

  12. Alcohol and drugs12 of 20

    At what BAC is driving always illegal in Tennessee for an adult?

    The answer

    Answer: C. In most states, including Tennessee, .08 is the level of intoxication that is always illegal. It means that for every 10,000 drops of blood there are eight drops of alcohol. BAC changes with body weight, time spent drinking and the amount of alcohol consumed.

    Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual — Section B, Chapter 7: Alcohol and You, p. 79

  13. Intersections and turns13 of 20

    Why are rolling stops dangerous and illegal?

    The answer

    Answer: A. A rolling stop occurs when a driver only slows down and proceeds without a full stop. Rolling stops are grounds for a traffic ticket and for failing the road test, and a driver may not see a child or pedestrian who expects the car to stop.

    Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual — Section B, Chapter 4: Rolling Stops, p. 50

  14. Licensing (GDL)14 of 20

    What is the minimum age to get a Tennessee learner permit (Class PD)?

    The answer

    Answer: D. To get a Class PD permit you must be at least 15 and pass the written knowledge test and the vision screening for a Class D license. A PD driver may drive only with a licensed driver at least 21 years old sitting in the seat beside them.

    Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual — Section A, Chapter 1: Class PD, p. 3

  15. Occupant safety15 of 20

    Up to what age is the driver responsible for protecting child passengers?

    The answer

    Answer: D. The law makes the driver responsible for children's protection up to age sixteen. If children under 16 are not properly restrained, the driver may be charged and fined $50, and a parent present but not driving is responsible. Children may ride in medically prescribed modified restraints, with a copy of the doctor's prescription kept in the vehicle.

    Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual — Section B, Chapter 2: Child Restraint Rules, p. 31

  16. Parking16 of 20

    Is it legal to back into an intersection from a driveway?

    The answer

    Answer: A. It is illegal to back into an intersection from a driveway. When backing, check behind the vehicle before getting behind the wheel, look to the front, sides and rear, and back slowly. Backing is harder than driving forward because the vehicle itself blocks your field of vision.

    Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual — Section B, Chapter 4: Backing, p. 64

  17. Passing schoolbus17 of 20

    If you see any sign of an oncoming vehicle while deciding whether to pass, what should you do?

    The answer

    Answer: B. As a rule, if you see any sign of an oncoming vehicle, it is too close for you to risk a pass. When in doubt, stay in your lane, because collisions from improper passing are often fatal. Be patient: the decision to pass depends on the knowledge, judgment, attitude and behavior of the driver.

    Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual — Section B, Chapter 4: Passing on the Left, p. 62

  18. Sharing the road18 of 20

    Who is considered a pedestrian under Tennessee law?

    The answer

    Answer: B. Any person afoot or using a motorized or non-motorized wheelchair is considered a pedestrian by state law. Be especially alert for young, elderly, disabled and intoxicated pedestrians, who are the most frequent victims in auto-pedestrian collisions. Approximately 7,000 pedestrians die and 100,000 are injured in traffic-related accidents each year.

    Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual — Section C, Chapter 3: Sharing the Road with Pedestrians, p. 103

  19. Traffic signals and markings19 of 20

    In what order are standard traffic lights arranged from top to bottom?

    The answer

    Answer: D. Standard traffic lights are red, yellow and green, from top to bottom respectively. A green light means you can go if it is safe, a yellow light means caution and prepare to stop, and the red light always means stop.

    Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual — Section B, Chapter 3: Traffic Signals, p. 41

  20. Road signs20 of 20

    Orange signs are used for what purpose?

    The answer

    Answer: C. Orange is used as a background color for construction and maintenance signs and may not be used for any other purpose. In work zones, these orange signs warn drivers that people are working on or near the road. Orange always means road work, so slow down when you see it.

    Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual — Section B, Chapter 3: Sign Colors, p. 35

That’s the free set. The full bank has 300.

More original practice questions across the listed topics, a 30-question timed exam simulator, and saved mistake review. Published Tennessee Department of Safety standard for the online knowledge permit test: 24 of 30 correct (80%) in 60 minutes. By law at least 25% of the knowledge test covers drugs and alcohol. One payment of $8.99, yours forever.

Practice the free set

Tennessee DOS Permit alcohol and drug questions

29 of the 300 questions in the bank cover alcohol and drugs. 2 are free here, with the answer and where it comes from:

  • How soon does alcohol begin to be absorbed into the bloodstream after a drink? Answer: Within one to two minutesTennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual — Section B, Chapter 7: How Alcohol Affects the Body, p. 79
  • At what BAC is driving always illegal in Tennessee for an adult? Answer: .08Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual — Section B, Chapter 7: Alcohol and You, p. 79

All 29 alcohol and drug questions →