Tennessee: Licensing basics — Who Needs a License and Temporary Licenses Practice Test
Questions in this part include: “If you do not have your license with you while driving, what range of fine may you receive?” · “Who is not eligible for a Tennessee driver license?”
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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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If you do not have your license with you while driving, what range of fine may you receive?
- Not less than $2 and not more than $50
- Not less than $10 and not more than $100
- Not less than $25 and not more than $250
- Not less than $50 and not more than $500
Show answer
Correct answer: Not less than $2 and not more than $50
Driving without your license in your possession is punishable by a fine of at least $2 and at most $50.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 4 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 4)
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Not having your driver license in your possession while driving is what kind of offense?
- A Class A misdemeanor
- A Class B misdemeanor
- A Class C misdemeanor
- A Class D misdemeanor
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Correct answer: A Class D misdemeanor
You must have your license with you to show to a law enforcement officer, and failing to is a Class D misdemeanor.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 4 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 4)
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Which of these people is not required to have a Tennessee driver license?
- A person who is working in Tennessee full time
- An armed forces member driving a military-owned vehicle
- A person who is a registered Tennessee voter
- A person whose Tennessee license has expired
Show answer
Correct answer: An armed forces member driving a military-owned vehicle
Armed forces members, including the National Guard, are exempt while operating a motor vehicle owned or leased by a branch of the Armed Services.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 4 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 4)
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Which operator is not required to have a Tennessee driver license?
- A courier employed to drive a delivery vehicle all day
- A farm tractor operator moving it temporarily on a highway
- The driver of a pick-up truck
- The driver of a school bus
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Correct answer: A farm tractor operator moving it temporarily on a highway
Operators of road machinery, farm tractors, or other farm equipment temporarily operated or moved on a highway do not need a Tennessee license.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 4 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 4)
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Which non-Tennessee residents are not required to have a Tennessee driver license?
- Those who hold only an International Driving Permit from their home country
- Those whose home license has been suspended
- Those with an expired license from their home state
- Those with a valid home-state or home-country license of an equivalent class
Show answer
Correct answer: Those with a valid home-state or home-country license of an equivalent class
A nonresident who has a valid home-state or home-country license equivalent to the Tennessee class or type may drive without a Tennessee license.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 4 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 4)
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Non-U.S. citizens in managerial or technical positions in Tennessee may operate vehicles with a valid license from another country for how long before they must apply for a Tennessee license?
- 6 months
- 30 days
- 3 months
- 1 year
Show answer
Correct answer: 6 months
These employees may drive on their out-of-state or foreign license for 6 months, then must apply for a Tennessee license.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 4 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 4)
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A student in an approved driver training course does not need a license when accompanied by whom?
- A parent or guardian
- Any licensed adult
- A certified instructor
- A driver who is at least 21 years old
Show answer
Correct answer: A certified instructor
Students enrolled in an approved driver training course are exempt while accompanied by a certified instructor.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 4 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 4)
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Who is not eligible for a Tennessee driver license?
- Anyone whose license is suspended or revoked in any state
- Anyone who has never owned or registered a vehicle
- Anyone who is older than 65
- Anyone who holds a commercial license
Show answer
Correct answer: Anyone whose license is suspended or revoked in any state
A person whose license is currently suspended or revoked in Tennessee or any other state is not eligible.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 4 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 4)
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Who determines whether a mental or physical disability makes an applicant unable to operate a motor vehicle safely, making the applicant not eligible?
- The county election commission
- The applicant's employer
- The Commissioner or designee
- The local police department
Show answer
Correct answer: The Commissioner or designee
The Commissioner (or the Commissioner's designee) decides whether a person cannot safely operate a vehicle because of a disability.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 4 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 4)
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Which person under age 18 is not eligible for a driver license?
- One who has a part-time job after school hours
- One who has a younger sibling
- One who lives with a single parent
- One who dropped out of school before graduating
Show answer
Correct answer: One who dropped out of school before graduating
Anyone under 18 who dropped out of school before graduating, or who does not make satisfactory progress in school, is not eligible.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 4 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 4)
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What can an applicant who cannot provide the required proof of citizenship, lawful permanent residency or temporary legal presence get?
- An ID Only license, but not a driver license
- A driver license, but not an ID Only license
- Neither a driver license nor an ID Only license
- A Class PD license only
Show answer
Correct answer: Neither a driver license nor an ID Only license
Without the required proof, the applicant does not qualify for a driver license or an identification-only license.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 4 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 4)
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To whom are Temporary Driver Licenses (TDL) issued?
- Residents who are not citizens or permanent residents but have temporary legal presence
- Visitors who live in another state and are only passing through Tennessee
- U.S. citizens who have lost their driver license and need a replacement
- Lawful permanent residents who have lived in the state for a year
Show answer
Correct answer: Residents who are not citizens or permanent residents but have temporary legal presence
A TDL goes to Tennessee residents who are not citizens or permanent residents but have temporary legal presence and authorized stay in the U.S.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 4 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 4)
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Temporary Driver License class types are preceded by which letter?
- T
- Z
- P
- X
Show answer
Correct answer: X
TDL class types begin with the letter X, such as XD, XM and XPD.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 5 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 5)
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How is a Temporary Identification License (TID) shown on the card?
- Class TID
- Class XID
- Class XD
- Class ID
Show answer
Correct answer: Class XID
A Temporary Identification card is shown as Class XID.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 5 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 5)
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What is the maximum length of time a Temporary Identification License (TID) can be issued?
- 2 years
- 5 years
- 3 years
- 8 years
Show answer
Correct answer: 5 years
A TID can be issued for a maximum of 5 years.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 5 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 5)
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What is the expiration date of a Temporary Driver License (TDL) tied to?
- The holder's next birthday
- A fixed eight-year period from the date of issue
- The date of the knowledge test
- The dates on the legal presence documents
Show answer
Correct answer: The dates on the legal presence documents
A TDL expires according to the corresponding dates of the holder's legal presence documentation.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 5 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 5)
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Besides proving the holder passed Tennessee's driver license examinations, what else does a Temporary Driver License (TDL) serve as?
- A valid identification document
- A voter registration card
- An International Driving Permit
- A hardship license
Show answer
Correct answer: A valid identification document
The TDL also serves as a valid identification document.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 5 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 5)