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Tennessee permit test: lanes, passing and interstate driving

Lane usage, center turn lanes, changing lanes, passing, entering and leaving the interstate, interchanges, the Move Over law and breakdowns. 26 questions, 10 at a time, starting with ones you haven't seen.

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Rules to remember10 key lanes, passing and interstate driving rulesShow the rules
  1. You may not make a U-turn where you cannot see traffic coming from both directions for at least 500 feet. (p. 73, Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022) (opens the handbook))
  2. Always travel around a roundabout to the right, counter-clockwise, staying right of the splitter island. (p. 73, Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022) (opens the handbook))
  3. U-turns on Tennessee interstates are illegal, and crossovers are for emergency and maintenance vehicles only. (p. 73, Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022) (opens the handbook))
  4. On roads with four or more lanes of two-way traffic, drive in the right lanes except when passing or turning left. (p. 73, Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022) (opens the handbook))
  5. Red reflectors always mean you are going the wrong way and could have a head-on crash. (p. 74, Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022) (opens the handbook))
  6. Finish the pass as soon as you can. (p. 76, Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022) (opens the handbook))
  7. Never pass on the left of a driver who has signaled a left turn. (p. 76, Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022) (opens the handbook))
  8. Tennessee law requires at least 3 feet between your vehicle and a bicycle you are passing, kept until you are safely past. (p. 77, Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022) (opens the handbook))
  9. The left lane is for passing. (p. 83, Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022) (opens the handbook))
  10. Tennessee's Move Over law now also applies to any stationary vehicle using flashing lights. (p. 86, Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022) (opens the handbook))

Taken from the explanations to checked practice questions; page numbers link to the official handbook.

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Sample lanes, passing and interstate driving questions

  1. 1.How should you merge onto the interstate from an on-ramp?

    • ASpeed up on the ramp to match traffic
    • BMerge without using your turn signal
    • CStop at the end of the ramp and wait
    • DDrive slowly onto the interstate
    Show the answer

    ✓ A. Speed up on the ramp to match traffic

    Use the acceleration lane to reach interstate speed, signal, and merge when clear while yielding to cars already there. Stopping at the end of the ramp causes rear-end crashes.

    Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022), page 82

  2. 2.You are in the left lane of the interstate when a faster car comes up behind you. What should you do?

    • ASpeed up past the limit to keep ahead
    • BStay in the lane, since you are at the limit
    • CTap your brakes to make it slow down
    • DMove one lane to your right
    Show the answer

    ✓ D. Move one lane to your right

    The left lane is for passing. If faster traffic comes up behind you, move one lane to the right.

    Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022), page 83

  3. 3.Another driver begins to pass you on a two-lane road. What should you do?

    • ABrake hard
    • BMove toward the center line
    • CSpeed up so they can't pass
    • DStay right and keep your speed
    Show the answer

    ✓ D. Stay right and keep your speed

    Stay in your lane, move right, and keep your speed; slow down if an oncoming car appears so the passer can get back in. Never speed up to block a pass.

    Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022), page 77

  4. 4.Traffic on the interstate is slow and the paved shoulder is wide and empty. When may you drive on that shoulder?

    • AWhere marked for slowing, or in an emergency
    • BTo pass slow traffic on the right
    • CWhen you are running late for work
    • DWhenever traffic ahead has stopped
    Show the answer

    ✓ A. Where marked for slowing, or in an emergency

    The paved shoulder of the interstate should not be used for travel except for slowing down where it is marked for that purpose, or for an emergency.

    Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022), page 84