Tennessee permit test: sharing the road
Pedestrians, bicycles, motorcycles, school buses and slow-moving vehicles. 21 questions, 10 at a time, starting with ones you haven't seen.
Rules to remember10 key sharing the road rulesShow the rules
- Don't block the crosswalk or stop with any part of your car over it. (p. 117, Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022) (opens the handbook))
- Any person on foot, or using a motorized or non-motorized wheelchair, is a pedestrian under state law. (p. 117, Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022) (opens the handbook))
- At night, don't use high beams when you see an oncoming bicycle rider. (p. 119, Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022) (opens the handbook))
- Turning right across a bicyclist's path is a common cause of crashes. (p. 119, Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022) (opens the handbook))
- Drivers must never use a marked bicycle lane as a turning lane, passing lane or for parking. (p. 120, Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022) (opens the handbook))
- A bicycle ridden at night needs a white front lamp visible at least 500 feet ahead. (p. 120, Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022) (opens the handbook))
- Research shows about two-thirds of car-motorcycle crashes happen when a driver turns in front of a motorcycle, often not seeing it at all. (p. 121, Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022) (opens the handbook))
- Motorcycles have the right to the full width of the lane to handle hazards. (p. 121, Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022) (opens the handbook))
- A motorcycle riding alongside a lane of cars is often out of the driver's view. (p. 121, Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022) (opens the handbook))
- Farm machinery usually travels under 25 mph and may pull wide left before turning right. (p. 125, 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 sharing the road questions
1.What causes about two-thirds of crashes between cars and motorcycles?
- AThe motorcycle's headlight failing
- BThe motorcyclist riding much too fast
- CA driver turning in front of the motorcycle
- DWet or slippery road surfaces
Show the answer
✓ C. A driver turning in front of the motorcycle
Research shows about two-thirds of car-motorcycle crashes happen when a driver turns in front of a motorcycle, often not seeing it at all.
2.You are leaving a parking garage, and your path crosses a sidewalk where someone is walking. What must you do?
- AHonk your horn and keep on going
- BYield to the person on the sidewalk
- CWait only if the person waves
- DPull onto the sidewalk to see
Show the answer
✓ B. Yield to the person on the sidewalk
When entering or leaving a driveway, garage, alley or lot across a sidewalk, yield to pedestrians on the sidewalk.
3.A bike lane is marked and signed for bicycles only. May you use it to turn or pass?
- AYes, when no bikes are present
- BYes, but only to make a right turn
- CNo, never use it to turn, pass or park
- DYes, for a short stop or quick pass
Show the answer
✓ C. No, never use it to turn, pass or park
Drivers must never use a marked bicycle lane as a turning lane, passing lane or for parking.
4.The traffic light facing a pedestrian is yellow, and there is a separate pedestrian signal showing WALK. May the pedestrian cross?
- AYes, facing a WALK signal
- BYes, but only at a run
- CNo, only on a green light
- DNo, never on a yellow light
Show the answer
✓ A. Yes, facing a WALK signal
Pedestrians may not cross on a red or yellow light unless they are facing a WALK signal.