Tennessee: Distractions, fatigue and road rage — Part 1 Practice Test
Questions in this part include: “Why is wearing headphones or earbuds with a very high volume dangerous when driving?” · “What does the texting law cover while the driver's motor vehicle is in motion?”
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Questions are original and based on the official manual "Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual" (March 2025 printing), Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security.
All 17 questions in this practice test
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Why is wearing headphones or earbuds with a very high volume dangerous when driving?
- You may not hear warning horns or emergency sirens
- They reduce your side vision and your reaction time
- They distract the driver's eyes from the road
- They make the vehicle accelerate
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Correct answer: You may not hear warning horns or emergency sirens
High volume interferes with hearing traffic conditions such as warning horns and sirens.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 18 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 18)
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According to the manual, how does having friends in the car affect the risk for a teen driver?
- The risk is lower because friends watch the road
- The risk stays the same regardless of passengers
- More passengers means a greater chance of a serious crash
- The risk rises only with more than four passengers
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Correct answer: More passengers means a greater chance of a serious crash
The risk for a teen driver is even higher with friends in the car.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 18 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 18)
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Tennessee law prohibits drivers with which licenses from using a cell phone while driving?
- Only an Intermediate Restricted license holder
- Learner permit or intermediate license holders
- Only drivers younger than 16
- Only drivers on interstate highways
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Correct answer: Learner permit or intermediate license holders
The ban applies to any driver possessing a learner permit or intermediate driver license, on any Tennessee roadway.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 18 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 18)
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Which is included in the manual's definition of a cell phone for the teen ban?
- A citizens band radio
- A built-in navigation unit
- A car stereo
- A cellular car telephone
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Correct answer: A cellular car telephone
The definition covers a handheld cellular telephone, a cellular car telephone, or another mobile phone.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 18 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 18)
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A teen driver is convicted of using a cell phone while driving. The offense is which kind?
- A Class A misdemeanor
- A Class B misdemeanor
- A Class C misdemeanor
- A felony
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Correct answer: A Class C misdemeanor
One consequence of conviction is a Class C misdemeanor.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 18 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 18)
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What is the fine for a teen driver convicted of using a cell phone while driving?
- $50.00
- $25.00
- $100.00
- $200.00
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Correct answer: $50.00
The listed consequences include a $50.00 fine.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 18 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 18)
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Who is prohibited from texting while driving in Tennessee?
- Only teenage drivers
- Teenage drivers as well as adult drivers
- Only drivers with a learner permit
- Only drivers on interstate highways
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Correct answer: Teenage drivers as well as adult drivers
Texting while driving is prohibited for teenage and adult drivers alike.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 18 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 18)
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What does the texting law cover while the driver's motor vehicle is in motion?
- Only sending a written message, not reading a message
- Only using a phone at speeds above 25 mph
- Only using a phone to make a call
- Using a hand-held phone to transmit or read a written message
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Correct answer: Using a hand-held phone to transmit or read a written message
The prohibition includes both sending and reading written messages on a hand-held device.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 18 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 18)
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What can a violation of the texting law cost the driver?
- A fine not to exceed $50 plus court costs not to exceed $10
- A fine not to exceed $25 plus court costs not to exceed $10
- A fine not to exceed $100 plus court costs not to exceed $25
- A fine not to exceed $50 plus court costs not to exceed $50
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Correct answer: A fine not to exceed $50 plus court costs not to exceed $10
The fine may not exceed fifty dollars and court costs may not exceed ten dollars.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 18 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 18)
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What fine may result from a violation of the Tennessee texting-while-driving law?
- A fine not to exceed twenty-five dollars
- A fine not to exceed one hundred dollars
- A fine not to exceed fifty dollars
- A fine not to exceed five hundred dollars
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Correct answer: A fine not to exceed fifty dollars
The manual says violations can bring a fine not to exceed fifty dollars plus court costs not to exceed ten dollars.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 30 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 30)
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Who is exempt from the texting-while-driving law?
- Law enforcement officers, firefighters and emergency personnel on duty
- Drivers who are traveling on an interstate highway at night
- Drivers who have kept a clean driving record
- Taxi drivers who are carrying passengers
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Correct answer: Law enforcement officers, firefighters and emergency personnel on duty
The exemption covers law enforcement, firefighters, emergency medical persons and emergency management agency officers while performing official duties.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 30 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 30)
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Under the school-zone hand-held phone law, when is it an offense for a driver 18 or older to use a hand-held mobile phone?
- Only when a crossing guard is directing traffic at the school
- While moving in a marked school zone when a warning flasher is operating
- Only when a school bus is loading or unloading nearby
- Only when driving above the school zone speed limit
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Correct answer: While moving in a marked school zone when a warning flasher is operating
The offense applies to a moving vehicle in a marked school zone when a warning flasher or flashers are operating.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 30 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 30)
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For a driver 18 or older, what is the exception to the hand-held mobile phone offense in a marked school zone?
- The phone is held below the dashboard
- The vehicle is slowing to a stop
- The call lasts less than one minute
- The phone is being used in hands free mode
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Correct answer: The phone is being used in hands free mode
The school-zone offense has an exception when the phone is used in hands free mode.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 30 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 30)
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Does the hands free exception for the school-zone phone offense apply to drivers under eighteen?
- No, and using the phone creates a delinquent act for them
- Yes, in the same way as for adults
- Yes, but only with a licensed adult in the car
- No, because drivers under eighteen may not drive in school zones
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Correct answer: No, and using the phone creates a delinquent act for them
The manual says the exception does not apply to persons under eighteen, and a violation creates a delinquent act for them.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 30 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 30)
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State law prohibits installing a video monitor or screen that is intended to display an image visible to the driver while the vehicle is in motion if it is capable of displaying what?
- A navigation map
- The view behind the vehicle
- A television broadcast or video signal
- Vehicle information such as fuel level
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Correct answer: A television broadcast or video signal
The law bans driver-visible screens capable of showing a television broadcast or video signal; navigation, vehicle information and camera views are not prohibited.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 30 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 30)
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Under Hands Free Tennessee, how much contact with a cellphone or mobile device is illegal for a driver?
- Holding it only in the hand
- Holding it only while dialing
- Holding it with any part of the body
- Holding it only in a school zone
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Correct answer: Holding it with any part of the body
The law makes it illegal to hold a cellphone or mobile device with any part of your body.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 30 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 30)
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Under Hands Free Tennessee, reaching for a cellphone or mobile device is illegal when it requires the driver to do what?
- No longer be in a seated driving position or properly restrained
- Take one eye off the road for more than one second at a time
- Turn down the radio volume
- Lower the window
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Correct answer: No longer be in a seated driving position or properly restrained
Reaching for a phone is illegal when it takes the driver out of a seated driving position or out of proper seat belt restraint.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 30 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 30)