Tennessee: Interstate driving — Part 3 Practice Test
Questions in this part include: “How does the manual describe High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes?” · “You are in the HOV lane and plan to exit the highway before the HOV lane ends. What must you do?”
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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 16 questions in this practice test
Take the test above first, then use this list to study. Tap “Show answer” to see the correct answer and explanation.
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According to the manual, what is the left lane of the interstate for?
- Trucks and buses
- Slower traffic
- Passing only
- Exiting traffic
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Correct answer: Passing only
The manual says the left lane is for passing only; slower traffic uses the right lane.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 69 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 69)
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Courteous and safe driving means drivers in every lane but one should be ready to move over so faster traffic can pass. Which lane is the exception?
- The right lane
- The left lane
- The center lane
- The HOV lane
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Correct answer: The right lane
Drivers in any lane except the right lane, which is used for slower traffic, should be prepared to move to another lane to let faster traffic pass.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 69 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 69)
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How does the manual describe High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes?
- Far right lanes kept for trucks, buses and other heavy vehicles
- Lanes on the shoulder opened to traffic during rush hour
- Lanes for drivers going below the minimum speed limit
- Specially marked far inside lanes for vehicles with two or more occupants
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Correct answer: Specially marked far inside lanes for vehicles with two or more occupants
HOV lanes are specially marked lanes on the far inside of the interstate, set aside for vehicles carrying two or more people.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 69 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 69)
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What are HOV lanes designed to do?
- Encourage ridesharing and reduce rush-hour vehicles
- Give trucks a lane of their own in rush hour
- Give slower drivers a safe place to drive
- Give drivers a lane for leaving at the next exit
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Correct answer: Encourage ridesharing and reduce rush-hour vehicles
HOV lanes encourage ridesharing and cut the number of vehicles on the interstate during rush hour while moving more people through congested areas.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 69 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 69)
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During which morning hours of high inbound traffic is the HOV lane reserved for its exclusive users?
- 6–8 a.m.
- 8–10 a.m.
- 7–9 a.m.
- 5–7 a.m.
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Correct answer: 7–9 a.m.
The HOV lane is reserved during the high inbound traffic hours of 7 to 9 a.m.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 69 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 69)
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During which afternoon hours of high outbound traffic is the HOV lane reserved for its exclusive users?
- 3–5 p.m.
- 4–6 p.m.
- 5–7 p.m.
- 2–4 p.m.
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Correct answer: 4–6 p.m.
The HOV lane is reserved during the high outbound traffic hours of 4 to 6 p.m.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 69 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 69)
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During HOV hours, does a baby in a car seat count as a passenger?
- No, only passengers who could drive count
- No, only adult passengers count
- Only if the baby rides in the front seat
- Yes, just like any other passenger
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Correct answer: Yes, just like any other passenger
A baby in a car seat qualifies just like any other passenger, so a driver with a baby in a car seat has two persons in the vehicle.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 69 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 69)
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Which of these may use the HOV lane during its hours of operation?
- A car with only the driver
- A pickup truck with only the driver
- A motorcycle with only its rider
- A driver alone who is passing traffic
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Correct answer: A motorcycle with only its rider
Motorcycles with one person may use the HOV lane during its hours, but persons driving alone may not, even to pass vehicles in the next lanes.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 69 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 69)
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How do you get into the HOV lane?
- Merge onto the highway as usual, then safely merge to the far inside lane
- Cross the solid lines straight from the ramp into the inside lane
- Stop on the left shoulder until there is a gap in the HOV lane
- Drive in the right lane until the HOV hours are over
Show answer
Correct answer: Merge onto the highway as usual, then safely merge to the far inside lane
Enter the highway the normal way, then move safely across to the far inside lane, where the HOV lane is.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 69 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 69)
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You are in the HOV lane and plan to exit the highway before the HOV lane ends. What must you do?
- Stay in the HOV lane until it ends
- Carefully merge over to the exit lane
- Exit straight from the HOV lane
- Cross all lanes at once to the exit
Show answer
Correct answer: Carefully merge over to the exit lane
To leave the highway before the HOV lane ends, you must carefully merge over to the exit lane.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 69 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 69)
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When does the HOV lane serve as a general purpose lane?
- Only during weekday rush hours
- Only on state holidays and Sundays
- Only when a crash closes other lanes
- Weekends and non-peak weekday times
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Correct answer: Weekends and non-peak weekday times
Outside the weekday rush hours, on weekends and at non-peak times on weekdays, the HOV lane is open as a general purpose lane.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 69 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 69)
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What are drivers found in violation of the HOV lane rules subject to?
- A $25 fine and court costs
- A $100 fine and court costs
- A $50 fine and court costs
- A $500 fine and court costs
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Correct answer: A $50 fine and court costs
An HOV lane violation carries a $50 fine plus court costs.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 69 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 69)
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When you are preparing to leave the interstate, how does heavier traffic change what you do?
- Move into the proper lane earlier
- Wait longer before changing lanes
- Slow down well before the exit sign
- Stay in the left lane until the exit
Show answer
Correct answer: Move into the proper lane earlier
Be in the proper lane well before your exit; the heavier the traffic, the earlier you should move into it.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 69 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 69)
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How far ahead of the exit turn-off are exit signs usually placed?
- At least 500 feet
- At least 1,000 feet
- At least five miles
- At least one mile
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Correct answer: At least one mile
Exit signs are usually placed at least one mile before the exit turn-off, giving you time to get into the proper lane.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 69 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 69)
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When leaving the interstate, until what point should you maintain your speed?
- Until you see the first exit sign
- Until you enter the deceleration lane
- Until you reach the end of the ramp
- Until you signal to change lanes
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Correct answer: Until you enter the deceleration lane
Signal, move to the lane nearest the exit and keep your speed until you are in the deceleration lane; then slow down.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 69 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 69)
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When you leave the interstate, what usually outlines the deceleration lane?
- A series of yellow reflectors
- A series of red reflectors
- A series of white reflectors
- A row of orange cones
Show answer
Correct answer: A series of white reflectors
The deceleration lane, where you begin to slow down for the exit, is usually outlined by a series of white reflectors.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 70 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 70)