Get your Driver's Permit
You must be at least 16 years of age to apply for an Intermediate Restricted Tennessee Driver's License, and if this is your first driver's license, you will need to apply for a Tennessee learner’s permit which requires you to pass a vision test and a written exam covering traffic signs, motor vehicle laws and safe driving techniques.
When you receive a valid learner’s permit, you will then need to pass a road skills test to receive a Tennessee driver’s license.
Applicants under the age of 18 must hold a learners permit for 180 days and complete 50 hours, which includes 10 hours at night under supervised driving time before taking the road skills test.
At age 17, if you hold an intermediate restricted license for one year without any traffic violations, you can graduate to a Second Level - Intermediate Unrestricted License. You may obtain a Class D regular driver license when you are 18 years of age.
Prepare for the Written Knowledge Test
The Tennessee DMV requires that all applicants must pass a written exam on traffic signs, motor vehicle laws and safe driving techniques. If you fail the exam, you must take the test again with the charge of re-examination fee.
New Tennessee Residents
New residents holding a valid out-of-state driver license must obtain a Tennessee driver license no later than thirty days after their permanent residency. All out-of-state driver licenses must be surrendered. Tennessee law does not allow a resident of this state to hold more than one valid driver license.
If a new resident brings a valid, out-of-state driver license only the vision test is required. But, if the license has expired more than six months, then all tests are required.
International Drivers
New residents from other countries are required to take full tests, like vision, knowledge, and road tests. They will be allowed to keep the license issued by that country.
Required Paperwork
Before you leave to the Tennessee DMV Office, make sure you have all the required documents to get your driver's license/learner permit:
- Tennessee ID and Required Documents,
- Primary and secondary proof of your age and identity,
- Proof of any name changes since birth certificate,
- Social Security number if one has been assigned, or Affidavit affirming that no SSN ever issued,
- Two Proofs of Tennessee Residency,
- Proof of U.S. Citizenship or Legal Presence,
- Parent to sign Minor/ Teenage Affidavit form and agree to financial responsibility law related to the issuance of the learner permit or license,
- Proof of School Attendance.
On the Road
The licensee must be at least 16 years old to qualify for a restricted license, and not allowed to drive between the hours of 10 PM to 6 AM. The licensee is not allowed to have more than one passenger at a time.
In order to get full driving privileges in Tennessee for removing nighttime driving and passenger restrictions, the applicant must be at least 17 years old. Learner's permit holders in Tennessee may not drive from 10 pm to 6 am.
When all your licensing requirements have been met, then you will get your new:
- Restricted License if 16 to 17 years of age, which is valid for 5 years.
- Full driver's license if 18 and older, which is valid for 5 years.
Tennessee DMV Permit Test Fact Sheet:
| Number of questions |
: |
30 |
| Answer correctly to pass |
: |
24 |
| Passing score |
: |
80% |
Do you need a Commercial Driver License in Tennessee?
CDL Endorsements are required for double/triple trailers, tanker vehicles, passenger vehicles and vehicles placarded for hazardous materials. If you live in Tennessee and drive a Class A, B or C commercial vehicle, you must have a Tennessee Commercial Driver License (CDL).
To operate a commercial vehicle in one of the following classifications, you must have a Tennessee CDL Endorsement.
Class A License - This classification applies only to combination vehicles with a Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) exceeding 26,000 pounds provided the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed exceeds 10,000 pounds. The holder of a Class A license, which includes any appropriate endorsements, may operate all vehicles included in Class B, C, and D.
Class B License - This class includes single or combination vehicles where the GVWR of the single vehicle exceeds 26,000 pounds. The vehicle in tow must not exceed 10,000 pounds. Class B licensees, with appropriate endorsements, may drive all vehicles in Class C or D.
Class C License –This class includes vehicles designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver, and vehicles placarded for hazardous materials, that do not meet the criteria for Class A or B above fall under this classification and may drive all vehicles in Class D.
Tennessee CDL Skills Tests
There are three types of general skills that will be tested:
- Pre-trip inspection,
- Basic vehicle control, and
-
- On-road driving.
You must take these tests in the type of vehicle for which you wish to be licensed.
Pre-Trip Vehicle Inspection: You will be tested to see whether your vehicle is safe to drive. You will be asked to do a pre-trip inspection of your vehicle and explain to the examiner what you would inspect and why.
Basic Vehicle Control: You will be tested on your skill to control the vehicle. You will be asked to move your vehicle forward, backward, and turn it, etc, within a defined area. These areas will be marked with traffic lanes, cones, barriers, or something similar to it. The examiner will tell you how each control test is to be done.
On-road Test: You will be tested on your skill of how safely you can drive your vehicle in a variety of traffic situations. The situations may include left and right turns, intersections, railway crossings, curves, up and down grades, and single or multi-lane roads, streets, or highways. The examiner will tell you where to drive.
What are few other Requirements for a CDL?
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations require drivers to pass a physical examination once every 2 years. The main physical requirements include:
- Good hearing,
- 20/40 vision with or without glasses or corrective lenses, and
- A 70-degree field of vision in each eye and drivers must not be colorblind.
What should you take to the Department Of Motor Vehicles?
Take your
- Current driver license,
- Department of Transportation Physical Examination Form,
- Your social security card,
- Tennessee ID and Required Documents.
Tennessee DMV Permit Test Fact Sheet:
| Number of questions |
: |
30 |
| Answer correctly to pass |
: |
24 |
| Passing score |
: |
80% |
First Time Motorcycle Riders
Anyone who drives a motorcycle must have a Class M motorcycle license or motorcycle instruction permit, under Tennessee DMV guidelines.
Applicants must be at least 16 years of age, pass the motorcycle knowledge test, a sign test and a vision screening. The final step is to pass the motorcycle skills test where you will demonstrate your competency in motorcycle operation.
If you currently hold a valid Tennessee driver license, Tennessee will waive your skills and knowledge test and issue you a license if you complete the Tennessee Certified Motorcycle Rider Education Program (MREP). This course last from two to six weeks and includes,
- Classroom instruction as well as
- Driver training in a controlled,off-street environment.
When you successfully complete the course, you will be eligible for your motorcycle driver's license.
In case if you do not currently hold a valid Tennessee driver license, then you must also take a knowledge test for a Class D license based on the Tennessee Driver Study Guide. If you have completed a Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) course in any state, you may present the certificate of completion or MSF wallet card. The course must have been completed within 3 years of the application date. MSF course completion does NOT waive the required knowledge test for a Class D license.
Prepare for the Motorcycle License Written Test
The Tennessee DMV requires that all applicants should pass
- A written exam on traffic signs,
- Motor vehicle laws, and
- Safe driving techniques.
If you fail the exam, you have to wait at least until the next day to take the test again and with the charge for re-examination fee.
Required Paperwork
Before you leave to the Tennessee DMV Office, make sure you have the required documents to get your motorcycle license; like
- Proof of U.S. Citizenship, Lawful Permanent Resident Status or Proof of authorized stay in the United States
- Drivers license or instruction permit issued in another state
- Primary Proof of Identity
- Secondary Proof of Identity
- Proof of any Name Changes if Different than name on Primary ID
- Two Proofs of Tennessee Residency with your name and resident address, the documents must be current. Must be dated within last 4 months.
- A Social Security Number or sworn affidavit if no Social Security number has been issued.
If you are under 18 years of age and do not already have a Class D or PD license, then you will need the below documents for a Motorcycle License plus:
- Teenage Affidavit/Financial Responsibility
- Proof of school attendance / progress
- If you are under 18 years of age and wish to have a Class D or PD and a Class M Motorcycle License endorsement, then you will need:
- Certification of 50 Hours Behind the Wheel Driving Experience (SF-1256)
On the Road
When your licensing requirements have been met, a Class M endorsement will be added to your driver's license. The safe operation of a motorcycle requires
- Practiced skill,
- Knowledge,
- A respectful understanding of the limitations imposed by the operator,
- The machine, and
- The environment.
Tennessee DMV Permit Test Fact Sheet:
| Number of questions |
: |
30 |
| Answer correctly to pass |
: |
24 |
| Passing score |
: |
80% |
Tennessee is a state located in the Southern United States. In 1796, it became the sixteenth state to join the Union. The capital city is Nashville, and the largest city is Memphis.
Interstate highways
Interstate 40 crosses the state in an east-west orientation. Its branch interstate highways include I-240 in Memphis; I-440 and I-840 in Nashville; and I-140 and I-640 in Knoxville. I-26, although technically an east-west interstate, runs from the North Carolina border below Johnson City to its terminus at Kingsport. I-24 is an east-west interstate that runs cross-state from Chattanooga to Clarksville.
In a north-south orientation are highways I-55, I-65, I-75, and I-81. Interstate 65 crosses the state through Nashville, while Interstate 75 serves Knoxville and Interstate 55 serves Memphis. Interstate 81 enters the state at Bristol and terminates at its junction with I-40 near Dandridge. I-155 is a branch highway from I-55.