Tennessee: Licensing basics — Proof of Identity and Legal Presence Practice Test
Questions in this part include: “What kind of documents will the Driver License Examiner accept as proof of your full legal name and date of birth?” · “Which of these birth records is NOT acceptable as a certified birth certificate for identification?”
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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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What kind of documents will the Driver License Examiner accept as proof of your full legal name and date of birth?
- Originals or certified documents only
- Photocopies that have been notarized
- Faxed copies sent ahead of the visit
- Scanned copies shown on a phone
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Correct answer: Originals or certified documents only
Proof of name and date of birth must be original or certified documents. Photocopies are not accepted.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 8 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 8)
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An applicant is reinstating a license that was revoked, suspended or cancelled. When must the applicant provide proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency?
- In every case, no matter when the license was first issued
- Only if the license was issued after January 1, 2001
- Only if the applicant has moved from another state
- Only if the suspension lasted more than one year
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Correct answer: In every case, no matter when the license was first issued
Applicants reinstating a license must give this proof regardless of when the license was issued.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 8 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 8)
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An applicant has only "temporary" legal presence status. For which of these may that applicant be eligible?
- A standard Tennessee driver license
- An Identification Only License
- A Temporary Driver License (TDL)
- A Class PD Learner Permit
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Correct answer: A Temporary Driver License (TDL)
Applicants with only temporary legal presence are not eligible for a regular driver license or an Identification Only License, but may be eligible for a Temporary Driver License or Temporary Identification License.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 8 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 8)
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Which of these can be used as proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency?
- A driver license from another state
- A valid U.S. Passport
- A Social Security card
- A Tennessee voter registration card
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Correct answer: A valid U.S. Passport
A valid U.S. Passport is on the list of documents that prove citizenship or lawful permanent residency. A license from another state cannot be used for this.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 8 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 8)
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Which of these may be used to prove temporary legal presence?
- A Tennessee voter registration card
- A certified Tennessee birth certificate
- A Military Dependent ID card
- An Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
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Correct answer: An Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
The Employment Authorization Card (I-766) is one of the documents that may prove temporary legal presence.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 8 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 8)
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Besides proving temporary legal presence, what must an applicant for a Temporary Driver License do?
- Meet all of the state's driver license requirements
- Take only the vision screening and skip the other tests
- Pass the written test but skip the road test
- Wait one year before taking any examinations
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Correct answer: Meet all of the state's driver license requirements
An applicant for a Temporary Driver License must also meet all of Tennessee's driver license examinations and requirements for the vehicle class.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 8 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 8)
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The documents that prove temporary legal presence usually carry an expiration date. These dates are important in issuing which license?
- Learner Permits
- Hardship licenses
- Temporary Driver Licenses (TDL)
- Intermediate Unrestricted licenses
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Correct answer: Temporary Driver Licenses (TDL)
The expiration dates of the legal presence documents matter when a Temporary Driver License is issued.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 8 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 8)
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How many items of proof of identity will the Driver License Examiner ask you for?
- One
- Two
- Three
- Four
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Correct answer: Two
The Examiner asks for two items of proof of identity.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 9 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 9)
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An applicant for a first-time license (an "original" applicant) must have at least one item of identification from which list?
- The Secondary Identification list
- The Proof of Residency list
- The Social Security documents list
- The Primary Identification list
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Correct answer: The Primary Identification list
An original applicant needs at least one item from the Primary Identification list. The second item may come from either list.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 9 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 9)
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An applicant for a duplicate or a renewal of an existing Tennessee driver license or ID must provide two items of identification from which list?
- Either of the two lists
- The Primary list only
- The Secondary list only
- The Proof of Residency list only
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Correct answer: Either of the two lists
For a duplicate or renewal the two items may come from either list.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 9 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 9)
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Which of these birth records is NOT acceptable as a certified birth certificate for identification?
- A certified copy with a seal from the Bureau of Vital Statistics
- A certified copy with a seal from the State Board of Health
- A certified birth certificate issued by the U.S. Government
- A certificate issued by a hospital
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Correct answer: A certificate issued by a hospital
A birth certificate must be certified, sealed and issued by an authorized government agency. Hospital-issued and baptismal certificates are not acceptable.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 9 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 9)
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Which passport is NOT acceptable as primary identification?
- An expired passport
- A passport that is still valid
- A valid passport issued in English
- A valid passport with the holder's photo
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Correct answer: An expired passport
Passports are not acceptable if they have expired.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 9 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 9)
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What must accompany a passport that is not issued in English?
- A valid International Driving Permit
- A notarized photocopy of the passport
- A Certificate of Accurate Translation
- A letter from the foreign embassy
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Correct answer: A Certificate of Accurate Translation
A passport not issued in English must be translated and accompanied by a Certificate of Accurate Translation.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 9 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 9)
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A driver license from another country that is not issued in English must be translated and accompanied by a Certificate of Accurate Translation or by what?
- A notarized copy of the license
- A valid International Driving Permit
- A letter from the foreign licensing agency
- A temporary I-551 stamp on Form I-94
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Correct answer: A valid International Driving Permit
A foreign license not in English needs a Certificate of Accurate Translation or a valid International Driving Permit.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 9 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 9)
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Which of these is listed as primary identification?
- A union membership card
- A health insurance card
- A computerized check stub
- A Military Dependent ID card
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Correct answer: A Military Dependent ID card
Military identification, including the Military Dependent ID card, is on the Primary Identification list. The other items are secondary identification.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 9 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 9)
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Which of these is listed as secondary identification?
- A health insurance card
- A certified birth certificate
- A valid passport
- A Certificate of Naturalization
Show answer
Correct answer: A health insurance card
A health insurance card (such as TennCare, Medicaid or Medicare) is secondary identification. The others are primary identification.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 9 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 9)
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A computerized check stub used as secondary identification must include what?
- The applicant's home address in handwriting
- The applicant's full name pre-printed on the stub
- A notarized signature from the employer
- The applicant's photograph
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Correct answer: The applicant's full name pre-printed on the stub
A computerized check stub must have the applicant's full name pre-printed on it.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 9 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 9)