PermitPal
Am I Ready for the Tennessee Permit Test?
12-question diagnostic · 4 easy, 4 medium, 4 hard · Updated July 12, 2026
Twelve questions, deliberately mixed: four easy, four medium, four of the hardest in our verified Tennessee bank. The real test needs 80% — but a diagnostic this short needs a margin, so read your result like this: 11+ of 12, you're ready to book; 9–10, you're close — drill the 25 hardest first; below that, work the full test ladder before test day.
Answer each question to see the explanation. Your score is tallied against the real passing bar at the end.
1. What is the only thing that can sober up a person who has been drinking?
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Correct answer: Time
Only time can sober a person who has been drinking, and it is a slow process. The liver can oxidize only about one drink per hour — coffee, exercise, and cold showers cannot speed this up.
2. What does a Tennessee Class D driver license allow you to operate?
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Correct answer: Ordinary passenger vehicles, pick-up trucks, and vans up to 26,000 pounds, not used for commercial purposes
A Class D license covers regular passenger vehicles, pick-up trucks, and vans up to 26,000 pounds that are not used for commercial purposes. A motorcycle needs a Class M license, and heavier commercial vehicles need a Class A, B, or C (CDL).
3. You should never back your vehicle into any travel lane, with one exception. What is it?
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Correct answer: Backing into a parallel parking space
Never back into a travel lane except when backing into a parallel parking space. Other drivers do not expect a vehicle to be backing toward them and may not react in time.
4. If you are involved in a traffic crash, the law requires you to:
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Correct answer: Stop immediately at the scene, or as close to it as possible without obstructing traffic
The law requires drivers involved in a crash to stop immediately at the scene, or as close to it as possible without obstructing traffic. Turn off the ignition to prevent a fire and check on the people involved.
5. Before you begin backing your vehicle, you should:
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Correct answer: Look to the front, both sides, and rear, and turn to look through the rear window
Before backing, look to the front, both sides, and the rear. Place your arm on the back of the seat and turn so you can look directly through the rear window — do not depend solely on your mirrors.
6. A child under one year old, or any child weighing less than 20 pounds, must be secured in:
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Correct answer: A rear-facing child passenger restraint system (car seat)
A child under one year old, or under 20 pounds, must ride in a rear-facing child passenger restraint system. These seats should be in the rear seat of the car if possible.
7. When should you increase your following distance to a minimum of four seconds?
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Correct answer: During inclement weather, at night, at higher interstate speeds, or when following a motorcycle
During inclement weather, night driving, higher-speed interstate driving, and when following a motorcycle, the two-second rule should be increased to a minimum of four seconds for better reaction time.
8. Under Tennessee law, a child who is four through eight years old and less than four feet, nine inches tall must ride in:
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Correct answer: A belt-positioning booster seat, in the back seat if the vehicle has one
Children four through eight years old and under four feet, nine inches must be in a belt-positioning booster seat and must ride in the back seat if the vehicle has one.
9. Under Tennessee law, a yellow traffic light must be displayed for at least how long before the red light appears?
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Correct answer: A minimum of three seconds
Tennessee law only requires the yellow light to be exhibited for a minimum of three seconds before the red light. It is still dangerous to try to "beat the yellow."
10. For a vehicle WITHOUT anti-lock brakes, if the car begins to skid you should generally:
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Correct answer: Take your foot off the brake and turn the steering wheel in the direction of the skid
As a general rule for vehicles without anti-lock brakes, if the car starts to skid, take your foot off the brake and turn the steering wheel in the direction of the skid — if you can do so without running off the road or into traffic.
11. After you consume an alcoholic beverage, alcohol begins to be absorbed into the bloodstream within:
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Correct answer: One to two minutes
Alcohol begins to be absorbed into the bloodstream within one to two minutes after a drink is consumed, and it accumulates in your blood as you keep drinking.
12. You should NOT use your turn signal to:
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Correct answer: Signal a driver behind you to come around and pass your vehicle
Use your signals only to indicate when YOU plan to turn or change lanes. Do not use them to wave a driver behind you around to pass — this is misleading. Your brake lights are enough to warn those behind you.
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