Tennessee permit test: trucks, buses, work zones and trains
Large-vehicle No-Zones and safety cushions, highway work zones and railroad crossings. 10 questions, 10 at a time, starting with ones you haven't seen.
Rules to remember8 key trucks, buses, work zones and trains rulesShow the rules
- A truck at 55 mph needs about 450+ feet to stop, nearly twice a car's 240 feet. (p. 123, Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022) (opens the handbook))
- If you can't see the truck's side mirror, the driver can't see you. (p. 123, Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022) (opens the handbook))
- Keep to the far side of your lane and reduce your speed slightly. (p. 124, Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022) (opens the handbook))
- Trucks swing wide to turn right. (p. 124, Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022) (opens the handbook))
- Trucks and buses have deep blind spots directly behind them. (p. 124, Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022) (opens the handbook))
- Runaway ramps are for stopping out-of-control trucks and buses on steep grades. (p. 124, Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022) (opens the handbook))
- The area up to about 20 feet directly in front of a large vehicle is a No-Zone. (p. 124, Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022) (opens the handbook))
- A train at 55 mph needs about a mile to stop, so it can't stop for a car on the tracks. (p. 127, 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.
Sample trucks, buses, work zones and trains questions
1.After you pass a large truck, when is it safe to pull back in front of it?
- ARight after your rear bumper clears its cab
- BAs soon as you turn on your turn signal
- CWhen the truck driver honks the horn
- DWhen you see its whole front in your mirror
Show the answer
✓ D. When you see its whole front in your mirror
Don't pull back in front of a truck until you can see its whole front in your rearview mirror, and don't slow down once you're in front.
2.About how far does a train going 55 mph need to stop?
- AAbout a full mile
- BAbout 100 feet
- CAbout 1,000 feet
- DAbout 500 feet
Show the answer
✓ A. About a full mile
A train at 55 mph needs about a mile to stop, so it can't stop for a car on the tracks. Always yield to trains.
3.A car at 55 mph needs about 240 feet to stop. About how much does a truck need?
- AAbout 120 feet or more
- BAbout 240 feet or more
- CAbout 300 feet or more
- DAbout 450 feet or more
Show the answer
✓ D. About 450 feet or more
A truck at 55 mph needs about 450+ feet to stop, nearly twice a car's 240 feet. Never cut in front of one.
4.A truck ahead signals a right turn and swings left, leaving space by the curb. What should you do?
- AStay back; don't move into that space
- BPull into the gap to pass on the right
- CHonk so the truck waits
- DPass on the left quickly
Show the answer
✓ A. Stay back; don't move into that space
Trucks swing wide to turn right. Don't move into the space between the truck and the curb (the 'right turn squeeze'); the driver can't see you there.