Tennessee DMV Cheat Sheet

Correct answer: .02 percent

Reaction and coordination are impaired by alcohol consumption as low as .02 percent BAC. It takes longer to react, and the skills to control the car with hands, feet, and eyes are drastically reduced.

Correct answer: Vehicular homicide

If you operate a vehicle under the influence and are involved in a crash resulting in another person’s death, you may be charged with vehicular homicide, which can bring fines and a prison sentence.

Correct answer: Added mandatory jail time and fines beyond the standard DUI penalties

The Drunk Driving Child Protection Act adds penalties when a DUI is committed with a child under 18 aboard — a mandatory minimum of 30 days in jail and a minimum fine of $1,000, on top of any other DUI penalties.

Correct answer: Have a much greater chance of a crash, even at low BAC levels

A young driver’s chance of a crash is much greater than an older driver’s at BAC levels between .01 and .08 percent. This is due to low tolerance for alcohol and limited driving experience.

Correct answer: 20 days

Whenever a license is suspended or revoked, it must be turned in to the Department of Safety within 20 days. Failure to surrender it means an added $75 fine on top of any other fines and costs.

Correct answer: An SR-22 form from a liability insurance carrier

Before reinstatement, a driver must pay the reinstatement fees and have a liability insurance carrier file an SR-22 form with the Department of Safety as proof of financial responsibility.

Correct answer: Your Tennessee driving privileges can be suspended until the citation is resolved

Tennessee is a member of the Non-Resident Violator Compact. If you ignore a citation — whether issued here or in another member state — your driving privileges will be suspended, revoked, or canceled until the court confirms the citation has been resolved.

Correct answer: Prove your identity, but NOT to prove U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident status

A valid out-of-state license can be used to prove your identity, but it cannot be used to prove U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident status — those require separate documentation.

Correct answer: The school notifies the Department of Safety, which suspends the student’s driving privileges

If a student 15 or older drops out of school, the school is required to notify the Department of Safety, which suspends the student’s driving privileges. Returning to school the first time restores the privilege; there is no second chance.

Correct answer: Have no more than 6 points on their record and no at-fault crash

To apply for the Intermediate Unrestricted License you must be 17, have held the Intermediate Restricted License for 1 year, have no more than 6 points, no at-fault traffic crash, and no second seat belt violation. No additional tests are required.

Correct answer: Away from the curb

When parking uphill with a curb, turn the front wheels away from the curb. If the car rolls back, it will roll into the curb and stop instead of rolling into traffic.

Correct answer: Toward the edge of the roadway

On a hill without a curb — uphill or downhill — turn the front wheels toward the edge of the roadway. If the brakes fail, the vehicle will roll away from traffic instead of into it.

Correct answer: 30 feet

You may not park within 30 feet of a traffic signal, stop sign, or any other traffic-control device, since a parked vehicle can hide the device from approaching drivers.

Correct answer: Stay where you are and wait until the emergency vehicle has passed or turned onto another street

If the light is red, stay where you are. If it turns green before the emergency vehicle has passed, do NOT proceed on green — wait until the emergency vehicle has passed or turned onto a different street.

Correct answer: Following a fire truck or other emergency vehicle responding to an alarm, or driving within the block of a stopped emergency scene

It is against the law to follow a fire truck or other emergency vehicle responding to an emergency, and illegal to take your vehicle within the block of where an emergency vehicle has stopped, or to drive over an unprotected fire hose.

Correct answer: Need not stop, but should proceed with caution

On a highway with separate roadways divided by a median or barrier not suitable for vehicular traffic, a driver meeting the bus need not stop but should proceed with caution. Note: a center turn lane is NOT considered a barrier.

Correct answer: Stay off the brake and steer in the direction you want the car to go

If your vehicle skids, stay off the brake and turn the steering wheel in the direction you want the car to go. As the vehicle straightens out, steer back the other way to avoid a new skid.

Correct answer: Follow the basic two-second rule, and increase it in poor conditions

Use the two-second rule to keep a safety cushion ahead of you. On high-speed interstates, when following large trucks, and in inclement weather or limited visibility, increase your following distance to at least three to four seconds.

Correct answer: Look left first, then right, then take one more quick look left before proceeding

At an intersection, look to the left first, since cars coming from the left are closer to you. Then look right, and take one more quick look to the left before you drive through.

Correct answer: Illegal

The Hands-Free Law makes it illegal to reach for a cellphone or mobile device in a manner that requires the driver to no longer be seated or properly restrained by a seat belt.

Correct answer: About traffic laws and regulations, such as speed limits or lane usage

Regulatory signs inform road users of selected traffic laws or regulations — such as speed limits, lane uses, or turning rules — and must be obeyed. A regulatory sign is generally a rectangle.

Correct answer: A slow-moving vehicle, such as a farm tractor or construction equipment

The Slow-Moving Vehicle (SMV) emblem is a fluorescent-orange triangle that glows in headlights at night. You may see it on farm tractors, machinery, construction equipment, or horse-drawn vehicles.

Correct answer: You should stay in your lane and not cross the line to pass unless an emergency requires it

A single solid white line between lanes means you should stay in your lane and not cross it to pass unless an emergency requires a lane change. You also should not cross a double solid white line.

Correct answer: You are going the wrong way and should pull over immediately

A yellow line marks the left edge of your direction of travel. If you ever find yellow to your right and white to your left, you are going the wrong way — pull over immediately.

Correct answer: Much more distance to stop

Trucks take much longer to stop. A car traveling 55 mph can stop in about 240 feet, while a truck at the same speed needs about 450 feet or more. Never cut in front of a truck and then slow down.