Tennessee safe driving practice questions
2 questions below test Tennessee’s own safe driving law, each with the statute or Tennessee Driver Services handbook section it came from, plus 10 more on safe driving rules that apply in every state.
The Tennessee permit knowledge test has 30 questions in total and needs 24 correct (80%) to pass.
Tennessee law
2 questions on Tennessee’s own safe driving rules
These differ from the rules that hold nationally — they are the ones that catch out drivers who studied another state’s handbook.
1. Under Tennessee's hands-free law, while driving it is illegal to:
- AWear headphones for music only
- BUse a mounted GPS that is already set
- Hold a cellphone or mobile device with any part of your body
- DUse the vehicle radio
Answer: Hold a cellphone or mobile device with any part of your body. The Tennessee Driver License Manual (Public Chapter No. 412) states it is illegal for a driver to hold a cellphone or mobile device with any part of their body; write, send, or read any text-based communication; reach for a device in a manner that takes the driver out of a seated driving position; watch a video; or record/broadcast video on a cellphone or mobile device.
Source: Tennessee Driver License Manual — Distracted Driving — Hands-Free Law
2. Under Tennessee's hands-free law, writing, sending, or reading a text-based communication while driving is:
- Illegal
- BAllowed with one hand on the wheel
- CAllowed only on freeways
- DAllowed if under 25 mph
Answer: Illegal. The Tennessee Driver License Manual states that under the hands-free law it is illegal for a driver to write, send, or read any text-based communication.
Source: Tennessee Driver License Manual — Distracted Driving — Hands-Free Law
Sources for the Tennessee items above
Applies everywhere
Safe driving rules that hold in every state
A sample of the national safe driving bank. All 10 are in the practice run, combined with the Tennessee items above for 12 questions in total.
1. Before backing out of a parking space, the safest practice is to:
- ASound the horn continuously
- BRely only on the backup camera
- Walk around the vehicle and check behind it
- DBack out quickly to reduce exposure
Answer: Walk around the vehicle and check behind it. Small children and low obstacles sit below the sightline of mirrors and many cameras. Checking behind the vehicle first is the only reliable method.
Source: Official state driver handbook — Basic control — backing
2. Under ideal driving conditions, what is the recommended minimum following distance?
- A10 seconds
- B1 second
- 3 seconds
- D5 seconds
Answer: 3 seconds. The 3-second rule provides a baseline buffer for reaction and stopping distance under normal, dry weather conditions.
Source: Official state driver handbook — Space management — following distance
3. How often should you check your mirrors in normal driving?
- AAbout once a minute
- BOnly when slowing down
- Every 5 to 8 seconds
- DOnly before changing lanes
Answer: Every 5 to 8 seconds. Frequent mirror checks keep you aware of vehicles approaching or sitting in your blind areas before a situation develops.
Source: Official state driver handbook — Safe driving — visual search
More Tennessee topics
Other Tennessee rules with their own questions
Safe driving elsewhere
Safe driving rules in other states
Safe driving law is set state by state — compare how another state handles it.
Confirm current Tennessee rules
Statutes and handbooks change. Tennessee Driver Services is authoritative for Tennessee safe driving rules and for the permit test itself.
Visit Tennessee Driver ServicesCommon questions
About Tennessee safe driving rules and this practice set.