Tennessee permit test: safe driver habits
Getting ready to drive, carbon monoxide, the hands-free law and texting, safety belts, child restraints, air bags, unattended children, defensive driving and road rage. 31 questions, 10 at a time, starting with ones you haven't seen.
Rules to remember10 key safe driver habits rulesShow the rules
- Sit about 10 to 12 inches from the wheel. (p. 41, Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022) (opens the handbook))
- Properly set mirrors cannot remove every blind spot. (p. 41, Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022) (opens the handbook))
- Place your hands at 9 and 3 o'clock. (p. 42, Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022) (opens the handbook))
- When stopping at a curb, move to within 18 inches of it for proper parking. (p. 43, Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022) (opens the handbook))
- When the driver has a learner permit or intermediate license, back-seat passengers aged 4 to 17 must wear safety belts. (p. 45, Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022) (opens the handbook))
- A child under one year old, or weighing less than 20 pounds, must ride in a rear-facing child passenger restraint. (p. 45, Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022) (opens the handbook))
- Children 4 through 8 years old who are under 4 feet 9 inches must ride in a belt-positioning booster seat and wear a seat belt. (p. 45, Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022) (opens the handbook))
- Safety belts are required for all drivers and all front-seat passengers whenever the vehicle is moving. (p. 45, Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022) (opens the handbook))
- Children under 6 may never ride in a pickup bed. (p. 47, Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022) (opens the handbook))
- Children 12 and under are safest properly restrained in the back seat, because air bags pose a severe risk to them. (p. 47, 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 safe driver habits questions
1.Who must wear a safety belt in Tennessee any time the vehicle is moving?
- AOnly passengers who are under 18
- BEveryone, but only on interstates
- COnly the driver, never the passengers
- DThe driver and all front-seat passengers
Show the answer
✓ D. The driver and all front-seat passengers
Safety belts are required for all drivers and all front-seat passengers whenever the vehicle is moving. Some back-seat passengers must also buckle up.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022), page 45
2.Your car is struck on the side. What happens to unbelted passengers?
- AThey stay in place
- BThey are protected by the doors
- CThey slide toward the point of the crash
- DThey are thrown away from the crash point
Show the answer
✓ C. They slide toward the point of the crash
In a side impact, everything not fastened down, including people, slides toward the point of the crash, not away from it.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022), page 46
3.A 5-year-old wants to ride in a pickup bed during an organized town parade. When is that allowed?
- AIf the truck goes no faster than 20 mph
- BIf the tailgate stays closed
- CIf an adult sits in the bed too
- DNever for a child under 6
Show the answer
✓ A. If the truck goes no faster than 20 mph
Children may ride in a pickup bed as part of an organized parade, procession or ceremonial event if the vehicle goes no faster than 20 mph. Agricultural activities are the other exception.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022), page 47
4.Your car has a passenger-side air bag. Where should you put a child safety seat?
- AIn the front seat, facing back
- BIn the back seat
- CIn the front seat, facing forward
- DOn the front seat if belted tight
Show the answer
✓ B. In the back seat
Don't put a child safety seat in front of a passenger air bag. Place it in a rear seat if one is available.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022), page 47