Tennessee: Licensing basics — The Road Test: Rules, Scoring and Failure Practice Test
Questions in this part include: “Who must provide the vehicle used for the road test?” · “What does the examiner do upon completion of the driving test if you do not pass?”
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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 21 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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Who must provide the vehicle used for the road test?
- The applicant
- The Driver Service Center
- The examiner
- A driving school selected by the Department
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Correct answer: The applicant
You must provide your own vehicle with all the required equipment and safety features.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 22 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 22)
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How many items must applicants be able to demonstrate their ability to use in the pre-trip vehicle inspection?
- Three
- Five
- Eight
- Twelve
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Correct answer: Eight
Applicants are asked to demonstrate their ability to use each of eight listed items.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 22 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 22)
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Who is allowed in the vehicle during the driving test?
- You, the examiner, and one parent or guardian as an observer
- Only you and the examiner (or other authorized personnel)
- You, the examiner, and your driving instructor if you ask
- You, the examiner, and a licensed adult of your choice
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Correct answer: Only you and the examiner (or other authorized personnel)
The only people allowed in the vehicle are the applicant and the examiner or other authorized personnel.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 23 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 23)
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What does the manual say about animals in the vehicle during the driving test?
- Only small animals in carriers may be in the vehicle
- Service animals only
- One pet may ride in the back seat
- No animal may be in the vehicle
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Correct answer: No animal may be in the vehicle
No animal may be in the vehicle during the driving test.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 23 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 23)
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What will you not be asked to do during the driving test?
- Anything illegal
- Signal before a turn
- Change lanes
- Back up
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Correct answer: Anything illegal
The examiner gives directions and you will not be asked to do anything illegal.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 23 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 23)
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When the examiner observes how you prepare to drive, what are they checking?
- Whether you have adjusted the radio, the seat heater, and the climate controls
- Whether you have cleaned the vehicle inside and out and washed the windows
- Whether you checked mirrors, fastened your safety belt, and turned on needed lights or wipers
- Whether you have told the examiner your route and your planned stops
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Correct answer: Whether you checked mirrors, fastened your safety belt, and turned on needed lights or wipers
How you prepare to drive includes checking mirrors, fastening the safety belt and turning on any lights or wipers you need.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 23 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 23)
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At intersections, which way does the examiner check that you look for approaching vehicles?
- Left only
- Both left and right
- Right only
- Straight ahead only
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Correct answer: Both left and right
The examiner asks whether you look both left and right for approaching vehicles.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 23 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 23)
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When you back up, which of these does the examiner check?
- Whether you rely only on the rearview mirror
- Whether you back up with the headlights on
- Whether you back up at the posted speed limit
- Whether you look over your shoulder
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Correct answer: Whether you look over your shoulder
The examiner checks whether you look over your shoulder, back in a straight line, and turn safely while backing.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 23 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 23)
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When the examiner checks how you communicate to other drivers, what do they ask about slowing down?
- Whether you slow down as early as it is safe to do so
- Whether you slow down only at the last moment
- Whether you slow down only when the light turns yellow
- Whether you slow down only for marked crosswalks
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Correct answer: Whether you slow down as early as it is safe to do so
The examiner asks whether you slow down as early as it is safe, rather than catching other drivers by surprise.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 23 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 23)
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Which of these will fail you immediately on the road test?
- Checking your mirrors before starting
- Arriving 15 minutes early
- Contributing to an accident
- Asking the examiner to repeat a direction
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Correct answer: Contributing to an accident
Violating any traffic law, refusing to follow directions, any dangerous action, or contributing to an accident causes immediate failure.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 23 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 23)
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What does the examiner do upon completion of the driving test if you do not pass?
- Gives you the same test again immediately on the same day with a new examiner
- Advises you of your errors, how to correct them, and what maneuvers to practice
- Gives you a written list of local driving schools you must attend
- Tells you only that you failed and sends you home without any explanation
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Correct answer: Advises you of your errors, how to correct them, and what maneuvers to practice
The examiner explains your errors, how to correct them, and which maneuvers to practice.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 23 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 23)
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What is the highest number of errors/points on the road test that still earns a PASS with no re-test needed?
- 9
- 12
- 15
- 6
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Correct answer: 6
The retest table shows that 1 to 6 errors/points is a pass with no re-test needed.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 23 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 23)
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After 7 to 9 errors on the road test, how long is the mandatory practice time before a retest?
- The next day
- Seven days
- Fourteen days
- Thirty days
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Correct answer: The next day
7 to 9 errors/points means a retest after the next (1) day.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 23 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 23)
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After 10 to 12 errors on the road test, how long is the mandatory practice time before a retest?
- The next day
- Fourteen days
- Seven days
- Thirty days
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Correct answer: Seven days
10 to 12 errors/points means a retest after seven (7) days.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 23 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 23)
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After 13 to 15 errors on the road test, how long is the mandatory practice time before a retest?
- The next day
- Fourteen days
- Seven days
- Thirty days
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Correct answer: Fourteen days
13 to 15 errors/points means a retest after fourteen (14) days.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 23 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 23)
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After 16 or more errors on the road test, or an automatic failure, how long is the mandatory practice time before a retest?
- The next day
- Seven days
- Fourteen days
- Thirty days
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Correct answer: Thirty days
16 or more errors/points, or an automatic failure, means a retest after thirty (30) days.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 23 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 23)
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If you do not pass the road test on a second or later attempt, which guidelines set the wait before the next retest?
- The same retesting guidelines apply again
- A flat 90-day wait applies
- No waiting period applies after the first retest
- The wait is chosen by the examiner
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Correct answer: The same retesting guidelines apply again
The retesting guidelines also apply to the wait times between additional re-testing opportunities.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 23 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 23)
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What must be current on the vehicle you bring for the road test, according to the testing tips?
- The vehicle’s paint color
- The vehicle’s tire tread depth report
- The vehicle registration
- The vehicle’s service records
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Correct answer: The vehicle registration
The tips say all safety equipment must work and the vehicle registration must also be current.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 24 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 24)
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About how long do road tests average?
- 5-10 minutes
- 20-25 minutes
- 45-60 minutes
- 90 minutes
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Correct answer: 20-25 minutes
Road tests average 20-25 minutes.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 24 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 24)
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Rolling stops are grounds for what, according to the manual?
- A warning only, with no ticket
- Losing your license on the first offense
- A fine paid by the car's owner only
- A traffic ticket and failing the road test
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Correct answer: A traffic ticket and failing the road test
The manual states that rolling stops are grounds for a traffic ticket and for failing the road test.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 50 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 50)
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Which maneuver does the manual say most often causes new drivers to fail the driving skills test?
- Backing
- Changing lanes
- Turning left at an intersection
- Stopping at a stop sign
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Correct answer: Backing
Backing is a small part of the skills test, but it is the maneuver that most often makes new drivers fail it.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 64 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 64)