Tennessee: Licensing basics — License Classes and the For-Hire Endorsement Practice Test
Questions in this part include: “Which vehicle weighing under 26,000 pounds can NOT be operated with a Class D license?” · “What does the abbreviation GVWR stand for in the license class descriptions?”
Independent educational site · not affiliated with any government agency or DMV
Ready? Test yourself
- Instant feedback with an explanation
- Every answer cites its source in the manual
- Your best score is saved on this device
- Keyboard: press 1 to 4 to answer and Enter for the next question
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 20 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.
Show the questions and answersHide the questions
-
Which vehicle weighing under 26,000 pounds can NOT be operated with a Class D license?
- A regular passenger vehicle
- A pick-up truck
- A vehicle used as a school bus
- A van used for private transportation
Show answer
Correct answer: A vehicle used as a school bus
A vehicle under 26,000 pounds that carries hazardous materials, seats sixteen or more people, or is used as a school bus needs a Class C license instead of Class D.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 2 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 2)
-
A vehicle under 26,000 pounds that is designed to seat at least how many people, including the driver, can no longer be operated with a Class D license?
- 16
- 8
- 10
- 12
Show answer
Correct answer: 16
Transporting sixteen or more passengers, including the driver, requires a Class C license rather than Class D.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 2 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 2)
-
What is the minimum age to qualify for a Class D license?
- 15 years
- 17 years
- 14 years
- 16 years
Show answer
Correct answer: 16 years
To qualify for a Class D license you must be at least 16 years old.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 2 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 2)
-
Which tests must you pass to qualify for a Class D license?
- A hearing screening, a knowledge test, and a driving test
- A vision screening, a knowledge test, and a driving test
- A vision screening, a driving test, and a written essay
- A vision screening and a driving test, with no knowledge test
Show answer
Correct answer: A vision screening, a knowledge test, and a driving test
A Class D applicant must pass a vision screening, a knowledge test, and a driving test.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 2 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 2)
-
What must a Class D applicant under age 18 meet in addition to the standard requirements?
- A requirement to hold a Class H license for one year first
- Special qualifications for the Intermediate Class D license
- A longer vision screening than adult applicants must take
- A requirement to hold a commercial license beforehand
Show answer
Correct answer: Special qualifications for the Intermediate Class D license
Applicants under 18 must meet the special qualifications for the Intermediate Class D license under the Graduated Driver License Program.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 2 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 2)
-
What must be added to the Class D license of a person whose main job is to drive or transport people or property in a Class D vehicle?
- A Hazardous Materials endorsement
- A School Bus endorsement
- A Class M restriction
- A For-Hire endorsement
Show answer
Correct answer: A For-Hire endorsement
If a person's main job is driving or transporting people or property in a Class D vehicle, a For Hire endorsement must be added to the Class D license.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 2 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 2)
-
Which person's job requires the For-Hire endorsement?
- A taxi or shuttle service driver
- A plumber who drives to job sites
- A meter reader who drives a route
- An engineer who drives to work sites
Show answer
Correct answer: A taxi or shuttle service driver
Taxi and shuttle drivers, ambulance drivers, couriers and delivery drivers need the endorsement because driving is their main job. Plumbers, meter readers and engineers drive only in the course of other work.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 2 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 2)
-
Why might an employer require a driver to get the For-Hire endorsement even when the law does not?
- For tax or payroll requirements
- For vehicle registration requirements
- For insurance or safety requirements
- For parking permit requirements
Show answer
Correct answer: For insurance or safety requirements
The manual says an employer may require the endorsement for insurance or safety requirements even if the law does not.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 2 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 2)
-
What is the usual minimum age to apply for the For-Hire endorsement, unless the vehicle belongs to the applicant's family business?
- 18 years
- 17 years
- 19 years
- 21 years
Show answer
Correct answer: 18 years
For-Hire applicants must generally be at least 18, with a lower age allowed only for a family business's own deliveries.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 2 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 2)
-
At what age can a person apply for the For-Hire endorsement to make deliveries exclusively for the family business that owns the vehicle?
- 14 years
- 15 years
- 16 years
- 17 years
Show answer
Correct answer: 16 years
The For-Hire age drops to 16 when the vehicle is owned by the applicant's family business and used exclusively for that business's deliveries.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 2 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 2)
-
How much unrestricted driving experience must an applicant for the For-Hire endorsement have?
- 6 months
- 2 years
- 1 year
- 5 years
Show answer
Correct answer: 2 years
Applicants for the For-Hire endorsement need 2 years of unrestricted driving experience.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 2 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 2)
-
The knowledge test for the For-Hire endorsement uses information from which part of the manual?
- Section A
- Section C
- The Motorcycle Operator Manual
- Section B
Show answer
Correct answer: Section B
The For-Hire knowledge test is designed specifically for the endorsement but draws on Section B of the manual.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 2 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 2)
-
What does the abbreviation GVWR stand for in the license class descriptions?
- Gross Vehicle Width Rating
- General Vehicle Weight Requirement
- Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
- Gross Variable Weight Range
Show answer
Correct answer: Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
GVWR is the manual's abbreviation for Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, one of the measures used to decide the class of license.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 1 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1)
-
What does the abbreviation GCWR stand for in the license class descriptions?
- Gross Combination Weight Rating
- Gross Commercial Weight Requirement
- General Cargo Weight Rating
- Gross Capacity Weight Range
Show answer
Correct answer: Gross Combination Weight Rating
GCWR is the manual's abbreviation for Gross Combination Weight Rating, the weight rating used for combination vehicles.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 1 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1)
-
A Class P license is issued as what?
- A hardship license for drivers aged 14 to 16
- A license for motorcycles and motor-driven cycles
- A license for passenger vehicles not used commercially
- An instructional permit for a Class A, B, C, D, and M license
Show answer
Correct answer: An instructional permit for a Class A, B, C, D, and M license
Class P is the instructional (learner) permit class, issued for Class A, B, C, D and M licenses, with restrictions depending on the class.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 1 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1)
-
Which license is required for a driver who wants to operate both a motorcycle and a Class D vehicle?
- Class XD
- Class DM
- Class PD
- Class AM
Show answer
Correct answer: Class DM
A Class M license can be issued along with another primary class, so a driver who wants a motorcycle and a Class D vehicle needs a Class DM license.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 3 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 3)
-
Which type of vehicle can NOT be used for the road test?
- An “off-road” motor vehicle
- A regular pick-up truck
- A regular passenger car
- A van used by a family
Show answer
Correct answer: An “off-road” motor vehicle
The manual states that “off-road” motor vehicles cannot be used for the road test.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 3 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 3)
-
A person holds a valid Class A, B, or C commercial license. What does the manual say about driving a Class D vehicle?
- A separate Class D license is also required
- A For-Hire endorsement is also required
- The license is also valid for a Class D vehicle
- A Class PD license is also required
Show answer
Correct answer: The license is also valid for a Class D vehicle
A valid commercial license (Class A, B, or C) is also valid for operating a Class D vehicle, so no separate Class D license is needed.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 3 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 3)
-
A commercial driver also wants to operate a motorcycle. What license would be needed?
- A Class M license
- A Class H license
- A Class XD license
- No additional license
Show answer
Correct answer: A Class M license
A commercial license does not cover motorcycles, so a Class M license is needed as well.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 3 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 3)
-
What license or endorsement does the manual say is needed to operate a 15-passenger van in Tennessee?
- A special passenger-van endorsement
- A separate van-driver permit
- No special endorsement or license
- A special restricted license
Show answer
Correct answer: No special endorsement or license
The manual states that no special endorsements or licenses are needed.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 115 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 115)